Fitness Suppliers Directory - 2008-2009 - (Page 10)

Fitness: the future The fitness industry is facing some tough challenges in the years ahead. We asked some of the industry’s key players to share their thoughts on how we can meet them. Question Time The health crisis Trained to motivate people towards adopting a healthier lifestyle, fitness providers have a vital role to play in helping Australia halt the seemingly unstoppable march of diseases like diabetes and obesity, which are often lifestyle-related. According to Diabetes Australia, the number of new cases of diabetes reported in Australia each year would fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground – that’s 275 new cases every day. By 2031 it is estimated that 3.3 million Australians will have Type 2 diabetes. In response to this “epidemic”, the federal government is refocusing the health system on prevention. Kate Ellis, Minister for Youth and Sport, explains why. “We know that in 2004-05, 70 per cent of the Australian population over the age of 15 was classified as sedentary or as having low exercise levels,” she explains. “Physical inactivity increases the risk of developing many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and some cancers, such as breast and bowel cancer.” The fitness industry, Kate believes, has an important role in helping Australians meet physical activity guidelines and improving their health. “Currently, more than half of Australian adults do not meet the minimum physical activity recommendation of 30 minutes of activity on most, preferably all, days of the week, putting them at risk of a range of chronic diseases,” she says. “The fitness industry is well positioned to provide opportunities for physical activity in a range of settings with qualified trainers.” 10 “The challenge is to cater for people who find the traditional gym sector intimidating and provide specific services for those who are older, in poorer physical condition or who have not recently exercised.” The industry should also make an effort to target kids and families, who can often be excluded from participating due to cost, says Dr Colin Benjamin, Director-General of the “Life. Be In It” Association. “The fitness industry needs to actively promote access to physical activity programs for kids and families … and develop kids’ gyms and physical activity programs in schools,” says Dr Benjamin. “All the evidence indicates that obesity is an issue of social exclusion which the fitness industry needs to address, as fitness centres are outside the budget range of those in areas of the lower Colin Benjamin social economic status.” Long-term gains Lauretta Stace, CEO of Fitness Australia, says the fitness industry needs to work with the government to ultimately help deliver longer-term social and economic benefits to the population. “The fitness industry has the capacity to expand its current programs and services given its investment in a professional workforce, programming, equipment, premises and Lauretta Stace technology,” she says. “Fitness Australia will continue to work with governments and other agencies to ensure that the industry is considered as a key strategic partner in the preventative health network.” Thinking laterally Kate also believes the industry has an opportunity to innovate and vary their services to engage inactive people who’d otherwise slip through the fitness net. FITNESS SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY 2008 - 2009 | www.gymlink.biz http://www.gymlink.biz

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Fitness Suppliers Directory - 2008-2009 Contents Fitness: The Future The Competition A Better Way to Find Clients for Your Fitness Business Advertising, Marketing &�Promotions Audio &�Visual Equipment Boxing &�Martial Arts Equipment Client Management Systems Direct Debit Billing Education &�Training Exercise Music Fitness Equipment Fitness Equipment Maintenance Fitness Training Aids Flooring Group Fitness Programs Health Foods &�Supplements Hygiene Services Insurance &�Finance Internet &�Web Lockers Massage &�Massage Equipment Pilates Equipment &�Education Promotional Merchandise PT�Systems &�Software Recruitment Sales &�Service Training Saunas &�Steam Rooms Sports &�Active Wear Used &�Refurbished Equipment Industry Associations &�Organisations Companies Index Events Calendar 2009-2010 Booking Form

Fitness Suppliers Directory - 2008-2009

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