Constants You Can Count On

In an era of fast-paced change, it’s reassuring to be able to count on some of the remaining constants in life: the elation you feel when you reach a goal; the full-body buzz you get after a good belly laugh; the satisfaction of making a solid decision; and the knowledge and insight you can gain from this special July–August IDEA World Fitness Convention^® issue. We actually hope the material in these pages puts you a step closer to all of these constants.

It’s been our tradition for many years to take the July–August issue “off format” and dedicate it to scrutinizing fitness career and industry issues. You’ll notice that most of our regular columns have been given the month off to make room for a strong lineup of in-depth features that examine the changing culture of our fascinating and dynamic industry.

At right you can quickly glimpse a few of the 15 feature stories our editors have prepared for you. At 156 pages, this is the largest, most information-dense publication IDEA has ever produced. While all the articles are written and edited to our usual standard of excellence, a few of these pieces are especially noteworthy, inspirational and relevant.

If you are a personal trainer, be sure to read “Is the Grass Really Greener?”—an article that informs a discussion about whether trainers should get involved in the medical reimbursement model. Author Natalie Digate Muth, MPH, RD, has covered the pros and cons for you by talking to industry professionals who have thought deeply about it, tried it or are currently working within this system. Trainers should also check out “Dream It, Build It, Nurture It—But Sell It?” (on selling an in-home personal training business) and “The Pitfalls of Online Training.” Whether you’re looking to move on from your business or hoping to try something new via the Internet, these features will provide valuable insights that could well save you a few nasty headaches.

Group exercise pros: Turn your attention to “Investments You Can Bank On” and “Who Knew?” (what industry veterans wish they’d known before becoming fitness managers!). If you’re a new instructor looking to move up, the first article is chock-full of advice from pros who have walked, stepped and grapevined miles and miles in your shoes. Use their insights to stay the course. For more established group ex instructors hoping to ascend into management, the second piece will help you brush up or get coached on skills you’ll most certainly need when you get that richly deserved promotion to program director.

Overall, the information you’ll find in this issue is meant to cross all fitness career paths. You’ll find hard data in the 2005 Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey overview; practical approaches to leadership; new career opportunities in the mind-body and coaching arenas; and, hopefully, a few good belly laughs and goose bumps in the Inspiration and Rejuvenation section.

Give yourself a personal and professional treat by stealing away with this issue to savor some outstanding material from an award-winning editorial team (see sidebar) and get your creative essence simmering. Meanwhile, we will continue to work hard to keep the quality of IDEA Fitness Journal a constant you can count on.

We can’t wait to see you at the IDEA World Fitness Convention!

Yours in good health,

Kathie and Peter Davis