As the nation strives to find a balance between healthcare and health insurance, the medical paradigm is limited in its ability to ensure wellness or responsible movement back toward health. The primary diagnoses that are labeled upon the fast-food eating, inactive, over-stressed public range from metabolic syndrome to compromises in cardio-respiratory health. Our society often seeks solutions in pharmaceutical intervention when structured and monitored exercise protocols may prove more affordable and beneficial.

In order to help personal trainers find opportunity and value in the present state of our nation's health concerns, and in order to reposition personal trainers in a marketplace where they're often considered workout leaders for regular gym goers, long-time personal training leader, Phil Kaplan, and former editor of PFP magazine, Kelli Calabrese, will be hosting the second session of the first annual Global Personal Training Focus Group.

The first session, held on March 8, produced such valuable insights that the organizers decided to host a follow-up to broaden responses and hear from more personal trainers who are achieving success in the trenches. Since these professionals may not typically be given a sounding platform to share their frustrations and victories, this session will contribute to the formulation of a better paradigm, one in which personal trainers can find respect and recognition as a viable part of the allied health care team.

This is a breakthrough opportunity for personal trainers to work as a like-minded unit. It is not judgmental, nor specific to any certification or credential, but simply a step toward allowing those who exhibit true expertise to be heard as role models of excellence.

The remote event, open to any certified or degreed career-driven personal fitness trainer who has access to telephone and internet, will be recorded and preserved for open access.*

Personal trainers are invited to apply to be one of twenty to participate live in the remote forum.

The tele-event will take place Monday, April 12, 2010, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. The twenty will be selected from applications completed online on that day. All applicants will receive a transcript or recording of the event. Applicants must consider Personal Training their primary and full-time careers, they must have been in business for at least 18 months (or working in the field with full time pay for 18 months or more), and they must have specific opinions to share related to the state of the industry and the direction that might be best for the public, for personal trainers, and for all allied agencies and fields. The intention is not to form laws or decisions, but simply to explore current challenges, opportunities, and solutions.
Apply at http://personaltrainingprosperity.com/globalfocusgroupap.htm, or visit http://personaltrainingprosperity.com/globalfocusgroup.htm for more information, or call Stacey Miller at 954.495.8065

*Follow-Up Session at Club Industry East
The suggestions and potential directions for improving the future of trainers at the Personal Training Global Focus Group will be presented and analyzed at the Club Industry East Trade Show. A special Industry Forum session called "Can Personal Trainers Cure Disease?" will be held on Thursday, May 6 at 4:00 PM in the Javits Center in New York City, moderated by Kelli and Phil along with a distinguished panel of experts including David H. Haase, MD of the MaxWell Clinic for Proactive Medicine, Terry Dezzutti of Merritt Athletic Clubs, Liz Vaccariello of Prevention Magazine and Michael Jones, PhD, PT, of the American Academy of Health, Fitness and Rehabilitation Professionals. The Industry Forum will be free to all show attendees: for information and registration, visit www.clubindustryshow.com/east. Club Industry East is sponsored by Club Industry magazine, and the Industry Forum is sponsored by PFP.