If there’s one thing I love about working in the fitness industry, it’s the variety of things I get to try.

 

Take today, for instance. I flew into Chicago a couple of days before the start of our 2009 IDEA Fitness Fusion Conference so I could visit Nicki Anderson, 2009 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, who also happens to be a dear friend. Aside from all the fun we had in the city yesterday on a wonderful architectural tour of historically significant buildings in the downtown loop, we shared a lot of conversation and exchanged many ideas about what’s happening in the industry. Very enlightening, good stuff!

 

Here are two highlights from today:

 

 

The last time I was at Nicki’s studio in 2007, it was in the middle of a remodel and frankly, it wasn’t pretty; but at least it gave me perspective for my visit today. The result of the remodel is a bright, colorful, flowing space with many private rooms for her primarily female clientele. Nicki has discovered over the years that her clients thrive in this protective setting. By providing such an environment, Reality Fitness helps women achieve their goals and change their lives in a safe comfort zone.

 

Kristin put us through the dynamic warm-up and training portion of the class (about 45 minutes), which included Pilates variations, yoga and some strength and stretching work. Mostly, what it achieved for me was a way to connect with my body—to get in tune with it and appreciate all it does for me as an athlete and as a woman. It also helped put me at ease about what was to come next—maneuvering on the pole!

 

It was fun. It was dizzying (figuratively and literally). It was damn hard! Talk about an athletic activity! Anyone who makes fun of this form of dance and gymnastics or thinks it’s easy has never tried it. It somehow seems appropriate that I heard today that people are petitioning it for a slot in the Olympics. Why not!? Do you know what kind of strength it takes to shimmy up a pole gracefully and then flip yourself into a superman position sideways? That’s all core, baby! Kristin’s stunts were incredible, and she performed them all with the iron-fist-in-a-velvet-glove finesse that only a very strong, very flexible woman can pull off well. Although I’m bruised and a little sore, I vow to become a disciple of it when I get back to San Diego!

 

The greatest thing about both experiences with Nicki and Kristin is the common thread of empowering women. Nicki’s private rooms and no-nonsense approach give women the strength and confidence they need to move forward on the sometimes rocky road toward fitness, weight loss and, indeed, life. Kristin’s approach puts women back in touch with their bodies and makes them connect to the very essence of being a woman. She works with everyone from beginners (including overweight and deconditioned) to advanced students. She told us she has watched women blossom under the dim lights of her studio and learn to love their bodies and themselves again.

 

As I mentioned, it was a great way to spend the day. What a wonderfully diverse industry we work in!

 

Have you had a similar experience? Does your studio do something unique to empower women? Share your thoughts with me in the comment box below.