The IDEA & ACSM Health & Fitness Summit is the ONE place where health fitness professionals like you can explore the full spectrum of the field.
See the full list of in-person sessions below. Check back for more details as the program is finalized.
Session Schedule
Thursday, March 6th
Kick off the weekend with an evening of celebration, networking, and information sharing. Join us for an impactful welcoming address by Amy Boone-Thompson, CEO of IDEA Health and Fitness Association, and Katie Feltman, CEO of the American College of Sports Medicine, followed by a special awards ceremony recognizing the ACSM and IDEA fitness professionals of the year. Then, stick around for a session that will bring our conference theme to life.
| Event Time | Event Title | Description |
| 4:00 PM | Research to Results: Turning Cutting-Edge Research into Real-World Outcomes Speakers: Renee Rogers, John Jakicic, Sara Kovacs, Stella Volpe | This presentation is from leading researchers and professionals who will dissect mainstream headlines on “health” and tie these into key learnings related to using research responsibility to get fitness results. Headlines do not always reflect the whole story and fitness professionals have a responsibility to back their work with evidence in the best interest of their clients’ overall health and wellbeing. They will dissect the questions: When is research ready for primetime? Is there enough information to not cause harm? And how can we responsibly interpret outcomes and challenge misrepresentations of information marketed as facts? Learn to navigate the headlines and media hype, and empower yourself with research. |
| 5:15 PM – 7:00 PM | Open Reception and Marketplace |
Friday, March 7th
| Session Time | Session Title | Category | Session Type | Session Description | Presenter(s) | |
| 06:30 AM -07:15 AM | Athletic Aging | Fitness Pro Focus | Specialty Workout | Experience the perfect class design for active clients 40+. No matter how in-shape we are, at some point we need to adapt and change our workouts to avoid overuse injuries and simply keep moving. In this progressive workshop, gain an easy-to-follow format and scientifically sound workout strategy for all ages and fitness levels. | Tricia Madden | |
| 06:30 AM – 07:15 AM | Guided Outdoor Run | Fitness Pro Focus | Speciality Workout | Meet in the lobby for a guided 3 mile run with Brian Cleven. | Brian Cleven | |
| 06:30 AM -07:15 AM | SOS S.W.E.A.T. Camp | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Specialty Workout | Step into SOS S.W.E.A.T. Camp, where timeless fitness meets results-driven training. At SOS S.W.E.A.T. Camp, we’re bringing back the roots of fitness with workouts designed to push your body to the limit—a no-nonsense approach to building strength, endurance, overall athleticism, and no fancy equipment needed. Whether in the gym, at home, or on the go, this camp proves you don’t need a gym to get in the best shape of your life—just your body, your will, and a lot of sweat. Each class starts with a dynamic warm-up to keep your muscles primed and your heart rate soaring. From there, you’ll dive into a series of high-intensity athletic drills that are simple, yet incredibly effective. There is no confusing choreography. There are no wasted movements. Just straightforward, athletic movements designed to challenge every part of your body, leaving you drenched in sweat and craving more. Every session is different, ensuring your body is constantly pushed, tested, and improved. We maximize your potential with every rep, every sprint, and every drill. | Linda Mitchell | |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Moving Beyond Theory: Targeting Behavioral Constructs to Make an Impact with Your Clients | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Understanding behavior change theory is essential for fitness professionals as they support clients in reaching their short and long-term physical activity goals. While theories help explain potential behavioral patterns, a single behavioral theory doesn’t always fit every client perfectly. This session will explore how the foundational constructs of theories may be better as targets in helping your clients move towards a positive relationship with exercise and physical activity. This session will include real-world examples of applying behavior change constructs and research. Fitness professionals will leave with practical, contemporary, evidence-based techniques for fostering short- and long-term goals, improving client adherence, and promoting sustainable lifestyle changes. | Sara Kovacs | |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Fostering Mental Well-being Through Physical Activity | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | As mental health challenges rise, the role of fitness professionals in supporting emotional well-being through exercise has become more critical. This session equips attendees with evidence-based tools to address mental health concerns via thoughtfully designed exercise programs. Participants will explore barriers to exercise for individuals with chronic psychological disorders, learn practical assessment strategies, and gain actionable insights into creating effective programs that foster mental and emotional well-being. An interactive case study will guide attendees in applying these principles to develop transformative client experiences through movement. | A’Naja Newsome | |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Harnessing Recovery: A Core Pillar of the Performance System | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | At Exos, recovery isn’t an afterthought—it’s one of the Four Pillars of Human Performance, alongside Mindset, Nutrition, and Movement. Our system is built on decades of scientific research and practical application, with recovery playing a critical role in the success of our athletes and clients. This session will dive deep into the recovery process, exploring the recovery cycle of work, rest, and adaptation that leads to optimal performance. We’ll explore how categorizing stress loads (neural, mechanical, metabolic, and psychological) allows us to tailor recovery strategies for each individual, ensuring a balanced approach to training. You’ll also learn about the concept of “functional state” and how to implement targeted regeneration techniques, from active recovery sessions to planned rest days like our “Regeneration Wednesdays.” Join us to understand how recovery powers adaptation and keeps athletes and clients performing at their best. | Russ Orr | |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Fitness Industry Roadblocks: Mistakes to Avoid and Strategies for Growth | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | In the fitness industry, roadblocks, speed bumps, and closed doors are unavoidable. This workshop is your key to confidently navigating these challenges. By merging cutting-edge research, expert insights, and real-world experiences, we will equip you with powerful strategies to sidestep common pitfalls and transform obstacles into opportunities for growth. You’ll discover how to rebound from setbacks, foster innovation, and propel your career forward, no matter the hurdles. Participants will receive a comprehensive guide designed to accelerate their business and avert costly mistakes, providing essential tools to enhance resilience and achieve lasting success. Don’t let setbacks define your journey—join us to turn challenges into triumphs! | Jessica Maurer | |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Individualizing Semi Private Training | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | Understand how to program and train multiple clients while balancing the fun social aspects of group Fitness and creating individually focused workouts depending on each client’s goals and abilities. We will also discuss pricing, business strategies, and marketing to ensure the success of your semi-private training business. | Greg Johnson | |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Unlock Your Unique Edge: 4 Steps to Becoming Your Market’s Go-To Brand | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | With the number of fitness options available to consumers growing exponentially each year, in-person trainers, virtual trainers, and boutique studio owners must offer uniquely differentiated products and services to stand out in the fiercely competitive market. In this workshop-style lecture, we will use a combination of exercises and research activities to define your product offering, research your competitive market, strategically position your brand, and adjust your marketing plan to reach your target audience better and boost new client acquisition. | Billy Polson | |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Obesity Medications: What’s Next in the Pipeline and Fitness Industry Impact | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Research on obesity medications is rapidly advancing and constantly changing, whether through new evidence of the benefits of these agents beyond weight loss or announcements of new pharmacotherapies in the research and development pipeline. Learn what is cutting-edge, including–and beyond–“GLP-1s.” Attendees will hear the latest updates and potential impacts on the fitness industry and clients, highlighting the evidence ready for prime time and the unknowns surrounding these highly effective agents. | Renee Rogers | |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Leading with Science in the Fitness Community: Using Evidence-Based Nutrition Science to Combat Misinformation | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | Nutrition research is becoming increasingly difficult for the general public to navigate – not only because of the language of research but because of the depth and vastness of the information shared. The rate at which information is shared due to the media landscape makes it critical for fitness professionals to be prepared to address clients’ food and nutrition concerns. Fitness professionals are uniquely positioned to foster trust with clients by communicating correct scientific information. This session aims to provide fitness professionals with the right tools to be able to understand how to interpret nutrition science information, critically evaluate and identify credible sources of nutrition science information, evaluate health information shared via media outlets, and to accurately present the relevance of the information to their clients in the proper context. We will review real-world examples of how research has been translated into media headlines; credible and not, the impact misinformation can have on the public, and the importance of effectively communicating nutrition information. | Nicole Kelp, Kelly Jones | |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Balanced Body: The Pelvic Floor and Core | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | In this workshop you will explore the anatomy and functionality of the pelvic floor and how to train it to get the most out of your core work. Understand the intricacy of the structure and function of these important muscles at the base of the core cylinder and learn specific exercises to target the pelvic floor in relation to the deep core. |
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| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | A Coach’s Voice: The Instrument for Influence, Connection & Impact | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Your voice is your greatest asset for deeper connections, influence, and impact. Your physical voice is an instrument that you must learn to play to achieve masterful communication. This is especially true for educators whose role is to reach and inspire. This presentation will cover practical elements for you to explore your voice. From individual strategies to specific vocal forms and “personas”, this session will allow you to be more dynamic and effective. All these elements will be tied directly into your role as a coach. | Nicholas Lambe | |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | High-Intensity Functional Training for ALL Fitness Levels | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Lack of time is a major barrier to exercise participation. High-intensity functional training (HIFT) provides a time-efficient approach to addressing cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in a single exercise session. We will show you how to modify and design HIFT exercises for all fitness levels to achieve high intensity at relative intensity. Come ready to move in this evidence-based, action-powered workshop! | Jessica Smith | |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | The Aging Foot & Its Effect On Movement | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | This very day over 10,000 adults turn 65, entering one of the fastest-growing age groups. With 65 as the new 50, many of these clients are looking to enjoy some of the best days of their lives. However thinning skin, arthritis, neuropathy, and fat pad atrophy can all impede their ability to walk, run, and enjoy their favorite activities. Join podiatrist Dr Emily Splichal as she explores the common changes to the foot and how to offset these changes to enhance movement longevity. | Emily Splichal | |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | A Comprehensive Approach to Scapular Dyskinesis | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | In this session, you’ll engage in a hands-on learning experience, where you will both assess and be assessed on key aspects of shoulder posture and function. We’ll focus on practical, real-world techniques as participants are invited to undergo live assessments and corrective sequences tailored to their specific shoulder concerns. You’ll gain the skills to quickly and efficiently evaluate shoulder issues using minimal equipment and discover how to identify problems often overlooked in standard assessments. Additionally, you’ll learn powerful insider tips for restoring proper shoulder movement and function. If you or someone you know is dealing with shoulder issues, this session is a must-attend! | Brendan Fox | |
| 08:50 AM -11:50 AM | Moving Through a Movement Disorder: Parkinson’s and Exercise | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | Exercise is increasingly accepted as an adjunct treatment for Parkinson’s disease that is associated with slower declines in mobility and improved quality of life. Exercise professionals provide leadership, expertise, and programs to help people living with Parkinson’s achieve their goals and manage their Parkinson’s symptoms. This session seeks to educate exercise professionals and familiarize them with the Competencies for Exercise Professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities for training people with Parkinson’s. Utilizing the Parkinson’s Exercise Guidelines, you will actively be participating in a Parkinson’s focused exercise class to better understand the why behind the exercises that will directly impact your clients’ quality of life living with Parkinson’s. | Daniel Corcos, Lisa Hoffman, Sarah Palmer | |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Hiring and Retaining Your Best Staff | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | Hiring and retaining top talent in today’s competitive fitness industry is more challenging and critical than ever. This presentation will explore practical strategies to attract, hire, and retain the best employees in the industry. We will discuss the importance of creating a workplace where staff feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay long-term. You will also hear from current students in the industry about what they are looking for in a career. | Becky Langton | |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Walter R. Bortz Lecture: It’s Not My Fault…It’s Menopause | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | The menopause transition increases the risk of chronic disease in women as a result of accelerated bone loss (osteoporosis), intra-abdominal fat accumulation (heart disease, type 2 diabetes), and other consequences of the loss of ovarian estrogens. The session will include a discussion of whether exercise can be effective in attenuating these menopause-related changes followed by an interactive Q&A. | Wendy Kohrt | |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Bridging Science and Practice: The Power of ChatGPT in Fitness | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | Unlock the power of ChatGPT in fitness! This session bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical application, showing fitness professionals how to leverage ChatGPT to enhance client engagement, personalize training programs, and streamline business operations. Attendees will gain insights into recent research and learn actionable strategies to implement AI-driven tools in their practice. Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or new to technology, this session offers practical solutions that you can immediately apply to elevate your service delivery and client outcomes. | Ted Vickey | |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Initial Personal Training Sessions 101 | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | What you do and don’t do during your first session with a client can dramatically affect whether a client commits to a long-term relationship with you. Learn how to organize an initial PT session, effective training language and techniques, and how to finish a session to ensure the client sees the value in investing in your services. Learn the NWPT system that generates a 90% success rate! This session is invaluable for those trainers wanting to grow their clientele base and PT directors needing to teach their training team how to conduct initial PT sessions. | Sherri McMillan | |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Leadership: Navigating Change, Driving Innovation, and Building Resilient People and Culture | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Lecture | This panel discussion brings together accomplished leaders from various health and fitness disciplines and backgrounds to explore the evolving leadership landscape in today’s rapidly expanding and interconnected industry. Panelists will share their experiences and best practices throughout the talk to inspire leadership excellence, foster thought-provoking discussions, and encourage actionable plans to lead winning teams. | Moderator: Mike Stack Speakers: | |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Joint Replacements: Returning Triumphant! | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Bridge the gap between physical therapy and full function into daily activities and sports performance for your clients with joint replacements. Hip, knee, and shoulder replacements are on the rise as baby boomers come of age. According to the 2023 report of AJRR, 3.2 million joint replacements are performed in the USA every year. Learn critical strategies leading to specific techniques for different joint replacement procedures while remaining within your scope of practice. Through practical application, in a hands-on environment, learn skills to develop pre- and post-surgery program designs for your clients to thrive. | Keli Roberts, Leslee Bender | |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Health is Wealth in Corporate America—Learn best practices and strategies for partnering with an employer and why we need to as an Industry! | Business of Fitness | Independent Interactive Workshop | In this session, we will share the latest data on organizations’ lack of health and the need for worksite wellness programs and lifestyle education. Employers are struggling with rising healthcare costs, high turnover rates, low productivity, and low employee morale, all contributing to broken workforces. Learn how worksite well-being initiatives can foster better team engagement in hybrid workforces, enhance employee satisfaction, and bend the cost curves of ever-rising care costs for sick employees. | Deborah Bellenger | |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Better Performance Starts at the Core |
| Independent Interactive Workshop | Explore and experience practical techniques for abdominal bracing, glute activation, functional core training, and active recovery for improved basic movement patterns and exercise performance. Leave this session with a fresh catalog of exercises and moves that will deliver optimal core benefits. | Kia Williams | |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Scientific Updates on Recovery and Wellness Technologies | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | This engaging workshop provides attendees with a comprehensive update on the latest advancements in recovery and wellness technology. Facilitated by two industry leaders from Therabody, the session will offer evidence-based insights into the scientific principles behind popular recovery modalities. Attendees will unpack how these technologies support recovery, enhance wellness, and optimize human performance. Through interactive case study-based learning, participants will bridge the gap between theory and practice, leaving with actionable strategies to support their clients’ recovery and wellness journeys. | Rachelle Reed, Timothy Roberts | |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Mastering Heart Health: ECG Wearables, Arrhythmias, and Clinical Pathways for Fitness Professionals | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | ECG wearables and devices have grown in popularity and availability since the public release of the Kardia Mobile and Apple Watch 4. Fitness professionals will encounter Apple, Fitbit, Samsung, Kardia, and others, but how do they compare to their proven clinical counterparts? This presentation will highlight available research and other considerations such as price, ease of use, and which ones have received FDA approval. ECG wearables and devices monitor the heart’s rhythm, and a review of common ECG rhythms, arrhythmias, and clinical next steps should a cardiac concern arise will strengthen the knowledge base of the fitness professional. | BRIAN CLEVEN | |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Redesigning Exercise Programs for the Neurodiverse Community | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Neurodiversity encompasses a broad spectrum of unique neurological differences, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Exercise professionals have a unique opportunity to support neurodiverse individuals in achieving better physical health, emotional well-being, and social connection through inclusive exercise programming. This presentation shares evidence-based strategies to address key challenges such as communication differences, sensory sensitivities, and varying motor skills. Attendees will learn practical approaches to fostering an inclusive environment, tailoring exercises to individual needs, building confidence in clients and professionals, and tools to engage the neurodiverse community more effectively. | David Geslak | |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Small Fish, Big Pond: How to Succeed as a Trainer in a Big Box Gym | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | Being a personal trainer in a large commercial gym comes with unique challenges. This session provides strategies to stand out, build a thriving client base, and create a lasting impact despite the competitive environment. Learn how to navigate the challenges of a big box gym while growing your business and reputation. | Manny Escalante | |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Metabolism Myths vs. Realities: Separating Fact from Fiction | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | With so much information on social media about boosting metabolism, it can be challenging to distinguish between myths and facts. In this session, we’ll debunk common misconceptions about metabolism and offer evidence-based insights. You’ll leave equipped to educate your clients on safe and effective strategies for weight loss rooted in science. | jan schroeder | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Beyond Lower Cross Syndrome: A Comprehensive Approach to Hip Assessments | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Are you ready to go beyond the basics of addressing postural imbalances and elevate your training expertise? In this session, you’ll gain the skills to assess hip alignment in all three planes, unlocking the key to effectively correcting postural issues and achieving optimal results for your clients. No longer will you be limited to identifying just an anterior pelvic tilt. By broadening your assessment capabilities to encompass all planes of motion, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of your client’s unique needs and how to guide them toward achieving ideal anatomical alignment and fully functional capacity. You’ll leave this session equipped with advanced assessment tools, targeted corrective exercise strategies, and programming techniques designed to create comprehensive, client-specific training plans. If you’re committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for your clients, this session is an essential step forward. | Brendan Fox | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Ageless Function: Movements that Matter! | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Enhancing functional ability is essential for an ageless lifestyle! Within a full spectrum of age-related needs and goals, from osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity, through to the elite athlete, program design for older adults must incorporate training strategies to improve the movements that matter: Gait, hinge, squat, lunge, push, pull, rotate, and loaded carry. In an interactive environment, through hands-on practical application, explore seven different programming options designed to enrich the lives of your active (and inactive) aging clients. | Keli Roberts | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Alignment: Mapping the Human Design | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Maintaining optimal alignment in movement allows for freedom of motion, elastic energy production, force production, and stability in sports, fitness, and life. Learn a series of dynamic alignment assessment exercises and how to apply what they reveal to exercise design. In this workshop, we will explore the structures of the human body and its design. We will explore a variety of techniques including self-myofascial release, stability, and mobility exercises to create resiliency and suppleness through the kinetic lines to achieve alignment that is easy to implement in any training environment | Helen Vanderburg | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | High-Intensity Functional Training for Strength Development | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | High intensity functional training (HIFT) is designed to improve general fitness and performance through a unique combination of weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardiorespiratory training elements. This lecture will focus on current insights into strength training adaptations to HIFT and highlight unique exercise protocols that can be modified for all fitness levels. | Jessica Smith | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Bringing Back Foundation Strength Training, UN-Complicating Your Training for Optimal Results | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | In a world of functional corrective exercises, HIIT, explosive speed and power work, and endless amounts of social media and YouTube videos, several people skip foundation strength. This session will examine movements for max strength, strength endurance, and strength hypertrophy, and their role in performance and weight loss. Refocus on year-long programming and progressions, and where to fit in the basic 7. Squat, Hinge, Lunge, Horizontal Push / Pull, Vertical Push / Pull. | Greg Johnson | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | The Importance of Becoming a Fitness Industry Advocate | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | The pandemic highlighted the need for the fitness industry to have a strong voice in policy decisions. Without a “seat at the table,” the industry was vulnerable. However, this challenge also strongly unified us. Now, we must shift to proactive advocacy and professionalization. This lecture emphasizes the essential role frontline fitness professionals play in this transition. By being active and informed advocates, fit pros can advance our industry’s health-enhancing mission, ensuring its financial success and positively impacting public health. We will delve into current advocacy initiatives and explore practical steps for fitness professionals to become effective industry advocates. | Michael Stack | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Removing the Noise in Obesity Treatment: Unpacking the Newest Evidence on Physical Activity and Weight Management from ACSM | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Hot off the press and ready for fitness professionals, ACSM has a new consensus paper on obesity treatment. This provides the most recent evidence on the role of physical activity (PA) in managing obesity. It will highlight timely considerations on all aspects of obesity treatment, including lifestyle, pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery, PA prescription, nutrition, and PA engagement. After covering the updated research, the focus will shift to application, helping attendees decipher how to use this information immediately in real-world practice. This session can be presented as one in-depth workshop or broken into multiple sessions covering the key areas of the consensus paper. | John Jakicic, Stella Volpe | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Balanced Body® Anatomy + Movement: Unraveling Upper Body Dysfunction, Imbalance and Pain | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | Cell phones, increased screen time and poor postural habits taken a physical toll on our clients. Tension headaches and neck pain, shoulder and rotator cuff issues and overall upper body dysfunction are a direct result. In this workshop we will take a deep dive into the anatomy, training principles and corrective exercise programming that combines Anatomy in Three Dimensions™ with the Balanced Body Movement Principles. We will delve into the most common conditions and muscular imbalances of the upper extremity that can lead to pain and dysfunction and what you can do to help correct these. Through the unique experience of building the muscles of the upper body out of clay on our one-of-a-kind skeleton, you’ll gain in depth understanding of how these muscles work together to create well-balanced, injury-free upper body movement. | Brian Richey | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | How to Negotiate for a Successful Career/Life Balance in Fitness | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Lecture | Everything in life is negotiable. This session helps you decide what you want and how to get it through negotiations. Historically, most fitness professionals have several jobs and struggle with the art of negotiating for career/life balance. This session offers strategies to navigate the fitness business and develop skills to advocate for yourself while discovering the many avenues of income earning. Learn how to strengthen and flex your negotiation muscles to deliver your value proposition and earn your worth. Discover the practice of Essentialism to decide how you spend your time to enhance your career/life balance. | Doris Thews | |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | The Fitness Leader’s Framework: Unlocking Your Team’s Potential | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | As fitness business leaders in today’s competitive market, you need strategies to develop a team culture that attracts and retains professionals who know your vision, work their roles, and deliver amazing client services. Learn to optimize your leadership to create a cohesive, productive team that maximizes your business’s value. Acquire proven ways to motivate your teams, improve communication, delegate tasks, provide feedback, and reduce turnover. With this knowledge, you’ll be ready to take your business to the next level and create a profitable and fulfilling workplace! | Katie Santos | |
| 03:25 PM – 05:15 PM | Human Reformer | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Interactive Workshop | Experience the powerful benefits of Pilates reformer workouts without needing a reformer! Using one or two resistance bands, this class adapts classic reformer moves directly onto the mat. Suitable for all fitness levels, the session focuses on building functional strength, enhancing posture, and improving coordination. The Human Reformer method allows you to perform full Pilates reformer movements while discovering new methods and strategies for your classes. | Lauren George | |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Ageless Flexibility, Mobility and Strength for Performance Longevity | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | This session is specifically designed to give you cutting edge techniques in training for flexibility, mobility leading to strength at any age that brings science into practice. Many modalities do not address the importance of restoration to improve overall performance and quality of life that can lead to dysfunctions and injuries. As trainers having new and progressive methods that combine myofascial release, lengthening and strengthening is vital. | Leslee Bender | |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Ouch-I Can’t Do That Anymore- Give Me Some Safe Alternatives | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Squatting, lunging, pushing, pulling, and rotating are fundamental movements that are essential for normal physical performance, health, and function. These popular exercises are commonly prescribed but can be painful for some clients’ shoulders, lower backs, hips, and knees. Exercise professionals can help medically-cleared clients perform simple preconditioning exercises and technique modifications, to continue training safely and effectively. Attendees will learn how to perform, progress, and regress several exercises as substitutes/supplements to the previously mentioned exercises to keep their clients “in the game and off the sidelines.” | Paul Gallo, Peter Ronai | |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | The Ultimate Footwear Debate | Understanding Minimal, Maximal and Rocker-Based Shoes | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | With a myriad of options available, professionals and clients find themselves in a constant dilemma: to embrace the barefoot or minimal shoe or revel in the plush comfort of heavily cushioned shoes. Join functional podiatrist as she can bring clarity to this confusing topic and share guidelines that can be used to make educated footwear decisions. Learn how to make footwear decisions based on foot type, injury history, and different activities. You will not want to miss this highly informative workshop. | Emily Splichal | |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Scope of Practice and Maintaining Professional Boundaries | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | This assembled panel of health, wellness, and fitness professionals will discuss the importance of upholding legal, ethical, and regulatory standards. They will also discuss inherent responsibilities and boundaries for effectively and competently performing roles specific to the scope of credentials and formal educational training. This discussion will take on protecting industry credibility and safety while identifying potential negligent actions and liabilities. | Moderator: Renee Rogers Speakers: | |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Trending Now: Strategies for Integrating the 2025 Fitness Trends into Practice | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | The results of the annual ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal® worldwide survey of fitness trends offer insights into the future of the fitness industry. Data collected from thousands of exercise professionals across the globe predict influential programming, training modalities, and business models. This session will enhance the value of the survey results by diving deeper into the literature, unpacking the top trends, and highlighting actionable steps for fitness professionals seeking to improve client outcomes. Attendees will be equipped with evidence-based strategies for personal and professional growth and business development | A’Naja Newsome, Rachelle Reed | |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Don’t Sleep on Sleep: A Practical Coaching Framework | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Sleep is often mentioned in the triad of health alongside exercise and nutrition. However, the reality is that sleep takes a massive back seat to the other variables in our coaching process, leaving a tremendous opportunity on the table to better client results and an ability to help a struggling and massively underserved population. Regarding client results, the roadmap to success is providing a stimulus (i.e., exercise) that the client will have to recover and adapt from, improving health and fitness. However, we miss out on this adaptation process without quality and optimal sleep, leaving results behind every time. The next point lies in the sheer amount of individuals struggling with sleep, estimated to be half of the population, depending on the criteria you use to define sleep issues. Many sleep issues are very behavioral in nature, meaning there is an incredible opportunity for coaches to fill the void for those who struggle. | Nicholas Lambe | |
| 03:25 PM – 05:15 PM | Balanced Body Vastus Medialis and Knee Tracking; Key to Knee Pain and Stability | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | Muscular imbalances and knee tracking issues commonly cause knee pain and dysfunction. In this session, you will learn how to get the Vastus Medialis firing properly and how to correct the imbalances between all the thigh muscles, building a more balanced and much stronger lower body. | Brian Richey | |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | High Content Marketing: Building Effective Strategies to Attract, Engage, and Convert Your Ideal Clients | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | This session explores the principles of high content marketing, focusing on creating impactful strategies that resonate with your ideal clients. Learn how to deliver depth and value, find your marketing sweet spot, and build long-term relationships with your audience. Whether you’re struggling to gain traction or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide actionable insights to elevate your marketing efforts and maximize ROI. | Manny Escalante | |
| 05:15 PM – 05:45 PM | Marketplace Open | Event | Marketplace Open | |||
| 05:45 PM -07:00 PM | Advocating and Advancing Fitness as Essential Healthcare: The Crucial Role of Mentorship Programs | Fitness Pro Focus | Event | In today’s rapidly evolving health landscape, the advocacy of and urgency for the implementation of mentorship programs is vital to the long term success and increased essential nature of the fitness industry. This presentation dives into the critical role of mentorship in equipping new fitness trainers and those transitioning from other professions with the necessary skills, knowledge, and networks to position fitness as a fundamental and essential component of healthcare. By fostering strong mentor-mentee relationships, we can enhance the credibility, effectiveness, and integration of fitness within preventive and therapeutic health strategies while also decreasing attrition rates of fitness professionals. | Darian Parker, Debbie Bellenger, Erin Nitschke, Doris Thews, Sherri McMillan, Jessica Maurer | |
| 05:45 PM – 7:00 PM | Mentor Meets: Discussing the Value of Mentorship | Who Should Attend:
| General Session | Mentorship is one of the most influential personal and professional development tools, bridging the gap between potential and performance. Attend this general session event of a series of short presentations delivered by a lineup of experienced and trusted mentors and explore how effective mentorship relationships can foster career growth, encourage skill-building, and create opportunities for learning and collaboration. Whether you’re looking to become a mentor, seeking a mentor, or want to understand how to engage in productive mentoring partnerships, this series will foster learning and provide valuable insights and thought-provoking perspectives and strategies. Sign up for a personal meetup with a mentor after the presentations for an opportunity to help you unlock the full potential of mentorship. | Peter Ronai and Rachelle Reed |
Saturday, March 8th
| Session Time | Session Title | Category | Session Type | Session Description | Presenter(s) |
| 06:30 AM -07:15 AM | Integrated Group Strength | Fitness Pro Focus | Specialty Workout | Group fitness students love a total-body workout but fitting it into a 50-minute class can be challenging. This session will show you how it’s done. Learn how to engage the core, lower body, and upper body simultaneously, all while moving dynamically to the beat. Walk away with the tools to create classes that deliver the most effective workout of your students’ week. | Lauren George, MS & Tricia Madden |
| 06:30 AM – 07:17 AM | Guided Outdoor Run | Fitness Pro Focus | Speciality Workout | Meet in the lobby for a guided 3 mile run with Brian Cleven. | Brian Cleven |
| 06:30 AM -07:15 AM | ZUMBA GOLD®A Workout Active Older Adults Want and Enjoy! | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Specialty Workout | There’s no age limit to Join the Zumba Party! Master moves designed for Active Older Adults or those looking for a low-impact cardio workout. This is a modified Zumba® class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower intensity. The class design introduces easy-to-follow Zumba® choreography focusing on balance, range of motion, and coordination. Reach the largest growing population segment, learn how to effectively address their unique anatomical, physiological, and psychological needs, and have fun. | Kelly Bullard |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Adapting Fitness for All: Inclusive Exercise Tips for Various Abilities | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | This session offers practical tips and insights for adapting fitness programming to ensure accessibility and effectiveness for most clients–from those with physical limitations, seniors, individuals recovering from injury, and the changing lives of the athlete at heart. This session will offer tips to get your client moving well and pain-free, enrich quality of life, and make exercise programming more approachable and motivating. | Kia Williams |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Move with Confidence: Enhancing Cognitive Fitness With Functional Movement | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Engage in an energizing session that combines mental exercise with physical activity. Through engaging and interactive exercises, you will discover how functional movement patterns can sharpen your brain, enhance mental clarity, and improve overall well-being. Learn the significance of connecting cognitive and physical movements to identify patterns that enhance brain activity. Join this workshop to explore practical techniques that improve cognitive function and empower participants to lead a more active, mindful, and confident life. | Ruben Pereyra |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | The Muscle Tuning Theory | Understanding Gravity’s Role in Performance and Injury Prevention | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | How we relate to the ground and associated impact forces is critical to human movement, athletic performance, and injury prevention. Join functional podiatrist Dr. Emily as she explores The Muscle Tuning Theory and how it can be applied to clients and athlete programming. This concept will change the way you look at shoes, surfaces, and barefoot science! | Emily Splichal |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Navigating Sticky Situations in Today’s Studio and Club Environment | Business of Fitness | Independent Interactive Workshop | As a studio or club programmer or manager, managing sticky situations with staff and members is expected. Times have changed, customer feedback is more broadcast, and public opinion significantly impacts a business’s reputation. Learn to win at navigating behaviors and conflicts that can compromise business and club culture. This session will dive into real-life challenging business and managerial situations and how to best tackle them through conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques, quality control, and strategies for maintaining a positive image and work culture. Our new era may call for new and surprising approaches that contribute to your thriving, health-oriented environment. | Ingrid Knight-Cohee |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Muscle and Obesity Medications: A Deep Dive into Body Composition and Exercise | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Is all weight loss beneficial for changes in body composition? Exercise, particularly resistance training, is often recommended to help slow or prevent lean mass loss, especially with the newest emergence of obesity medications/GLP-1s. This session will explore the changes in body composition associated with obesity treatments–including lifestyle adaptations, pharmacotherapies/GLP-1s, and bariatric/metabolic surgery–and the role exercise plays in tissue quantity and quality changes during weight loss. | John Jakicic, Renee Rogers |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | PT Pricing, Programs and Profits | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | This session will provide instructions and best practices for pricing and programming that will maximize profits for Personal Training business owners and managers. Get real-life examples of best business practices from the #1 voted Personal Training studio in Vancouver, WA, for the past 25 years. | Sherri McMillan |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | AI Power Tools: The Future of Exercise Professionals | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | Staying ahead in the fast-paced and ever-changing fitness industry requires embracing technology that simplifies operations, enhances client engagement, and drives business growth. AI tools are no longer a luxury but a necessity for exercise professionals aiming to scale their impact while maintaining personal connections. From automating scheduling and client communication to creating personalized workout plans and tracking client progress, AI tools can revolutionize how you engage and interact with your clients. This session will dive into essential AI tools to showcase how exercise professionals can streamline daily tasks, attract more clients, and boost revenue. Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned professional, you’ll discover actionable strategies to integrate AI into your business, which will help you focus more on delivering results and less on managing logistics. | Ted Vickey |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Timeline Nutrition: Maximizing Muscle for Longevity with Exercise and Nutrition | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | Skeletal muscle is essential for good health throughout the lifespan. As we age, declining muscle strength, size, and function contribute to increased disease risk and physical limitations. This session will explore how exercise professionals can leverage exercise prescription to maximize muscle strength and hypertrophy throughout the lifespan. Moreover, we will examine emerging evidence for the role of nutritional supplementation with protein, creatine, and Urolithin A to improve muscle performance. | Brad Currier |
| 07:30 AM -08:30 AM | Balancing Science and Experience: Reconciling Research with Real-World Coaching | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | In the world of sports performance, practitioners face the challenge of reconciling population-wide research recommendations with the lived experiences of individual clients. This presentation will explore the importance of scientific literacy and its application in real-world settings, highlighting how data literacy can empower coaches to move beyond the dogma of rigid research findings. Attendees will learn how to use evidence-based practices as a foundation, while also recognizing the role of practice-based evidence — the real-world experience that often fuels new research and testing. We’ll discuss the delicate balance between “because research says so” and the nuances of personal experience, teaching coaches to think critically about how they integrate both data and intuition into their coaching methods. | Rich Pruett |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Strengthening Exercise in the Autism Community: Practical, Proven Approaches | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Those with autism and other disabilities are often intentionally and unintentionally excluded from exercise programs. With insightful training and evidence-based strategies, fitness professionals around the world are embracing this untapped opportunity. Be empowered to unlock the potential of a clientele that could benefit from your expertise. | David Geslak |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Mind-Body Boost: Amplify Your Prop Power | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Interactive Workshop | Take your mind body classes to new heights and captivate your clients with this brand-new workshop for 2025! Discover innovative ways to integrate resistance bands, exercise balls, weights, and gliding discs at the barre, on the mat or center floor. Elevate the intensity and enjoyment of your workouts. These dynamic props will add variety and challenge, keeping your clients motivated and eager to return week after week. | Lauren George, MS & Tricia Madden |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Integrating Yoga with Functional Fitness | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Discover how to enhance functional fitness with yoga in this session; designed to integrate these two powerful practices. You’ll learn how yoga can improve mobility, stability, and overall movement patterns, making it an ideal complement to functional fitness training. We’ll explore specific yoga poses and sequences that support strength, balance, and injury prevention. By the end, you’ll have practical techniques to incorporate yoga into your fitness programs, helping clients move more efficiently and safely in their daily activities and workouts. | Stacy McCarthy |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Glute Training, Beginner to Advanced, Assessment and Implementation | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | All hail the king of athletic performance and aesthetics. THE GLUTES are finally getting their well-deserved place in the gym, in a quad-driven fitness world. From glute activation, isolation, and enhancement, this workshop will discuss exercises from correction to strength, power, and hypertrophy, or simply building a better booty. What moves are best, and for what clients? | Greg Johnson |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | The Physical, Physiological and Behavioral Benefits of Myofascial Release | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | This progressive approach to myofascial release will enhance physical, physiological, and behavioral benefits to the human body for longevity, less pain and performance. When we view the body and the way it works synergistically and responds to stimulus we will have a better understanding. One of the hardest concepts to realize is that overtraining the physiological body leads to decreased immunity, pain, exhaustion, and increased mental stress. This session bridges the gap between therapy and fitness. | Leslee Bender |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Elevate Your Impact: Building Your Legacy Through Mentorship, Collaboration, and Longevity | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Lecture | Discover how to harness the power of mentorship to shape the industry’s future, learn the art of collaboration to amplify your influence, and explore strategies for cultivating a career that stands the test of time. Through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and practical exercises, you’ll gain the tools to lead with purpose, inspire others, and create a legacy that reflects your values and vision. Whether you’re an experienced trainer or an emerging leader, this workshop will empower you to elevate your impact and build a legacy that resonates for years. | Jessica Maurer |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Science meets Action: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Health | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | In this session, you will learn how you, as an exercise and health professional, can balance individual client needs and preferences with the broad recommendations from peer-reviewed literature and research findings. You will walk away with action steps for your clients based on their nutritional, health, and physical activity needs. | Erin Nitschke |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Mindful Movement: Enhancing Mental Health Through Fitness | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Mindful Movement: Enhancing Mental Health Through Fitness explores the powerful connection between exercise and mental well-being. This session offers clear insight into how physical activity supports mental wellness and helps manage common mental health issues. Attendees will gain hands-on experience with motivational interviewing and behavior change strategies, essential for promoting mental health in clients. The session also emphasizes recognizing when to refer clients to mental health professionals. Join us to enhance your skills and become a champion for mental well-being in the fitness community. | Robyn Whitehead, Travis Weisbrod |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | Lead from Behind: A Leadership Approach that Empowers Teams and Drives Success | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | This session challenges traditional leadership models that emphasize leading from the front. Instead, it explores the benefits of leading from behind, focusing on empowering team members, fostering collaboration, and driving long-term success. Attendees will learn practical strategies to develop their teams, create a culture of accountability, and enhance communication, ultimately leading to a more engaged and effective workforce. | Manny Escalante |
| 08:50 AM -10:40 AM | ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal: A Tool for Professional Development and a Focus on the Future. | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Lecture | ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal® is an internationally recognized publication for all exercise professionals and provides highly applicable content that can be read one day and applied with clients and patients the next day. The journal’s evidence-based articles and columns provide excellent content for professional development and continuing education. This session will provide attendees with an overview of resources associated with the journal, a brief review of the past year’s content/journal activities, and an interactive opportunity for participants to provide input on future content for the journal. | Paul Gallo |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Physical Activity vs. Exercise Training: Integrating Both for Optimal Health and Fitness | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | This session will explore the key differences between physical activity and exercise and how each impacts health and fitness. We will break down the roles and benefits of structured exercise training and everyday physical activity and provide practical guidance on incorporating each into a comprehensive fitness plan. We will discuss the benefits of general physical activity, how to plan and monitor it, and what important variables to know. | Tony Nuñez |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Mind Over Muscle: Transforming Fitness Training with Cereset’s BrainEcho® Innovation | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | Simone Biles’ brave decision to withdraw from the 2020 Olympics decision cast a spotlight on an important emerging topic in professional athletics and fitness training – the vital role that brain wellness plays in physical health and performance. <br />When physical performance is lagging, the natural reaction is often to train harder or longer. However, for an already stressed system, this approach can aggravate performance issues, increase mental and physical fatigue, and exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, poor sleep, and cognitive sluggishness. Instead, let’s consider looking to the master controller of the entire system to optimize health and performance. <br />Scientific research has proven that stress has a profound negative impact on the brain’s function, performance, and physical structure. Because the brain regulates all aspects of physical health, performance capabilities, emotional wellbeing, and cognitive abilities, mitigating the effects of stress on the brain is vital to any performance optimization effort. <br />Cereset® is an advanced, non-invasive brain technology that naturally enhances the brain’s function and performance by supporting the brain to release and recover from stress. Cereset utilizes a proprietary BrainEcho® technology which provides the brain with immediate feedback on its function and performance via engineered musical tones. The brain uses the information in the BrainEcho® to recalibrate and fine-tune its own activity, resulting in deeper sleep, improved emotional wellbeing, stronger energy resources, improved cognitive abilities, and enhanced overall performance. <br /> | Gina Fontaine |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Nature-Deficit Disorder | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | There is good reason to believe our wellness communities lack “Vitamin N” (for Nature). “Vitamin N,” derived from outdoor activities in natural environments, helps to improve mood and reduce stress. The Nature Principle holds that a reconnection to the natural world is fundamental to human health, well-being, spirit, and survival (Louv, 2012). This presentation discusses the evolution of civilizations, from the near-constant outdoor activity of our ancient ancestors to the current epidemic of sedentariness, screen usage, and indoor urban life of our modern world. Learn a comprehensive and practical approach to naturally enriched well-being. | Mary Yoke |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | The Fitness Assessment Toolkit- Purposes, Priorities, Processes, and Procedures | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Thorough pre-activity and health history screenings, comprehensive physical fitness and functional tests, and other physical assessments are vital for developing safe, effective, client-specific exercise programs. This presentation will provide:<br />? An overview of physical fitness tests and assessments in the United States<br />? A description of factors that affect the applicability of assessments/evaluations<br />? Examples of appropriate choices for specific populations<br />Learn how to select tests that best fit individual needs and facilitate the development of relevant, targeted interventions to enhance health, fitness, and physical function and performance. And acquire several new tools, resources, and practical knowledge to safely apply immediately.<br /> | Peter Ronai |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | The Latest in Trending Diets: What’s Hype vs. Reality? | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | With confusing media headlines, social media posts, and the constantly evolving nutrition science landscape, it can be challenging for fitness professionals to determine what is accurate when it comes to trending diets. Should I eat like my ancestors? Should I include grains in my diet? This session will help you understand the background, perceived health benefits, and current science available for some of the major trending diets. After the session, you will be better equipped to discuss these diet trends with your clients as they come up, including helping them determine whether these diets are supporting their health and wellness goals. | Sally Lyons-Wyatt, Megan Engel |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | The Neuroscience of Sleep and Mental Health | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Sleep is a powerful yet often overlooked factor in mental and brain health. This session will simplify complex research on how sleep impacts these areas and provide practical strategies for promoting healthy sleep behaviors. Tailored for health and fitness professionals, this presentation will equip attendees with knowledge and actionable insights to address sleep within their scope of practice, ultimately enhancing the well-being of their clients. | Ryan Glatt |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Striking the Balance: Strategies for Preserving Lean Muscle During Weight Loss | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | This session provides practical strategies for assessing and optimizing body composition during weight loss in the general population. We will address the limitations of BMI as a way of categorizing risk or measuring progress and review methods that can practically and accurately be done in medical or fitness settings. We will explore what is known about the effects of obesity medications on body composition and behavior. The presentation will also discuss nutritional considerations for preserving lean tissue, strategies for balancing fat loss and muscle gain in various scenarios, and the impact of exercise on appetite, fat loss, and muscle. | Monica Reinagel, Nina Crowley |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Max Strength = Max Speed | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | This lecture will discuss the fundamentals of utilizing maximal strength loading to increase athletes’ ability to run faster and jump higher. | Josh Cuthbert |
| 11:00 AM -12:00 PM | Fit Pro Panel | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Lecture | 2024 ACSM and IDEA award-winning fitness professionals whose dedication and exceptional industry contributions inspire and enhance health, wellness, and fitness take on fitness excellence. This award winner panel will share their perspectives on excellence and how they raise the bar in delivering remarkable fitness experiences. | Moderator: Francis Neric Speakers: Brian Cleven, Ruben Pereyra, Aimee Nicotera, Ingrid Knight-Cohee |
| 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM | From Assessment to Action: Creating Client-Specific Programs Based on Body Composition Insights | Business of Fitness | Industry Presented Lecture | Practical body composition analysis is a powerful tool for designing customized fitness and nutrition programs that drive actual results. In this session, we will explore how to move beyond the numbers to create actionable strategies that align with each client’s unique body composition. Learn to interpret key metrics such as body fat percentage, lean mass, and metabolic rate. Then, translate these insights into personalized plans that maximize fat loss, muscle gain, and overall health improvements. | Johnny August |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Trauma-Informed Exercise Instruction: An Exploration Across Multiple Modalities | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop that integrates trauma-informed practices and culturally supportive approaches to fitness instruction across diverse exercise modalities. In this fusion-style class, you’ll explore innovative techniques to create inclusive, safe, and healing fitness environments – all while moving in a mix of fun, challenging, restorative ways. You’ll gain hands-on experience with exercises while learning how to foster a supportive atmosphere for all participants. Whether you’re a fitness professional or an enthusiast, this session will equip you with the tools to promote well-being and respect in your practice. | Kate O’Farrell |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Empower & Thrive: Tools for Purposeful Aging | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Join us for the “Empower & Thrive: Tools for Purposeful Aging” workshop tailored to fitness instructors and trainers specializing in supporting older adults. Learn practical strategies to help your clients age gracefully while managing chronic conditions and enhancing their overall well-being. You will explore effective fitness programs, adaptive techniques, and motivational tools to inspire older adults to stay active and engaged. Equip yourself with the knowledge to foster independence and resilience in your clients, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives. Together, let’s positively impact the lives of those we serve in their journey toward purposeful aging! | Ruben Pereyra |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Studio Walking | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Walk to the beat in this low-impact walking workout that’s easy to teach and fun for students and clients of all ages. Walking-based moves (i.e. marching in place) convert into steps per minute, which easily convert to miles. Designed to target deconditioned participants and those who may not currently participate in any other classes, but are suitable for those looking for a moderate rhythmic workout. Learn simple, no-fail patterns, student confidence, community builders, and how to translate “the why” into memorable movements and educational sound bytes that will delight students and clients. | Grace DeSimone |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Balanced Body® ReforMat with Bands and Rollers | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | Take Pilates Reformer exercises and translate them to the Mat. Elastic bands and foam rollers become our Reformer in a fun and challenging workout for your mat students. Taking the principles of each Reformer exercise, transfer the exercise to the mat and see how it changes the essential nature of the exercise. Deepen your understanding of both Pilates mat and Reformer exercises. Open your mind to new possibilities and creative variations of the Pilates repertoire. Introduce Reformer work to your class and encourage them to try Reformer classes or personal training sessions. | Helen Vanderburg |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | From Evidence to Exercise Studios: Confronting Weight-related Bias and Stigma and Creating More Inclusive Fitness Spaces | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Weight-related bias and stigma in physical activity (PA) settings can lead to PA avoidance and adverse health outcomes. The fitness professional’s role is to create environments that promote inclusion for all individuals regardless of weight status. This session will identify the consequences of weight-related bias and stigma in the fitness industry and review common misconceptions about PA for individuals who are overweight or obese. Current research on best practices for fostering an inclusive and empathetic exercise environment, including using person-first language and approaches for addressing weight bias and stigma in a fitness setting, will be included. | Sara Kovacs |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | From Passion to Presenter: Uplevel your Fitness Industry Presence Learn to be a Presenter, Continuing Education Provider, and Master Educator | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Lecture | In today’s competitive fitness landscape, standing out as a leader requires more than just expertise; it demands the ability to communicate, educate, and inspire effectively. This dynamic session will empower certified professionals to elevate their presence in the industry by mastering presentation skills, continuing education provision, and advanced teaching methodologies. ACSM’s Committee on Certification and Registry Board (CCRB) recently expanded its mission to include “advancing the credibility and integrity of ACSM certified professionals through career-long development with evidence-based practices to benefit all.” As such, it is of interest for the CCRB and its Continuing Professional Education subcommittee to host a timely panel session helping certified professionals understand tips and best practices for using their expertise to make a lasting impact. | Becky Langton |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Starting an Exercise Program for People Living with and Beyond Cancer | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | During this session, attendees will learn concrete steps to ensure their exercise program is cancer-inclusive. | Kathryn Schmitz |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Enhancing Balance and Stability Skills in Older Adults to Prevent Slips and Trips | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Exercise programs designed to lower fall risk often emphasize strength and balance training. However, based on the principle of training specificity, improving the motor skills needed to prevent trip- or slip-related falls may be most effective through targeted, skill-specific exercises. This workshop will introduce you to movements that enhance older clients’ ability to resist slips and trips. | Jan Schroeder |
| 01:15 PM -03:05 PM | Organization + Systems = Success: A Guide for Thriving as an Independent Trainer | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | Becoming a successful independent personal trainer demands more than passion; it requires resilience, strategic thinking, and a diverse skill set. From optimizing your project management skills and making informed educational choices to mastering systems automation and implementing effective marketing solutions, running a successful independent practice means wearing many entrepreneurial hats. In this session, you’ll gain insights from the successes and challenges of thousands of independent trainers, equipping you to build a standout brand, fill your ideal schedule, and achieve a solid six-figure income as a new independent trainer. | Billy Polson |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Vital Core Training | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | In this highly interactive session where science meets practice, you will leave with the latest systematic techniques in core training that promote strength and decrease back pain. Understanding that crunches are a thing of the past, over-utilizing the hip flexors causes compression of the spine which can be avoided. Experiencing the art of lengthening builds greater strength in the core than shortening with specific strategies and techniques for all types of fitness. As trainers we need to diversify our knowledge to include modalities of training that are functionally safe and effective for all bodies, this course will enhance your journey as a professional. Expand your skills and techniques as you learn how to implement a core training system that delivers profound results. | Leslee Bender |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Your Brain in 3D | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | What happens when cognitive training is combined with multi-planar movement? How does an exercise professional begin to incorporate brain & body training in an evidence-based manner? Learn about the latest research on incorporating brain & body training through dual-tasking and open-skill exercises. You will gain hands-on experience facilitating 10+ cognitively demanding exercises emphasizing attention, memory, processing speed, and executive functioning. Physical and cognitive modifications will be provided for each drill, and how to apply them in group and private training sessions. | Aimee Nicotera, Ryan Glatt |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Posture Perfect: Body Weight Exercises for Better Posture | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | As our aging population increasingly relies on fitness professionals to enhance their quality of life, maintaining their upright posture becomes even more crucial to balance and avoid falls. Posture is essential for proper movement mechanics and having mobility in joints can significantly improve activities of daily living. Examine a variety of body weight exercises designed to improve spinal posture. These total body-weight, equipment-free exercises can be easily practiced at home, empowering clients to maintain their progress between sessions. | John Preston |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Pickle Power | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Take advantage of the world’s fastest-growing sport by offering signature Pickleball workouts and classes. This workshop reviews the latest stats on who is playing pickleball and why (which may surprise you!). It will provide a comprehensive sequence of sport-specific exercises that can be delivered in a class, small group, or private training setting. Incorporate resistance bands and the unique Corefirst tool for enhanced innovation and challenge. Grab your paddle, stay out of the kitchen, and let’s smash this! | Ingrid Knight-Cohee, Jeff Huling |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Elevating Coaching Impact: Emotional Intelligence in Action | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | Exos, known for elevating elite athletes and Fortune 100 teams to peak performance, knows that effective coaching transcends techniques. In this session, delve into how emotional intelligence (EI) is essential for enhancing coaching effectiveness. Learn our proven strategies for deepening coach-client connections, improving conversation quality, and setting impactful goals. This workshop is designed to refine your coaching approach, applying EI in ways that resonate with high achievers across sports and business. Get ready to unlock your full potential as a coach and leave a lasting impact on your clients. | Rich Pruett |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Inclusive Fitness Environments | Business of Fitness | Independent Lecture | This panel of industry change-makers will explore the importance of creating and managing inclusive fitness environments. Whether you’re a fitness facility owner, personal trainer, or group fitness instructor, this discussion will offer valuable insights on making fitness more equitable, inclusive, accessible, and adaptive. | Moderator: Kia Williams Speakers: David Geslak, Sara Kovacs, Kate O’Farrell |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Fitness and Fulfillment: How Relationship Self-Care Enhances Fitness Professional Well-being | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Lecture | Physical health is only part of achieving professional success and personal fulfillment in the demanding world of fitness service professionals. This presentation explores the often-overlooked aspect of relationship self-care and its profound impact on overall well-being and career longevity. Join us as we delve into the science and strategies behind nurturing personal relationships to enhance performance for fitness, health, and wellness professionals. | Darian Parker |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Client Results: The Ultimate Tool for Professional Development | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Lecture | Your clients are the best teachers you’ll ever have. They’ll challenge you to learn the most effective ways to meet their individual needs in a way that produces sustainable results. In doing so, your client results become the ultimate professional development tool. As fitness professionals work to establish themselves as qualified healthcare providers, accurately measuring and consistently producing meaningful client results will separate true professionals from hobbyists. This lecture will use practical data analytics as our guide and teach a framework for reliably measuring and reporting client results to take your skills and business to the next level. | Michael Stack |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Muscle as a Longevity Organ – The Role of Urolithin A | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | Skeletal muscle is increasingly seen as a “longevity organ” that influences healthy aging beyond movement, affecting amino acid storage, glucose metabolism, and immune function. Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) can lead to frailty and metabolic disorders, making muscle preservation crucial for longevity. While exercise remains essential, bioactive compounds like Urolithin A (UA) can also support muscle health, especially in less active populations. UA enhances mitophagy and mitochondrial health, potentially promoting muscle longevity and vitality. This seminar will explore how fitness professionals can use UA to help clients improve longevity and quality of life through muscle-focused strategies. | Jennifer Scheinman |
| 03:25 PM -05:15 PM | Xbody: Whole-Body Electric Muscle Stimulation: An Expandable New Tool for the Trainer’s Toolbox | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Lecture | This lecture will look at the mechanism and research behind WB-EMS and its current and future possible applications. WB-EMS is a quickly growing training modality that uses traditional rehabilitation science as an efficient and effective training tool for all healthy populations. Twenty minutes of training can provide significant muscle hypertrophy and strength. The ability to pair an external neurological load with regular muscle stimulation opens new ways of improving muscle recruitment efficiency and contraction capacity with little traditional stress on the joints. The benefits, risks, and proper use of WB-EMS will be addressed in this lecture. | Brian Cooper |
Sunday, March 9th
| Session Time | Session Title | Category | Session Type | Session Description | Presenter(s) |
| 08:00 AM -09:50 AM | Cultivating Resilience: Yoga and Meditation for Stress Management | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Interactive Workshop | Amongst the bombardment of external stimuli, the media, pings, rings, and notifications discover practical tools for managing stress. Learn how simple yoga poses and meditation techniques can help you build mental and physical resilience. This session offers easy-to-follow practices that reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. This is ideal for anyone seeking effective, everyday strategies to stay calm and balanced, whether you’re a beginner or experienced in yoga and meditation. | Stacy McCarthy |
| 08:00 AM -09:50 AM | Squat It Like It’s Hot: Choosing the Correct Variation | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | The squat is a fundamental movement pattern and essential for every client’s fitness program. This session will guide fit pros in designing effective, squat-heavy programs while recognizing when to regress or advance the squat or select appropriate variations. We’ll cover a comprehensive range of squat variations, from stability ball to overhead, and everything in between. Attendees will learn to meet clients where they are, select and coach proper squat variations, and understand the pros and cons of each. Enhance your ability to execute and coach squats effectively, ensuring your clients achieve their fitness goals safely and efficiently. | John Preston |
| 08:00 AM -09:50 AM | From Ideation to Implementation: Creating Smart and Unique Exercise Programs That Sell | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | In this session, we will guide you through designing unique and effective exercise programs and formats that stand out. From the spark of an idea to development, you’ll learn strategies for creating fitness offerings that resonate with your community, drive engagement, and monetize. Attendees will explore how to identify trends, incorporate creative approaches, and provide their communities with the programming they want. Attendees will workshop their ideas and leave with tools to help bring them to reality. | Aimee Nicotera |
| 08:00 AM -09:50 AM | Keeping Your Marbles Until the End | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Explore the science and practice involved in preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease and how you can best maintain your brain power throughout your life. This research-based session will focus on the stages of dementia, the etiology of Alzheimer’s Disease, the hierarchy of physical function, and, most importantly, lifespan preventive strategies that will benefit both you and your clients. | Mary Yoke |
| 10:00 AM -11:50 AM | How to Use Recovery Technologies to Optimize Client Warm-up and Recovery | Science to Practice | Industry Presented Interactive Workshop | In this workshop, learn how to unleash the science-backed benefits of the latest advancements in recovery and wellness technologies. This hands-on session will provide attendees with an understanding of the science of various technologies and their appropriate application for unique outcomes, including pain relief, recovery optimization, and physical preparation. Attendees will receive hands-on experience with recovery technology, learn how to identify the best technologies to fit unique client needs, appropriately translate the science into optimal application, and practice building recovery and physical preparation programs utilizing various technologies. Participants will leave with an actionable understanding of selection, prescription, and coaching strategies to maximize the benefits of technology solutions for their clients’ unique needs and goals. | Josh Adams |
| 10:00 AM -11:50 AM | Tailored Circuit Training for Your Tailored Goals | Science to Practice | Independent Interactive Workshop | Circuit training is a popular and effective method for achieving muscular fitness goals in general and clinical populations. In this evidence-based presentation, we will discuss and present (via multimedia technology) how to design training circuits to best meet client goals. Six different circuits will be showcased, each with six exercises based on specific physiological themes such as muscular strength, power, endurance, and overall health. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in at least one of the circuits presented! | Tony Nuñez |
| 10:00 AM -11:50 AM | Neuroscience Research Update: Brain Health & Lifestyle Behaviors | Science to Practice | Independent Lecture | Stay updated on the latest neuroscience research linking lifestyle behaviors with brain health. This session will discuss recent findings and their practical implications for health and fitness professionals. Attendees will learn how exercise, nutrition, sleep, and other modifiable behaviors influence brain function and cognitive wellness. By the end of the session, professionals will be equipped with evidence-based strategies to support brain health in their clients. | Ryan Glatt |
| 10:00 AM -11:50 AM | Credentials Matter: Ensuring Safety, Standards of Practice, and Promoting Continuing Education | Fitness Pro Focus | Independent Lecture | Join this panel of industry experts as they discuss the importance of obtaining and maintaining professional credentials for fitness trainers, instructors, and service providers. Panelists will address the role of accredited credentials in ensuring safety and engaging consistently in industry best practices. | Moderator: Sara Kovacs Speakers: Francis Neric, John Preston, Rachelle Reed |
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