Building a Successful Small Business as a Fitness Professional

Laura Irving

The fitness industry offers incredible opportunities for personal trainers to carve out their niche and build thriving small businesses. However, many trainers struggle with the business side of their careers. My journey from a corporate job to becoming a successful fitness professional and small business owner has equipped me with invaluable insights and practical strategies that I am eager to share with my peers.

Revitalize Pool Programming and Elevate Instructor Expertise

Melissa Plumeau

In today’s fitness landscape, digital platforms and boutique studios are on the rise, and brick-and-mortar gyms and community centers must find ways to stand out. As a manager, you have likely considered how to make your facility the go-to destination for fitness enthusiasts—investing in state-of-the-art equipment, leveraging technology, hosting exclusive events, and offering enticing deals. But there’s one area that’s often overlooked: aquatic group fitness & personal training (AQX).

Don't Say Prevention: Meeting Healthcare Networks and Payers Where They Are

Graham Melstrand; Michael Stack

This session will explore the disconnect between the known benefits of exercise for disease prevention and the priorities of healthcare networks and payers. Attendees will learn how to make a compelling business case for exercise interventions, design effective programs, and navigate complex pricing, delivery, and potential insurance coverage. By meeting stakeholders where they are, exercise professionals can secure their role in modern healthcare.

From Passion to Profit: Harnessing the Financial Potential of Your Fitness Business

Dan Kleckner

Join us as we explore the key principles of profitability in the fitness industry, uncovering actionable insights and real-world examples that will empower you to maximize revenue streams and drive sustainable growth. From innovative marketing techniques to effective financial management, this session equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to harness your fitness business's full financial potential.

Panel Discussion - Advocacy & Professionalization within the Exercise Profession

Francis Neric; Jeff Young; Michael Stack; Rachele Pojednic

Inspired by ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal's September/October 2024 issue: "Advocacy & Professionalization within the Exercise Profession," this discussion is tailored for frontline fitness professionals looking to elevate their careers and the profession. Authors from the themed issue will explore the professionalization process, emphasizing advocacy, certification, and educational advancements. Discover strategic collaborations within the industry and healthcare, practical insights for implementation, health technology, and reimbursement. This panel is essential for understanding the evolving role of fitness professionals and preparing for a future where they become significant stakeholders in healthcare delivery in their local communities.

RRRRevenue: The Four Rs of Building and Sustaining Revenue in the Fitness Business

Greg Johnson

Having to rely on dozens of new leads a month to sustain your business is extremely difficult and takes time away from other aspects of the business. Allow your clients to help you build your brand by focusing on client retention and getting solid leads and referrals from your clients. Build your business through the four R's: Relationships, Results, Retention, and Referrals.

Every Breath You Take

Stacey Krauss

Welcome to the “Mile-High City”! As you adjust to the altitude, you may notice your “shortness of breath”, so it’s a great time to become more intentional with your breathing. Have you considered that a breath-work practice can be as impactful as a nutrition program? Conscious breathing has a direct effect on both your physical and emotional bodies. During this session, you’ll complete a self-assessment to discover your “breath-blocks”. You’ll learn specific breathing techniques to calm, boost, and regulate yourself… whenever you need to. As breathwork begins to transform your life, you’ll be compelled to share this natural technology with clients.

From Main Stage to Manager

Chris Stevenson; Steven Trotter

Ready to take your career to the next level? This session, designed with beginners in mind, offers a crash course for group exercise instructors, personal trainers, and students aspiring to move into management. In clear, easy-to-understand terms, we’ll break down the essential skills, from leadership and team building to operational management. Join us to gain practical insights and tools to help you confidently step into a management role and lead successfully.

The Power of Routine

Jessica Maurer

Discover the transformative power of habits and routines as you embark on a journey toward personal and professional fulfillment. This workshop will explore the science and psychology behind habit formation, exploring how these seemingly small actions can profoundly impact every aspect of your life. Learn practical strategies to design effective habit systems that propel you toward your goals, overcome challenges, and cultivate lasting change. Through engaging discussions, interactive exercises, and personalized guidance, you'll gain the tools and insights to harness the power of routines and achieve your dreams.

Building the Skill of Being Stable

Adam Jongsma

Stability always precedes movement. The better we are at creating stability, the more effective our training will be. The difficulty is that many clients often cannot create adequate stability and therefore their progress is slowed, or worse, they experience discomfort, pain, or injury. In this session, we will discuss the importance of setting up and utilizing positional isometrics and external perturbations to optimize motor learning and skill acquisition. Using these tools, you will be able to help any client, regardless of starting level, improve the quality of their movement and maximize their performance.

Low Back Considerations & Functional Solutions

Chuck Wolf

Low back pain accounts for more than $100 billion in health-related expenses in the United States. Learn how lifestyle and the activities of daily living impact adverse reactions that impact the feet, hips, and thoracic spine on low back biomechanics. Attendees will develop functional strategies to improve conditions and be a relieving remedy for problems such as sacroiliac dysfunction, low back pain, spinal fusion, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and the chain reaction upon spinal movements. Learn a regressive to a progressive approach to improve functional strength and return to play for clients with back pain.

SpeakNess: Improve How You Show Up Personally & Professionally With Public Speaking Skills

Nicholas Lambe

Public speaking skills are among the greatest gifts that you can give to yourself. Which in turn becomes one of the greatest gifts you can share with others. The ability to speak more effectively allows you to SHOW UP. Fitness is defined as the condition of being physically fit and healthy and the quality of being suitable to fulfill a certain role or task. SPEAKness is the condition of being able to speak effectively & the quality of being able to show up impactfully in all the stages of your life, with clients, with family, in your community. This unique and engaging presentation will provide the beginning steps to improving your SpeakNess. With an immersive and experiential perspective into public speaking skills. From how to use your voice to tell dynamic personal stories, this talk will open doors to greater impact professionally and personally.

Teaching Yoga and Movement for people with Neurological Conditions

Danielle Kipnis

This session will provide fitness and wellness instructors with a practical, hands-on approach to teaching yoga to people with various neurological conditions. We will use a trauma-informed teaching perspective to learn how to make yoga inclusive, accessible, and beneficial for people with varying abilities.

AI Revolution in Sports and Exercise: Enhancing Performance Analysis and Training

Jaime Roa

"AI Revolution in Sports and Exercise: Enhancing Performance Analysis and Training" explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in sports science and fitness. This session examines how AI, including generative AI, revolutionizes personalized training, injury prediction, and performance analysis. Attendees will learn about AI's current applications and future possibilities in sports medicine and exercise science. The presentation addresses ethical considerations and practical challenges of AI integration, equipping fitness professionals with the knowledge to leverage these technologies responsibly. Participants will gain insights into implementing AI-driven solutions in their practice, ultimately benefiting athletes and fitness enthusiasts across all levels. This session is crucial for professionals navigating the intersection of technology and sports science.

Brain Gains:  Top Exercises and Supplements for Cognitive Enhancement and Brain Physiology

Terence Moriarty

Explore the intersection of exercise and nutrition in cognitive enhancement with "Brain Gains." Dr. Terence Moriarty will present his newest original research on the effects of exercise and supplements on brain function. This session will also dive into the latest scientific research on how specific exercises and supplements can optimize brain function and physiology. Attendees will gain practical, evidence-based strategies to apply these findings in clinical and everyday settings.

Creating an Inclusive Fitness Experience for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Fun and Fit Lifespan Approach From Special Olympics

Leigha Cummings; Melissa Otterbein

As many as 58-89% of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) do not meet the WHO Physical Activity Guidelines (Ovideo, 2017). However, a 2020 Special Olympics survey found that among people with ID who belonged to a gym, most visited regularly, with 74% attending at least twice weekly. Using case studies, attendees will learn program design, motivation, cueing, and social connectedness strategies to create a fun environment for clients with ID to progress in fitness. Attendees will practice navigating scenarios they may encounter when working with clients with ID to foster increased competence in meeting the needs of people with ID.

Sensory Strategies to Promote Inclusive Physical Activity for Those with Autism and Other Neurodiversity

Emilee Moore

The gym is one of the most un-sensory friendly environments, often leaving those with autism or sensory processing difficulties wandering and wondering. Be informed on the latest research, evidence-based practices, proprioceptive exercises, and diverse strategies to structure sensory-friendly programs. By adopting these methods, trainers can foster inclusive environments where individuals with autism and other neurodiversity can seamlessly interact with neurotypical peers, thus accessing the wide-ranging benefits of physical activity.

Stride Smart: Leveraging Walking Science for Enhanced Health Outcomes

Colin Carriker

This session will explore the latest research on walking and its impact on health, focusing on cadence, speed, and step count. Attendees will learn how these factors contribute to overall fitness and how to apply this knowledge in practical settings to enhance health outcomes. The session will provide evidence-based strategies to help professionals integrate walking protocols into their programs, promoting accessible and effective physical activity interventions.

The Exercise Consultation in a Clinical Setting: Bridging the Gap for Clinical Populations Needing Exercise Guidance without Qualifying for Supervised Programs

Casey Filler; Kaitlin Moore

To learn about the process of individualized exercise consultations for multiple clinical populations - what is involved in an exercise consultation, why it is important, who it can help, and how it can be billed through insurance.

What's New in the 12th Edition of ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription and Considerations for their Practical Applications

Amanda Bonikowske; Cemal Ozemek; Jeffrey Christle; Paul Gallo

Significant updates and additions have been made in the 12th edition of ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (GETP) to reflect evidence-based contemporary practice. Special emphasis was placed on presenting information in a manner that can be used in testing labs, fitness facilities, and clinics to optimize care for individuals working with exercise professionals. Noteworthy, but not all, changes and additions include, broadening the section on resistance training principles, providing guidance on identifying cardiac and/or pulmonary limitations during a cardiopulmonary exercise test, and adding new sections on transgender people, POTS, SCAD, or ME/CFS.