Network Magazine Winter 2016 | Page 4

‘ We will have to build factories to cut off people ’ s toes ’ screamed the front page headline on the Sunday paper ; ‘ Dire warning on diabetes ’.

A bit sensationalist , surely ? Perhaps not . Perhaps this is the in-your-face approach needed to keep the obesity epidemic at the forefront of mainstream conversation .

But it ’ s already in the mainstream , isn ’ t it ? Shows like The Biggest Loser have highlighted that we ’ re no longer the fit and healthy nation that we are often perceived to be . True , but do we really talk about society ’ s problem , or merely that of the handful of people on our screens ?

Working in the fitness and health industries , we are hyper-aware of this issue – but what will it take to make the rest of society sit up , listen and actually do something ? The collapse of the healthcare system that many doctors predict ?

It can be tempting to think that , if people can ’ t control their own wellbeing , government should intervene . By doing what ? Banning certain foodstuffs and prescribing compulsory exercise in exchange for healthcare ? Even if this was workable , it goes against what we know about long term behaviour change needing to be self-determined .

On page 67 , Richard Beddie discusses the pressure on the NZ government to follow the UK and tax sugary drinks . He advocates education as a preferred option . On page 8 , Network ’ s Lifetime Achievement Award winner , Lisa Westlake , also writes of the need to reach the huge percentage of non-exercisers by spreading the word to our local communities at every given opportunity .

The topic of how we realise our potential as an industry by making as big a difference as we can was on the table at our recent FILEX Convention . On an individual level , we are vastly enhancing , and sometimes even saving , lives – the challenge is to extend our reach beyond the small percentage who currently participate in adequate levels of physical activity .

Something has to change : if it doesn ’ t , those ‘ dire warning ’ headlines will become more than just ominous predictions .

Oliver Kitchingman , Editor editor @ fitnessnetwork . com . au

NETWORK ’ S CORE PURPOSE

‘ To inform , inspire and educate our members to be the best they can be ’

fb . me / ozfitnetwork twitter . com / ozfitnetwork pinterest . com / ozfitnetwork

# ozfitnetwork

Your Network Membership provides you with access to 8 CECs or 1 PDP annually at no extra cost .

EDITOR Oliver Kitchingman

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 . © 2016 All material copyright to Australian Fitness Network . All rights reserved .

ADVERTISING IN NETWORK If you are interested in advertising in Network magazine or on Network ' s website or online publications , please phone 02 8412 7486 or email editor @ fitnessnetwork . com . au .

Printed by IntoPrint . intoprint . com . au Cover image courtesy of Personal Training Academy

COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS Unless otherwise specified , all competitions / giveaways contained in this issue commence on 10 June 2016 and conclude on 25 July 2016 . 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 at 47 Hume Street , Crows Nest NSW 2065 and will be notified by email no later than 15 August 2016 . Full terms and conditions can be obtained at fitnessnetwork . com . au / competition-terms-and-conditions

STAFF DIRECTORY To call a member of the Network team , simply insert their extension number ( see below ) to 02 8412 74 __ __ For the fitnessU team , insert the extension number to 02 8579 69 __ __

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Ryan Hogan 23

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Paige Nossiter Membership Coordinator 02 Tess Wilson Membership Consultant 01

EVENTS Bel Fong Events Coordinator 18

NETWORK EDUCATION Alisha Smith , Education Manager 11 Rebecca Carle Education Assistant 21

fitnessU EDUCATION Paul Bulatao National VET Manager 17 Emma Harvey Education Coordinator 80 Kathryn Weihen , Online Trainer 10 Larissa Harcombe Career Advisor 34 Tyson Atkins Career Advisor 03

4 | NETWORK WINTER 2016