Personal Trainer, fitness instructor and gym instructor courses from YMCA Fit. Start you fitness career today by booking a course and gaining fitness qualifications. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk Due to a surge in popularity, we are pleased to announce extra dates for the Outdoor Fitness course this summer. Find out more about the course and sign up for a summer of fun with Bootcamp ideas, group workouts, trees and benches. Watch the video below for a sneak preview! CHECK OUT THE OUTDOOR FITNESS COURSE http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/10038 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/10038 Training for a new career is a big decision. You want to be sure you know what's involved, explore the opportunities and meet your tutors. Watch the video to see what an open evening is like. Find out more about open evenings http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/10010 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/10010 We are pleased to launch the new STOTT PILATES Injuries and Special Populations course. This unit is ideal if you are planning to work with clients who have specific problems. You will learn to customize workouts to address weaknesses, health conditions, postural problems or injuries. The first course starts 1st July 2011. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/10007 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/10007 The International Fitness Showcase is an annual event designed for Gym Instructors, Personal Trainers, Group Exercise Instructors and the public. Join us in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on the March 25th - 27th. As well as top YMCAfit presenters including Deborah Beard, Rebecca Monnington and Trevor Clarke, we also have a very special convention surprise! Find out more and let us know you're coming. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9990 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9990 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9955 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9955 All YMCAfit Personal Trainer graduates are guaranteed an interview with a number of employers in the fitness industry. Once you successfully finish your course, there are a range of opportunities on offer. To follow all the latest vacancies, join the YMCAfit Latest Jobs Group on Facebook. Recruiting now - Fitness First, Love London Fitness, Steiner, Rosemary Conley and more. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9882 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9882 The Y Plan Body Confidence DVD has just been voted as the number one fitness DVD in the Mail on Sunday. The workouts have been developed by fitness experts including our very own YMCAfit tutors. The Y Plan philosophy is strongly aligned with the Body Confidence ethic and our views promote healthy living and wellbeing. Find out more about the Y Plan. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9570 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9570 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9483 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9483 In a week when government ministers have met with fast food giants, and regulation is being set aside in favour of voluntary agreements, we ask - should companies be involved with policy? The government claims that agreements can work faster and more effectively than regulation, whilst campaigning groups say this is a corporate takeover of public health policy. Share your thoughts with the community on Facebook. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9442 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9442 We have teamed up with Keiser UK Ltd to deliver training on the M3 Indoor Cycle. The M3 training includes Keiser Foundation Training, a REPs accredited 1-day course, as well as Advanced Modules for the M3 Bike. The M3 Foundation Course offers Exercise to Music and Level 2 Gym Instructors the opportunity to train as an Indoor Cycling Instructor. It is also appropriate for instructors wishing to update their studio cycling training. The course includes safety and maintenance, posture and technique, class design and structure, cycling drills, as well as working with music and teaching skills. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9201 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9201 Pilates. "I'm a Pilates person. It's great. I had a hip problem. I had a chronic back, a pinched nerve and a hip problem and it's completely solved all of it. I love it. It makes me feel like I'm taller." - Jennifer Anniston, TV and movie star So what are you waiting for? You can be a Pilates instructor and train your own celebs, just call 020 7343 1850 for more info or to book onto the Pilates course. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9196 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9196 For children who don't like sports, fun bootcamps can be a great way of energising and inspiring them. You can set up play and games sessions in your local halls, or talk to your local schools about their after school clubs. Remember there's still time to jump onto the Kids' Fitness course in London starting Sat 20th Nov. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9194 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9194 London's first mass outdoor yoga session took place this morning in Leicester Square. Over 100 people participated in the event, organised as part of Central YMCA's Workplace Activator programme. It forms part of the "Healthy Heart of London day" for local workers in the area. Robin Gargrave, Director of Innovation and Development at Central YMCA, says: "The event is a great health initiative and expressed his delight at seeing so many people take part and local employers giving their support." http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9190 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9190 MEND take positive, practical action to reduce overweight and obesity levels by providing free healthy living programmes for families in local communities. Their delivery partners are always looking for people to lead the physical activity part of the programme. With a Kids' Fitness qualification, you'll have all the knowledge and skills you need to join in the campaign for fitter, healthier families. At YMCAfit we believe in making activities accessible to all and have frozen the cost of the Kids Fitness courses. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9187 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9187 YMCA members from around the world are being invited to take part in a YMCA World Record attempt in basketball. Through their local YMCA, participants from around the globe have an opportunity to shoot hoops at the same time on the morning of the Olympic Basketball Final at the London 2012 games. Hopes are that around 2 million people, from among 45 million current YMCA members, will rise to the challenge. National YMCAs from some 85 countries have pledged support for the World Record attempt. Central YMCA, based in London, is leading the campaign on behalf of the global YMCA Movement. Register your interest! http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9178 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9178 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9175 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9175 More than one in five children in England start their school life overweight or obese. These children will be facing the biggest challenge - they need help to turn the tide and give them the chance of an active life. According to a leading expert, children who are overweight at the age of four face a lifetime of ill-health. Read the BBC health article. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/9174 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/9174 Free one day course of your choice when you refer a friend to take a YMCAfit Exercise to Music course this summer. If you enjoyed training with YMCAfit then why not refer a friend this summer and get a free one day course as a thank you. You will receive a free one day course of your choice when your friend books on a YMCAfit Exercise to Music course before 1st Sept 2010. Your friend will need to quote your student number when they book. Click for more information on this great summer offer. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8830 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8830 In an article about the numerous health benefits of mediation, the mail questions whether it should be offered on the NHS. What do you think? Join the discussion on Facebook. Meditation is enjoying something of a revival with studies claiming it can ease depression, lower blood pressure, treat chronic pain and improve concentration. Doctors are so impressed with the health benefits they have even urged the government to fund meditation courses on the NHS. But many people are put off by a perception that the practice is only for religious devotees and earnest do-gooders. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8827 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8827 Natasha Dickinson at Race for Life says its "an ideal starter event for those new to running and keeping fit or as a challenge for regular runners wanting to gain a personal best time." There are 230 events across the UK taking place from now until the end of July. If you're going to get involved, or taking your clients or participants, share your experience with us on Facebook. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8826 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8826 In a book called Body Moves, Debra Daley looks at more than 50 common health conditions and explains how specific exercises can help to reduce their symptoms and stave off illness. You can read a selection of conditions and exercises covered in the book on the Express website. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8824 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8824 New research in Holland suggests that improving balance and learning how to fall safely could reduce the number of fractures in older adults. Martial arts training in low impact falling could help prevent some of the 230,000 fractures every year. Explore Tai Chi Courses http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8822 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8822 A recent article in the Telegraph states, "when you stretch before exercising, your body may think it's at risk of being overstretched. It compensates by contracting and becoming more tense. That means you aren't able to move as fast or as freely, making you more likely to get hurt." Have your say, continue the debate on Facebook. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8800 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8800 YMCAfit are recruiting. If you'd like to find out more about being a Guidance Assessor, and hold an A1 award, have a look at the job ad and apply. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8799 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8799 Come and join us this Friday, 9th Apr 10 at FitPro Spring Convention with Becci Monington, Katie Bulmer, Sonia Molloy and Adrian Walters. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8798 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8798 Sharing powerful stories from his anti-obesity project in Huntington, W. Va., TED Prize winner Jamie Oliver makes the case for an all-out assault on our ignorance of food. Watch his talk. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8797 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8797 Hula hooping has always been popular - and now the media craze is taking off. Michelle Obama hula hooped 142 times without stopping on the White House lawn (see video). More than 3,000 people took part at 13 regional events across the UK for Sport Relief. Wii Fit Hula Hoop game is popular with all ages and Virgin Active health clubs now offer Hulaerobics classes. Are you hooping? http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8796 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8796 Industry expert Denise Page has written this free guide to the world of exercise to music for newly qualified instructors. From writing your CV to covering classes, plus the insider's guide to auditions, these tips will help you to get your career started. Read the free guide here http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8789 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8789 From cheerleading to breakdancing, martial arts to yoga, there will be new lessons for primary school children aged four to 11. Active Lifestyle Coaches will be recruited and trained to deliver these lessons. The unpaid coaches will include teaching assistants, volunteer parents and lunchtime supervisors trained to provide activity sessions. More specialist staff could be drafted in for some lessons. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8788 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8788 Change4Life is organising free dance classes across the country this weekend - 6th and 7th March. Get involved, take your friends, family or clients and get rocking. For more on Change4Life, have a look at their website. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8785 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8785 There are a wide range of career options for Personal Trainers: from PT studios to health clubs; from private clients to theme based training, such as boot camps and outdoor training. Our guest author, industry expert Ian Groves of the National Register of Personal Trainers, has produced a short guide for newly qualified traininers. Read the insider's guide to Personal Training. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8765 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8765 People in the most deprived neighbourhoods die on average seven years younger and suffer about 17 more years of ill health and disability than those in wealthier areas. This is one of the findings from the Marmot review, a government commissioned review into Health inequalities in Briton. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8764 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8764 The first ever consumer magazine to feature an "airbrush-free logo" has been published in response to the nation's concern over image alteration in the media. Healthy Bodies, is published by Central YMCA with contributions from a range of organisations with an interest in body image including Girl Guiding UK, Men's Health Forum, B-Eat (the Eating Disorders Association) and Jo Swinson MP. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/8754 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/8754 YMCAfit's work-based learning qualifications have achieved Direct Claims status from the government-approved awarding body CYQ. This means qualifications will be processed quicker as YMCAfit students' work will now be assessed internally with external verifiers sampling only a small proportion of students' work. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/4524 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/4524 A scheme to tackle the lack of women, particularly from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, currently working in the fitness industry has proved so popular it is set to run again. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/4522 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/4522 YMCAfit, one of the UK's leading trainers of fitness professionals, will be training up local people to inspire communities in Camden to get active outdoors. http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/rss/industry-news/4521 http://ymcafit.mwdev.co.uk/node/4521