The way we were …
In March 1988 , just a few months after Nigel Champion , Garry Egger and Greg Hurst founded Network , we published our first issue of this publication . Before it became a magazine , however , it was a newsletter focused firmly on developments in the new world of aerobics . Welcoming readers to the newsletter , which reported on the 1987 Reebok National Aerobic Championships and promoted Network ’ s second ever event , ‘ Network 88 ’ in Surfers Paradise , Greg wrote :
“ Welcome to the very first issue of Network News , the complimentary aerobic newsletter for members of the Fitness Leader Network ( FLN ). This up-tempo newsletter has been created specifically to meet the needs of instructors and others involved in the Australian fitness industry .
… The aerobic industry is forever changing and growing , and fitness leaders are always asking how they can keep up to date . If you ’ ve ever wanted to know “ What ’ s happening ??” then Network News is for you – we hope you enjoy it .”
1 thing I ’ ve learnt
Lisa Champion , former Network Director , Counsellor & Psychotherapist , champion . net . au
“ 30 years ago I was in my late 20 ’ s and still feeling as if raw energy , determination , enthusiasm and hard work were the keys to success in both my personal and professional lives . As the decades have rolled on , and I ’ ve weathered highs and lows along the way , the thing I have learnt that has made the most difference to me is to have selfcompassion . Life feels much more balanced and grounded having found a way to accept myself through times of both high and low energy , times when I ’ ve felt super-determined to work towards a goal and times when I ’ ve let myself rest and re-charge . I don ’ t have to be endlessly energetic and determined to be successful . I don ’ t have to put on a facade . I can just be who I am and , through the lovely lens of selfcompassion , feel good about myself . We all fall down at times , we all have highs and lows and when we can accept ourselves and be honest with others through these times , we develop more authentic and genuine relationships – and that is absolute gold .”
Looking back at where it all began ...
Until the late sixties , the idea of exercising for good health and wellbeing was virtually non-existent . Then , former US Navy doctor , Kenneth Cooper , wrote a global bestseller in which he coined the term ‘ aerobics ’ and explained that the more the human body moves , the better it performs . This was the catalyst for the jogging craze that commenced in the early seventies .
At this time , fitness clubs focused on traditional strength training and body building , which created a very intimidating environment for women to train in . Then , in the mid-seventies , along came a workout format that ticked all the boxes . It was cardiovascular , it had strength and flexibility components , it was performed to popular music – and most importantly it was fun . This format took on Cooper ’ s term ‘ aerobics ’ and with the release in 1982 of ‘ Jane Fonda ’ s Workout ’ videos it became a worldwide fitness phenomenon . In Australia , aerobic classes were held in church and community halls , Surf Life Saving Clubs , and , eventually , fitness clubs .
Most of the early aerobics instructors came from dance backgrounds , and as such had little training in human movement . The result was a high incidence of injuries , including shin splints , back problems and vocal cord damage . Enter Australian Fitness Network to provide the training , music , resources , continuing education and conventions to equip thousands of instructors with the skills to deliver safe and effective classes .
By the mid-nineties aerobics saw a steep decline in class numbers . The reason was simple : instructors were teaching to the dedicated front row who wanted ever more complex moves , leaving newcomers and the less co-ordinated floundering at the back . In the late nineties , Network launched a class that used a barbell in a rigid pre-choreographed format : the original Body Pump class . This re-ignited the ‘ aerobic room ’ and kick-started the incredible global success of Les Mills International .
In the early 2000 ’ s the term ‘ aerobics ’ was losing its appeal and was replaced by ‘ group exercise ’, which encompassed everything from HiLo , step and freestyle , to pre-choreographed , cycle and boxing . Around 2005 , the Latin American inspired Zumba movement took hold . This was quite different to the Les Mills offering , as the business model was based on the instructor , rather than the club , buying a license . It proved a huge global success , with many Zumba instructors going back to where it all started – teaching classes in community halls .
So , where ’ s group fitness today ? Freestyle and prechoreographed classes still form the core of the timetable , but small group training formats such as functional training , boxing , Pilates , and HIIT are gaining popularity . The introduction of virtual classes , immersive workouts and home video streaming are also getting some traction . But no matter how good the technology is , aerobics / group exercise will be around for many years to come , as people will still want to exercise with others in a fun and supportive environment , just as many discovered they did 30 years ago .
Nigel Champion , Executive Director director @ fitnessnetwork . com . au
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