Events/Conferences
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…
Inspire: Be The Change!
Are you working like a dog in your fitness career? If you aren’t, you should be.
Inner IDEA®: Where Joy and Learning Unite
Whether they were there to focus keenly on a discipline like Pilates or to enjoy a potpourri of classes ranging from mindful eating to yoga nidra, attendees at the 4th annual Inner IDEA Conference enjoyed many opportunities to celebrate the event’s theme, “The Power of Wellness.”
Inner IDEA®: Where Joy and Learning Unite
Whether they were there to focus keenly on a discipline like Pilates or to enjoy a potpourri of classes ranging from mindful eating to yoga nidra, attendees at the 4th annual Inner IDEA Conference enjoyed many opportunities to celebrate the event’s theme, “The Power of Wellness.”
Inner IDEA®: Where Joy and Learning Unite
Whether they were there to focus keenly on a discipline like Pilates or to enjoy a potpourri of classes ranging from mindful eating to yoga nidra, attendees at the 4th annual Inner IDEA Conference enjoyed many opportunities to celebrate the event’s theme, “The Power of Wellness.” Held last month at the beautiful desert oasis of La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, California, the conference brought together 375 fitness and wellness professionals
Personal Trainers Meet the Needs of Savvy, Cost-Conscious Consumers
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Buzz on New Equipment and Programs
IDEA Fitness Fusion couldn’t be a more apt name for our annual spring education conference. Concepts from all corners of fitness have fused, morphed and layered beautifully over the past few years to give professionals from all disciplines interesting and meaningful exercise choices for their clients.
2009 IDEA Personal Trainer Institute™: An Elevated Game
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This was the mantra during 3 days of intensive education at the sold-out 2009 IDEA Personal Trainer Institute in Alexandria, Virginia, February 19-22. Attendees brought with them positive attitudes and a heightened hunger for knowledge. Sour news about the economy didn’t dampen these personal trainers’ drive to Inspire the World to Fitness®.
A Powerful Take-Home Message
I was reflecting last night as I fell asleep that I was at cross-purposes of the very message I was supposed to be absorbing here. In my earnestness to do a good job and capture all I could for readers, I was missing the moment—or at least I wasn’t fully present for many of them.
IDEA World Fitness Convention
When 4,500 fitness and wellness professionals, product exhibitors, expo guests and expert faculty from more than 60 countries converge in one place to learn, network and share, the result is…
2008 Inner IDEA® Conference: A Community in Motion
If the tranquil setting of La Quinta Resort and Club just outside of Palm Springs wasn’t enough to help 500 participants of the 2008 Inner IDEA® Conference (September 11-14) gather some personal calm and solidify their vision of purpose in the wellness industry, the curriculum of this mind-body-spirit-focused conference surely did the trick.
2008 IDEA World Fitness Convention™ Recap
When 4,500 fitness and wellness professionals, product exhibitors and expert faculty from more than 60 countries converge in one place to learn, network and share, the result is nothing short of combustible. Another IDEA World Fitness Convention may be over, but the chain of energy unleashed by this year’s event (July 8-12) in Las Vegas will spark and inspire people of all ages and walks of l…