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IDEA Health & Fitness Association Announces New Ownership
SAN DIEGO, May 18, 2022. IDEA Health & Fitness Association, the world’s leading organization for fitness and wellness professionals, announces new ownership as it prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary and a return to in-person…
Alcohol Risks During Pregnancy
9-11 year olds who were exposed to alcohol in utero during pregnancy experience more psychological problems than their unexposed peers.
Personal Trainers Ready to Inspire the World to Fitness®
People Need to Exercise Again, and IDEA Personal Trainers are Ready San Diego – February 14, 2022 – Even if people exercised on their own during the past 2 years, it’s not the same as working…
Debt: Know Your Numbers
Debt is a common by-product of fitness entrepreneurship, but it doesn’t have to be a jail sentence. What if you walked into your facility tomorrow and everything was paid off? What if there were no…
Top 5 tips to maximize your IDEAfit+ Membership
IDEA’s VP/GM Amy Thompson talks about her career and how to maximize the benefits from your IDEAfit+ Membership. Not yet an IDEAfit+ Member? Find out how to upgrade or sign up today!
United to Inspire the World to CHANGE
Dear IDEA Fitness Community, IDEA Health & Fitness Association’s staff and members are united in opposing prejudice, bigotry and racism. We denounce all acts and intents associated with these affronts to human dignity. The senseless death of George Floyd (and too many…
IDEA World 2020 – Event Status Update (4/14/2020)
Updated: 4/14/2020 It is with a very heavy heart that we must cancel the 2020 IDEA World Convention, July 8-12, in Anaheim, CA. Despite making every effort to host the event as planned or to…
IDEA Editorial Staff
Editor in Chief: Sandy Todd Webster
Executive Managing Editor: Katherine Watson
Executive Editor: Joy Keller
Production Editor: Judy Minich
Publications Assistant: Sarah Kolvas
Art Director: Annie Morley
Vice President and General Manager: Amy Boone Thompson
Rest, Reflection and Gratitude
It’s hard to believe another year of serving this incredible industry is winding down. As we at IDEA reflect on all we’re grateful for, as ever, IDEA members are at the top of our list. On behalf of our team, we wish you a rich and happy holiday season, and we thank you for your continued belief in and support of our shared mission to Inspire the World to Fitness®!
The Art of the Blend
While we strive for content balance when planning each issue of Fitness Journal, every so often we seem to assemble a collection of articles which—just by a quick scan of the table of contents—looks like a heck of a lot of fun to learn from. Welcome to one of those issues!
A Perfect Match of Passion and Purpose
This month I have the pleasure of introducing you to a new era of leadership at IDEA and in the health and fitness industry at large.
Traits of a Top Manager
As an owner or a manager, could you be putting off talented trainers without knowing it? We asked some top fitness pros what they look for when seeking employment. What they have to say may help you become the type of manager that the best-quality trainers yearn to work for.
Be an Advocate and a Coach
How to be a Great Mentor
Internships are a fact of life in the fitness industry. All major degree programs related to fitness or exercise science require that students complete an internship prior to earning a degree. Colleges and universities want their students to have real-life work experience when they graduate.
Empowered Entrepreneur Podcast: Tricia Murphy Madden
Like many other fitness professionals, Tricia Murphy Madden has experienced both failure and success. On this episode of Empowered Entrepreneur, Madden, the director of education for Savvier Fitness and co-creator of Barre Above ®, shares the lessons she has learned from her failure and how that experience helped her find success in other areas of the fitness industry.
Meet Your IDEA Team!
This month we are delighted to introduce you to the professionals at IDEA who work tirelessly to develop continuing education, cutting-edge experiences and essential business tools to make you successful. We want to show you the faces of those whose drive and creativity bring you this magazine and the other IDEA publications you value; the incredible events you love to attend; the educational products from which you earn CECs; and the stellar inspired service of specialists dedicated to delivering whatever you need from us.
Question of the Month
What programs, program features or marketing initiatives are you or your facility using in the new year to attract novice exercisers?
For example, are you introducing any incentives, Move It Monday themes or new technologies such as immersive fitness classes? Share your success stories and why you or your facility chose these strategies.
We want to hear from you! Email executive editor Joy Keller, [email protected]
IDEA Member Spotlight
SHOSHANA GORDON • Member Since 2015 • Portland, Oregon
Transparency: The New Standard for Success
Many top business executives have shucked common practice and opened their books and boardroom doors to create greater company transparency. Can this emerging business standard really lead to greater financial success?
Core Exercises to Boost Balance and Stability
Balance, which is essential for integrated movement, declines as we age. However, you can teach group fitness students how to maintain balance while also taking them through some fun, creative core exercises. Having a strong trunk and hip complex helps us maintain balance for years to come. In your next class, incorporate these multiplanar exercises targeting the core musculature and the gluteals. Each move is done in a standing position, and equipment is optional. Encourage attendees who struggle with balance to perform these exercises against a wall or while holding onto a barre.
Add Some Fun to Your Workouts
Do you remember recess? That break in the monotonous school day when you could run wild and free, lost in playful movement? The glory of the playground lingers in many of your participants’ memories, too, and you can help to recreate that experience by taking your next class a little less seriously.
Turning the group fitness studio into a playground is a great idea for stressed-out, time-crunched, social media-weary adults who need a break from responsibility. So grab a whistle, cue the bell and get ready to inject some fun into everyone’s day!