Personal Fitness Professional - March 2008 - (Page 19) benefits and advantages that are unique to the specific relations established between the parties. Clubs, studios and personal trainers are interested in strategic liaisons with a community hospital for many reasons; however, the primary reason is the instantaneous credibility the hospital offers. This is an environment where there are a large percentage of people who need wellness services and exercise emphasizing prevention and health care. Another way of involving yourself or your facility with the community is to assemble a community wellness team. A lot of businesses use a board of directors to establish guidelines, and a group of outside professionals can easily strengthen your resolve. These agencies are untapped resources of potential opportunities to create challenges and programs. Work to establish relationships with community planners, community groups, community leagues, community centers, businesses, schools, social services and libraries to help ensure your success. With any of these relationships, it will be easier to establish a fitness challenge program for businesses, corporations, schools, organizations or individuals who participate in a variety of activities that are designed to encourage a healthful lifestyle. Each participating organization develops a common bond as their employees improve personal skills and share common experiences. By the end of the challenge, a natural team unity develops, and a proud representation of the business emerges. The main objective of your challenge is that, through friendly competition and maximum participation, you and your clients’ lives will have a healthy stimulus, both emotionally and physically. On another note, there might be many different beliefs on what a challenge means. Some will be very competitive, while others will just have fun. A challenge is for everyone to do the best they can and come away feeling better and healthier. Overall, everyone benefits from the main objective by promoting health and fitness and invigorating the community by supporting the projects and programs. Being successful in business and in any challenge requires organization, leadership, determination and teamwork. A well-designed and organized community challenge will provide countless opportunities for you or your facility, and it allows everyone the opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage family activity, improve personal skills and engage in friendly competition. Considering planning a community program exists in all of us who are genuine care-givers, but getting started is actually easy. Focus on your efforts, and remember: if you’re coasting, you’re coasting downhill! Scott Josephson, MS, is the Director of Operations at Hippocrates Health Institute, a premier life-changing property in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is a national-level conference speaker throughout the United States and Canada, a recipient of numerous awards and is frequently published, having covering a wide range of industry topics. In addition to several certifications, Scott holds a degree from the University of Miami and is on the advisory board of the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. His work portfolio includes Geraldo Rivera, Wimbledon champ Chris Evert and athletes from the New York Giants and New York Mets. He can be reached at sjosephson@hippocratesinst.org. ● MARCH2008 · WWW.FIT-PRO.COM 27 19 http://www.nsca-cc.org http://www.nsca-cc.org http://www.nsca-cc.org http://WWW.FIT-PRO.COM
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