CPD and Event opportunities
Professional Development Opportunities
2023 Summit – Exercise Prescription for Mental Health
On demand
Online
Exercise Prescription for Mental Health and Well-being: Do we Really Know what we’re Doing?
1 CEC
Presented by Shawn Arent
Traditionally, exercise professionals recommend and oversee exercise programs designed to improve components of physical fitness. However, an assortment of psychological factors — including whether a client finds exercise pleasant, enjoyable, satisfying or valuable — will ultimately determine whether they remain motivated and stick to an exercise program. Moreover, many people may value what exercise can do for their levels of stress, anxiety or depression more than what it can do for their muscles, heart and lungs.
This podcast-style conversation will address several issues related to the psychology of exercise, including tips for promoting pleasure, enjoyment, well-being and positive mental health.
Course-takers will:
- Understand how exercise can be promoted as a source of enjoyment and well-being and not solely as a source of long-term health benefits;
- Learn about the relation between different exercise options (e.g., intensities, settings) and the pleasure and enjoyment people can experience; and
- Receive up-to-date information on the benefits of exercise programs for important mental health outcomes, including depression and cognitive function.
2023 Summit – Stop the Stigma!
On demand
Online
Stop the Stigma! Person-centered, weight inclusive approaches to start using with your clients now
1 CEC
Presented by Amy Allnutt
This session will focus on the epidemic of weight stigma and the importance of using weight-inclusive practices to treat clients living with obesity. As obesity rates rise, it has become evident that traditional, weight-centric models are proving ineffective and that a shift to more person-centered approaches is imperative for helping individuals manage their health indices.
In addition to understanding weight-inclusive practices, participants will learn about anti-fat attitudes and recognize the implications that weight stigma has on the overall health of individuals struggling with their weight.
This course will also:
- Explain the terms “weight bias,” “weight stigma” and “weight inclusiveness”;
- Describe the implications of weight stigma on the mental and physical health of individuals struggling with weight;
- Discuss the challenges of shifting from a weight centric model to a person-centered model; and
- Decipher what research says about the weight-loss interventions and health.
2023 Summit – Creating Successful Experiences
On demand
Online
1 CEC
Presented by Christin Everson
Fitness settings can be intimidating, unwelcoming and even scary for many new exercisers. When trainers deeply understand this crucial experience, they can use an intentional plan of action to greatly enhance the client experience.
In this presentation, we’ll go through a step-by-step guide to creating a successful experience for the new exerciser.
Participants will be able to:
- Define the common aspects that make it hard for new exercisers to begin;
- Acknowledge the challenges new or returning exercisers feel in fitness spaces;
- Identify the elements that make up the client experience;
- Indicate specific behavior-change strategies to support new exercisers and inspire them to action; and
- Utilize a step-by-step checklist to provide a successful exercise experience for new exercisers.
2023 Summit – Attention to Retention
On demand
Online
1 CEC
Presented by Dane Robinson
Personal training businesses, like any other business, are much more sustainable when they retain clients. In this session, explore top-level strategies to inspire, enlighten, encourage and retain your current community of clients.
Participants will:
- Identify the seasonality peaks and valleys of the fitness industry per their own business;
- Construct their own “retention roadmap” for the upcoming calendar year; and
- Understand how to correlate retention measures to stabilize their business’ revenue stream.
2023 Summit – Expanding Your Reach
On demand
Online
Expanding Your Reach: Effective Exercise Training for Older Adults
1 CEC
Presented by Aleen Dailey
Agility, balance, coordination, power and reaction time are all critical for older adults who want to maintain their independence, but the majority of exercise programming for this population doesn’t adequately address these areas. Fear and lack of confidence on the part of the client — and sometimes even the fitness professional — can get in the way of effective exercise.
Explore why you should shift your approach when working with older adults by looking at current research, and then how to practice progressions that will boost functional movement capacity. Walk away from this session feeling empowered and energized to improve the lives of the seniors you work with!
Course-takers will:
- Learn and perform several exercise progressions for improving agility, balance, coordination, power and reaction time in the active aging population, from the frail to the apparently healthy;
- Learn best practices for fitness components to highlight for older adults, as well as techniques to help them build enough self-efficacy to perform exercises at a level challenging enough to stimulate change;
- Be introduced to strategies they can apply when working with mixed ability levels, such as in group fitness classes or small group training; and
- Gain confidence in their ability to work safely and effectively with older adults.
2023 Summit – Communication Strategies
On demand
Online
Communication Strategies for Medical Fitness Clients
1 CEC
Presented by Alexis Batrakoulis
Individuals facing chronic diseases or conditions need something different than the conventional exerciser when a fitness professional works with them on a regular basis in a real-world gym setting. Fitness pros should understand how to apply the initial interview, preparticipation health screening, health and fitness assessment, individualized program design, health/wellness coaching skills, and behavior-change strategies and learn how to become the critical link between clinic and community in a changing industry landscape.
Participants will be able to:
- Understand why communication is one of the most powerful tools for fitness professionals who want to make a difference in the industry working with special populations;
- Learn how to use appropriate language in order to enhance motivation and inspiration without stress while promoting that exercise is medicine; and
- Develop effective communication skills by putting people first while setting S.M.A.R.T. goals and applying empathy with your clients affected by a chronic illness.
