The wind-up of IDEA Personal Trainer Institute™ today marked the end of the 2007 IDEA event “season.”

It started in April in Chicago with IDEA Fitness Fusion™; in July we celebrated our 25th anniversary in San Diego at IDEA World; last month the Inner IDEA® Conference in Palm Springs helped center us for the home stretch here in Orlando. Read more >>

I should have stuck around John Blievernicht’s balance training class a little bit longer yesterday. I could have used some extra agility and proprioception this morning when I tripped over a hose during an early morning run and face planted myself directly in front of the turnstyles at the hallowed gates of the Magic Kingdom. Read more >>

For the past few years there’s been a lot of conversation in the personal training industry about considering the “whole” client in program design. From the person’s feet to the top of his head physically; to what goes into his body for nutrition; to how his psyche is fed, nurtured and motivated all combine for a potent equation of holistic wellness.
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I just figured out why Rip Van Winkle slept those 20 years. I heard he was at an IDEA World Fitness Convention and went home to take a little nap, but he was so physically and mentally spent that he slept right through the alarm (for a couple of decades). I reckon I’m in for a pretty lengthy nap just as soon as I proof this bad boy and send it over to Billy Pease and Gus Aguirre, the IDEA IT whizzes who made this phenomenal convention editorial-photo-video blog possible. Thanks so much, guys. Fantastic job. read more >>

How do you define passion in your life? Is your work your passion? Take a step back and gauge it. If it’s AWOL, it’s time to find it again. And if, by Day 3 of the IDEA World Fitness Convention®, yours has not been renewed, it’s probably time for a bit of soul searching. I’m pleased to say that mine is in overdrive today. After talking to members, presenters and Health and Fitness Expo exhibitors over the past few days, my creative tank is overflowing and I have a million ideas for content to share with you in the coming year. It’s been an excellent week. read more >>

Here is an example of classic irony: I’m at the world’s premier fitness conference and going crazy because I haven’t had any proper exercise since Wednesday. It’s like being thirsty in a rowboat in the middle of the ocean. Alas, I am surrounded by what would be paradise for me to participate in and I can only observe. This, my friends, is the life of an IDEA editor.   read more >>

Last night I went to sleep with illusions that I had become an IDEA World Fitness Pro. After 6 years of covering this event, I thought I had it wired. I eased into precons yesterday, stayed hydrated and fueled and got to bed (reasonably) early. How very grown up of me! I thought for certain I would wake refreshed and prepared to receive the wall of energy that usually hits me between the eyes and overwhelms me as I begin circulating on the first day of convention. Man, was I ever wrong. I was a choked-up, sniveling mess (in a totally good way) by 9:15 AM.   read more >>

Okay, here we go! After a year of hard work and planning, the IDEA staff descended on the San Diego Convention Center earlier this week to get things set up for a fitness and wellness extravaganza of international proportions. We are expecting more than 5,000 delegates, assistants, faculty, staff and Fitness and Wellness Expo guests over the next 5 days to help us celebrate IDEA's 25th anniversary…no small feat to pull off with just 30 or so regular staff!     read more >>