"The fitness industry has changed tremendously over the last 20 years. Where once it was enough to have a great body, forceful or fun personality, and a passion for working out; now the new trainers entering the field are more educated and prepared to work with clients than ever before. I am writing this while on a break from boot camp classes at the Professional Fitness Institute and am really impressed with the knowledge and skill demonstrated by all of the participants and guest presenters.

For example, yesterday, Tommy Boyer-Kendrick, took us through an incredible, high performance workout similar to the ones that he uses with his athletes. For those that do not know about Tommy, he has trained more professional athletes than anyone I know. From Shaquille O'Neil to Pete Stojakovich, Tommy has helped them realize their potential. What a blast we had working out, from inspiration to perspiration, Tommy is the man!

Another example of the quality and extremely informative sessions we had was with Daniel Howell, of Triple Threat Fitness. Daniel is a registered dietician, certified personal trainer, and a certified massage therapist. We took a tour of the grocery store with Daniel and explored how to make simple changes in the shopping cart to make big changes in our client's health, and of course around our midsection.

Our Zumba class, run by Linda Pramshafer, a dynamic instructor whose enthusiasm is extremely contagious, was so fun that I will probably start taking classes in it when I get home! Woohoo!

We ended the day with cardio training in the park with Kelly Feist, a fireball of a trainer whose chosen style of training is tougher than any of the drill sergeants I have ever known, and even the fittest of the fit was ready to call it a day by the time we were through.

What a blast so far, and we are only getting started. Tomorrow morning we get to listen to Ron Williams cover Nutrition and the Hormone response. For that don't know Ron, he is a professor and pastor, has a list of accomplishments are too long to list...but I'll try: 

• 7 times Mr. Natural Universe

• 7 times Mr. Natural Olympia

• 7 times Mr. Natural World

• The sole recipient of the Natural Bodybuilder of the Decade Award

• Inducted into the Natural Bodybuilder Hall of Fame in 2008

Each boot camp may have the same or different fitness celebrities, but all of them are the best of the best. What a week so far and we are only half way through!"