Five years ago I didn’t even know what pickleball was, now I play regularly. Over the past few years, pickleball has become one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), over 8.9 million people played pickleball across the country in 2022 which was nearly double the 4.8 million players reported in 2021. While the game had been on the rise prior to Covid-19, the pandemic definitely helped further spread its popularity as seen in a report by the Association of Pickleball Professionals which found that more than 36.5 million people played pickleball from August 2021 to August 2022.
Finding Group Fitness Pros to Facilitate Growth By Sara Kooperman, JD
Health clubs are facing great challenges in staffing, especially in the Group Fitness arena. GX instructors left their respective positions in droves during the pandemic. This is primarily because our group areas were forced to close, and virtual training is not something that comes naturally to all instructors. Also, this happened in large part because GX teachers get paid the least amount of money for their time and efforts, and unfortunately, they are not respected by our industry as a whole. They usually appear as the last on the importance totem pole of our clubs. Our owners, CEOs, CFOs, Directors, and Managers still look at Group Fitness as a non-revenue generating line in our chart of accounts.
Sara Kooperman Named Most Innovating Fitness Pro by Fitness Industry Technology Council
DEERFIELD, IL – April 21, 2022 – Fitness industry veteran and CEO of SCW Fitness Education, Sara J. Kooperman, JD, has earned another accolade to add to her growing list: the 2021 Most Innovating Fitness Pro Award from the Fitness Industry Technology Council (FIT-C). This prestigious honor recognizes an individual that demonstrates exceptional innovation using technology to serve their clients … Read More
WATERinMOTION®: Keeping Fitness Fun
It’s often difficult to fathom the brilliance of inspirational individuals in our community. Sara Kooperman happens to be just one of those key figures whose undertakings have shaped the fitness industry into what it is today. It’s safe to say that she has had a stellar career up to this point and does not look to be showing any signs … Read More
Living Well into 100
Not by the wildest stretch of the imagination could our ancestors have ever foreseen people living to be 100 years old. Perhaps the only way they could have been able to wrap their heads around the idea of becoming a centenarian is by thinking more along the lines of mysticism. Of course, this is far from the truth. In the … Read More
Bringing the Party to the Pool
The infectious beat of the Latin music, the smiles and laughter of the participants in the pool, the warmth of the sun on your face…. these are some things that you will experience as an Aqua Zumba® instructor! Aqua Zumba® was introduced in 2009 by the creator of Zumba Fitness®, Beto Perez, and the Aqua Zumba® team at the IAFC … Read More
Overcoming Aquaphobia for Water Fitness
Aquaphobia is defined as a persistent and abnormal fear of water and can be a real barrier for some people interested in participating in aquatic exercise. However, there are ways to introduce water exercise to aquaphobes so they also can enjoy this beneficial form of movement. With patience, understanding, and a bit of creativity, a successful water experience is not … Read More
The Fear of the Fall
Each year, more than one in four older adults take a fall, but less than half tell their doctor. After the first fall, the chances of falling again double. According to Wikipedia, the fear of falling (FOF) is natural in most humans and animals. It was merely believed to be a result of the psychological trauma of the fall, also … Read More
Why Do We Need to Resistance Train?
What are the first words that pop out of your client’s mouth when you tell them it is time to resistance train? Maybe, it’s “I don’t want to look like The Hulk” or “No thanks, that’s for body builders.” Do you know how to respond to that? Let’s look at the reasons and benefits of using resistant equipment. Before determining … Read More
Health Coaches: What They Do and How They Can Help You
A health coach sounds like something for the rich and famous. But you don’t have to have your own reality show or an entourage to reap the benefits of health coaching. An increasing number of Americans are turning to these wellness champions to help them ditch bad habits and adopt new, healthier ones. Could you benefit from a health coach? … Read More