Network Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 3
Exclusive! Your next clients are waiting to be included
We all like to be sold exclusivity, don’t we? Makes us feel
special to think we’re getting something that the masses
aren’t. Indeed, the facility you work at or operate might
trade a little on this premise. But what about inclusivity?
A perennial problem for the fitness industry is its
inability to reach 80% of the population – the people
that need our services the most. For some, the reason
they stay away is the perception of exclusivity, of not
feeling comfortable entering venues they believe to
be populated only by ‘the beautiful people’. Perhaps
our own advertising and marketing imagery could
have something to answer to here: what we consider
aspirational, others may deem intimidating.
Imagine, if you can, being in the shoes of Dean Clifford,
the author of our feature on page 28. A lifelong sufferer
of the rare genetic condition epidermolysis bullosa, his
skin is so fragile that, heartbreakingly, he couldn’t even
be held by his parents as a child. The gym environment
seems the antithesis of where you might expect to find
Dean, yet 12 years ago he began his unlikely powerlifting
journey. How comfortable would he have felt training in
your facility?
On page 40, Amy Webster shares her insights into
making fitness more accessible to people on the autism
spectrum, who, research shows, are less likely than
others to participate in sport or physical activity due, in
part, to sensory challenges and heightened anxiety in
social situations. How ready is your club to welcome this
demographic?
In her article on page 60, Fiona Compston shares
her experience of putting on a business-boosting
community event that brought new people into the
facility by providing them with no-strings-attached, life-
enhancing tools and expertise.
The lifeblood of every trainer and facility is our local
community, which encompasses all human life. Pursuing
exclusivity may work for some, but for others could
alienate potential new clients and members. From both
a human and a business perspective, inclusivity makes
sense.
How inclusive are you?
Oliver Kitchingman, Editor
[email protected]
AUSTRALIAN FITNESS NETWORK
NETWORK’S CORE PURPOSE
‘To inform, inspire and educate our members
to be the best they can be’
Post: Ground Floor, 40 Oxley St, St Leonards,
NSW 2065
Ph: 1300 493 832 (local call rate)
Ph: 02 8412 7400
fb.me/ozfitnetwork
twitter.com/ozfitnetwork
ozfitnetwork
Web: fitnessnetwork.com.au
E-mail: [email protected]
NETWORK MAGAZINE
Editor, Oliver Kitchingman
1
PDPs
Network magazine is the official quarterly publication of Australian Fitness
Network. It is distributed in March, June, September and December.
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, Australian Fitness Network
accepts no responsibility for the correctness of any facts or opinions. All
information including prices (quoted in AUD) is correct at time of publishing,
but may be subject to change. Where CECs are stated, they may only
be applicable within Australia. We welcome articles from all industry
professionals on the understanding that the author ensures the work they
submit is their own. No material in Network magazine may be reproduced
in any form without the written consent of the publisher. © 2018 All
material copyright to Australian Fitness Network. All rights reserved.
ADVERTISING
For information on advertising in Network magazine, direct email marketing,
or through Network’s social media and other online options, please email
[email protected], call 02 8412 7486 or click HERE.
COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS
Unless otherwise specified, all competitions/giveaways contained in this issue
commence on 18 September 2018 and conclude on 29 October 2018. Each
competition is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the
winner. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Winners will be selected by the editor and will be notified by email no later than
9 November 2018. Click HERE for full Terms and Cond itions.
Your Network Membership provides
you with access to 8 CECs or 1 PDP
annually at no extra cost.
THE NETWORK TEAM
We love hearing from our Members. Get in touch using the details below.
Network Leader: Katrina Cochrane
[email protected], 02 8412 7411
Editor: Oliver Kitchingman
[email protected], 02 8412 7486
Graphic Designer: Jack Lee, Novu Creative,
[email protected], 0466 426 649
Membership Consultant: Paige Nossiter
[email protected], 02 8412 7402
Accounts: Accounts Team
[email protected]
Special Projects: Ryan Hogan
[email protected]
Learning & Development Coordinator: Bel Fong
[email protected], 02 8412 7418
NETWORK SPRING 2018 | 3