Taxi, bus, car or the “L” — it doesn't matter how you get to McCormick Place, but just be sure you do, or you'll miss one heck of a party. This year from Nov. 2-5, Club Industry's annual trade show will celebrate two decades of helping you build stronger fitness facilities. The 2005 show will feature exhibitors, seminars, panel discussions, a keynote speaker and more.
“Chicago has always been where the show works,” says Zari Stahl, Club Industry 2005 show director. “Nobody is serving the Midwest. The demographics are immense for this geography.”
With 950 exhibitors, 250 exhibiting companies and an expected 6,000 attendees, Chicago will be packed with fitness products, services and information. And, what better way to celebrate 20 years of the show than with a kick-off party? Join the Fitness Business Pro staff, Club Industry Show organizers and your colleagues for the 20th Anniversary Celebration Reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at McCormick Place. The celebration will include food, beverages and music — with perhaps even some 1980s flashbacks.
That next morning, begin your day by attending an early morning Pilates session instructed by Leslee Bender, owner of The Pilates Coach. From 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, she will lead an interactive Pilates workout that you can adapt for use in your facility. At 11:30 a.m. that day you won't want to miss the Lifetime Achievement Award presentation by Fitness Business Pro magazine to Judi Sheppard Missett for her extensive contribution to the fitness world through her international franchise organization Jazzercise. After the award presentation John Gray, author of the bestseller, Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus, will give the keynote address, including information about his recent book, The Mars & Venus Diet and Exercise Solution (for more information see “Mars and Venus: An Interview” on p. 66).
If you've been puzzled lately about the certification issue (and with its complexity who hasn't?), be sure to check out the free panel discussion, “Demystifying the Accreditation Certification Controversy,” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4. A number of experts will discuss the conundrum including Dr. Sal Arria, founder of the National Board of Fitness Examiners; Dr. Tom Baechle, NSCA director of the Certification Commission; Bob Esquerre, president of the Esquerre Fitness Group; Ken Rennig, owner and president of Association Insurance Group; Dr. Walt Thompson, chairman for the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences; and Pamela Kufahl, editor of Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro.
And, what's a trip to Club Industry without attending a few of the educational seminars? This year look forward to more than 110 seminars — 90 percent of which are new to the Chicago show, says Howard Ravis, who has been conference manager since the show's inception 20 years ago.
Ravis has seen trends come and go, but says service, sales and retention are always hot topics. Some other notables in the broad spectrum of subjects on the schedule this year are: “How the Heck Do You Compete with $19 a Month,” “The Science and Business of Weight Loss,” “Men on Mats: Pilates for the Guys,” “Menopause and Exercise: Designing the Right Program,” “Stress Management for You and Your Clients,” “Developing an Effective Fitness Program for Older Adults,” and “Express Strength-Training Circuits for New Participants.”
“People love this show because they attend seminars that offer them practical hands-on assistance that they can immediately implement when they return to their facilities and visit exhibitors who showcase up-to-date equipment, goods and services that keep them on the cutting edge of health and fitness,” Ravis says.
Make time to browse the new products and services at the exhibit hall, which will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 3-4, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. You can also try out products first-hand during early morning workouts from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5.
“It's hard to get people up at 7 in the morning, but it's their best opportunity to really discuss the equipment with the exhibitors,” says Herbert Greenebaum, marketing manager for the Club Industry 2005 show. “It's easier to talk when there are fewer people around. The workouts give you an edge.”
Also on the show floor, get more hands on experience at Club Studio, a demo area for high interest group exercise programs. The studio will hold 45-minute sessions on new dance workouts, stability training and specialty fitness equipment. And don't miss the latest fashions in fitness at the Club Studio Fitness Fashion Show from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 4.
Club Industry 2005 is also the place if you're looking to take your career to the next level. During exhibit hours meet face-to-face with reps of leading fitness companies to discuss available positions at the Club Industry Career Connection. Don't worry — all inquiries are kept confidential.
To reflect the trend of more fitness professionals working with the medical community, the Club Industry show is co-locating with the Medical Wellness 2005 Summit for the second year in a row. Stop by the Summit to gain a greater understanding of medical wellness and the possibilities of innovative medical wellness programs and services.
With endless opportunities for networking, learning, sharing and seeing the latest trends, products and services, Club Industry 2005 is sure to be a show that not only celebrates the industry, but also puts you on the fast track to success — no matter how you get there.
Mars and Venus: An Interview
Dr. John Gray, author of the bestseller Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, will give Club Industry's keynote address at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 after the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony. His recent book, The Mars & Venus Diet & Exercise Solution, explains the differences between men and women when it comes to brain chemistry, health, happiness and losing weight.
FBP: In your keynote address, will you be speaking on principles covered in your book, The Mars & Venus Diet & Exercise Solution?
Dr. Gray: I'll talk about that book and a new book I'm working on called the Mars & Venus Wellness Solution, which talks about the importance of oxygenating exercise to increase stamina and reduce the aging process. That book will come out next year.
FBP: What will attendees be able to take from the keynote address and use?
Dr. Gray: New insights for people to lose weight and lower stress in their lives. Fitness doesn't necessarily mean we're healthy and minimizing stress. Some people overexercise to produce endorphins, which temporarily reduce stress in their lives, but that doesn't address the underlying issue of stress and their lifestyle. In some ways it's like a mask to temporarily be free of the stress we feel in our personal lives.
FBP: What sort of background do you have that makes you an expert on diet and exercise?
Dr. Gray: My expertise is in gender differences. I've spent more than 30 years understanding how men and women are different. Today, one out of five women is on antidepressants, compared with one out of 50 men. This greatly affects their relationships. It's a very gender specific issue on how men and women handle stress. They handle it much differently. I've also been looking at nutrition and diet as well as how we exercise. From there, my interest has grown and developed during the last 10 years into the ideas in The Mars & Venus Diet & Exercise Solution.
FBP: I heard that you used to be a yoga teacher. Is that true?
Dr. Gray: Thirty years ago I was a yoga instructor and very into fitness before I moved into the realm of relationships. [Fitness] has always been a part of my life. I did a lot of Transcendental meditation, Hatha yoga and Raja yoga. I taught physical exercises as well.
FBP: What does your own personal workout and diet consist of?
Dr. Gray: I do about 30 minutes of physical exercise generally every day, and I start every day with a super healthy shake, then have lunch and dinner, and I don't eat snacks. I avoid to a great extent refined sugar products, hydrogenated fats and artificial sweeteners. This is the cornerstone of my diet plan.
FBP: In the book you say personal trainers can push their clients too hard. How can fitness professionals know how hard to train clients without overdoing it?
Dr. Gray: The most important guidelines are making sure clients are never out of breath, secondly that clients are not exhausted at the end of their routine so that the client should be able to repeat the routine again, and they shouldn't feel pain the next day. All pain-oriented exercise produces endorphins that make us feel very good but are not sustained unless we continue to abuse our bodies with pain. I work out at least once a week, and I'm never in pain. If I am in pain, then I know I pushed it too far. Why don't people go to gyms? It's painful.
FBP: The CDC's guidelines recommend 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise. That's more than the 20 minutes that you recommend in your book for beginners. Why should people follow your recommendation?
Dr. Gray: Actually, 45 minutes to me is optimal, but to get someone to begin exercising, you don't have to start doing 45. You start with 20 minutes of oxygenating exercise. It's silly to tell them to do 30 to 60 minutes. What does “exercise” mean? There are so many good and not good kinds of exercise depending on someone's body type and how in shape they are.
FBP: What is oxygenating exercise?
Dr. Gray: Exercise in the most simple way. The bottom line is that you breathe deeper but you never get out of breath. If you exercise for rhythmic breathing, you never have to breathe in through your mouth.
FBP: Some of the recommendations in your book are unusual. Where did you get the idea to do the “bounce-and-shake technique” and the morning cleansing drink?
Dr. Gray: I traveled around the world 23 times studying indigenous cultures. There are 10 other cultures in the world that do this — China, India, Africa, South America, ancient European countries and Native Americans.
FBP: What is the fitness industry doing well and where does it need improvement as we face a major obesity epidemic?
Dr. Gray: They need to reeducate themselves. They're all trying hard, but they just need the right information. What they're doing wrong is that they're misleading people, and a few simple corrections could lead them in the right direction. Fitness professionals need to warm up [clients] longer, not push them so hard and add more exercises for stimulating the lymphatic system.
FBP: Is there anything else our readers should know?
Dr. Gray: Exercise and diet are the most important things for lowering stress, second to good communication skills in our relationships. Some use exercise to run away from relationships, but exercise can be a good way to strengthen our relationships.
* Dr. Gray's answers have been edited due to space limitations.
Schedule of Events
Nov. 2-5, 2005
Conference Nov. 2-5 • Exhibits Nov. 3-5
McCormick Place (Lakeside Center), Chicago, IL
Wednesday, Nov. 2
Exhibit Hall Closed
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Registration
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
All-Day Sessions (A-1, A-2)
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
B Sessions
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
C Sessions
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
D Sessions
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
20th Anniversary Bash, McCormick Place
Thursday, Nov. 3
7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
Early Morning Pilates, Palmer House Hilton
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Registration
8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
E Sessions
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
All-Day Sessions (A-3, A-4)
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
F Sessions
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro magazine Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation Judi Sheppard Missett, Founder & CEO, Jazzercise Inc.
FREE Keynote Address: John Gray, relationship specialist and best-selling author of the book, Mars & Venus Diet and Exercise Solution
12:30 p.m.
20th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
FREE Business Development Seminar: Sponsored by Aphelion
2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Fitness Fashion Show at Club Studio
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
G Sessions (Executive Roundtables)
12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open
Friday, Nov. 4
7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Early Morning Workouts, Exhibit Hall
7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Registration
8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m
H Sessions
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
All-Day Sessions (A-5, A-6)
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
J Sessions
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
FREE Panel Discussion: Demystifying the Accreditation Certification Controversy
2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Fitness Fashion Show at Club Studio
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
K Sessions (Executive Roundtables)
11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open
Saturday, Nov. 5
7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Early Morning Workouts, Exhibit Hall
7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Registration
9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
L Sessions
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
M Sessions
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open New Continuous Hours!
Exhibitor List
As of 8/23/05
| Company | Booth # |
|---|---|
| 2XL Corp. (Gym Wipes) | 108 |
| A-1 Textiles & Hospitality Products | 660 |
| ABC Financial Services Inc. | 425 |
| Active XL | 126 |
| ActivTrax | 1331 |
| Adirondack Rubber Products LLC | 112 |
| AED Sales | 466 |
| AESON Flooring Systems, a division of Stage Step Inc. | 1325 |
| AFAA | 659 |
| Affiliated Acceptance | 343 |
| AGM Group | 1435 |
| American Council on Exercise | 150 |
| American Specialty Health | 353 |
| Aphelion | 748 |
| Armasport Mat/DuoMed Inc. | 355 |
| ASF International | 1119 |
| Aspen Information Systems | 124 |
| Association Insurance Group Inc. | 1354 |
| Athletic Business | 1159 |
| Athletix Products | 1431 |
| AV Now Inc. | 136 |
| Balanced Body | 1335 |
| Beverly International Nutrition | 1361 |
| Big Ass Fans | 1165 |
| Biodex Medical Systems | 1340 |
| Biometrics Nutrition & Fitness | 758 |
| Blue Fish Activewear | 135 |
| Body Bar Systems | 1355 |
| Body Cycle & Millenium Fitness | 441 |
| Body Masters | 937 |
| Body Wedge | 865 |
| Bodyblade/Hymanson Inc. | 1453 |
| BodyWorkz CMS | 1464 |
| Booking Plus | 858 |
| BroadcastVision | 237 |
| CG Industries Ltd. | 341 |
| CardioVision | 1427 |
| Cateye Fitness/Source Dist. | 161 |
| Centaur Floor Systems | 649 |
| CheckFree Corporation | 1149 |
| City Blends Café | 249 |
| Clinicians Choice (American Health Sciences) | 151 |
| Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro magazine………………registration area Club Insider News | 118 |
| Club Marketing & Management | 1409 |
| Club Resource Group | 1448 |
| ClubLife Media | 102 |
| Concept2 | 248 |
| Conexion | 448 |
| Connor Sports Flooring | 104 |
| Coral Springs Software | 862 |
| Core Spinal Fitness Systems by MedX | 1301 |
| COSMED Srl | 364 |
| Creative Health Products | 464 |
| CRS Products Intl | 653 |
| CSI Software | 449 |
| CYBEX International Inc. | 701 |
| CycleOps | 565 |
| Digilock | 359 |
| DirecTV | 1058 |
| Dr. Smoothie Enterprises | 335 |
| Dynaflex International | 1060 |
| EAS | 665 |
| EFI Sports Medicine | 849 |
| Entre Prises Climbing Walls | 1258 |
| EVERLAST Performance Flooring | 859 |
| Fabiano Designs Intl | 657 |
| Faremon Sportswear | 1158 |
| Fit 36 | 1255 |
| Fitclub from Pantometrics | 1254 |
| Fitdv | 560 |
| FitLinxx | 1418 |
| Fitness Anywhere, Inc. | 261 |
| Fitness Expert | 465 |
| Fitness Fit Wear | 138 |
| Fitness Insurance.com / Jewell Insurance Assoc. | 442 |
| Fitness Management | 339 |
| Fitness Together Franchise Corp. | 366 |
| Fitter International | 149 |
| Freemotion Fitness Inc. | 519 |
| Full Performance Fitness | 1463 |
| Fundamental Fitness Products | 1413 |
| Futrex | 157 |
| Gerstung | 1029 |
| Get Up and Go | 452 |
| Gojo Industries | 764 |
| Government Recreation & Fitness | 1360 |
| Hampton Fitness Products | 1029 |
| HealthCare Int'l | 152 |
| HealtheTech | 1064 |
| Heart Rhythm Instruments, Inc. | 1459 |
| International Fitness Professional Assoc. | 1433 |
| IHRSA. | 437 |
| IDEAL Products | 1362 |
| In Touch | 1439 |
| Inner Strength Health & Fitness | 365 |
| Intek Strength | 1049 |
| IntelaMetrix, Inc. | 1358 |
| International Sports Sciences Assoc. | 561 |
| International Tanning Equipment | 959 |
| Iron Grip Barbell | 1021 |
| Ivanko Barbell Co. | 549 |
| Jacobs Ladder | 134 |
| John Gray's Mars Venus | 167 |
| Juice Plus | 440 |
| K & K Insurance Group Inc. | 1241 |
| Keiser Corp. | 539 |
| Kidzpace Interactive | 566 |
| Kiefer Specialty Flooring | 1349 |
| Laundry Loops | 1367 |
| Life Fitness | 501 |
| LifeQuest Hall of Fame Fitness & Flexibility | 1452 |
| Lifewave | 1356 |
| Magnum Fitness Systems | 723 |
| Mak Attack Fitness Wear | 363 |
| Matrix Fitness and Spa | 162 |
| Matrix Fitness Systems | 119 |
| McArthur Towels | 866 |
| McNeil and Co. | 351 |
| Medical Wellness Association-ACW | 265 |
| MET-Rx / Worldwide Sports Nutrition | 1319 |
| MicroFit Inc. | 965 |
| National Academy of Sports Medicine | 431 |
| National Council on Strength & Fitness | 367 |
| Natural Ovens Bakery Inc. | 766 |
| Nautilus | 901 |
| NESTA | 460 |
| Newleaf Health & Fitness Products | 255 |
| Norvell/Body Invest | 1157 |
| NSCA Cerification Commission | 1161 |
| NuStep Inc. | 540 |
| Orthometrix Inc. | 140 |
| Paramount Fitness Corp. | 913 |
| Parterre Flooring Systems | 1258 |
| PaviGym USA | 765 |
| Peak Performance | 1243 |
| Perform Better M-F Athletics Co | 434 |
| Personal Fitness Professionals magazine | 667 |
| Personal Training on the Net | 254 |
| PETRA Hygienic Systems | 461 |
| Pilates Coach, The | 1441 |
| Pneumex Inc. | 1424 |
| Polar Electro | 929 |
| Posi-Trak Inc. | 661 |
| Power Systems Inc. | 455 |
| Powerhouse Pilates | 1449 |
| Precor Inc. | 1101 |
| Prime Time Boxing Camp by Prime Time | 1454 |
| Promax Nutrition | 1059 |
| Promaxima Fit Youth | 130 |
| PT Metrics LLC/BodyRev | 1458 |
| RB Rubber | 1443 |
| RenoSys Corp. | 1405 |
| Retention Management | 1353 |
| RMT Fitness | 155 |
| Roadrunners Upholstery Inc. | 1450 |
| Sales Makers | 756 |
| SCIFIT | 325 |
| Shake This | 1249 |
| Shape.net Software | 454 |
| Sissel Inc. | 148 |
| Speed Queen | 267 |
| Sports & Fitness Insurance Corp. | 1403 |
| Sports Art America Inc. | 735 |
| Sports Display | 1155 |
| Sportwall International | 132 |
| SPRI Products | 1141 |
| Sprint Aquatics/Rohammer International | 1365 |
| Star Trac | 301 |
| STL International / Teeter Hang Ups | 1256 |
| Stott Pilates | 749 |
| Strive Smart Strength | 1127 |
| SwingFit USA | 760 |
| Technogym USA Corp. | 921 |
| The Amerathon Club | 266 |
| The Power Reactor | 1465 |
| The Strength Builder | 1364 |
| The Visual Fitness Planner | 1366 |
| TKO Sports Group Inc. | 1419 |
| Treeforms Lockers | 458 |
| Troy Barbell & Fitness | 1135 |
| True Fitness Technology | 101 |
| Tuff Stuff | 1309 |
| Twin Oaks Software Development | 656 |
| United Leasing | 1422 |
| Vanis AB Master | 467 |
| Versa Climber | 536 |
| Vescent Great Lakes | 1263 |
| Vitabot.com (MicroWaves) | 349 |
| Walk4Life Inc. | 361 |
| WaterRower Inc. | 864 |
| Woodway USA | 1235 |
| X Vest Inc. | 360 |
| X-Sport Fitness | 759 |
For more information about Club Industry or to register, please visit www.clubindustryshow.com.
