Great New IDEA Benefits, Great Classic Benefits
As 2011 begins, we are proud to serve you as the world’s leading fitness membership association. Why is IDEA such a top-notch organization? “We work hard to meet the needs of fitness pros by examining our many offerings each year and working to improve them,” say Executive Director Kathie Davis and Chief Executive Officer Peter Davis. “We meet with our committees for feedback, hold focus groups and survey our members for feedback about all of the services and products we offer, from the publications to conventions to IDEA FitnessConnect.”
Lance Breger, MS, president of Infinity Wellness Foundation and head trainer at MINT in Washington, DC, says, “I always encourage our new trainers and fitness professionals to obtain a professional membership with IDEA,” he says. “The fitness industry is ever evolving, and IDEA is always one step ahead.”
Are you familiar with the many IDEA benefits your membership entitles you to? We want to remind you of just some of the wonderful programs and services—both new and classic—that you can take advantage of to enhance your career.
IDEA FitnessConnect
“We are especially excited about our new directory, IDEA FitnessConnect,” say the Davises. “It is getting lots of attention because it’s a free directory for both professionals and consumers. It finally separates the real pros from the pretenders, with actual credential verification by the top 25 fitness certifying agencies. It has amazing free business tools, such as client/lead management, a customized client newsletter, blogs and class/event listings. We are also working with syndication partners like Fitness magazine, IHRSA, Active.com, Health magazine and others, so profiles will show up on their websites as well as IDEA’s.”
Megan Merchant of Albuquerque, New Mexico, says, “I truly enjoy and appreciate your new FitnessConnect tool. Thank you for helping us help others!”
IDEA Educational Video Subscription
“We’re also excited about IDEA’s Educational Video Subscription, now in its second year and improving all of the time,” say the Davises. “Pros can select either a monthly or an annual subscription to our video library of over 250 educational videos filmed at IDEA conventions. You get 24/7 instant online access to all of the videos currently in the subscription. Plus, we add 12 new videos every month. The annual subscription can also be purchased with unlimited CECs. It’s an easy way to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the fitness industry without leaving your home!”
Alex Ventura, co-owner, trainer and educator of Fitness Excellence® in Barcelona, Spain, says, “One of the best services IDEA provides is the Educational Video Subscription. I can easily access hundreds of video sessions with the top [World Fitness Convention] presenters, with a huge variety of topics, whenever I want and for a reduced price!”
IDEA Magazines and Newsletters
IDEA’s educational content includes favorites like IDEA Fitness Journal and new gems like the e-publication IDEA Pilates Today. And did you know that last year we produced 107 new educational fitness conference DVDs; 32 article-based CEC courses; and 7 additional learning products (all of which are CEC courses)?
Debra Atkinson, MS, CSCS, personal training director, Ames Racquet & Fitness Center and lecturer in kinesiology at Iowa State University (Ames), values the education that IDEA provides: “There is always a topic that IDEA editors have done their homework on that spurs action, excitement and new ideas for me and, therefore, our program.”
IDEA Conventions and Conferences
In 2010, IDEA staff produced three specialty fitness conferences and one major fitness convention. “Attending the IDEA World Fitness Conventions in the summers when I am on home-leave grounds me,” says Cori Parks, an American who lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she owns Open Palm Studio. “My network of turn-to colleagues is vast across the globe because of the conventions, and I always leave feeling that I just went to a 4-year university in 5 days.”
IDEA on Social Media
IDEA communities on Facebook and Twitter® give regular updates on content, motivational quotes for clients, the latest research findings and a link to like-minded colleagues. (Go to www.facebook.com/ideafit or key “IDEA Health & Fitness Association” in the Facebook search bar and “like” IDEA to get in on the excitement!)
“IDEA on Facebook has been a great addition to IDEA’s educational benefits—clear and concise articles that motivate me to look up more information on many topics,” says Lisa Elsinger, MEd, group exercise instructor, Dane County YMCA-Northeast Branch, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. “Plus, it helps keep us connected with our professional colleagues!”
Twitter is yet another way to stay dialed into what IDEA and its amazing community of fitness and wellness professionals are up to. Follow the association, @ideafit; IDEA editor in chief Sandy Todd Webster, @FitnessEditor; and executive director Kathie Davis, @KathieDavis.
Have questions about your IDEA membership or any of the programs, products and services described above? Call our member services team at (800) 999-4332, ext. 7, e-mail member@ideafit.com or see www.ideafit.com.
