Club management... Amanda Bracks-Taylor style

by Analee Matthews | Thursday, April 02, 2009

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

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

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Ever met... a wild woman on top?

by Analee Matthews | Thursday, March 26, 2009

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

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

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Meet another Champion of the fitness industry.

by Analee Matthews | Monday, March 16, 2009

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

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

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Feast on cutting-edge nutrition information

by Analee Matthews | Monday, February 23, 2009

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

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

by Analee Matthews | Thursday, February 19, 2009

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

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

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

by Analee Matthews | Friday, February 13, 2009

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

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When group exercise stands the test of time...

by Analee Matthews | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Network: Marietta Mehanni. You have made such an enormous contribution to the Australian fitness industry over the years. Can you shed some light on what you've done during your fitness career?

MM: The question could be what haven't I done? My first passion is teaching group fitness, which I still do 19 classes in different formats including aqua per week. I have coordinated group fitness programs, did a little bit of personal training, taught school groups, trained and choreographed for school aerobic teams, competed in Funk competitions, choreographed and performed in fund raising events, modelled for clothing companies and have participated the 'shopping centre' performances. I have also presented in 7 countries and still do so as well as train group fitness and aqua instructors, lecture for Cert III and IV in fitness, mentor several group fitness and aqua instructors and presenters per week and develop and write courses for group fitness, coordinators, presenters and Gymstick. I also write fitness related articles, and do TV, radio and newspaper interviews.  ...read more

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Put some punch in your fitness career!

by Analee Matthews | Sunday, February 01, 2009

BRUCE TOWNHILL PUTS SOME PUNCH IN YOUR FITNESS CAREER

CEO of PUNCH and PUNCH EQUIPMENT Bruce Townhill is a passionate and skilled individual, who is educating the masses about correct boxing technique and providing the industry with quality boxing equipment, accessories and apparel.  ...read more

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Introducing the other (and way cooler!) Len Kravitz!

by Analee Matthews | Wednesday, January 28, 2009

DR LEN KRAVITZ IS COMING BACK TO SYDNEY (YIPPEE!)

Once you meet him, world-renown exercise physiologist, Dr Len Kravitz is someone you will never forget! His passion, his unique presentation style, his humour and his extensive knowledge leaves you hanging on every word and yearning to learn more. In the lead up to FILEX, which is a regular in Len's presentation diary, Network caught up with this guru of gurus, to find out a little more about the man we know you will adore!

  ...read more

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Network introduces you to key fitness industry people

by Analee Matthews | Monday, December 22, 2008

Part of Network's role is to provide you with opportunities to expand and strengthen your own network of knowledge and contacts, so over the coming months we'll introduce you to some of the key players and personalities from within the Australian and global fitness industry.

INTRODUCING... DONNA HUTCHINSON FROM CANADA  ...read more

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