Disclaimer

All the information on this site is educational and informational in nature.  We, at Female Athletes First (FAF) are not attempting to diagnose illnesses or injuries, including sports related injuries however minor, prescribe exercise programs or medications, treat injuries or disease, rehabilitate or counsel patients or clients in any area of health and fitness.  This site does not provide you, the visitor/user with any medical advice or direct that you undertake any specific exercise or fitness regime.  We will not recommend dietary supplements, including protein powders.  The content of this site serves the female athlete, their parents, guardians, coaches and teachers; female athletes in ages ranging from 6 to 23 (prepubescent, pubescent through early adulthood).  A visitor/user must be over 18 years of age to purchase on-line coaching services from FAF or exercise programs designed by FAF.

We, at FAF understand our scope of practice as personal fitness trainers and/or performance coaches.  We know we are legally permitted to coach, provide general information, plan, implement and demonstrate exercise programs.  This includes being able to conduct pre-activity health screenings, design and demonstrate progressive exercise programs to improve physical fitness, follow exercise prescriptions from medical practitioners, record clients’ progress, and adjust exercise prescriptions according to clients’ specific limitations and capabilities.  Due to these restrictions, our web site will educate female athletes and those associated with training female athletes in the areas of health and wellness, strength and conditioning and nutrition with generalized information from reputable sources.  We provide pre-designed basic exercise programs for healthy female athletes, we demonstrate training regimes, coach female athletes on how to reach their athletic goals, and refer them to the appropriate medical professionals whenever necessary. 

The pre-designed basic exercise programs on this site available for purchase from FAF are for healthy female athletes. These exercise programs are not to be viewed or used for rehabilitative purposes.  Any visitor/user that purchases an exercise program from this site must read and accept an Exercise Readiness Questionnaire (ERQ), and a Release of Liability. The visitor/user must perform these exercise programs purchased from FAF under the direct supervision of an informed and educated adult, parent, coach, personal fitness trainer/performance coach or teacher.  A visitor/user must understand that a personal fitness trainer and/or performance coach from FAF will not be on-site supervising each exercise and/or exercise session.  As a safety precaution, we, at FAF, have included detailed descriptions and protocols for a visitor/user to follow when performing any exercise in any of our strength and conditioning programs.  These descriptions and protocols must be strictly followed.  All possible precautions have been taken by FAF to prevent injuries by providing information on; equipment safety care and guidelines, exercise guidelines and protocols for youth and adult athletes, neutral posture for protecting the spine, tips on the prevention of female related injuries, and on-line opportunities to contact a professional at FAF to get specific questions answered. 

Basic information on this site for female related sports injuries and tips on prevention is not a substitute for physician directed care.  Please consult your personal physician for more detailed information concerning your specific injuries or illnesses.  FAF will not be held liable for any injuries or illnesses incurred while a visitor/user is performing any of our pre-designed exercise programs.  FAF will also not be held liable for any injuries or illnesses incurred while a visitor/user is acting upon information obtained through our On-line Coach service. 

Please consult your physician before starting any of these exercise programs.  The information on this site is not intended to replace the advice or attention of medical or healthcare professionals.  Never delay in seeking medical advice as a result of information obtained from or through this site.  Always personally speak with a trained and qualified medical professional regarding any information obtained from or through this site.  If at any time while performing any of these basic pre-designed exercise programs you feel pain, sick, dizzy, or short of breath, you may need to slow down, check your form with an exercise or cease the activity all together.  If a more serious situation arises, stop the activity and call your physician or 911 immediately.

Scope of Practice

Code Of Ethics

ACE-certified Professional

Code Of Ethics 

As an Ace-certified Professional, I am guided by the American Council on Exercise’s

principles of professional conduct whether I am working with clients, the public or other health and fitness professionals.  I promise to:

1. Provide safe and effective instruction.
2. Provide equal and fair treatment to all clients.
3. Stay up-to-date on the latest health and physical activity research and understand its practical application.
4. Maintain current CPR certification and knowledge of first-aid services.
5. Comply with all applicable business, employment and copyright laws.
6. Protect and enhance the public’s image of the health and fitness industry.
7. Maintain the confidentiality of all client information.
8. Refer clients to more qualified fitness, medical or health professionals when appropriate.

Reprinted with permission from The American Council on Exercise (ACE) www.acefitness.org 

Site Credits

There are a few people that I would like to personally thank for helping me get this web site up and running.  This was a three year project and I feel it is important to recognize the contributions of those who were willing to give me their time, attention and expert opinion in many areas relating to this site.  I couldn’t have developed my dream without the patience and support from these caring individuals. 

1. My husband Todd who was so patient with me as I tried to operate in the virtual world, running back and forth between two home computers having to learn a new iMac. system in record time.  My web designer wanted all materials in electronic form.  This forced me to step out of my comfort zone and learn more about the computers.  Todd helped me operate in this new realm.  He organized files for me, proof read documents and fixed computer glitches.  He often did these things for me late at night when I know he was exhausted and really just wanted to be in bed.
2. My daughter Madeleine.  Even though she was a preschooler at the time, her smile and giggle would always help relieve the stress and tension of building a business.
3. Thanks to Kate, Madeleine’s babysitter who came once a week for two hours to  play with her while I worked at the computer.  That is how I got started with this project, 2 hours a week at the computer, researching and writing the content for this site.
4. My web designer Carl Wyand.  He was very professional, knowledgeable and caring.  There were times when I was overwhelmed, but he had a way of just getting me to focus on certain tasks at certain times.  Inch by inch it became a cinch.  I would highly recommend him to others that need web design services.  His web sites are awesome.  Go to www.ckwyand.com
5. My athletes/models, Sara, Brittany, Melissa, Katie, Erin, Morgan, Amy and Madeline.  They brought the exercise programs to light on the web.  Special thanks to Brittany for sharing her story about her 2 ACL injuries and rehabilitation while in college playing volleyball.  You can read her story in the Success Stories section on the home page.
6. The professionals at ACE and IDEA fitness Associations.  Both of these institutions assisted me with acquiring permissions to use professional data and illustrations.  They were always prompt and efficient with answering my e-mails and questions about intellectual property.
7. The members of “Our Team,” our panel of advisors who have always been open and encouraging and who have freely shared their thoughts and ideas about the site.  Pam Briggs, thanks for lining up some of the models. And thanks to those panel members that contribute articles for the site.
   
8. Thanks to Scott Goodpaster, the owner of Cincinnati Functional Fitness for letting us use his functional training center for photographing some of the exercise programs.  Check out his awesome facility at www.cincyfit.com
9. Thanks to Leslie Cordova, our west coast connection and panel of advisor team member. She gives us great feedback and support on articles, programs and marketing. It is a pleasure talking to her just about every month, visit her site at: www.xplosivestrength.com. 
10. Thanks to Amanda H., for creating video for the site.