FitPro 2012 was a huge hit again. Loads of visitors were tweeting and posting about how eager they were to get back to work Monday and implement the fantastic new ideas they picked up from the amazing presenters over the two days.

Presenting for us were some real inspirational trainers – Reebok Global Master Trainer Steve Barrett, OLF’s Tommy Matthews, Trigger Point’s inventor Cassidy Phillips and TRX® Rip™ Trainer inventor, Pete Holman. All of the sessions in the Escape Fitness Exercise Room were booked up from quite early on and the audiences were not disappointed!

Want to know how our presenters’ minds work? We asked them some questions about FitPro.

The Reebok EasyTone Step got a really fab workout with Steve Barrett over the two days. We asked him what FitPro means to him. He said,

‘This is my 18th out of the 20 years of FitPro conventions and frankly, apart from maybe the IDEA conference in the USA, it is the toughest event in the world to present at because the standard is so high, also the delegates pay a lot of money to attend so you can’t just rock up with last year’s information.

‘I meet lots of instructors who want to be presenters and would love to teach at FitPro but at this event there’s a huge amount of pressure to deliver so I’m very pleased to be asked back year after year as it means I must be doing something right. It’s probably the only UK convention I’ll teach at this year (but I’ll be teaching in 15 countries at international events including Russia next week) which I think demonstrates how special it is to me.’

We also asked Steve how he thought his sessions had gone. His replied,

‘The sessions went very well. As I was presenting a brand new piece of equipment (Reebok EasyTone Step) people didn’t know what to expect. It always amazes me that some people have no idea what it is they have booked in to, so I have just 60 minutes to explain the concept of the product and take a group of mixed ability people through a fun but also constructive, informative session – the feedback was fantastic especially from the people who had been teaching Step for years (and also the girls who had come all the way from Belgium for the session).’

Steve’s favourite moment from FitPro was when he was teaching a special Reebok EasyTone class to the David Lloyd group exercise managers who were looking to buy new products for the clubs. He said,

‘Whilst they don’t give much away I could tell from their faces that they really enjoyed the session – it’s good to get the ‘thumbs up’ from people like that.’

Tommy Matthews was there to make sure the Bulgarian Bag got a great reception. He showed his audience how it could really take their client’s workouts up a level and more! We asked him what his favourite part of FitPro 2012 was. Proving that it is a complete workout, Tommy said the funniest moment was seeing Pete Holman try to pick up a 12kg Bulgarian Bag from the pile. Tommy soon sent him back to get a 17kg bag!

‘He (Pete) tried to pick up a 12kg bag from the pile and I caught him out, sent him back to get a 17kg and he was in bits after the session. Thanks for joining in Pete, I’m sure you’ll get your own back one day with the RIP Trainer!’

When we asked Tommy about his sessions and how they went he said,

‘The Bulgarian Bag sessions went really well. It was fantastic to be able to launch the bag properly at Fitpro with Escape Fitness. We had great numbers in the sessions and the groups seemed to enjoy themselves. I don’t think they were too sure what to expect with the Bulgarian Bag, but they soon got the idea that it wasn’t going to be easy!! I have to say a big thanks to all that took part in the sessions, we even had a few of the Escape Fitness team spinning a bag in the back ground!’

We asked Tommy about his favourite part of FitPro and he replied,

‘My favourite part of Fitpro had to be getting 40 odd people in a room together with a bag on their shoulders and all huddled into a circle doing the final team bag workout. It was an awesome atmosphere and a great way to finish the day. I love taking the sessions. There is always great energy, especially when we are in the escape fitness room. The music is on, the room is full and everyone is there to learn and work hard.’

Our very own Matthew Januszek made sure he was still getting his workout while he was at FitPro. Here’s the evidence!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being able to offer a range of services helps make some PTs stand head and shoulders above the rest. Cassidy Phillips presented his Trigger Point Therapy to a keen audience, giving them a chance to have a real hands-on experience and get to grips with his methodologies. Cassidy was told a few years ago that he would never be an athlete due to his fibromyalgia. This devastating news only served to fuel his passion and determination to understand muscular structure and the regeneration of muscle tissue. Through his research, he developed Trigger Point Technologies that allow the user to address biomechanical challenges and how to influence them. Cassidy’s sessions defined the six areas of the body that influence human biomechanics the most and showed how the Trigger Point Ultimate 6 can benefit you and your clients. We asked him about his sessions, what FitPro meant to him and what was his favourite part of FitPro 2012. He said his sessions were really good,

‘There were plenty of people attending and lots of interest in the education and products we had to offer.’

We asked Cassidy what attending FitPro meant to him. He said,

‘FitPro allows some of the best trainers in the World to come together to not only educate the PTs of UK but to debate biomechanics, movement and the general wellness of the industry.’

Pete Holman had his hands full presenting the TRX® Suspension Trainer™ and his own invention, the TRX® Rip™ Trainer. But Pete loves to be at the cutting edge of the industry and created the UK’s first ever fusion of Rip™ and Suspension™ Training! When we asked him what his favourite part of FitPro was he told us it was that special session.

‘To see these two products in action and how they complement each other was something to behold!’

We also asked him how he thought his sessions had gone.

‘The sessions were amazing. It is always an honour to work with trainers who are interested in learning and growing their skills in the industry.’

When we asked him about the funniest moment, he replied,

‘It was funny when Big Ritchie (Ritchie Januszek) punched me in the stomach with all his might and everyone thought I would be dead! I survived to tell the tale though!’

Pete said that his favourite part of FitPro was sharing his knowledge and experience with PTs. He went on to say,

‘I love teaching and promoting functional training so we can continue to evolve the industry.’

We have discovered this photo though! It turn’s out that even the healthiest of us cannot resist to try the local delicacies – British Fish & Chips. Pete said he would like to try some and Ritchie was happy to oblige!  Surprised he didn’t say this was his favourite moment!

In the current climate it’s really refreshing to see new businesses popping up and creating a bit of positivity. You can’t get much more positive than the husband and wife team behind the winners of the National Fitness Awards ‘Best Newcomer of the Year’,

Oxygen Fit gym based in Barnet!

Escape Fitness sponsored the award from the NFA for Best Newcomer of the Year because we have experience of being the new kid on the block. Our very own Matthew Januszek was at the ceremony to present the award. He said, ‘We started as a company, from my parents’ spare room and so we are always excited to be able to support new entrepreneurs in the industry and watch them grow.’

We took a trip to Barnet with TRX on Tour to meet the husband and wife team who opened the gym in 2010. A joint passion to promote fitness and a strong conviction that active families mean active kids and a healthier future led to this dynamic duo taking the plunge to open their gym. But in the current climate and flanked on all sides by giants in the industry is this a David and Goliath story about to go horribly wrong? We don’t think so!

Emma from Oxygen Fit said,  ‘We have a David Lloyd, two Virgin Actives, three GLLs, a couple of LA Fitnesses, two other independent clubs all not too far away from us and we’re constantly fighting to recruit and retain members but that’s part of the excitement of running your own business!’

Husband Neil, personal trainer and sports injury therapist to the stars in a previous life, loves being able to work with his new clientele and is the visionary behind the gym. Petite but incredibly determined, Emma loves working with clients who are new to fitness and is the ‘business brain’ keeping Neil’s feet firmly on the ground.

Enthusiasm, passion, energy and stamina are prerequisites when starting your own business in any climate and any industry and Emma and Neil’s drive will put this little gym at an advantage when it comes to their local competition. Oxygen Fit aims to offer a community-based service with a real personal touch. Being able to make quick decisions and action them will also be a huge advantage for them – quite often, the larger gyms are tied into contracts and suppliers.

Emma and Neil’s infectious enthusiasm for their clients, business and industry will be a really strong USP along with their excellent knowledge of the industry. It will be great to watch them go from strength to strength.

To help keep them on their toes and able to offer their clients the latest in innovative, functional fitness, TRX on Tour popped in to see Neil, Emma and the team. The TRX® Suspension Trainer™ is the product of choice for PTs and a fantastic choice for forward looking gyms because of its brilliant versatility. It can be used with clients at any fitness level by adjusting their movements to create a spot on workout for them. The TRX team showed the guys just how flexible and versatile this piece of kit is while giving them a real workout of their own!

Neil, an obvious fan of the TRX® Suspension Trainer™ said, ‘By using the TRX you can actually see people progress and I think, in a group format, that’s very motivational with regards to personal training!’

Emma said she was absolutely inspired by the TRX. She said, ‘Ritchie (Master Trainer from Escape) came to the club to do some training with me and the team. It was really nice to get some serious proper technique. Now I really know what I’m doing with the TRX and I’m really excited to put that into training for myself and my clients.

Watch the video of what happened on the day!