Events/Conferences
Inner IDEA® Conference Explores Range of Topics
Pilates instructors and enthusiasts left their studios behind for a weekend to delve into the evolving body of Pilates education presented at the 7th annual Inner IDEA Conference at La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, California, October 25-28, 2012.
Meditation: Push-Ups for the Brain
Many mind-body movement and wellness professionals have discovered the power of meditation and are introducing it to clients. One experience that particularly stands out in my teaching career occurred when I was leading a walking meditation.
Opening Hearts and Minds: Inner IDEA® Report
This year’s 7th annual Inner IDEA® Conference was another breakthrough experience for the 450 Pilates and yoga instructors, personal trainers, mind-body studio owners and wellness professionals who attended. Those who chose to take this journey to wholeness shared an inner vision of a larger community where mind, body and spirit are all supported equally.
IDEA world fitness convention™
Who could have foreseen in 1984 that a modest gathering of 600 fitness instructors at a fitness conference in downtown San Diego would turn into an event bringing the entire…
IDEA World Fitness Convention™ Memories
Congratulations on celebrating 30 years! I attended the first IDEA convention in San Diego in 1984, and I have attended many IDEA events since. The speakers and leaders have been…
IDEA World Fitness Convention™: 30 Years of Excellence
Who could have foreseen in 1984 that a modest gathering of 600 aerobics instructors at a conference in downtown San Diego would turn into the extravaganza that IDEA World Fitness Convention is today?
IDEA Personal Trainer Institute™ Fun and Educational for All
Thanks so much for the opportunity to volunteer at this IDEA fitness conference! I had a really great time both assisting and attending the sessions. Your staff and volunteers were…
Boot Camp, Nutrition, Core: Trainers Find Purpose
How good does it feel when your clients start seeing results? An educated personal trainer who knows how to put together the perfect program is a metabolic magician. When clients see and feel they are manifesting their goals, the impact of your program design is apparent. The best personal trainers work at their craft, constantly learn new concepts and upgrade their expertise. This pays off with powerful, purposeful, client-focused sessions that make a lasting impression.
2011 IDEA World Fitness Convention™ “Inspires!”
Words cannot convey how truly fantastic my experience was at the 2011 IDEA World Fitness Convention. As a convention veteran—seeing the energetic pulse this year of all the diverse participants across all age groups, all levels of ability and the far reaches of the globe—I was reminded of how much I love our industry and its wide embrace.
Wellness Within: Finding Tranquillity and Balance
Inner IDEA®, early October, La Jolla, California, the evening of the first full day: The sun was gently setting on an uncharacteristically blue Pacific. Just inland, the vibrant greens of the world-famous Torrey Pines golf course had developed an amber glow. For IDEA’s associate editor, Ryan Halvorson, it had been awhile since he’d felt this peaceful.
Zero Regrets at the 2011 IDEA World Fitness Convention™
You might describe it as overwhelming, but even that superlative is an underwhelming descriptor for what transpired at the 2011 IDEA World Fitness Convention in Los Angeles, August 11–14. Between Apolo Ohno’s keynote message of zero regrets and the convention theme of “Take the Challenge,” there was no way to leave even a whisper of yourself on the table. The atmosphere at this event had a way of sucking the energy right out of you and then infusing it right back in—plus 10%. Everyone gave it up and got it back, and the effect was palpable.
Personal Training Trends: What’s New
Nearly 700 IDEA personal trainer members—mostly independent, small-business entrepreneurs—completed the 2011 IDEA Personal Trainer Programs & Equipment Trends survey. Read on to discover what they are seeing in their day-to-day operations, why they are making certain decisions about programming and equipment and how they are positioning themselves for 2012 and beyond.
Topline Trends
The most popular trends emerging from the 2011 data show that IDEA trainers continue to incorporate small, portable equipment into small-group training sessions that focus on body weight leverage training, functional resistance training and balance training. Results further show that these trainers believe specialized client populations, such as older adults and those in need of weight management or back pain prevention programs, are growing. This, in turn, means that professionals need more continuing education to remain current and effective in their service.
Survey respondents reaffirmed that training adults one-on-one remains the mainstay of their training businesses. Sessions focus most often on cardiorespiratory cross-training, strength training, stretching, functional resistance training and balance training.
Top 10 Programming Trends
This year we asked IDEA personal trainers to report their picks for the top programming trends in the industry. Participants were asked to respond yes or no to a list of more than 30 possible programming trends. Write-in replies were also analyzed. Results fell into three main categories: training methods, special populations and organizational training formats.
p>Training Methods
The number-one programming trend is body weight leverage training, followed closely by functional resistance training and balance training. Two of the top three trends—functional resistance training and balance training—have been offered by at least 95% of respondents since 2008. Tied for fourth in popularity are senior-specific training and weight management training. Further down the list are cardiorespiratory interval training (tied for sixth with personal training, 2 clients share); nutrition coaching (eighth); and back pain prevention (tied for ninth with outdoor boot camp classes and personal training, 3-5 clients share). More than three-quarters of trainers who responded to the survey currently offer their clients these types of programs.
Special Populations
Consistent with the trends, Ray Vargas, owner of ISOTONEX Personal Training in San Jose, California, is keeping his eye on a few special populations. His top three picks are the weight management sector, seniors and clients needing postrehabilitation. “The reason for such growth is that these markets have remained untapped for many years, but now we are seeing the need for training at every phase of life. For an athlete, this may mean speed, agility and quickness, but for a senior citizen it may mean getting in and out of the house without breaking a hip,” Vargas observes.
Organizational Training Formats
Working with multiple clients—through personal training sessions that 2 clients share or 3–5 clients share, or through outdoor boot camps—ranks among the top 10 programming trends. Five-year trends data show that while 2 clients sharing and 3–5 clients sharing have both grown, outdoor boot camps—perhaps surprisingly—have shown no growth. Survey data regarding which types of facilities are more likely to offer shared sessions show equality across facility types, with slightly fewer group sessions available at the trainer’s home.
For detailed survey results, please see the complete article, “2011 IDEA Personal Trainer Programs & Equipment Trends” online in the IDEA Library or in September 2011 IDEA Fitness Journal.
Zero Regrets at IDEA World Fitness
Setting a new industry standard for education, product knowledge and inspiration, the 2011 IDEA World Fitness Convention, in Los Angeles, August 11-14, was a flat-out fantastic experience. Between Apolo Ohno’s keynote message of zero regrets and the convention theme of “Take the Challenge,” there was no way to leave even a whisper of yourself on the table. The atmosphere at this event had a way of sucking the energy right out of you and then infusing it right back in–plus 10%. Everyone gave it up and got it back, and the effect was palpable.
2011 IDEA World Fitness Awards Finalists
The IDEA World Fitness Awards highlight professionals who consistently give their all to motivate their clients, their communities and the fitness industry. Join us in celebrating the achievements of the finalists for the 2011 IDEA Program Director of the Year, IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year and IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year. Award recipients will be announced in the July-August issue of IDEA Fitness Journal.
Personal Trainers Refine Their Purpose
When was the last time you got excited—really excited—about the programs you design for your clients? There was a time when you paid lavish attention to detail. From the ground up you considered all the variables and options. Somewhere along the way, however, you may have lost a little passion and focus. You didn’t stop caring, and you still inspire your clients, but what would you give to reignite your purpose?
Fostering Growth and Learning at Inner IDEA®
Inner IDEA is a special conference where there is calm, peaceful coexistence in the midst of vast knowledge exchange. All of the presenters were wonderful. All of the attendees were so appreciative. All of the assistants were fantastic. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to share my knowledge, gain new knowledge, meet beautiful, loving people and walk away with a beautiful feeling. Norma Shechtman, MEd, MA 2003 ACE Group Fitness Instructor of the Year Irvine, California
Peaceful Meditation Meets Intense Core Training
If you’ve never been to the Inner IDEA® Conference, it will be hard for you to envisage how holistic the programming is. Imagine beginning your day outside with a series of sun salutations by the waterfall or inside with a seamless blend of tai chi, qigong and yoga, taught by a master. After breakfast you spend 2 hours becoming intimately aware of your psoas, or you discover how a transfusion of sound and light and visual beauty and even taste can turn your Pilates reformer classes into a feast for the senses.
2010 IDEA World Fitness Convention™
In true Los Angeles style, IDEA rolled out the red carpet for delegates, guests, educators, exhibitors and VIPs—including U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, entertainer Mario Lopez and tennis star Andre Agassi—at its 2010 IDEA World Fitness Convention August 4–8.
This fitness event set an incredibly high benchmark for all it stands for: excellent fitness education, innovation, product knowledge, networking and nonstop fun. If you weren’t learning, sweating or laughing, you weren’t trying hard enough.
Latest on Body Leverage, Biomechanics, Social Media
In true Los Angeles style, IDEA rolled out the red carpet for delegates, guests, educators, exhibitors and VIPs–including U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, entertainer Mario Lopez and tennis star Andre Agassi–at its 2010 IDEA World Fitness Convention August 4–8.
IDEA Fitness Fusion Conference™ Feedback
This year, my goal [at Fusion] was to try as many of the “new” group formats that were offered, while fine-tuning my personal training and management skills. With that being…