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2006
FROM NEWSDAY, April 4, 2006
BY JOHN HANC
Special to Newsday
A mirrored studio with shiny hardwood floors; loud, pulsating music; a lithe, limber guy in baggy fatigue pants, baseball cap and sweatshirt, shouting into a headset, as he leads 40 people through a series of choreographed movements. "Pop! Pop!" he exhorts, as 40 left, then right arms shoot upward in two synchronized motions. "Shake those hips. Now right, left, back, step, step."
Outside the glass-walled studio, a knot of individuals watch intently as the group moves in unison to the commands. Are they agents? Talent scouts? Producers trying to cast for their next Broadway musical?
Hardly. One of the observers is Lauren Lyntz, group fitness manager of Equinox Fitness in Woodbury, and as far as she's concerned, this long-running show is already a hit: It's Jim Giacinto's Wednesday night "Cardio Dance" - a class that is helping to put some oomph back into a gym genre that not long ago seemed almost as dead as vaudeville.
Aerobic dance: Why, it sounds sooo Jane Fonda, so out of step with the high-tech, mind-body fitness world of spin classes and elliptical machines, yoga and Pilates. But this class is different: These people are working hard, but there seems to be more precision in their moves than in the typical step class. Another difference: There are actually men in this class, men who don't look like Ralph Kramden as they nimbly follow along. As for the women, based on their muscle tone, many of them appear to have spent as much time with the barbells as they have at the barre.
Giacinto's class represents a new kind of dance-exercise hybrid, with maybe just a bit more of an emphasis on the former; and it's the kind of class these members want. "They're asking for more dance," says Lyntz, noting that her club will begin offering ballroom dancing soon.
Dancing like the stars
Why are more people are turning - and in some cases, returning - to dance for fitness? Blame television.
"Exercise tends to go as popular culture goes," says Brooke Correia, spokeswoman for the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. "Dance as exercise has probably started popping up in more gyms across the country recently due to the popularity of dancing shows on TV."
The most popular of those shows, ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," emphasizes ballroom dancing: tangos and waltzes, sambas and cha-chas - all more complex forms of choreography than the moves you'd find in a typical step or high-/ low-impact aerobics class.
Once the hottest thing since Spandex, those forms of "aerobic dance" have been withering away for two decades: In 1987 there were 2.5 million participants in high-impact aerobic dance classes, according to statistics compiled by the association. In 2004 that number was down to just over a million.
Similarly, those taking step classes (participants step up and down off a six-inch-high platform) have dropped from a peak of 2.6 million in 1992 to 1.1 million in 2004. Even the major fitness industry organizations seemed eager to distance themselves from their dance roots: In recent years, for example, the International Dance and Exercise Association has chosen to identify itself only by its acronym, IDEA, because of concerns that the "dance" in their name sounded out of date.
They may soon be re-thinking that: The new dance fitness classes are more vital, better choreographed, and come in many different and colorful styles. At the recent ECA NYC Fitness Convention - a showcase for new classes, where aerobic instructors from throughout the Northeast come to see the latest fitness fashions - there were 22 sessions devoted to what organizers called "dance-based choreography." They included classes such as "Let Me Entertain You" (described as mixing influences "from Kelly and Astaire to Flashdance and Fame...to inspire you to sweat in style"); the "Joneeba African Dance" workout (done to the beat of West African drums), and "Latin Tribal" ("a killer workout for your body, and more importantly your groove thang").
That there were 46 sessions at the same conference devoted to yoga and Pilates and another 39 to strength and endurance training suggests that people - or at least their trainers and class instructors - are still more interested in what might be called the more established methods of conditioning. But there's no doubt that dance could be coming back in a big way to the gym.
Petra Kolber, a presenter at the ECA NYC convention and a spokeswoman for IDEA, recently started offering a dance class at her club in Santa Monica, Calif., after not having taught one in years. In just four months it was standing-room only. A lot of her students, Kolber says, are "people who did nothing but spin for the past few years. And now they're saying, 'Gosh, I forgot how much fun it is to dance.'"
"Unlike other fitness trends, dance is something that has been in our bodies for centuries," says Laurel House, co-author (with Richard Giorla) of "Raise the Barre" (Collins), a dance fitness workout book. "We have the natural inclination to bob our heads and tap our toes when music or emotion moves us."
Fitness for all
There's certainly an awful lot of head-bobbing and toe-tapping going on in Giacinto's class. There's also a sense that beginners are welcome - even though the moves can get complex.
"Watch me, not them," he calls out to a group of first-timers in the back row, some of them intimidated by the sure-footedness of more advanced students. "If you can't get it, fake it!"
Giacinto, of Huntington, understands their trepidations all too well. "I started back in the aerobic days," he says, recalling a visit to an aerobics dance class in the city 15 years ago. "Me and 10 other new people in the class stood in the back of the room not knowing what was going on. I saw five of them walk out in the first few minutes."
No one seems to be walking out of Giacinto's class, which goes full swing for an hour and fifteen minutes.
"This is the best stress relief," said Leslie Vitale of Roslyn.
"He believes in you so much that you believe in yourself," says Barbara Pensavalle of Brookville, who says she has lost 30 pounds and 17 inches in the two years since she started taking classes.
"I wouldn't even do cardio until I saw this class," admits Maria Kwiatkowski of Bethpage, a muscular bodybuilder and model. "I absolutely love it. Really, in his class, my spirit dances."
ABC's "Dancing" stars Jerry Rice, Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke aside, Kolber believes that instructors like Giacinto are the main reason dance fitness is enjoying a resurgence. "They're bringing the fun back to the workout experience."
To: All Media
Fm: Susan Kasper, ECA World Fitness
Contact: (516) 524-8600
susanvkasper@optonline.net
ECA World Fitness Launches New Talent Division
Long Beach, NY ECA World Fitness has announced the creation of a new ECA Talent Division. This new service addresses the desire of many fitness professionals who are or have the ambition to be involved in a segment of the entertainment field. "We have created a division outside the fitness profession because so many of our professionals are involved within the entertainment field and it is important to continue building our resources to meet the needs of today's professionals." said Carol Scott, ECA President.
ECA has linked up with On Location Images, a photography service based out of Miami and New York, and a talent search team to help in the efforts of this new division. ECA members can call upon their approved photographers for head shots and body shots, and decide from a selection of comp cards and resumes to design their own package. In addition, ECA Talent members will be matched with direct emails on auditions and job opportunities in their own area. "We are committed to bringing a variety of new and enhanced services to our growing member population," continued Ms. Scott. In addition to the new ECA Talent Division, ECA World Fitness had recently introduced a new member program that includes discounts for office products, and enhanced banking, financial, and health insurance services.
ECA World Fitness is an international health and fitness organization dedicated to the education of fitness professionals through workshops, conventions and their member services. For more information, please contact Susan Kasper, Public Relations Liaison, at 516-524-8600 or visit the ECA website at www.ecaworldfitness.com.
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To: All Media
Fm: Susan Kasper, ECA World Fitness
Contact: (516) 524-8600
susanvkasper@optonline.net
East Coast Instructor Training School is Awarded New York State Department of Education Licensure
Long Beach, NY New York State Department of Education has reviewed and fully licensed the East Coast Instructor Training School under the Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision. This is ground breaking news because East Coast Instructor Training School is the first and only New York State licensed school for personal trainers and group exercise instructors.
This licensure procedure approves the high quality of ECITS curriculum, faculty, financial viability and location. Compared to the recent industry attention on third party accreditation from other organizations like NOCA and Vital Research that mainly review testing procedures, ECITS rests on its delivery of quality education. ³We are happy to receive this licensure from New York State and will continue to deliver a high quality educational program that is needed within the fitness profession. Our high standards will continue to raise the bar for fitness facilities and consumers alike,² ECITS President Gary Scott said.
East Coast Instructor Training School offers various weekend and weeknight programs for those interested in becoming personal trainers or group exercise instructors. The school provides an academic classroom program, coupled with hands on practical skills within a fitness facility. The practical aspect is an important component that is lacking in many other programs. In addition, all graduates are provided with job placement services and networking opportunities.
Students looking to attend any vocational program must realize that NYS law requires licensure. For further information, please see the New York State website, www.higher.nys.ed.gov and the East Coast Instructor Training School website on www.ecaworldfitness.com.For information on this release, please contact Susan Kasper at 516-524-8600.
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2005
To: All Media
Fm: Susan Kasper, ECA World Fitness
Contact: (516) 524-8600
susanvkasper@optonline.net
New Trends/ New Programs will Launch at Annual ECA/Miami Sports Training and Fitness Conference
New York, NY. ECA World Fitness, one of the nation's leading
health and fitness associations has announced their annual ECA/Miami Sports Training and Fitness Conference from November 11 to 13th, at Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach.
ECA World Fitness has been producing this annual Miami conference to meet the needs of today's fitness professionals, recreation leaders, and physical education educators. ECA is addressing this need by offering a record of over 15 pre and post convention programs and over 100 workshops and lectures.
Each of these workshops will be taught by one of the country's leading health and fitness professionals who help define the industry today. ECA conference attendees want to further their development, learn the newest health and fitness recommendations, and experience valuable networking opportunities.
The pre conference workshops are on Thursday, November 10, and include: BOSU* for Sports Performance - Specialty Certificate Workshop, Consideration for Training Females with Paul Chek, various Stott Pilates™ workshops, ISCA Kick Box Round II, Heavy Bag Training, GRAVITY, Personal Training® Smart Bells Workshop, South Beach Boot Camp, Yoqua™, and Spinning®, to name a few.
Convention workshops include: fitness programming, athletic conditioning, program design, special populations, strength, endurance and resistance training, pilates, yoga, aquatic fitness, martial arts fitness, step training and aerobic choreography.
Our trade show is open to the public and will showcase and sell fitness products. There will be over forty booths of products including: fitness equipment, attire, shoes and music.
As a press member, you will have access to all our ECA workshops, and trade show. We can arrange interviews with those presenters you wish to meet and discuss new ideas and trends within the health and fitness industry. Please look at www.ecaworldfitness.com for complete session descriptions.
Please call me at (516) 524-8600 or contact me via email at susanvkasper@optonline.net to request a press pass, a convention brochure or if you have questions regarding our annual ECA/Miami Sports Training and Fitness Conference.
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To: All Media
Fm: Susan Kasper, ECA World Fitness
Date: October 11, 2005
Annual ECA Miami Sports Training and Fitness Convention Covers New Trends
New York, NY. ECA World Fitness, one of the nation's leading health and fitness associations, has announced their annual Miami Sports and Fitness Conference at the Deauville Beach Resort from November 11 to November 13, 2005. ECA World Fitness has been producing this annual Miami conference to meet the needs of today's fitness professionals, recreation leaders, and physical education educators. ECA is addressing this need by offering a record of over 15 pre and post convention programming, including BOSU™ for Sports Performance - Specialty Certificate Workshop, Consideration for Training Females with Paul Chek, various Stott Pilates™ workshops, ISCA Kick Box Round II, Heavy Bag Training, GRAVITY, Personal Training® Smart Bells Workshop, South Beach Boot Camp, Yoqua™, and Spinning®.
This year's Sports Training and Fitness Conference has over 100 programs, workshops and lectures on fitness programming, athletic conditioning, program design, special populations, strength, endurance and resistance training, pilates, yoga, aquatic fitness, martial arts fitness, step training and aerobic choreography.
The Trade Show is open to the public and will showcase fitness products that are available to purchase on site.
For more information on this convention, please call ECA's Public Relations Liaison, Susan Kasper at
(516) 524-8600, or visit www.ecaworldfitness.com.
#####
To: All Editors
Fm: Susan Kasper, ECA World Fitness Contact: (516) 524-8600
Date: July 22, 2005
Record Number of Pre and Post Conference Workshops
at ECA World Fitness Miami Conference 2005
Long Beach, NY. ECA World Fitness is offering a
record number of pre and post conference workshops
at this year's annual Sports and Fitness Conference
in Miami Beach. There will be fifteen different
workshops on Wednesday and Thursday, November 10 and
11, one post conference workshop on November 13 ,
and two certification exams from ACE and NSCA. This
year's annual conference will take place in Miami
Beach from November 11-13, 2005, at the Deauville
Beach Resort.
Included in this years pre-conference workshops are
the Ultimate Personal Training Workshop with Dr.
Jose Antonio, Phil Kaplan and Juan Carlos Suntana,
BOSU* for Sports Performance - Specialty Certificate
Workshop, Consideration for Training Females with
Paul Chek, Stott Pilates™, Foam Roller Workshop,
Stott Pilates™ Flex Band™ and Fitness Circle®, ISCA
Kick Box Round II, Heavy Bag Training, GRAVITY,
Personal Training® Smart Bells Workshop, South Beach
Boot Camp, Yoqua™, IAHP Certification Training,
Spinning®, Instructor Orientation and Club Spin -
the I.N.F.I.N.I.T.E. Ride. The only post conference
workshop will be the World at My Feet, an outdoor
barefoot training education workshop on Sunday,
November 13.
You can register online for all the ECA World
Fitness's pre and post convention programming with
the exception of both certification exams from ACE
and NSCA. The ACE exam will be given on Wednesday,
November 9th.
To register for the ACE exam, call 1-800-825-3636.
NSCA will be giving their exam on Thursday, November
10. To register for the NSCA Personal Trainer Exam,
call 1-888-746-2378. The deadline to register for
this exam is August 26th.
You can register online for this year's pre and post
conference workshops and the three day Sports and
Fitness Conference by visiting www.ecaworldfitness.com/con0.html, or call 1-800-ECA-EXPO for a brochure.
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To:
All Editors, Producers, Assignment Desks
Fm: Susan Kasper, ECA World Fitness Contact: (516) 524-8600
ECA
NYC 2005 Fitness Convention and Trade Show Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway,
New York City, Friday, March 11 to Sunday, March 13 Press Room - Fourth
Floor/ Gilbert Suite.
The following is to invite you to the upcoming annual ECA NYC 2005 Fitness
Convention and Trade Show. This invitation will grant you the opportunity
to attend one of the most exciting health and fitness events, and meet
those educators and leaders who help define our industry today. We have
over one hundred programs and workshops throughout the weekend, and our
trade show will showcase and sell fitness products that have not hit the
consumer market.
As a press member,
you will have access only to view the workshops, session rooms and trade
show. We can arrange interviews with those presenters you wish to meet
and discuss new ideas and trends within the health and fitness industry.
Press volunteers will be on hand to offer assistance. All filming and
video taping will need to be approved by the presenter you would like
to film and the ECA press office. Photographs are welcome. I will be sending
you a brochure that details all workshops, seminars and pre/post convention
programming for your review.
Please look at www.ecaworldfitness.com for complete session descriptions.
The press room is
located in the Gilbert Suite on the fourth floor of the hotel site, the
Marriott Marquis, located at 1535 Broadway. The press room hours are as
follows:
Friday, March 11 6:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday, March 12 6:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, March 13 8:00am to 3:00pm
Please call me at
(516) 524-8600 to register for your press pass or if you have questions
regarding the event. Please bring identification with you to receive your
press pass. We look forward to meeting you and should you have any questions,
please call me at (516) 524-8600 or contact me via email at SusanVKasper@optonline.net.
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