Personal Fitness Professional - August 2008 - (Page 17)

you will just stop using it. Either is bad, as most software is not returnable. And typically, transferring data from one manufacturer’s program to another is not possible. Second, look for things like customizing it to your needs. Does it have a manual, tutorial or other training available? Is the software limited in its scope? In other words, will it handle fitness assessment but not nutrition, or is it in all-in-one program that has more than you want? Can the program be expanded as you grow? For instance, can you start with fitness assessments and add nutrition later? Not all software companies offer total solutions, meaning that you have to buy different programs from different companies. In the long run, this can waste your time by having to re-enter the same client information over and over again as well as having data that does not link or reports that are not consistent. Third, how much does it cost, and what is the cost based on, such as number of computers, networking, number of clients or trainers? Are there annual fees? Are upgrades created periodically, and how much do they cost? Is technical support included, or does it cost extra? Does the billing system have a way of limiting sensitive financial information to specific users? If you have read the manual and watched the training tutorials and still have questions, do not hesitate to call the company and ask questions. Fourth, check out the company. Go to the company’s website, and see if they offer common technical problem solutions on their website. Call them. Are they friendly, helpful and professional? You may be working with them for many years to come, so it helps if you get a good feeling about them. How long have they been around? Granted, even a company that has been around for 10 years can’t guarantee they will be around in another 10, but it’s a better chance than one that just opened its doors yesterday. Fifth, compare your results, and buy your winner. The right personal training software streamlines services and improves your odds to make it in the business of personal training. Finding the right program for you doesn’t have to be impossible. Just assess your needs, narrow down your choices, and examine the programs. Douglas Feick is the President of BioEx Systems Inc. He has been a licensed physical therapist since 1994 and certified personal trainer since 1998, and he specializes in orthopedics and wellness programs. He began BioEx Systems in 1996 primarily to provide affordable and easy-touse software for both the physical therapy and personal training professions. Visit www.bioexsystems. com for more information. ● YOU’VE HIT THE GYM. NOW IT’S TIME TO HIT THE BOOKS. MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO YOUR CLIENTS AND YOURSELF. GET NSCA-CPT CERTIFIED. NSCA-Certiﬁed Personal Trainers® have the knowledge and expertise employers look for. Visit us online to view preparation materials and to learn how you can pick your exam date and location with computer-based testing. > > > FIND OUT MORE: www.nsca-cc.org. GO FARTHER AUGUST2008 · WWW.FIT-PRO.COM 17 http://www.bioexsystems http://WWW.FIT-PRO.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Personal Fitness Professional - August 2008

Personal Fitness Professional - August 2008 Contents Letter from the Editor It's a Weighty Issue Current Controversies Streamline with Digital Neuro-Linguistic Programming Continuing Education Mark Your Calendar Act Like You Know About Marketing Blog For Fun and Profit Exercise Spotlight Product Profile New on the Market Spotlight: Krystal Davis

Personal Fitness Professional - August 2008

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