Zumba Lessons

Zumba may well qualify as the concept that’s had the single greatest impact on the global health and fitness industry. today, the classes produced by Zumba Fitness, LLC, are enjoyed by some 14 million people, in 140,000 locations, in 150 countries, every week. Cofounders alberto “Beto” Perez, Alberto Aghion, and Alberto Perlman received the John McCarthy Industry Visionary award during IHRSA’s recent convention in Las Vegas and clearly have valuable lessons to teach.

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The Exercise and Prevention ‘Disconnect’

Prevention doesn’t include exercise.”

To health club operators, this sentiment is practically blasphemous; it isn’t, however, to many others. In late January, the news agency Reuters published an article on the cost-saving benefits of prevention as they relate to the ongoing healthcare debate, but exercise and healthy eating weren’t mentioned—not even in passing. That lifestyle behaviors weren’t included in a fairly authoritative discussion about the merits of prevention is a serious shortcoming. In response, Helen Durkin,

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Editor's Welcome

It is not the bikes. It is not the treadmills. It is not the ellipticals. It is not the free weights, or the selectorized units, or the suspension training systems. It is not, in short, the equipment. It’s what people do with it—the programming. 

I was reminded of that both by IHRSA’s 32nd Annual Interna- tional Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas and by the contents of this issue of CBI. The trade show, with 353 companies show- casing their newest and most exciting wares, was astounding. In retrospect, however, the images that come most quickly to mind are ones such as:

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Understanding Our Humanity

Have you ever wondered about the characteristics that make a person uniquely human? The kindness, empathy, intelligence, and contradictions that make them tick? And how we can all be so similar, yet so different? Does it mystify you sometimes? 

I know those are deep thoughts, but our ability to sell our products and serve our members’ needs depends largely on how well we understand and can build relationships with others. Their successes and failures are so related to their “humanity”— the set of attributes that make people individual.

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The 'New Normal'? Balderdash!

Occasionally, I intend to take license to use this column as my bully pulpit. This month, I want to address the notion that, in my opinion, there are individuals from all political camps in federal, state, and local government who are bending the language to manipulate others. And it's affecting this industry.

To have a meaningful debate, or even a meaningful conversation, the participants must be clear and straightforward and agree on the meaning of words. Without this simple agreement, debate cecomes a pointless endeavor. 

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