East Meets West

If you read this column last month, you know that our team jetted off to Shanghai just weeks after the IDEA^® World Convention to host the inaugural IDEA China, August 16–18. This absolute first for a major U.S.-Chinese fitness education event was a sold-out success! Over 1,500 enthusiastic Chinese fitness professionals packed every session over 3 days to absorb the most edgy and practical fitness information available today from a faculty of 28 standout IDEA subject-matter experts.

“We were thrilled with how IDEA China came together,” says Kim Paulsen, IDEA’s general manager. “We are grateful to Lionel Lu and his dedicated team for paving the way to an inspiring launch of this important bridge between East and West through evidence-based and practical fitness knowledge.”

Faculty member Fabio Comana, MA, MS, observed that progress in China is going to be swift. “I am impressed with this market because in my nine trips to China to teach, I have noticed their progress in leaps and bounds. Chinese fitness professionals are extremely passionate and very eager to learn, but more importantly, they seek the latest and greatest. [The Western] evolution of programming has taken 20+ years, but these professionals will close the gap between us quickly, and I think moving forward, much of it because of IDEA.”

Comana believes it will take a unique narrative originating from the Chinese
government to shift the cultural mindset of the Chinese people toward exercise in general. “But I firmly believe IDEA is the best (and perhaps only) organization that can effectively deliver that messaging,” he said. “I see China as both a litmus and beta test for what IDEA can then bring to the rest of the world.”

Thanks also to FIBO for rounding out the experience with a product-rich
expo that added an exciting layer of interest to the conference. Though there are no official dates set yet, plans to grow the IDEA China event in 2019 are already underway.

For all you do to Inspire the World to Fitness, IDEA salutes you!