What do you think is the hottest trend in fitness beside Zumba?
I think the biggest trend are programs that are easy to follow. Boot Camps are definitely in that category and so can be Dance. Zumba of course is the front runner. But I just finished hosting and taking the “Dance With Me” Certification with Sharon Blanks and Billy Blanks Jr. this weekend in Las Vegas. Yes, they are a Certification following the AFAA guidelines and it is completely different from ZUMBA. Our members loved the demo classes they offered and Sharon and Billy were outstanding trainers who really convey the need for a lot of Fitness Professionals to be a little more humble and to connect more with the participant. I think that DWM will be another program for ZUMBA lovers to fall in love with, right along with Hot Hula Fitness by Anna-Rita Sloss and Sh’Bam. Las Vegas just seems to love to dance right now….and not the complicated stuff.
Over the past two years, after only offering Body Pump, we added all Les Mills Programs and their Instructor Training is absolutely top notch! Other program trainings can be hit or miss depending on the trainer (but we LOVE Jani Roberts for ZUMBA and Teresa Sorenson for R.I.P.P.E.D. and Courtney and Sara from Piloxing), and we compare all trainings and follow up with Les Mills. But I have to say that Billy and Sharon created that feeling in their training, that will send your instructors home with the right attitude that will make any program successful.
You should check out the R.I.P.P.E.D. program (www.rippedusa.com). We started doing instructors trainings last year and have over 2,000 instructors who are now certified to teach. It’s being taught across the country in over 800 facilities. We offer ACE, AFAA and NASM CEUs through the training as well. We presented at World IDEA in 2010 and are coming back this year.