Network Magazine (NZ) Summer 2019 | Page 8

INDUSTRY INSIGHT News, views and lessons learnt FILEX CONVENTION TO HAVE THREE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS FILEX, the fitness industry convention, will feature three keynote speakers for the first time when it returns to the International Convention Centre in Sydney from 1 to 3 May 2020. ‘For the first time in FILEX Convention history there will be a third keynote address, with Kurt Fearnley three-time Paralympic gold medalist and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist being the 2020 headline keynote speaker’ said a FILEX spokesperson; ‘Attendees will have the chance to hear first-hand about Kurt’s challenges and triumphs including how he crawled the 96 kilometre Kokoda Track for charity.’ Pre-release tickets for the event sold out in record time and with just 150 tickets available at Early Bird rate, the bargains are there for those organised enough to secure their registrations early – especially Network Members who can also save over $150 on standard rates. For details of the full program and to secure your registration, go to filex.com.au Source: FILEX INDUSTRY RESEARCH REVEALS BOOMERS AS ‘MOST ACTIVE GENERATION’ Research commissioned by industry registration body Fitness Australia recently found Baby Boomers to be the country’s most active generation, with an average 364 hours of physical activity annually. By comparison, those under 40 averaged 281 hours each year. Some of this difference may be attributed to another finding of the research which found that those aged under 40 are more than twice as likely as Boomers to avoid physical activity because they feel they don’t fit in. Fitness Australia CEO, Barrie Elvish, said that while the majority of Baby Boomers are getting physically active to improve their health, confidence is also a huge driver. ‘Our research found that for half of older Australians a key benefit of being active is proving to themselves that they can still do it. As a Baby Boomer myself, it is extremely gratifying to see this generation embracing physical activity, challenging themselves and enjoying the physical, mental and social benefits.’ Elvish said the desire among Baby Boomers to be healthy, confident and strong has led to an increased demand for experts who understand Baby Boomers’ needs as well as tailored programs. ‘We now have almost 10,000 Fitness Australia registered trainers qualified to specifically work with Baby Boomers and service the increasing number heading to gyms and fitness centres. Boomers are also enjoying a range of other activities including walking, gardening, swimming and playing team sports’ said Elvish. Source: Fitness Australia 8 | NETWORK SUMMER 2019