A forum for fitness

The fact that this week's Middle East Health & Fitness Summit (MEFit) has attracted fitness professionals from across the region and beyond is testament to the growth of the health club industry in the region.

Overseas presenters are attending from the UK, US, Canada, France, Portugal, New Zealand and South Africa, while the event also aims to bring together a network of around 200 Les Mills certified fitness instructors from across the Middle East.

They will be attending either group exercise or personal training summits, with topics ranging from ‘exercise as a prescription' to ‘optimum sports nutrition for enhanced performance' all aimed at further developing the instructors' skills.

The continual education and motivation of fitness professionals is a major challenge for the industry, according to MEFit organiser Greg Boucher, managing director of MEFITPRO.

After all, how can health clubs expect their members to attend regularly if the instructors that serve them appear demotivated?

Just as member motivation needs to be inspired by the gym staff, however, employee motivation needs to be encouraged by health club owners.

This is why this year's MEFit will for the first time also feature a business forum aimed at health club owners and managers.

Presentations will focus on industry trends, how customer service can lead to success, new programme opportunities and how to turn pool areas into profit areas.

With new gyms opening on a monthly basis in new hotels, the expansion of Fitness First across the region and the planned launch of Virgin Active in the UAE, plus the growing trend for spas to feature wellness facilities, ensuring that managers have the skills to run their gyms as successful businesses is vital.

Indeed, with these new fitness facilities all requiring qualified staff, instructors and managers should be encouraged to join together now in order to prevent a skills shortage later.

MEFit will be held at The Aviation Club in Dubai from March 27-29.

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