In This Issue
What did ECA/OBOW 2008 accomplish this year?
STRENGTH To implement changes that you learned at ECA/OBOW.
I took the 'Moving Into Management'
class and thought it was great! I really learned a lot from your presentation and hope I can begin implementing change asap to our group fitness
professionals. I love fitness and overall love my job however lack self-confidence because I feel I
don't have enough education compared to those around me. This is one of the reasons I decided to attend your conference. Not only did I learn and get some great idea for classes, it
gave me a whole new passion for my job! Violette Gajic
STRIVE To change the how we perceive the world.
I really like this on-line stuff!
I'm printing the outlines for the sessions I'm registered for and the ones I want to standby for, and will bring just those with me. It's so much nicer than getting the big book with a lot of paper I didn't need! What a way to "go green"! Amy Jessup
RESULTS That will directly affect how you do your job.
The show was great, I've been going
for 5 years, and I found this year's show to be especially good. I really liked that the instructors got
away from those super hard combos and concentrated on more basic alignment and core. Jane Petix
PERSISTANCE To continually use the education you receive at
ECA/OBOW.
Thank you for a great workshop, you
made me understand that I am doing the right things with my position and also gave me some great ideas to take my department even further. I also
wanted to thank you for a great convention. This was one of the best to date. Please bring back Christiane Reiter, she is my new idol. All I need in life to keep
me happy is Christiane, Calvin and Robert Steinbacher. These three presenters truly embody creativity,
knowledge and excitement. Lorna DeVeaux
INSPIRE To keep the truth of why you started in this career alive. And continue.
I have been a fitness instructor and
personal trainer for over 16 years. I manage a club and am fortunate enough to make fitness my full time job. I just want to take the opportunity to
tell you that this was the best conference experience I have ever had - bar none. Every detail; from the new Thursday night sessions, to the session
selections on the back of the name tags, the notes on DVD, the kind and contentious staff and volunteers and of course, the presenters- were amazing.
It is so obvious that you listen to the evaluations and really try to be creative and accommodating. The variety of sessions reflects the trends in
the industry but still stays true to the basics. You help make me a better instructor and that is so important to me. This entire week my students
have approached me and made comments about what a great time I must have had because of my renewed energy. I could only agree. Today I had a student
tell me that I seem like I've been inspired and this year I truly was- over and over again. Thank you for being on the cutting edge of our industry,
thank you for taking the time and the energy to focus on our environment and last but not least thank you for the three day endorphin
high! Melanie Melillo
We set out to
give you, the fitness professional, the education and networking that you deserve with each convention. A
byproduct of our conventions is the family feeling that is created year by year, by attendees, presenters, exhibitors, volunteers and staff. We have
become an extended family and each year; greet each other with the same enthusiasm as seeing a family member or long time friend. We would like to
recognize one woman who is at almost every New York and Florida event. We know you see this remarkable woman in class and have wondered who she
is.
Sylvia McRae is a
long time ECA World Fitness convention attendee. She is originally from New York and now lives in Cancun, Mexico. At 72 years old, Sylvia is known as
“Ye Ole Benchopper” an organization she created and is the president of. She has been doing group fitness for over 35 years and step for
19 years. She goes to as many conventions as she can and has visited most if not all of New York City’s fitness gyms! We are so pleased to see her each year, we love her stories, her enthusiasm and her devotion to this
industry!
The weekend was packed full of events that brought together
attendees and presenters to enjoy the parties and networking. One such event was the OBOW Awards. The OBOW’s recognize the presenters who have
greatly impacted fitness and their dedicated programs. This year’s winners are the following:
Best Female Presenter - Mindy Mylrea
Best Male Presenter - Robert
Steinbacher
Best Rising Star - Abbie
Appel
Best International - Rebecca
Small
Most Mindful Program - Seane Corn
Lifetime Achievement - Keli
Roberts
Best Adapted Class - Patricia
Moreno
Communication Specialist Award
- Molly Fox
Career Achievement - Dean
Hodgkin*
*This was
Dean Hodgkin’s last time presenting. We wish him well with his decision to retire and offer him both congratulations and gratitude. Good luck
Dean in your future endeavors!
Each month a Presenter will be answering questions regarding various
topics. Members
Misbehaving
by Gail Bannister-Munn
Gail has presented for ECA World Fitness, is currently the Regional Group Fitness Manager for XSports
Fitness, is the Pilates and Core Flexibility Instructor for the New York Jets, and is an Instructor for Group Exercise with East Coast Instructor Training School.
As
fitness professionals we are often confronted with members whose personalities can be challenging in a group setting. How do we
navigate through these sticky and uncomfortable situations and keep our cool and professionalism. I have outlined some solutions I have used within a
group class setting.
Direct your answer to the member: With a smile on your face,
explain this is a group exercise setting and we work as a team. Also, explain they need to hear your
cues so they can get the best workout possible.
2. A member questions your skills in class and puts you up against your fellow colleagues? Wow, what do you do… I know steam is coming out of your ears, however, the best answer would be the
following: Tell the member calmly that everyone has a different style of training and every style
can benefit them. Just be open to all the instructors and their feedback, and ask them for the
opportunity to show them your style.
3. Have you ever had a member continually walk in and out of your class texting or making phone calls?
The nerve of them!!!
Unfortunately this happens in this day and age.
Walk over to
the member with a VERY concerned look in your face and ask if everything is ok? If they answer that
everything is fine, then ask them to please exit the studio and finish their phone call there. Explain that it is making the members nervous and is
distracting to the class participants.
4. You have a member in your class engaged in a full conversation with another member(s) and you
have made several class announcements that the class has started? This can be annoying to you and you know you
can’t separate them.
Lower the
music and look directly at the members, apologize to them for not hearing their question the first time, then continue looking at them and ask them
to repeat the question again if they continue their conversation. It will more likely stop. If not, then walk over to the members, turn your mic off
and ask them to stop talking because they are being disruptive to the class participants.
5. A member is doing there own workout during your class and you have already reminded them
that they are participating in a group exercise setting? This is annoying and is a disruption to the class environment.
Make a general class announcement to get the group together as a class.
If the member continues with his/her own workout, remove the mic from your mouth, walk over to them
and explain this is a class setting and they need to follow along with the other members. If they refuse,
explain it is very disruptive to the members and they can feel free to utilize the fitness floor area for their own independent workout.
6.Your friends and fellow members are taking advantage of your friendship? A
true friend will respect the rules and regulations they as members have to follow and understand your position within your
workplace.
Pull your member friend aside, or make a phone to their home. Explain how their actions and/or behavior in your workplace make it hard for you to do your job effectively. Also mention that you need them to help you become aware of members feedback and concerns and be your eyes or ears.
If you have any questions regarding choreography, your management team, programming, music, or clients; please write to susanvkasper@optonline.net with your question. You may find your answer next month from our next ECA Presenter.
Industry News
Rockitwave8 released three new Music
CD’s. 80’s Meets Ibiza, The Presenter Sessions: Clay Grant, and So Intense.
Deekron from RockitWave8 reports that ECA OBOW presenters, Jay
Blahnick, Clay Grant, Paul Katami and Stacy Lei Krauss all used Rockitwave8
music for their programs. Visit www.RockitWave8.com for more information.
DVD’s
STOTT PILATES® Jumpboard Interval Training
This DVD offers a simple, multi-level training program that is perfect for those that are ready to diversify their STOTT PILATES® training program. This interval training program is very athletic with a focus on core work and pilates principals. The choreography alternates aerobic conditioning with core conditioning and flexibility and strength training. Visit www.stottpilates.com or call 800-910-0001 for purchase or more product information. **
STOTT PILATES® V2 Max Plus™ Programming
The versatility and creativity of this program is consummate. The program offers exercises for the
most de-conditioned client through the most seasoned professional. The equipment setup is easily adaptable to any half-trapeze arrangement. In the
tower set up, the first half of the DVD essentially; the program is more traditional and focuses on specific muscle groups. It is appropriate for
more de-conditioned clients or as a warm-up. In the second half of the DVD the equipment is set up for integrated work; the reformer and tower
springs working in tandem. The work is far more challenging and really targeted for a more seasoned client. Visit www.stottpilates.com or call 800-910-0001 for purchase or more
information. **
** Both STOTT
PILATES videos were reviewed by Patty Maraldo, Director and owner of Pilates for EVERY Body, located in
3 2 1 Petra Dance
with Petra Kolber
This video is more consumer based than industry based.
What a professional can learn from this dvd is
OBOW – One Body One World
At our NYC/OBOW Green Event, two very special people spoke prior to the Green Line Dancing. Both are from nonprofit group The Climate Project. Katy Carpenter is part of the new Discovery all-eco Channel, Planet Green that is launching in June. Katy spoke of her training with Al Gore and the Project mission. She then introduced Ken Mankoff, NASA scientist who recently returned from a research project in Antarctica. Ken builds climate computer models which help scientists make predictions about extreme weather, sea level rise, drought conditions all over the world. Ken gave a slide show presentation and talked about his recent activities in Antartica.
Are you interested in writing an article for our webnews or printed publication? Please contact Susan Kasper at susanvkasper@optonline.net. We are looking for new fitness industry based writers.
Calendar of Events
March 30
Venice, CA. L.A.’s Largest Outdoor Step Class. 9am at Venice
Beach Boardwalk. $15. Admission fee. Visit www.linearentertainments.com for more information.
April
3-6
April 11-12
April 14-19
The Anusara Immersion PART 3, Seeing
as the Divine See. Contact www.wildspirityoga.com for location and more information.
April
19
April 20
April
25-27
Chicago, IL. Stott Pilates®
Advanced Reformer Education and Certification at Elements in Motion. Call 773-935-7120 or visit
www.elementsinmotion.com.
April
26
Crofton, MD. Spin-A-Thon at Gold’s Gym to benefit the American Diabetes Association. For more information visit www.eteamz.active.com/MarylandGroupEX.
THANK YOU SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS OF ECA World Fitness:
Did you see something at ECA/OBOW 2008 and forgot to buy it? Or are you looking for more products? Don't forget to shop our VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW.... all year round!!
http://www.ecaworldfitness.com/con_tradeshow_current.php
ECA World Fitness, 414 East Beech Street, Long Beach NY 11561
tele: 516-432-6877 fax: 516-432-7044
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