I was recently on a house-hunting trip in Grand Rapids (more specifically, East GR). I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually looking forward to returning to the midwest (I grew up in NW Indiana).

Coming from more than 7 years living in the tax free shopping, restaurant-on-every-corner capital of the mid-Atlantic (that'd be Delaware for you non-locals), I was amazed to see so many people out running, walking, pushing strollers, walking dogs and otherwise doing what we personal trainers preach: being active!

While it was refreshing to see, it makes me wonder what kind of challenges I'll face when I relocate my business to the area.

Are the local personal trainers driving this level of physical activity? Or are they more like the Maytag repairman - sitting by the phone, waiting for someone to call? Either I'm gonna have some stiff competition or it might be time to consider a career change.

While I was only in town for a few days, I do hope all that activity wasn't just a "fluke". While I've helped more people than I can count lose weight over the years, I get goosebumps when I consider the possibility that I can shift the emphasis of my business from "general fitness"/weight loss, to performance based training. If only all trainers in this supersized country could have it this good!

Bah, who am I kidding? Fast food/drive up windows are here to stay. TV screens are getting wider and so are our collective behinds. I'm fairly certain GR (like any town in America) has it's fair-share of "not-quite-in-shape" people.

While I'm not there yet, I'd love to hear from other trainers and non-trainers alike about YOUR experiences with all-things-fitness in (and around) Grand Rapids.

Oh, and if you're one of those "not-quite-in-shape" people I mentioned, you might enjoy a free coaching program I created especially for my (soon-to-be) neighbors in GR. You can sign up at GrandRapidsPersonalTrainer.com.

(hope that doesn't come off as a shameless-self-promotion!)

-Coach Joe-