Training Jobs

A few different potty training techniques are most commonly cited in the literature. Below is a summary of the most commonly discussed methods:

“The Train in a Day” Method

The “Train in a Day” Method was first made popular back in the 1970s by the authors Azrin/Foxx in a book entitled “Toilet Training in Less Than a Day.” More recently, Dr. Phil and Narmin Parpia have endorsed this training method. The basic premise of this technique is to go “cold-turkey” with diapers. One morning you announce to your child that they will no longer wear diapers. The next four to eight hours are spent teaching the child how to properly use the toilet.

During those four to eight hours, your child is educated by playing with and teaching a doll how to properly use the potty. They are given positive reinforcement when successful, and negative enforcement when there is an accident. Positive reinforcement consists of treats, snacks, and/or small toys. The negative reinforcement is dispensed through “toileting drills.”

“The Timer Method” of Toilet Training

Some parents consider the timer method of potty training to be less stressful than the “train in a day” methods. Thee timer method also involves keeping the child out of diapers entirely during training. Basically a timer is set for certain time intervals, and when the timer goes off the child is brought to the toilet for a potty session. Small rewards, praises, and hugs are given if the toddler is successful. There is no negative reinforcement for accidents other than an expression of disappointment. As toileting skills become more reliable, the interval between timer setting becomes longer and longer.

Although this method can be accomplished in three to seven days, it is slower than the “train in a day” methods and difficult if you have a particularly stubborn child. Motivation needs to be kept high for the entire training process. Often, a child loses interest in the novelty of “potty time!” before they actually “catch on” to the pottying process.

“The Naked and $75″ Method

The Naked and $75 dollar method is the training technique endorsed by Dr. John Rosemond. Dr. Rosemond believes that toilet training should be simple and no-nonsense. The child is empowered to basically train themselves.

Training begins with an explanation of how and what is expected of the child. Parents show by example and explanation, and then tell their children, “Now it’s your turn. Mommy and Daddy expect you to use the potty from now on.” The child is left naked for three to seven days while they learn how to use the toilet. When a child is naked it helps to teach awareness of bodily function. (It is much easier for a child to realize they are pooping and peeing when it is running down their leg rather than having it land in an absorbent diaper.) The parent or caregiver is there to provide assistance if needed, but remains hands-off during the training process.

The $75 is for the inevitable carpet cleaning bill!

“Child-Centered” Toilet Training

Child centered potty training puts the child in charge of when and how to train. This method relies on having the toddler decide on their own that they are ready to use the toilet. This is one of the most common trends in potty training children today. Children who have reached this decision on their own are typically very easy to train, however the disadvantage is that for many children the “habit” of using diapers has become so ingrained that convincing them otherwise is very difficult. Potty training at an advanced age can be detrimental for the child should they wish to be admitted to pre-school or wish to participate in certain activities.

Coincidentally, “Child-centered” potty training was first introduced around the same time as the invention of disposable diapers. As you can imagine the convenience of not having to launder cloth diapers made it much easier for parents to allow training to be delayed.

“Potty Training Boot Camp”

A combination of a few methods is used for the Potty Training Boot Camp.

Potty training takes place in phases: Preparatory work, “boot camp”, reinforcement and maintenance. The focus of the preparatory work is to encourage familiarity of the toileting process. The “boot camp” day is a modified “train in a day method.” Instead of using a training doll on the “boot camp” day, it is instead used in preparatory work. Rewards on the training day are increasingly more “desirable” for the toddler to help maintain motivation. The reinforcement phase combines the “Naked and $75″ method and the “timer method.” The child stays naked to allow for increased awareness of bodily function, and the timer allows the parent to still maintain some control over the training. Maintenance is handled like any other training program – frequent reminders and positive reinforcement consisting of hugs, praises, stickers, and large “hoorays!”

As one knows the era of training has been around for a long time. For many years firms would contact a reputable firm, who would then provide training for their customers. These worked on the basis of word of mouth.

However with the advent of the technology notable computers, the ability to assign one’s reputation for credible training house has often fallen to the few that have the budgets to afford incorporating such technologies.

Some areas of training do not fall into this category where technology can guide the training house  to the customer  e.g. culinary, fishing, general labor .

However a vast majority of training houses have turned to technology in their attempt to offer courses that offer tangible results. Prior students would sit hand written tests at the end of a course and that would be good enough to verify they had passed the course. Some training houses just pass a certificate on completion of the day’s training.

Well during time accountability was sought by both firms sending their staff to courses and customers who wanted certificates that others would recognize. This is particularly the case with I.T ,customer service,  and sales.

To get participants to such courses many firms from the industries teamed up with certain partners to offer courses that were certified by the industry leader. For example Microsoft created a Gold, Silver etc partner program.

The benefits of such programs would be that the training firms would get more customers to their courses as they were recognized by the industry leaders. The fees associated with such partnerships were outside the budget of small to medium sized training houses which often had to rely on other methods to keep business flowing, usually word of mouth.

What should be noted is that although these high fledge partners offered the courses such as Executrain, Learning Tree, Horizons and a host of smaller firms with (big budgets to be a partner). They did not actually allow students to sit their actual certification tests which were done with another firm.

For example for Microsoft exams , one needs to go to a Prometric center where they are charged to sit a test. On completion, they are told that they have passed or failed. The actual certification process never actually takes place in the original training center, which beg to reason why they charge such fees for their services.

So in essence going to a partner was nothing more then a paper saying that if you go to this course then you are going to one of our preferred suppliers of courses, simply because they paid the firm a big fee to become a partner. I am sure others will disagree but you only look to their backgrounds to see that they will be part of this “monopoly style” setup.

The poorer, smaller firms often lost out they did not have the money to create such associations. This often meant that by recommendation, cold calling, heavy advertising was the only key to their success.

Well with the introduction of Supercandidate software things could well change for the fortune of this sector. This lies in its technology which is easy to use and cost effective to deploy for even a one person training firm.

Technology has come a long way with the likes of the internet bringing down the operating costs of any computer setup. This is also the case when it comes to the training markets.

As earlier discussed most courses are created with no real tangible result at the training house level. This is obtained for certified courses only when you do the test at an additional cost and/or other location.

With the foray of technologies out there, the aim of the smaller training houses is to look at how technology can give them an inroad, to the same benefits of partnerships without actually becoming a partner. The answer is in “TANGIBLITY”.

Now for that, the training firm has to offer solid evidence that there is a valid end result when going to their courses, such as guaranteed passing of certification or credible tracking results as is the case of sales training completion.

How could this be realized. The following would be needed for this to work:

1)      The course being taught has to have alignment to a certification which can be mimicked.

2)      The company would need to have access to the internet for their students

3)       The company would be willing to allow for retests to ensure credible passing.

4)      The course would need to offer these tests at a price confidence level.

Let us examine these how these areas would allow you to access to more customers to your training courses.

First of all the aim is to “Guarantee” passing a certified exam. This can only be achieved if the training house is training on an area where certification exists. Under current conditions mentioned above, most training houses just provide training with respect to a few day courses and training material. The actual test takes place elsewhere.

Here, the company would utilize their own course content and set up questions which mimic the certified test. This was not possible to the majority of smaller training houses because to do so would require a lot of cost based on license fees associated with firms like Prometric. Now with Supercandidate, this problem is removed as its cost is minimal and will allow the training house to offer such tests within their own facilities.

The second reason is self explanatory as the cost associated of building something with a firm limits the resources offered by scaled products found online. With the internet in virtually every training house, this is really something they already have.

The third point really stems from the word “Guarantee”. If you recollect, earlier we described the traditional approach where a student does not actually sit any tests until the arrive at the testing firm. These testing firms are in the business to make money so they charge a fee for the test. The student will sit the test but will only be notified if they pass or fail. This is not very helpful but is a great way of making students retest, to get that retest fee.

Now if the training house could offer a guarantee that if the customer took their course, they could guarantee that the customer would pass first time, it would drive many more customers to the training house door.

This is the clever part. Remember we said that the tests need to mimic the actual exams for certification. Well once a test is built like that by the training house using simple typing skills using Supercandidate, every time a test is taken, a result is gained. Now unlike the conventional testing firm, the training house will be able to view automatically generated reports on the test. This they can relay onto the customer who can keep working on failed areas and retest, until they are 100% on the ball. With Supercandidate the reporting and testing is all automated and allows repeat tests with no additional costs.

This is how the training house can now guarantee the pass of any customer that uses their training firm.

Finally the area of costs. I think I have already explained the reason why scaling reduces costs and that utilizing cutting edge technology that is simple to use and administer is an essential ingredient to the success of the testing technique. If a training house offers guaranteed passing, they can actually increase their pricing but it is important to keep the pricing down to an area where you do not readily offer the same costing offered by the testing firm, otherwise it will not be seen as beneficial. The best approach is to take the little cost associated with the product mentioned above and offer the service for free to ensure that you have the breakthrough that you need.

Choosing such a technical tool in the information age needs to understand the benefits of the cost attachment to the customer for this added feature, which in turn brings in more revenue. Using tools like Kenexa Proveit, Adobe Captivate, Pitman or Articulate will never allow this to happen due to the hugh initial implementation costs of such tools as opposed to a product like Supercandidate (often 90% less). This is why it is very important for the smaller sized training houses to know that there is hope out there for a better product which integrates well with their business model, for a significantly lower price.

Using the method demonstrated above will clear the way for your competitiveness using the internet and related software to your advantage. No longer will the partnering of large firms with large firms remove your chance of getting the customer revenue. Remember success of your student is success of your business and this guaranteed approach using the latest the internet has to offer will bring them as repeat customers over and over again!

Many people want to complete a marathon but some prefer to complete a half marathon first, some even want to do it as part of their marathon training. So what is the difference between training for a half marathon and a full marathon.

Well training for a half marathon obviously means you don’t have to run as far. So the distance is going to be shorter. Which means your training will consist of shorter distance runs but you still will need to put in the hard work. When training for a half marathon you must set out a correct training program you can follow and stick to it.

Training for a half marathon requires dedication and discipline. You will need to set aside time each week when you are training for a half marathon. Write it out and make sure that those hours are free and don’t book anything in that time. When you are training for a half marathon you need to be strong and let other people know about it, if something conflicts with your marathon training schedule make sure that you stick to your training and reorganise whatever it is that is causing the conflict when you are training for a half marathon.

Training for a half marathon consists of training sessions five days a week with two rest days. Typically these rest days will be on a Monday and Friday while the rest of the days will be when you are actually training for a half marathon. When you have setup a basis like this you will find it easier to stick to. Training for a half marathon like this will have you doing your short to medium runs on week days and your long run on the Saturday.

On Sundays you will do some form of cross training. Cross training is a very important part when training for a half marathon because it helps to prevent over use injuries and helps with recovery. Some good cross training exercises are walking, swimming or riding a bike. It is a good idea to include the cross training session the day after your long run while you are training for a half marathon because it gives the body a break from running and helps to quicken recovery.

Training for a half marathon is a great way to prepare for a full marathon. You still go through the same time type of training and experiences it is just not as much as you would with a full marathon. Training for a half marathon can also be for the people who only want to compete in half marathons and try and better their times each half marathon they complete. For some people the distance of a half marathon suits them better than a full marathon also when training for a half marathon people can find it easier to find the time to train. So all in all training for a half marathon is a fantastic rewarding experience.

Australian train driving career is one of the most sought after career options. There has been a sharp rise in the number of people taking up these jobs. This can be attributed to the rise in the freight and also in the number of passengers traveling through this convenient mode.

In this article, we will give you an overview of the profile of a train driver, so read on… To begin with, it is important for you to know that a train driver in Australia is known by different names at different places. Some of the common names by which a train driver is called are railroad engineer, locomotive engineer and many more. The train driver in Australia is the whole sole in charge of the locomotive. The entire responsibility of train handling rests with the train driver in Australia.

When we say train handling, we mean to refer to the fact that the decision of deciding the speed of the train and other mechanical operations lies with the train driver. Australian train driving requires the person to be extremely cautious while driving the train. As a driver, he is given the liberty to apply the brakes as and when required and control the speed. The responsibility of driving the train safely while passing through underway only lies with the train driver. Train driver indeed plays a vital role. The safety and security of so many lives is in the hands of train driver. Thus, no train operating company or metro company can afford to hire a newcomer who does not have an experience in train handling. To maintain safety of the passengers, the train driver works in collaboration with the conductor and the both of them share the responsibility of taking the passengers safely to their desired destination. The train driver in Australia is bound by certain rules and regulations which he needs to strictly follow.

Train driver in Australia performs multiple tasks; on one hand, they are over-all in charge of the train determining its speed limit, when to stop and start train and many more. On the other hand, they take care of the equipments, check the important papers and ensure that locomotive is in well maintained condition. It is very essential for the train driver to possess complete knowledge of the route they are traveling. This means they must know about each and every passenger station and should have good amount of information regarding speed limits. To become a train driver, good eyesight is the prerequisite. Another thing which is necessary to mention is that the train driver has to be very particular about the right timing. They can’t take the train earlier or later than the scheduled time.

The train driver should know when and how to divert the routes. In case, the conductor becomes incapable of carrying out his duties due to some reasons, then the train driver has to assume his responsibility as well in addition to his own. To conclude, in Australia, the profession of train driving is seen with great respect and lot many people pursue this career. Australian train driving career is witnessing a boom as more and more people are becoming aware of this new profession that is full of fun and excitement.

Dog comfort is a big issue for your dog and getting it wrong can cause your dog to be grumpy, aggravated more easily, and in a worse state of health than if they sleep in a more adequate place, but what is perfect sleeping conditions for your dog?

Much research has been done on the way dogs sleep and what they find more comfortable and where it is best for it to be, but in this article we will only cut out the uninteresting bits and give you the best requirements for your dog.

Your dog will sleep an average of 11-12 hours a day, and as they get older that number will increase more because older dogs need more time to regain their energy back. If your dog isn’t getting enough sleep it may be because you’re not doing one of the following requirements of a dogs sleeping comfort.

To begin, the chosen area needs to be well away from drafts and doorways which could cause drafts and cold air to circulate around your dog, if your dog is cold any muscle and joint pains they have will worsen and make it hard for your dog to sleep.

For padding, you should ensure a really soft space that will help to support the body fully. Use a cushion or lots of blankets to make the padding, to again help any aching joint problems and give maximum support and sleep comfort to your dog.

The last issue is the placing of your dogs bed, dogs need to be easily accessible for the family to care for them, but they don’t like to have their routines broken all the time so keeping the dog bed in the same place is essential to keep you dog happy, if the dog bed is always moved it will cause them to be uncomfortable in their new surroundings and be overly aware of unfamiliar noises.

For quite a long time now, dogs have been considered an important member of the human family. The time and effort that we spend caring for our dogs have always translated into lifelong loyalties and friendships forged between us and our furry friends. No wonder the dog has been called “man’s best friend”.

Owning a dog can be a rewarding and happy experience for the entire family. Deciding to own a dog should be an important decision, a matter that cannot be taken superficially, simply because a dog is not just a furry being, an amusing present, or a fun diversion.

Basic dog obedience training is certainly a necessity for all dogs. Basic dog obedience training is more than just telling a dog to do what we want him to do. It is a way of teaching a dog to behave properly or in a way we deem proper under certain specific conditions or circumstances.

Proper dog obedience training is definitely not a “do-it-quick” thing. It is a continuous, life-long process – a work in constant progress. It should continue for the lifetime of a dog. Dog obedience training – whether basic or advanced – has never become more important than today when a lot of dog owners bring their pet dogs to so many places where they go.

Proper dog obedience training should begin when a dog is still a puppy. The first four months of a dog’s life are very important in his training. This is the specific period when he learns behaviors that he will practice in his lifetime. This is the right time to teach your dog basic commands such as sit and fetch.

It is to be noted that dog obedience training methods or procedures are not created equal. There are various training types, approaches and methodologies which have come to be developed through the years that deal with dog obedience training.

But positive dog obedience training is quickly becoming the preferred method of dog training. This method of training is possible for just about every young dog.

Obedience training should be fun and rewarding for both you and your dog. A dog who has undertaken good training is confident and friendly and can be given greater social freedom than a dog who has not been trained at all. A trained dog will dutifully do basic commands issued by his owner.

Dog obedience training is more than just training your dog, it involves teaching the dog owner too. Going through dog obedience training is something every dog owner should do. It should be a worthwhile experience for both the dog and the dog owner.

And because training is all about communication, it is important that dog owners need to learn to communicate with their dog. Talk to your dog. Tell your dog you love him every day. Even if you don’t say “I love you” to your furry friend, look him square in the eyes and say something – anything.

We all like to be recognized and accepted as a family member. Dogs understand human language more than we think they do. Get your dog’s attention just as you would a person: call him by his name and look right at him when talking to him.

One of the basic obedience training points relevant in this regard is teaching your dog to sit on command. Training your dog to sit is probably the first thing you will train your dog to do.

To start the training: say “sit” while gently pressing his rump down and holding a treat above your dog’s head. When a dog is forced to look upward, he will automatically sit on his hind legs.

When you want your dog to sit, hold a treat a bit above his head and say “sit”. As the dog sits, say sit again and then immediately give him the treat. Your dog should drop into a sitting position in order to reach the food.

Another favorite basic command that we like to teach our dogs is fetch. Teaching your dog to fetch promotes bonding and is a great way to give your dog some exercise.

To do this, first throw a ball – but not too far, though – and give the command “fetch”. As the dog inevitably starts to run towards it, yell “fetch” again. If there is no ball available for you to use, you can use any object that your dog loves to play with the most, as this would make him want to fetch it.

Be reminded not to play fetch with heavy objects or sticks as this could injure your dog somehow or damage his teeth.

The most basic of dog obedience training is to get your dog to sit and fetch. As I said at the start of this article, proper dog obedience training is not a “do-it-quick” thing: it is a continuous, life-long process – a work in constant progress.

Dog obedience training is also a very physical activity, so getting tired and exhausted is all part of it. And doing it is never without any risk of injury, especially concerning more aggressive dog breeds.

Having said that, dog obedience training is certainly a must for all dogs. One major mistake many pet owners make is to assume that training a dog will be over in a short span of time. That, of course, is a gross misconception. Training your dog continues throughout your dog’s life.

Dog obedience training is definitely a breeze with the proper attitude of the dog owner and under proper conditions. Start training your dog today and make his life and yours a lot more better in the future.

Whether you plan to train your dog on your own or not, it is important to spend a few weeks at a dog training school, simply for the socialization aspect that the school offers. For this reason, when you first bring your puppy home, you will need to look into dog training schools in your area and decide on the one that is the best match for you. That being said, it can actually be difficult to find a dog training school that really suits your needs.

Some schools only offer specific dog training services, while others only use certain training methods. Some dog training schools have experienced trainers and others are only just starting up. It can be overwhelming and many times, owners will simply pick a name out of the phone book and go from there; however, it is important that you take a bit of time selecting a dog training school and to follow a few tips when you do so. Know your dog breed: Before you select your dog training school, it is important that you really know your dog breed. Every breed responds to training differently and it will affect the method that you train your dog with.

For instance, some breeds are not food driven and you may need to find a trainer that works with other methods of positive reinforcement training. Other breeds do not do well with firm training that use things like correction collars and it is important to avoid trainers that use them. Knowing your breed will help you in finding the perfect training method and that will quickly narrow down your selection of dog training schools. Get to know the trainer: After you have narrowed down the dog training schools, take the time to go in and watch a class or two at different levels before you commit to one. When you are there, watch the trainer to see how he or she handles the class and how she interacts with the dogs.

If you find at any time that you don`t like the approach the training is taking, move to the next dog training school on your list. If you do like what you are seeing, stay after class and ask the trainer what areas he teaches in, the number of dogs in a regular class, and how he breaks the class up into groups. Also find out what his experience is and if he has worked with your breed before. If the trainer hasn`t, you may want to find a different trainer since you will see the best results if the trainer knows and understands your specific breed. Ask for references: When you are at the stage where you have a dog training school, stop and ask for references.

Make sure that you get references for both the training that will be working with your dog and also the dog training school in general. Although references are important, you should never rely solely on the references provided by the dog training schools. Instead, take the time to do a little internet research for past clients of the dog training school and to also ask your vet or other pet owners if they have heard anything, good or bad, about the dog training schools you are looking into. You will be surprised by the number of people who can offer you a bit of information. Know where you are going:

The last tip that I am going to mention when you are selecting a dog training school is to really know what you want from training. If you want basic training, you will actually have a larger selection of dog training schools then if you want a specific type of training such as agility training. Decide on whether you simply want a family pet or you want a dog that competes in agility, obedience or sporting events before you commit to a dog training school. Once you know where you want to go with your dog`s training, you can quickly find out which dog training schools offer which training and narrow down your search so you have the best match for both you and your dog.

Most canines aren’t just people’s “pets” … They are part of the family. And just like children, dogs require lots of time, care and love to become the happy dog they should become. YOU have to teach them right from wrong in order to be a proud parent. The bottom line to any kind of dog training is patience and consistency. Whether you’re dog is housebreaking or potty training, crate training, obedience training, learning their name, walking on a leash, needs to stop barking, learning tricks or whatever … Dog training basics is a task and a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Dogs like routines, establish a good behavioral routine and you will both be happier. The dog should respond to your command and when you call. Training will aid in keeping your dog and everyone who comes in contact with your dog safe.

You can become overwhelmed if you don’t take control of the situation fast. You are the alpha … the leader of the pack. Try to stay calm. Never reward behavior you don’t want to keep happening. Keep a positive attitude. Be firm and friendly at all times. You and your four legged friend need to have fun when training. By investing the time and energy in properly training will bond you and your dog closer. Expect mistakes and be realistic with your goals and what to expect, you’ll less likely feel like a failure by doing so … you just need to find the right method and then voila … success. You will be happy with positive results and your dog will be happier knowing what is expected of him!

Remember different dogs need different training techniques. What breed of dog you own, their age, personality and characteristics depend on what they learn and how fast they learn them. The technique that works best for most all dogs is the positive reinforcement method. Dog training collars have good intentions, but are dangerous for your dog. The praise technique is much better then creating fear in your dog, plus will make training easy for you and fun for both of you. If you consistently reward and praise your dog, that will motivate the proper behavior. You need to find the technique that works best for you and your pooch, training your dog isn’t just at specific training times but through your day to day activities. Undoing some things that have been done wrong even though you may not have known they were wrong may be where you have to start so your dog can be retrained.

Did you know by simply neutering your pet you can stop lots of aggression problems? Did you know crate training is not a punishment? It is a pleasure; their own special place.

The more you know the more comfortable you will be training your dog. Researching and studying how to train your dog is important in order to succeed at your goals. You must educate yourself so you don’t lose patience and are mentally prepared for what lies ahead. Training aides include … dog articles, dog training books and dog training videos that show dog training problems and the successes others have had so you know what to expect and when. There are tons of dog training and puppy training tips available. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish. Find the answers … Be the dog trainer. If you own a dog, it is important to know how to train a dog.

Bonding with your furry friend while having fun educating the both of you is the key to keeping you and your dog happy! A happy dog owner owns a happy dog!

A lot of people believe that to run a marathon you need to some kind of super athlete. But with the right marathon training programs you can successful train for and complete your first marathon. Yes the 26.2 miles can seem very daunting at first but if you put in the adequate training you can easily accomplish your first marathon. Using the right marathon training programs will ensure that you are fully prepared to tackle your first marathon.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind when selecting the right marathon training programs for your marathon training. There are also a few things you need to do yourself to make sure the marathon training programs you have selected work for you.

You should set goals before you begin your marathon training. If you want to complete your first marathon then the most common goal is to simply finish the event. But you can make smaller goals within your marathon training programs such as pushing really hard in each session instead of just going through the motions or trying to complete your runs in as fast a time possible.

Setting goals is a very important part of succeeding with your marathon training programs and should not be overlooked. Having goals gives you focus and direction and keeps you motivated. It is also important to have long term goals and short term goals. You want to have a big picture goal like completing your first marathon and then have smaller goals leading up to it such as getting the most out of your training.

You must commit to your marathon training programs or else you will not be able to successfully complete your first marathon. This is a very important step, you must be serious about your marathon training programs and be willing to set aside time each week to complete the training. This requires organisation on your part, so you should sit down and plan out your daily activities and work out a time when you can complete your marathon training programs.

You can’t afford to skip any of your marathon training programs because you need to get as much mileage into your legs as possible so if you skip sessions you will fall behind and ultimately will not be fully prepared for your marathon. When it comes to marathon training programs you need to be 100 percent committed to your training and completing your first marathon. You can’t go into it half hearted because you will get bored and unmotivated and either quit half way or attempt a marathon under prepared and be force to pull out half way. So once you find your marathon training programs stick to them.

There are a variety of different marathon training programs available out there so it is important you chose the right one for you. Some vary in length and others vary in stye. You will find some marathon training programs that are relatively short such as a 12 – 16 week program. These are probably a little bit too short if you are training to complete your first marathon. You should be looking for marathon training programs that are at least 24 weeks if you are a beginner to ensure that you are adequately prepared for your marathon. The key elements to marathon training programs are endurance and speed. When you are a beginner you want to focus on your endurance first then slowly build up your speed. It is important to get the amount of distance under your belt before your complete your marathon.

Copyright (c) 2008 Rob Pilger

CB: How do boxers burn fat so fast, what lessons can the regular person take from their training that works quickly?

RP: I know this point is redundantly made but it’s true.

People spend to much time training with cardio equipment. I have seen people train on cardio equipment, and their body’s still look the same months later!

When the average person has had enough of walking around in their body they are in they usually think of hitting the pavement running. Or people will train with the typical circuit of elliptical and treadmills etc…Training for long and very casual intensities. Raising cortisol levels, preserving fat, etc…

People who perform a boxing workout get lean from the intense anaerobic way they train. Boxers fight and train in rounds lasting from 2 minutes to 3 minutes in duration. The training done for that duration is generally at a higher intensity. The training equipment also demands you get lean by the way the bags have to be worked.

Put it this way to maximally work and move the heavy bag in the right manner burns more calories and takes more effort to do. Your body then takes the lean shape from the aftermath of this demand of it to put forth the work. Same thing for the punch mitts when used correctly your whole body is moving and working and in a more anaerobic and intense manner than aerobic training.

Many times people who cross train or want to learn boxing for self defense are amazed at how sore they are in different areas of their body from the workout. They are waking and working muscles that have been dormant for some time in a intense manner.

As I’ve stated several times above since boxing workouts are predominantly anaerobic and we train with lots of intervals, our metabolic rates are increased.

Unlike the aerobic way people train where they only burn calories for the duration of the aerobic activity or training. With anaerobic interval work your metabolic rate is increased for hours even after training is complete as you obviously know.

CB: What’s the role of slow cardio in stripping fat from a boxer’s body?

RP: Not much at all….

We condition using sprints, sled work, sledge strikes, sprint and run drills, but really speaking from a fighters perspective, nothing beats intense sparring to get in shape. We also perform intervals of fast punching on the bags and punch mitts.

As far as the average client, I’ll never forget when I was working in Syracuse NY I was training an older guy named Tom. Tom couldn’t lose any more weight in a satisfying way. He was on a plateau.

He was training aerobically only for the last 2 years playing musical chairs with the cardio equipment. He was very frustrated and bored that he couldn’t drop any more fat.

So upon working with him. I had him jumping rope, working the punch mitts, working the heavy bag and VERY easily he lost 14 pounds in 6 weeks! Not bad for previously being on a plateau! The pounds literally melted off. Because of the intense anaerobic way he trained and the muscles and movements he was using in training this way.

Fortunately for me communicating with the best strength and conditioning coaches and constantly reading and studying the best books keeps me abreast of what methods work best.

CB: How do you and other boxers get lean for fights in terms of nutrition?

RP: We start cleaning house!

Or should I say cleaning the fridge, freezer and cupboards. I have them get rid of the processed boxed, package, frozen packaged, canned foods. I have them stop eating sugary cereals, soda, sugary juices, white breads, refined carbs, margarine, just garbage food period! This goes along way with improving performance, vitality, and weight loss obviously.

I then have them start to eat real whole foods. Foods that actually have a life source and will deliver nutrients and vitality to them.

So for weight loss having them eliminate the garbage foods and drinks and having them eating smaller meals frequently throughout the day works big time for weight loss on top of the kick butt training their doing.

It still amazes me on how many people skip breakfast. Or if they do have it, the typical sugar water called orange juice with a pop tart doesn’t do it. I have them eat a better breakfast and make sure their dinner isn’t the biggest meal of the day as their stomachs would suggest if it is.

My point is, typically people skip breakfast, eat a rather large lunch, and when they get home have a feast for dinner. That’s insane if you want to drop weight and get lean!

Don’t eat less meals. Eat more meals frequently with less food for weight loss. Their blood sugar levels are more balanced and their moods and energy levels are far more enhanced by eating more frequently, like 5-6 times per day if possible.

I also have them drink half their body weight in ounces of water per day. I have them consume fish oils at their meals.

I also keep critiquing their eating habits and food choices for weight loss as needed…

CB: Do you use boxer’s training techniques in your client’s workouts? If so, what could I do to speed my fat loss?

RP: Boxing workouts are BIG in my clients workouts.

It’s no wonder that the most popular classes in commercial gyms are martial arts classes.

Unfortunately many of those are watered down. By getting your eating habits under control and cleaned up and by jumping rope, shadow boxing, working the punch mitts, heavy bag, double end bag and speed bag you literally melt that fat off your body in a quick manner.

That’s why I like to use boxing training techniques. Boxing training gets results.

People can get bored with the cardio equipment. You can be totally uncoordinated and not improve upon before or after getting on the bike or stair master.

Not when you jump rope and perform the rest of a boxing workout. That’s why it delivers so much in one workout. All those bio-motor abilities you improve on top of shredding the fat from your body.

CB: What methods of strength training do you prefer? Do you use free weights or a lot of body weight exercises?

RP: Strength training methods will depend on the persons training age, background, weaknesses, needs, goals, and were we are from a fight.

So I have a lot of tools in the tool box I can use depending on the above scenarios. Usually I begin with body weight movements. I totally agree with what Alwyn Cosgrove says, “If we cannot stabilize and move our own body weight, we have no reason to use external resistance”

Once a person can handle there own body weight we use different strength exercises. I like using squats, I really like front squats cause we can train the legs with the thoracic extensors that are usually weak. A boxer that has been at it for a while will will have an increased kyphotic posture along with pronated shoulders. So we need to correct this if we want to improve performance.

We also use dead-lifts, single leg work, posterior chain work, core strengthen with more transverse plain exercises, but we also perform reverse crunches they are a great abdominal strengthening exercise that also help in improving posture.

A lot of unilateral work, pulls, rows, chins, pull ups, you name.

We use equipment ranging from db’s, barbells, med balls, sand bags, kegs, sled, sledge hammer, I’m going to start using kettle bells more. Once again, these are all great tools we use depending on the situation.

Corrective exercises are used to keep the fighters muscle imbalances and posture in check.

I will say that generally fighters are bloody weak! So I like to improve and focus on maximal strength training. Hypertrophy training can be used if I have a fighter that wants to move up a weight class or needs a little more muscle.

For our dynamic training, I like to used med balls and other plyometric exercise for explosive power.

That pretty much sums it up as our training is ALWAYS evolving and improving as I continue to study and learn and as we progress in our own training.

CB: Do the boxing workouts require any special equipment?

RP: Yes the workout uses special equipment that is very affordable and can be purchased at sporting stores, or boxing equipment magazines.

You will need hand wraps, a jump rope, gloves, punch mitts, a heavy bag, double end bag, speed bag and a small timer that you can by at any store. You don’t have to get all the bags at once you can still burn allot of fat with the jump rope and heavy bag alone. The other equipment just really speeds the results.