// Network Blog

Written by Network and select guest authors, this blog is designed to keep you up to speed with everything fitness industry related. Contribute and help shape the industry.

Fixed Term or No-Fixed Term Contract? That is the question…

by Ryan Hogan | Monday, May 31, 2010

The following post was written by guest author Celeste Kirby-Brown.
The issue of no-fixed term contract for members was highlighted as one of the biggest industry trends in 2010 by 46.9 per cent of club owners and managers (AFIS) . And members agreed, with 47.4 per cent of members with expired memberships indicating that they would be motivated to renew their membership if they were given the option of a no-fixed term contract (AFIS) .

So, owners and managers of fitness facilities have identified this trend and members (well, ex-members) are saying that they would like it too, so should clubs offer it? Perhaps the more appropriate question is, can clubs afford to offer it?  ...read more

FILEX 2009 - A roaring success

by Analee Matthews | Wednesday, April 22, 2009

FILEX 2009 – THE BIGGEST FITNESS CONVENTION THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE HAS EVER SEEN  ...read more

Club management... Amanda Bracks-Taylor style

by Analee Matthews | Thursday, April 02, 2009

Amanda Bracks-Taylor started off in membership sales 13 years ago, where she quickly evolved to centre manager, growing the membership base at that club from 1,800 to 4,500.

"I've been managing clubs since then, while also consulting on sales, marketing and business development to over 500 clubs around Australia and New Zealand. Now I am the general manager for BlueFit and run three health clubs and I am also the sales and marketing manager at Leisure One (we distribute Matrix, Johnson, Links, Xercise Po, Swimtech, Training Sense and deliver sales training and marketing flyers). Released a sales book for the industry called Changing Lives: A hands on approach to successfully selling memberships. I am also a former board member Fitness Australia and a regular author for Network and Australasia Leisure Management  ...read more

Ever met... a wild woman on top?

by Analee Matthews | Thursday, March 26, 2009

As our name suggests, "networking" is our game! So we feel it only right to introduce you to the people who have really made a difference to our industry and its development. Here is one such woman, who is nearly three decades into her contribution, who continues to inspire and train others to greatness. Her name is Diane Westaway.

Diane Westaway has been involved in the fitness industry and with Australian Fitness Network since legwarmers were  stylish. Network managed to catch up with Diane in a rare moment of stillness, and this is what she had to say about her (and our!) beloved fitness industry:  ...read more

Meet another Champion of the fitness industry.

by Analee Matthews | Monday, March 16, 2009

You know Nigel Champion as the Executive Director of Australian Fitness Network, but how well do you know his wife (and a co-director), Lisa? Here's what we found out in this 5 minute one-on-one with this other champion of the industry.

"When I think about how long I’ve been in the industry, it’s a bit scary! When I got my bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland (USA) in 1981, it was a degree to teach physical education in grades 7-12, as there was no such thing in those days as exercise science, sports science or human movement! I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher, so I went straight to graduate school to get my Master’s in Exercise Science. I focused on biomechanics for my thesis, and again, in those days, you didn’t have to have an engineering/physics brain to work in biomechanics."   ...read more

Network's interview with acclaimed nutritionist Matt O'Neill.

by Ryan Hogan | Monday, March 02, 2009

Matt O'Neill is an Australian Fitness Industry presenter and educator, with years of experience both as a trainer and is his current role as the director of the SmartShape Centre for Weight Management in Sydney. He took some time aside to share his thoughts about the fitness industry and his experiences with us.. Read on and enjoy!

Network: You've been in the fitness industry for quite a while now. What things have you done throughout your career and what are you doing these days?
Matt: As a trainer many years ago, I worked in public, resort and corporate fitness centres. This hands-on work has helped me to understand how nutrition and weight management works in fitness facilities and the challenges it raises. So, most of my work now involves training workshops and courses for fitness professionals from my SmartShape Centre for Weight Management. I now do more online training. I also speak to the masses on Chanel 7’s Sunrise and Morning Show’s almost every week. The TV work is fun and ensures you give memorable advice.  ...read more

Network's interview with aussie fitness industry legend Rebecca Small.

by Ryan Hogan | Thursday, February 26, 2009

This is a unique opportunity to get to know one of Australia's most respected and admired fitness industry presenters, Rebecca Small. Currently living in the UK, Rebecca has one of the busiest schedules on the convention circuit and we were very lucky to be able to have a quick chat about the past, present and future with her. Read on and enjoy...

Network: You've been in the fitness industry for quite a while now. What things have you done throughout your career and what are you doing these days?
Rebecca: I started teaching Group Fitness when I was 18, when we had to record records onto tapes and we used to teach single tracks, nothing was mixed and we used to teach routines to the verse and chorus. At 19 I took my first trip overseas to Hong Kong and started a job teaching 18 classes a week, which was a rude shock to my system and I had burnt out within 6 months - not physically - I was starved of creativity and inspirational music, so I had to come home.   ...read more

Feast on cutting-edge nutrition information

by Analee Matthews | Monday, February 23, 2009

Industry legend, Joanna McMillan-Price is one heckava lass! A long-time Network friend, Scottish-born Joanna is an industry "it" girl; she's a group ex instructor, a nutritionist, an author, a media consultant, and if that's not enough she's a really nice person! If you are after cutting-edge, informative and entertaining information at FILEX then Joanna is one presenter you definitely want to see. Here's what we learned about her in our five minutes together.  ...read more

Get to know... Karen Bruk-Finucane, a woman who puts group fitness first

by Analee Matthews | Thursday, February 19, 2009

Karen Bruk-Finucane has been working within the industry for almost two decades now. But here are a few things you may not have known about her...

"I started my group fitness training 19 years ago while still at uni - thinking that it'd be a great part-time job while studying. And 19 years and three unused, non-fitness related degrees later, I'm still here and wouldn't change it for the world.  After all, how many people get paid to stay fit while helping others to improve the quality of their lives?"   ...read more

Just in time... to meet club industry great - Justin Tamsett!

by Analee Matthews | Friday, February 13, 2009

Justin Tamsett is a leader in the club arena within the Australian fitness industry. If you haven't yet introduced yourself to Justin, make sure you do at FILEX 2009. He is a great person to know, with a wealth of resources, knowledge and advice that can help you further your success in this dynamic industry.  ...read more

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