IDEA
Press Release - How
Fitness Professionals Inspire The World To Fitness
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San
Diego – Vast numbers
of American’s are overweight and out-of-shape and in response to this
situation, many fitness professionals are participating in Inspire the
World to Fitness, a broad-based initiative that uses their skills and
talents to combat the major health challenges of obesity and sedentary
living.
IDEA Health &
Fitness Association’s Inspire the World to Fitness campaign is designed
to connect inactive consumers with qualified and experienced fitness
professionals while giving fitness professionals – personal trainers,
fitness instructors and fitness facility owners and operators – the
motivational tools and resources they need to provide realistic and
effective exercise programs.
How
Fitness Professionals Inspire the World to Fitness™
- IDEA Member Deb
Smith of Gilroy, California is a certified personal trainer and fitness
instructor. With her company F.A.T.E. (Fitness for Adults in Transition),
she has partnered with the City of Gilroy Parks and Recreation Department
and the Gilroy Health and Fitness Athletic Club to offer a wide array
of fitness classes designed specifically for the 55+ population. Participants
sign up through the city and pay for a 10 or 16 pass ticket. The price
for the passes are set so they are affordable for older persons on fixed
incomes and the class attendees like the fact that they only pay for
the classes they attend.
Smith believes this
program is successful because it is affordable, convenient, safe and
extremely fun. “The activities have turned into quite the social hour,
but along the way, people have increased their flexibility, mobility,
muscle mass, cardiovascular fitness AND lost 50, 60 and even 100 pounds!
Working with these people is the highlight of my day and a true testament
that you can get older and better,” Smith says.
- Connie Will of
Delaware, Ohio has been a personal trainer for over 13 years and for
many years she owned her own personal training studio. Today, IDEA member
Will brings her personal training skills to people’s homes and businesses
and one of her clients includes James Waggoner, who began training with
her in 2000 when he was 85 years old. James had been active all his
life but past injuries and arthritis had left his right arm immobile
plus he has diabetes.
“When I
started working with him,” Will recalls, “James had not lifted weights
so I started him with two pounds or less. Over three years later, he
has significantly increased his weights and repetitions. James has the
dedication and inspiration of a 20-year old and he encourages me and
everyone he comes in contact with. If James can exercise daily at 88
years old without complaint, anyone can.”
- Donna Mintz of New York City is the owner of Basil and Barbells, a company
that allows her to combine her twin roles of personal chef and personal
trainer. IDEA member Mintz brings a “whole health” package to her clients
by not only customizing one-to-one exercise programs and acting as an
exercise partner, but she also teaches them about proper nutrition and
making smart eating choices. She lets them know how great they will
feel by eating properly along with exercising regularly.
“It is amazing to see how receptive people are to learning about nutrition,”
Mintz says. “It is a subject that intimidates a lot of people due to the
misinformation that they hear. When you give them the facts, and they
see results, they feel inspired to learn more and put into motion changes
that can alter their lives. With a little guidance from me, my clients
seem to enjoy taking total control of their health and the results have
been amazing.”
- Gary Larrison is 56 years old and a former member of the U.S. Army’s
101st Airborne Division. Currently he is an IDEA member and a certified
personal trainer running a fitness program called “Boomer” Boot Camp.
Although any age can join the program, the majority of the “troops” are
in their 40’s with the oldest participant a young and fit 73 years of
age. Gary’s troops follow a rigorous fitness regime that includes jumping
jacks, pushups, sit ups and running. Also featured are Swiss and medicine
ball exercises to develop the core along with fitness tubing and light
dumbbells.
Larrison, of Oklahoma City, says that, “what is really exciting for the
troops is that we hold our B.E.A.R. (Bootcamp Endurance Adventure Race)
twice a year. It includes stations for pushups, a sandbag carry, running
a one-mile loop twice and always a few surprises. This is a great way
to keep the motivation up from class to class and it gives the troops
a goal to aim for. We have a great time and the troops keep me motivated
to keep the routines fresh and inspiring.”
To
contact these individuals or for more examples of how fitness professionals
are working to Inspire the World to Fitness™, contact IDEA’s Communications
Office at (858) 535-8979, ext. 262 or e-mail: gilroyd@ideafit.com
IDEA is the
world's leading membership organization of health and fitness professionals
with more than 19,000 members in over 80 countries. Since 1982, IDEA has
provided health and fitness professionals with pertinent information,
educational opportunities, career development programs and industry leadership
while helping them enhance the quality of life worldwide through safe,
effective fitness and healthy lifestyle programs. For more information
on IDEA events, publications, educational products, member services or
other activities, visit the IDEA website at: www.IDEAfit.com.
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