Convention 2012
Investing in
education ›› Fitpro Business speaks to Virgin Active fitness training manager Nick Hudson about his experience of FitPro Convention and why he continues to invest in education. FPB: How long have you been attending FitPro Convention? NH: Since 2002. We took our largest team last year, around 120 staff, made up of a big mix of people: not just the trainers but group exercise instructors, fitness managers, members of head office and our kids’ offering managers. We take a broad look on the event, considering the whole breadth of the Convention calendar.
Our new staff get to see Michol Dalcourt live, performing the ViPR moves that he created
Michol Dalcourt in action at FitPro Convention
For session information visit www.fitpro.com/convention or to book email busdev@fitpro.com or call +44 (0)20 8586 8636
fpb
fitpro business
FPB: What are your objectives in attending? NH: We want our fitness managers and trainers to see the cutting edge of the industry for their department, but equally the more serious business side, such as those sessions taken by Nic Jarvis and Bobby Cappuccio, as well as the more technical stuff by the likes of ViPR inventor Michol Dalcourt. We took a lot of staff in 2011 as we find that, every time we attend, we get a surprise that we weren’t expecting – such as a new presenter who I haven’t seen before who puts things in a different perspective; for example, John Berardi presented a couple of years ago and was a refreshing change from the usual ‘safe’ nutrition lecturers. FPB: How beneficial is the event to you and your team? NH: It’s very beneficial. We always enjoy it – as do those who haven’t been with us for very long, as they get to experience seeing a wide breadth of presenters. We’re almost spoiled for presenters, particularly for our newest staff as it’s a big thing for them. For example, we’ve had ViPR in our clubs for the past two years but, for the new people
8
who are joining, they get to see Michol Dalcourt live, performing the ViPR moves that he created. FPB: What is the main change you have seen in your staff who attend? NH: It’s hard to quantify of course, but I think you get to see a lot of things that are not taught on courses, or not taught well on courses. The major behaviour change is after seeing presenters like Nic Jarvis and Bobby Cappuccio – that is something big and hits home so powerfully for our teams; it’s certainly something they talk about for some time after the event. They talk about what they enjoyed and so more people hear about it and it grows every year. FPB: What other benefits do you get out of it other than education? NH: It is rare that management and staff have the opportunity to spend time together, as management typically have meetings together but PTs and group X instructors don’t generally get that opportunity. It’s good for them to socialise outside of work and also to meet instructors and trainers from other companies as well as meeting the lecturers and presenters face-to-face. FPB: Does it have a knock-on effect to your members? NH: What the trainers and instructors have learnt definitely does. It certainly helps that they come back to the club more motivated and with new skills to put into practice. It’s those who become more committed who make the difference. fpb