THE BEST ONLINE FITNESS PROGRAMS EVER

1. How to find cutting edge nutrition programs, and the best fitness trainers ever

2. Reviews of two of the best programs available. 

I’m sure that anyone who is looking for a good, cutting edge fitness program is absolutely overwhelmed by the huge amount of information available, not to mention the numerous scams, magic potions, and supplements that are purported to just “burn fat build muscle” or “rev up your metabolism” or some other hocus pocus. I love working out. I eat “right.” I’m a yoga teacher and a personal trainer. I’m always looking for the best online fitness programs and the really excellent, cutting edge trainers. After a great deal of trial and error, I’ve come up with some guidelines to help you on your own search.

1. Make sure that the trainer, i.e. the person selling you the fitness and/or nutrition program really has the chops to back up his or her claims. Is s/he published and recognized in the field? Has the person trained thousands of people with good results and lots of testimonials to that effect? Do the before-and-after photographs look real? If you can talk to others who have used the program, even better. Use social sites such as Twitter and Facebook to talk to some real clients.

2. Make sure a nutrition program is included; i.e. you are getting a comprehensive program. Any good trainer will tell you that nutrition is much more than half the battle. There is a lot of new, advanced research about nutrition and weight loss. If the trainer is pushing “magic” supplements, low fat diets, low calorie diets, low-carb diets or any of these programs that are passé and don’t work, give it a miss. What you’re looking for, among other things, is a healthy lifestyle, not a diet, that includes only real foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, good oils, balance, and enough food to ensure your metabolism doesn’t slow down too much. I can lose fat or maintain weight on 2,000-3,000 calories and I’m only 5’2” and post-menopausal to boot. I eat all day. There’s no need for suffering!

3. The program should be heavy on resistance (weights or, better yet, body weight routines) and zip on long, slow boring cardio. New research shows that short spurts of cardio interval training are much more effective. Some new programs have almost no cardio at all and are effective. This is good news, especially for older adults whose joints are shot from too much running and impact. And you’ve got to build muscle – it’s one of the fastest, healthiest ways to lose fat. Something you can do at home (or traveling, for that matter) with very little equipment is best for most busy folks. And there are cutting edge nutrition programs that let you do just that., i.e. gain muscle lose fat fast.

4. The program should address the needs of different age groups, both genders and varying levels of fitness, with enough variety and flexibility to keep you interested and active for years.

5. Lastly, I would strongly recommend a motivational aspect to the program. There is so much great information now about the use of visualization, affirmation, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and other strategies that can really inspire you to reach your goals.

With these factors in mind, I’m happy to recommend a few wonderful trainers and programs who do indeed meet the criteria of the best fitness programs ever.

• Craig Ballantyne’s program TURBULENCE TRAINING is also one of the tried and true systems. Craig, too, is an experienced, respected fitness pro with many years of experience, and this program has thousands of happy, fit clients as well. One of the strengths of this program is the continuing support, new information, members forum, and online demonstration videos. It’s just never boring. Workouts are short and intense with big results. Craig certainly qualifies as a best online trainer.

• John Benson, another best online trainer, teamed up with Tom Venuto to produce FIT OVER 40, which targets men and women over 40. So if you fit that age group, you would probably be best starting off with FIT OVER 40 because it addresses your special needs: hormonal issues, joint problems and other age-related issues. There is also a strong motivational component to the program, and the nutritional information is cutting edge.   Start with FIT OVER 40 if you fall into this category, and then continue with TURBULENCE TRAINING.