It's Been Too Long!

 This is crazy to admit, but with how life has been since Covid-19, and having a year long break from training clients, I forgot about this blog.

This past year has been busy.  My mother's health got worse, and in November she passed away. Since my dad was already in Memory Care, that left me with giving more attention and visits to my dad.

I had already planned on winding down my career as a personal trainer and retire. As well as being busy with my parents, and my new-budded interest in camping, I was being spread too thin.

So, I let my domains and hosting expire.  As of March, I finally let my IDEA Fitness Association expire. I had this for 12 years, and it served me well.  In addition to having my profile listed there, along with my credentials, I had a newsletter and Facebook presence.  I was surprised that a newsletter went out for me today!  So, if you received it and clicked on the link to bring you here, I'm just letting you know that my internet presence has disappeared if you're searching for a personal trainer.

I am now down to a few clients, but that is doable since I enjoy my clients.  But as of November 2023, I should be officially retired.

COVID-19 UPDATE

 As many of you are aware, our new normal has changed dramatically in the past 8 months. Since this time, due to my client's age groups, I have not been training clients. The majority of my clients are at high risk due to age and many with underlying medical conditions.

I, too am at high risk due to my age. However, my husband is at even higher risk due to several underlying medical conditions.  Both of my parents are in their 90s with health issues.

Because life is the most important thing, I will continue not to train clients until our weather gets cooler and IF my clients are willing to train outdoors.  I will be able to train clients on my patio or at a park or other outdoor location.

During this time, I have been continuing my personal training education and doing what is necessary to keep all my credentials updated.  Some of this has been tricky since some government offices have been closed for visits, etc.

I did have a new experience.  Instead of going somewhere to attend a personal trainer type convention/conference, I attended one online via Zoom. This had it's pros and cons.  

Financially, it was advantageous since I didn't have to pay for a flight or for several days at a hotel.  However, I basically was a captive at my computer for 5 or more hours a day for three days, in my fitness studio. 

But I received a lot of education, inspiration and enjoyed it very much.  I may even attend these for a few more years even after things become safer to travel.

For now, I hope everyone is staying safe and also doing something on a regular basis to keep up with their fitness and health. There are many online sources for working out at home.

I'm looking forward to resuming training my clients. If you are interested in personal training in the future, feel free to contact me.  I am happy to answer any questions.

I wish you all well. Stay Safe.

I GOT MARRIED!

I have gotten married! Right before things shut down for the Corona Virus, I was able to get married!

My new last name is Velez, but at this time, my business name will still remain as Viveca Park, Personal Trainer. At my age, there are so many places to update my name and it has been very time-consuming.  Also, the first place to update your name is the Social Security Administration.  Unfortunately, they were closed.

My business is registered with the state as Viveca Park, Personal Trainer and that is also how each of my county and city license is registered. But more importantly, I've been known online as Viveca Park in relation to my business and search engines, etc. I will keep my business name. 

Currently, I am not training clients since the majority of my clients are over 65 and vulnerable.  We are currently just in the first stage of Phase 1 here in South Florida.  I shall wait and see how things develop.

In the meantime, if you are interested in personal training when I begin training clients again, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Active Aging

We're in "season" here in South Florida, so I've been busy training clients.
The majority of my clients are women, but I do have one male client.

Although the average age of my client is about 74, lately I have started getting more clients in their 40s and 50s. This is great because I can help them avoid some of the issues that can crop up as they near the age of 60. 

As one ages, if one does not exercise on a regular basis, their body can age more quickly. As it does, one can start to feel their age and body parts start to wear out and make their presence known.

Many of my clients in their 60s and 70s have issues that require me to create a workout for them to help reduce these physical issues without causing them any pain or aggravating their condition.

My main goal for my clients over 60 is functional fitness.  Functional Fitness training is leading my clients through exercises that will help their body stay younger, which will help them be able to perform activities of daily living, stay independent longer, and enjoy a better quality of life as they age.

There are many components of functional fitness such as:

Flexibility
Agility
Mobility
Endurance
Strength Training
Balance

I really enjoy getting to know each of my clients and helping them obtain their fitness goals. In addition to getting stronger, they may be need to work on balance or getting up from the floor. 

My passion is helping my clients not only by staying functional as they age, but to make it fun along the way and keep them active for years to come.

New Additions to My Fitness Equipment

In March I was lucky enough to win a monthly contest with Personal Fitness Professional (PFP) magazine! In doing so, in addition to receiving a prize of attending the Functional Aging Summit in June in New Mexico, I also received training for certification such as the FAI Functional Aging Specialist, and others which others which I haven't taken yet.

In addition to these training for certifications, I received some equipment sponsored by various companies. Here is a list of some of my new toys:

Bosu NexGen Pro Balance Trainer from BOSU
Halo Trainer Plus with Stability Ball from Merrithew
Foan Roller and Stretch Out Strap by OPTP
Anchor Point Training Package by APT
ActivMotion Bar by ActivMotionBar


These are some things that I already have:

TRX
Medicine Balls
Stability Balls
Kettlebells
Free Weights
Ballet Bar
Weighted Body Bars
Battle Ropes
Resistance Bands & Tubes
Thane Total Flex
Pilates Power Gym Plus
Bosu
Wonder Core Abdominal
Ankle Weights
NordicTrack Recumbent Bike
Vibration Platform 

My little studio is getting quite full with my fitness toys! My closet is also overflowing! 

This summer, I have some afternoon openings available.  If you train in my studio, you can get your first 2 introductory one-hour sessions for $40. Be sure to tell me you saw this special on my blog when you contact me!

FAI Functional Aging Summit

I have just completed a 2-day Functional Fitness Institute conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico! It was two days jam packed with updated and expanded knowledge in the fitness field dealing with training active aging adults. The information will help to continue to train my clients, so they can function easier with activities of daily living throughout their lives, within their limitations (if any). And in doing so, may help prevent injuries as well as balance issues.

Much of the information had to do with staying active and not to stereotype yourself or others by age, since it is just a number. Many people in their 70's, 80's & 90's may be more active than some in their 40's or 50's, etc.  AGE IS JUST A NUMBER!  

The way you age and feel has to do more with your lifestyle! Being sedentary and isolated can make you age faster. The mindset you have can help you assist in keeping you young.

You can see more pictures and information regarding this conference on my Personal Trainer Facebook Page.

In addition to the information I received from the various workshops and lectures I attended, I was also able to participate in two early-morning exercise workouts. I'm grateful for these since they were using equipment that I have recently purchased.  These workouts gave me a lot of new ideas that I can use with my clients.

One of the highlights of the conference was meeting many personal trainers from other states as well as other countries. It was nice to get to know them, and find out what they do.  Many have attended up to 5 years of the FAI conferences, and I'm pretty sure this won't be my last one since the focus is on training the active aging adult.

I am listening to the keynote speaker in this picture 

(I am the blonde in the front left side of the picture).

New Certifications!

I have been busy, and didn't take the time to post my most recent certifications. So I will post the two most recent ones in this blog post instead of separately.

In April, I studied for and got certified as a Functional Aging Specialist with the Functional Aging Institute. Next week I'll also be attending the Functional Aging Summit for 2 days of lectures and workshops!  I am very excited about this!!!

Previously, I had started the Fitour Primary Group Exercise certification, but had put it on the back burner in order to get certified with The American Council on Exercise (ACE) for the Senior Fitness Specialist Certification program.  I hadn't realized that I really had pretty much finished studying.  But now that I got these two behind me, I got back and reviewed & studied and completed the group exercise certification.

So, now I am freed up to start my next certification program. I think I will take a little break until after I attend the Functional Aging Summit next week in Albuquerque, NM.