Elisa Edelstein - Coach360

Fitness Industry Intelligence The Career Network for Health, Fitness & Performance

The Missing Link: Emotional Intelligence in the Fitness Industry

As coaches and trainers accumulate technical knowledge, many struggle to connect with clients or build sustainable businesses. Lindsay Vastola, leadership coach and fitness industry veteran, identifies emotional intelligence (EQ) as the crucial element many fitness professionals overlook. Through years of experience running successful fitness businesses and coaching industry leaders, she’s witnessed how EQ transforms client relationships, business operations, and career trajectories.

EQ accounts for up to 58 percent of work performance across industries, but Vastola argues this percentage climbs even higher in service-based fields like fitness. “I would argue in the fitness industry, any service-based industry really, I’d say easily it’s closer to 70 to 80 percent,” she explains. The ability to read rooms, adapt communication styles, and understand client needs often determines success far more than technical exercise knowledge.

What Makes EQ Essential in Fitness

Emotional intelligence fundamentally changes how fitness professionals operate their businesses. For studio owners, high EQ influences hiring practices, staff development, and marketing strategies. For coaches and trainers, it enhances client interactions through improved communication and deeper understanding of client motivations.

Many fitness professionals make critical mistakes with clients due to limited perspective. A young trainer might tell a 55-year-old client with three kids and an aging parent to “just find one hour” for workouts, failing to recognize the complex realities of that person’s life. This disconnect stems from an empathy gap rather than technical incompetence.

The fitness industry suffers from what Vastola calls “soft skills with hard costs.” When gyms and studios neglect EQ development, they experience higher client turnover, staffing problems, and financial losses. Studio owners often make dangerous assumptions about staff capabilities, expecting employees to understand excellent service without proper training or examples.

Developing EQ as a Fitness Professional

Improving emotional intelligence requires consistent effort and self-reflection. Vastola recommends several approaches for fitness professionals looking to enhance their EQ skills.

Start with heightened self-awareness by paying attention to emotional triggers. “Notice things that agitate you or bother you,” Vastola advises. Those are the areas that need the most attention and work. Physical manifestations like a racing heart or tension provide clues to deeper emotional patterns worth exploring.

Reading provides foundational knowledge for EQ development. Vastola suggests Daniel Goleman’s “Emotional Intelligence,” “Crucial Conversations” for learning to handle difficult discussions, and Carol Dweck’s “Mindset” for developing a growth mentality.

Assessment tools offer valuable insights into personal communication styles. The DISC assessment helps identify dominant traits and adapt communication accordingly. Understanding your profile helps recognize how differently others may prefer to receive information. Some clients want concise, straightforward instructions (“just tell me the exercise”), while others need detailed explanations of mechanics, cues, and benefits.

Active feedback-seeking accelerates growth faster than waiting for evaluation. Ask questions from multiple sources, particularly from people who challenge you. This practice builds adaptability and expands communication range, making you valuable to employers and clients.

Final Thoughts

EQ functions as the connective tissue between technical knowledge and meaningful impact in fitness. As Vastola points out, it creates professionals who can adapt communication styles for different clients, read nonverbal cues, and provide experiences that keep people coming back.

The practice of emotional intelligence develops constantly throughout a career and a lifetime. Each new role, relationship, and situation stretches different aspects of EQ. While technical certifications provide essential knowledge, the ability to apply that knowledge through emotionally intelligent approaches determines who thrives long-term in this industry. For fitness professionals committed to making lasting differences in clients’ lives, developing EQ creates the foundation for everything else to build upon.

About Elisa Edelstein
Elisa is a curious and versatile writer, carving her niche in the health and wellness industry since 2015. Her lens is rooted in real world experience as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder and extended out of the gym and on to the page as a writer where she is able to combine her passions for empowering others, promoting wellness, and the power of the written word.

Career Lab by Coach360: Live From TheFitExpo Anaheim

The fitness community will gather for a powerful one-day summit as Coach360 launches its Career Lab live event in Anaheim on August 1st, 2025 (Register Now!). This exclusive pre-FitExpo experience offers attendees a carefully crafted day featuring breakfast with industry professionals, a collaborative workout session, and meaningful networking opportunities. The early bird priced $99 ticket grants access to both Career Lab Live and the full weekend of TheFitExpo festivities following on August 2-3.

Fitness professionals seeking career advancement, community connections, and industry insights will find tremendous value at this SoCal event. As a follow-up to Coach360’s Virtual Career Lab, which will take place on June 17th, this in-person gathering amplifies the career development mission while creating face-to-face connections impossible to replicate online.

Career Lab Experience

Career Lab by Coach360 Live delivers a concentrated day of professional growth specifically designed for fitness coaches and trainers. Participants begin with an intimate breakfast alongside respected fitness professionals, creating casual conversation opportunities with potential mentors and peers. This morning’s connection sets the collaborative tone for the day ahead.

The event continues with a group workout session that allows trainers to get up and move their bodies while building camaraderie with fellow professionals. Throughout the day, structured networking activities facilitate meaningful connections outside of exchanging business cards to establish genuine professional relationships.

For $100, attendees receive this full-day experience plus complimentary weekend access to TheFitExpo, Southern California’s premier fitness showcase. This value-packed admission grants fitness professionals multiple days of industry immersion for the price of a single event.

TheFitExpo Connection

The strategic timing before TheFitExpo maximizes the weekend potential for fitness professionals attending Career Lab Live. During the August 2-3 expo, attendees will sample leading brands’ latest energy drinks, supplements, protein products, and nutritional offerings. Although the 2025 lineup is yet to be announced, past expos have featured appearances by fitness icons, including 4X Olympia Champion Jay Cutler, celebrity trainer Corey Calliet, and social media phenomenon Granny Guns.

The expo floor buzzes with bodybuilding competitions, product demonstrations, and countless opportunities to discover emerging fitness trends. Experience the latest in AI wellness, fitness Avatar development, and EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) technology— you may even be the lucky winner of an EMS suit! Seeing these industry developments firsthand provides Career Lab attendees with practical knowledge they can immediately implement in their professional practices.

Coach360 positioned Career Lab Live as a pre-expo event (Register Now!), allowing fitness professionals to build relationships on Friday that carry forward into TheFitExpo weekend. This scheduling transforms what might have been a passive expo experience into an active professional development opportunity spanning multiple days.

Tickets are on sale for an early bird price of $99 before June 6th, after which, the price will rise to $149 per person. Don’t miss out on this amazing price point, sign up today!

Virtual to In-Person: The Career Development Journey

Before the Anaheim gathering, Coach360 kicks off its career development initiatives with the Virtual Career Lab on June 17th. This online event features presentations from industry standouts, including Christine Conti, Dan Duran, Jack Thomas, and Emma Vacanti. With 2,000 fitness professionals expected to attend virtually, this digital experience lays the foundational career concepts the in-person Anaheim event will build upon.

Businesses looking to connect with this engaged audience can still participate through virtual booths, sponsorship packages, or attending the August event in Anaheim. This multifaceted approach creates multiple touchpoints for professionals at every career stage. Sponsorship will also include a two-day pass to TheFitExpo hall.

The virtual-to-physical progression demonstrates Coach360’s recognition that different learning environments serve various purposes. The online event simultaneously delivers educational content and connection to thousands, while the Anaheim gathering fosters human connections and experiential learning in person.

Final Thoughts

Physical presence creates possibilities beyond our wildest imagination. The shared energy of a room full of passionate fitness professionals, spontaneous conversations during breakfast, workouts, expo hall breaks, and valuable chance encounters throughout Coach360’s Career Lab Live generate momentum even after the expo halls are vacant.

Career advancement happens through knowledge acquisition and relationship building. Coach360’s integrated approach addresses both requirements for professional growth. By bringing together motivated fitness leaders in a supportive environment before TheFitExpo’s industry showcase, Coach360 has crafted an experience that serves immediate professional needs while establishing connections that will fuel career development for years to come.

Career Lab by Coach360 Virtual Summit + Job Fair: Building Bridges Between Fitness Professionals and Dream Opportunities

The fitness industry thrives on passionate professionals who bring expertise, energy, and dedication to their work. Yet finding the perfect career match often presents significant challenges. Career Lab by Coach360 + Virtual Job Fair steps in as a solution, creating a digital meeting ground where fitness professionals can connect with leading employers on June 17, 2025. This premier virtual event combines practical career development sessions with direct access to hiring managers, offering attendees a unique opportunity to advance their professional journey while expanding their industry network.

What is Career Lab by Coach360?

Career Lab by Coach360 + Virtual Job Fair is a dedicated platform where fitness professionals and industry employers converge to create meaningful career connections. Taking place on June 17, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM Pacific Time, this virtual gathering offers a full day of specialized sessions designed to help fitness professionals advance their careers.

The event features a comprehensive program including strategic job-seeking workshops, employer panels revealing hiring insights, and specialized sessions on topics ranging from digital career opportunities to franchise ownership. Each segment of the day delivers practical knowledge that participants can immediately apply to their career development.

During educational sessions, attendees gain access to virtual booths to engage directly with potential employers, create connections, and explore job opportunities in real time. This structure allows professionals to learn about career advancement strategies and put them into practice within the same event.

Building Sustainable Fitness Careers

Projected to grow into an industry worth $202.78 billion by 2030, the fitness industry is ripe with opportunity to develop a career built to last. The Career Lab agenda addresses critical areas of career development with sessions tailored to the fitness industry. Opening with practical job fair navigation strategies, the day progresses through employer panels where hiring managers share what they look for in candidates.

Additional sessions explore growing areas like virtual career opportunities, skill diversification, and achieving financial success in the fitness industry. For those looking toward business ownership, dedicated sessions examine studio and franchise ownership pathways. This carefully structured program tackles immediate job-seeking needs and long-term career planning. With voices like Eloiza Tecson, Tatyana Sinn, Todd Durkin, and Nicole Pettito, you won’t want to miss the industry expert insights shared at these sessions. Register now to stay informed about the event. Attendees who attend a live virtual session will be automatically registered to win a $500 gift card in each of the sessions.

The event creates networking opportunities through scheduled breakout sessions at 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM, where virtual booths open for direct connections with employers. These interactive segments allow professionals to apply the strategies they’ve learned in real time while making industry connections that can shape their career trajectory.

For employers, the event offers various sponsorship levels from virtual booths to title sponsorship, providing organizations with different ways to connect with qualified talent. These options include branded virtual booths, panel hosting opportunities, and various levels of recognition throughout the event.

Final Thoughts

Nothing beats the feeling of having those pivotal conversations that can change the trajectory of your career path. Career Lab by Coach360 creates precisely these moments, bringing together fitness professionals and employers in a space designed for meaningful exchange. The structured format balances educational development with practical application, creating a powerful resource for career advancement.

By combining industry insights, employer access, and peer connections in one focused experience, Career Lab by Coach360 creates a launching pad for careers to flourish. Whether seeking a first position or exploring ownership opportunities, participants leave equipped with knowledge and connections, which are the two essential ingredients for sustainable career growth in the fitness industry.

RTR Pilates: Building Movement Masters Through Excellence and Community

Imagine stepping into a Pilates studio where classes keep you moving the whole time, instructors receive regular continuing education with various experts like pelvic floor specialists, and a robust training program turns passionate fitness enthusiasts into masterful instructors. RTR Pilates delivers this reality across its growing empire, with ambitious plans to reach 100 studios in the coming years.

Founded in 2006 by Reina Offutt, an electrical engineer with an MBA, RTR began when boutique fitness wasn’t even a term in the industry yet. What started as one location has expanded to seven studios, with numbers eight and nine already in lease negotiations. This remarkable growth stems from a business-first approach coupled with a genuine passion for creating exceptional movement experiences.

A Training Program That Maximizes Every Minute

RTR Pilates stands apart through three distinct advantages. First, its proprietary training program creates classes that keep clients moving almost 100 percent of the time. This emphasis on minimal transitions and equipment changes makes every 50-minute session incredibly efficient. As someone who’s sat through those painfully slow spring changes, I can attest that this focus on maximizing movement time delivers genuine value to clients.

Its training program accommodates various life circumstances. Whether someone can commit to intensive daily training for two weeks or needs weekend-only options to fit around a full-time job, RTR makes becoming an instructor accessible. The six-week curriculum converts passionate individuals into skilled instructors regardless of their previous Pilates experience. What matters most? The “it factor”; that special quality that combines organization, patience, time management skills, and authentic connection with clients.

Career Growth Beyond the Reformer

For Pilates instructors looking for stability in an often unpredictable industry, RTR offers something refreshingly different. The company provides instructors with comprehensive employment packages that include 401K plans, health insurance, dental, vision, and regular continuing education opportunities.

This commitment to professional development extends throughout an instructor’s career. From workshops with specialists like pelvic floor therapists to creating clear career advancement pathways, RTR treats teaching Pilates as a career rather than just a side hustle or temporary job. They assess potential instructors based on their ability to guide movement patterns effectively and connect with clients authentically, recognizing that technical skills can be taught,, while that special “it factor” must come naturally.

Each studio offers 85 to 92 classes weekly, running from 6 a.m. through 7 p.m. daily. RTR has discovered that its 2 p.m. classes draw crowds comparable to 6 a.m. sessions, which is a significant shift following the pandemic as more people prioritize wellness and work flexible schedules. This robust class calendar creates ample teaching opportunities for instructors seeking consistent income. Open RTR job listings are currently available in Marketplace by Coach360.

The Future of RTR: Retreats, Workshops, and Wellness Integration

RTR Pilates sees beyond reformer-based fitness. It is developing a three-tiered wellness program featuring international retreats, local day retreats within driving distance, and specialized workshops bringing experts from various wellness disciplines into its studios.

Its upcoming workshops for instructors include sessions with physical therapists specializing in back pain, helping instructors make Pilates accessible to individuals previously unable to participate. Additional workshops on prenatal and postnatal care demonstrate RTR’s commitment to serving diverse community needs through movement.

The expansion continues strategically, with plans to venture outside their current market next year. Rather than jumping time zones away, they’re focusing on East Coast locations within driving distance, applying lessons learned from a previous Colorado location that closed during the pandemic.

Final Thoughts

The fitness industry often treats instructors as disposable, leaving talented professionals burned out and underpaid. RTR Pilates breaks free of this pattern by creating sustainable careers and a genuine community. Its investment in comprehensive instructor development translates directly to client experience, and you feel the difference when taking a class with someone properly trained and adequately supported.

For fitness professionals seeking meaningful careers rather than just jobs, RTR represents what the industry could and should become. Their combination of business acumen and movement expertise creates studios where instructors and clients thrive. As our collective understanding of movement’s role in longevity and health continues growing, companies like RTR that prioritize accessibility, education, and instructor wellbeing position themselves at the forefront of fitness’s future.

Coach360’s Club & Studio Report: Architects of Tomorrow’s Fitness

Coach360 has released an essential industry report showcasing the brands reshaping fitness through innovative approaches. “The Architects of Tomorrow’s Fitness: How Visionary Brands are Redesigning the Fitness Industry” (download report now) offers a complete look at how leading studios and clubs meet modern consumers where they are while providing top-of-the-line services.

This guide highlights how forward-thinking brands have transformed traditional fitness models through technology integration, community-building, recovery science, and accessible fitness. The report examines how these brands have reconstructed the fitness experience, creating systems that address the full wellness spectrum.

What to Expect in the Report

Coach360’s detailed analysis will showcase fitness leaders who have established new industry benchmarks through practical innovations. The report explores studios deploying sophisticated technology that personalizes workouts and tracks progress with unprecedented precision. It examines thriving communities that foster accountability networks where members consistently support each other. Additionally, it investigates how recovery centers apply advanced science to optimize rest periods as an essential component of fitness regimens.

The guide demonstrates how data now drives decision-making across the fitness journey. This shift toward evidence-based practices allows for truly personalized experiences that adapt to individual needs and goals. Each featured innovation comes from visionary brands that identified gaps in traditional fitness models and boldly created solutions.

It also takes a look at inclusive fitness, creating accessible options for all types of bodies and abilities. The report will provide valuable insights into how these collective efforts have built an ecosystem where workouts adapt to individual biology, exercise becomes accessible for all body types and ability levels, and data provides clear pathways for sustainable progress.

Some Featured Innovators and Solutions

This report spotlights several standout brands reshaping the fitness industry. The guide examines brands like Walla, which provides studio owners with comprehensive management tools that streamline operations while enhancing client experiences.

Studios and clubs worldwide are rethinking wellness by utilizing forward-thinking approaches that align with people’s desires to improve their health. Modern consumers demand workouts that integrate easily into their busy lives, provide trackable results, and deliver meaningful outcomes for their overall well-being. As the world gets sicker, people want real solutions for preventative health, rather than waiting for a health scare to pop up and motivate them.

Coach360’s analysis deeply examines clubs and studios leading the way in innovation. It also covers accessibility innovations from companies like Flex, which expands accessibility to fitness financing by enabling HSA and FSA payments. Additionally, the report examines how platforms like Marketplace by Coach360 connect qualified fitness professionals with employers and consumers, creating dynamic spaces where careers flourish and fitness communities thrive.

The guide also focuses on equipment providers, like Echelon, whose connected fitness solutions track performance metrics and enable customized data-driven workouts. These technological advancements represent the future of personalized fitness programming based on individual metrics over generic approaches.

Final Thoughts

Coach360’s industry report arrives at a pivotal moment when fitness brands must develop to match changing consumer expectations and needs. As Efonda Sproles, Senior Vice President of Scouting and Talent at Life Time, put it, “If people are talking about it in the club, you’re already too late.” By highlighting the architects of tomorrow’s fitness landscape, this guide provides a roadmap for studios and clubs seeking to remain competitive and relevant.

The report inspires and provides practical resources for fitness professionals at every level. Whether you manage a boutique studio, direct operations for a national chain, or work directly with clients as a trainer or coach, these insights illuminate the path forward. Look for “The Architects of Tomorrow’s Fitness” from Coach360, your essential guide to the brands and strategies defining the future of our industry.

Flex: Unlocking HSA/FSA Payments for Fitness Professionals

The fitness industry faces numerous challenges, from staffing shortages to revenue optimization. Amid these challenges, many coaches and gym owners overlook a powerful financial tool that could help grow their business: Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payments. Most fitness professionals consider this payment option too complicated or assume it requires extensive paperwork and a deep understanding. Flex rewrites that narrative by creating a streamlined system that connects fitness providers with clients looking to maximize their pre-tax healthcare dollars.

Flex enables coaches, trainers, gyms, and eligible health and wellness businesses to accept HSA and FSA payments easily. The company has developed a solution that simplifies what was previously a confusing process, making these healthcare funds accessible for fitness services while maintaining compliance with IRS regulations.

How Flex Works for Fitness Professionals

While prescriptions and pharmacy items are automatically eligible for HSA/FSA spending, fitness services require a Letter of Medical Necessity—essentially a doctor’s note confirming that the service treats a specific medical condition, such as back pain or heart complications. Flex has created a straightforward process for obtaining this documentation.

For just a one-time $99 setup fee, fitness professionals receive:

A custom-branded landing page with their business information
Marketing materials, including email templates, social media assets, and signage
Full customer support for clients with HSA/FSA questions

The process works seamlessly for clients, too. They complete a 60- to 90-second form confirming they’re medically cleared for exercise and selecting their qualifying condition from an IRS-approved list. After paying a $15 telehealth fee (also HSA/FSA eligible), they receive their Letter of Medical Necessity within two hours. This letter remains valid for 12 months, allowing them to make multiple purchases throughout the year.

This is particularly valuable because clients find out they’re eligible in real time, meaning there’s no risk of purchasing services like personal training packages and later discovering they can’t be reimbursed. Flex handles all private health information, so fitness businesses never need to worry about compliance issues.

Driving Growth and Client Retention

Accepting HSA/FSA payments creates significant business advantages for fitness professionals. By offering this payment option, trainers and gyms can tap into clients’ pre-tax healthcare funds, money many consumers might otherwise leave unspent.

This capability serves as a client acquisition and retention tool. For clients with HSA/FSA funds, the ability to use pre-tax dollars represents a 30 to 40 percent discount on services. This price advantage makes fitness services more attractive and accessible, particularly during key spending periods.

Ben Noblet, Head of Partnerships with Flex, shared that fitness professionals can leverage seasonal opportunities throughout the year. During Q4, they can encourage clients to use expiring FSA funds by upgrading to larger class packages, so as not to waste their HFA/FSA dollars. In Q1, they can promote new purchases when fresh HSA/FSA funds become available. This creates natural marketing opportunities that don’t feel forced or repetitive.

The educational component proves particularly valuable. Many consumers don’t realize their HSA/FSA funds can cover fitness services with proper documentation. By informing clients about this option, fitness professionals demonstrate expertise and genuine care for their clients’ financial well-being, strengthening relationships and building loyalty.

The process requires minimal effort from fitness professionals, with just a 10-minute setup, which creates a permanent solution that works automatically. Flex handles all customer support questions, allowing trainers to focus on their best work without becoming HSA/FSA experts.

Final Thoughts

Financial barriers frequently prevent people from investing in their health and fitness. By bridging the gap between healthcare spending accounts and fitness services, Flex removes these obstacles while creating business growth opportunities for fitness professionals.

With Flex, financial constraints no longer need to stand in the way of health and wellness. For fitness professionals, this represents a perfect alignment of business growth and client service, where they can increase revenue while genuinely helping clients maximize their healthcare dollars and invest in their well-being. This win-win solution exemplifies how innovative financial tools can create value throughout the entire fitness ecosystem.

Fitness Instructor to Digital Empire: How Bree Mitchell Built the Fitness Career of her Dreams

Bree Mitchell’s journey through the fitness industry spans nearly 25 years of continuous evolution and adaptation. Beginning as a dancer and athlete who transformed her passion into a profession at 17, she has crafted a remarkable career that includes on camera and consulting work for large brands, running her fitness app, consulting with new instructors, and balancing family life. Her story exemplifies how dedication, flexibility, and an entrepreneurial spirit create lasting career success.

With a career that has touched almost every facet of the fitness world, from group instruction to corporate leadership, Bree exemplifies how fitness professionals can build fulfilling, sustainable careers through constant growth. Her path shows how embracing opportunities and taking calculated risks can lead to professional satisfaction and personal freedom.

A Multifaceted Career Path

Bree’s career began during her time at San Diego State University. A lifelong athlete and dancer, she frequented fitness classes at the campus recreation center until her talent caught the eye of the center director. “She said to me, ‘Why are you not teaching? You know the choreography so well—if I forget, I look at you,” Bree recalls. This observation prompted her to switch her major to kinesiology, get certified, and begin teaching group fitness classes at just 17 years old.

The initial step launched a career that would span multiple roles and locations. After college, Bree moved to San Francisco and joined The Bay Club Company, where she progressed through various positions, including Group Exercise Instructor, Personal trainer, program director, Pilates director, Sales director, and SVP of Group Fitness. Her versatility and drive eventually led to a recruitment opportunity with a fitness startup in Palo Alto, where she served as head of training and choreography, creating programs for children and adults, and traveling around the world to teach and certify instructors.

Throughout her career, Bree maintained her passion for teaching, never missing a week of instruction in nearly 25 years (not to mention spanning a pregnancy). This consistency and her natural performance abilities opened doors to on-camera coaching opportunities with Beachbody — appearing in P90X,Turbo Kick, and Country Heat instructor videos, Bowflex, and the FitOn app – which she currently is an active coach for.

Pivoting During the Pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Bree’s extensive experience positioned her to adapt to the “new normal”. While many fitness professionals struggled with the sudden transition to virtual training, Bree leveraged her knowledge to help the Bay Club take their 24 locations online.

Simultaneously, she witnessed explosive growth as a Coach with the FitOn app, and her own online teaching presence during the pandemic. Recognizing the opportunity, Bree took a leap of faith and launched her virtual fitness platform.

“I really love teaching and creating choreography, and I’m an entrepreneur at heart,” she shared. “So I just decided to take a leap of faith and follow my passion!” Starting with a basic desktop platform, she built her own app in 2023 and has maintained a loyal member base, some of whom have been with her for five years since the early days of virtual training.

The shift to virtual instruction also led to another business opportunity. As fellow instructors sought her advice on cameras, lighting, platforms, and technical setup, Bree offers consulting services to help other fitness professionals develop their online presence.

For coaches and trainers looking to build sustainable careers, Bree’s primary advice is refreshingly straightforward: “Don’t wait for the right time—just start! You don’t want to get lost in decision fatigue or perfectionism, you can always pivot, but you need to start somewhere!”

Final Thoughts

Bree’s fitness career showcases the power of saying yes to opportunities while staying true to your passion. From teaching college students to building her digital platform, Bree has continually adapted her skills to meet changing industry demands while maintaining her love for movement and instruction. Her career spans multiple roles, companies, and platforms, yet remains grounded in her consistent commitment to teaching every week for nearly two and a half decades.

Her journey reflects a stark truth: the path forward and to your dreams is rarely straightforward and takes an open mind and open heart. By remaining open to new challenges and building on her foundation of expertise, Bree has created a career that offers stability and flexibility. For fitness professionals seeking to write their own stories, her example demonstrates that taking action, even without perfect preparation, may lead you exactly where you need to be.

Join The Career Lab by Coach360 + Virtual Job Fair: Learn, Grow, and Get Hired!

The fitness industry thrives on connection, expertise, and opportunity. For professionals looking to advance their careers or employers seeking qualified talent, finding the right match can be challenging in today’s competitive market. The Coach360 Career Lab + Virtual Job Fair addresses this gap by creating a digital space where fitness professionals can connect with premier employers, access career development resources, and explore new opportunities across the industry spectrum.

This virtual event, set to launch on June 17, 2025, brings together 20 companies that are hiring across the United States representing more than 1,500 locations nationwide. It is a launchpad for career advancement in a rapidly growing and changing field, from personal trainers and group fitness instructors to studio managers and wellness coaches.

The Ultimate Fitness Industry Networking Platform

The Coach360 Career Lab + Virtual Job Fair is the premier virtual event connecting fitness professionals with career-building opportunities. With an expected attendance of over 2,000 fitness professionals live in on demand, the event creates meaningful connections. Participants gain direct access to hiring representatives from top brands, including Life Time and Well Reserved.

The event features an impressive lineup of industry leaders sharing their expertise across seven specialized sessions. Attendees will gain valuable insights from the likes of Efonda Sproles and Emma Vacanti from Life Time during the Employer Panel titled “What We Look for in Fitness Professionals: Secrets to Landing Your Dream Job.” Todd Durkin will join the “Building Your Brand as a Fitness Professional: The Power of Online Presence” session.

Later in the day, Christine Conti will share strategies during “How to Diversify Your Skills & Business to Stay Competitive in the Fitness Industry.” Participants will also hear from respected fitness authorities, including Rebecca Garity Pinto, Dan Duran, Nathan Hyland, Lindsey Greeley, and David Sherman-Presser. The carefully structured schedule accommodates professionals from East and West Coast time zones, with dedicated job fair periods ensuring everyone can connect with potential employers in the right time zones.

Career Development Resources and Expert Guidance

The Career Lab component delivers substantial value through expert-led presentations and panels. Attendees will learn essential strategies for personal branding, diversifying their fitness services, and leveraging digital platforms to expand their professional reach.

The day-long agenda features focused sessions on crucial career topics, including:

Building a distinctive personal brand that appeals to employers and clients
Diversifying fitness services to remain competitive in today’s market
Exploring virtual career opportunities and remote work trends
Scaling a fitness business through technology and digital tools
Understanding emerging trends shaping the future of fitness careers
Becoming a six-figure earner in the health and wellness industry

Each session combines theoretical knowledge with actionable tactics, ensuring participants leave with inspiration and practical steps for advancement. The live format allows for Q&A opportunities and a live chat session, creating an interactive experience that addresses individual career questions and challenges.

Coach360 is proudly giving away a $1000 prize to one lucky winner during the live virtual job fair to help a coach build their career. The winner must be present at the time of the job fair to claim the prize, as it will be announced during a live session. The event will also bring in universities through a collegiate program, working with colleges and universities to bring fresh talent into the fitness industry. Additionally, Coach360 is partnering with certifying bodies to bring top talent into the panels and job fair, ensuring unparalleled career matches and expert guidance.

Final Thoughts

The fusion of industry knowledge, networking opportunities, and practical career guidance makes the Coach360 Career Lab + Virtual Job Fair a pivotal event for fitness professionals at any career stage. As the industry grows and adapts to fit new trends, those actively pursuing connection and education position themselves for sustainable success.

Fitness professionals who take advantage of this opportunity will join a forward-thinking community dedicated to advancing their profession and the industry as a whole. The relationships formed and insights gathered during this event can drive career changes, whether finding an ideal employer match, expanding your market or offerings, or discovering a new direction entirely. In a field where personal connection drives success, this virtual platform creates an environment where careers can flourish.

REX Leadership Academy: Change the Game, Change the Results! Elevating Fitness Industry Leaders This July

Change the Game, Change the Results!

When the fitness industry shut down a few years ago, it was not operational ideas but good, authentic, visionary, strategic, and decisive leadership that brought us back. This is an opportunity for you to become one of those leaders!

The fitness industry faces ongoing challenges with staffing, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities. Many facility managers find themselves stretched thin, handling responsibilities once distributed among multiple team members. REX Leadership Academy addresses this critical need by offering hands-on, comprehensive leadership training tailored for health and fitness professionals who aim to strengthen their leadership capabilities. To change the results, you need to change the game!

From July 15 to 17, 2025, the beautiful Crotonville Conference Centre in New York will host this immersive leadership experience. The academy provides attendees with actionable strategies, professional networking, and expert guidance from industry veterans. This educational experience fills the void, creating a modern solution for today’s leadership challenges.

What is REX Leadership Academy?

REX Leadership Academy is a premier educational event focused on developing strong leaders within the fitness industry. Over two and a half intensive days, participants engage with critical leadership topics that directly apply to their roles in health and wellness. Unlike operational training found in typical webinars, this academy cuts the fluff and dives straight into real leadership training you can use every day.

The academy brings together a diverse faculty of industry experts, including successful club owners, financial specialists, and dynamic speakers. Attendees learn in an environment characterized by exceptional honesty and straightforward communication, which are values that define the REX approach to professional development.

Set on a spectacular 62-acre property previously serving as General Electric’s Leadership Development Center, the venue offers hiking trails, biking paths, a fully equipped fitness center, and four-star accommodations. This all-inclusive environment enhances networking opportunities and creates a distraction-free space for learning and growth.

Leadership Development Matters

Eddie Tock, CEO of REX, shared, “In 2019, you had three managers doing three jobs. In 2021, you had one manager doing three jobs. This changed the dynamics of clubs and eliminated time for learning and professional development.” This compression has eliminated time for professional development, creating a noticeable gap in leadership skills within many facilities.

This educational void affects every level of fitness facility management. Department heads lack the mentorship previously available, while regional managers face increasing pressure without additional support. Many talented professionals have left the industry entirely, seeking better work-life balance and compensation in other industries.

The REX Leadership Academy aims to reverse this trend by providing targeted education for rising stars, department heads, general managers, and regional managers. The curriculum addresses challenges these professionals face daily, emphasizing practical solutions over theoretical concepts. With incredible leaders like Dan Duran, Justin Tamsett, Lesley Carr, Brent Darden, Allison Flatley and Mark Miller leading immersive & intensive classes, each session will provide real guidance from those who have been very successful in their roles. The content is both engaging and informative.

Attendees also benefit from connecting with peers facing similar situations. These relationships often extend beyond the academy walls, creating valuable professional networks that support continued growth and problem-solving throughout participants’ careers.

Your Chance for a Free Scholarship

REX welcomes fitness professionals from various leadership roles who demonstrate a commitment to career growth within the industry. The ideal candidates include club and studio owners looking to elevate their business skills, facility managers aiming to inspire their teams, department heads working to maximize their department’s effectiveness, and leaders preparing for the future.

“If you want to make a career in this industry, this is an opportunity to learn from the best and get amazing preparation and support,” Eddie notes. “Many successful REX members attended similar education early in their careers when IHRSA, now HFA offered their IHRSA Institute that all of the REX team had taught at for 10 + years each, learning from faculty while networking with other rising stars.”

REX offers a sponsored ticket for free so they can support at least one rising star in their dream. They are excited about this opportunity and want to build on their career. One deserving fitness professional will receive free admission to the academy (normally $2,295 for REX members or $2,595 for non-members), with the recipient responsible only for food and lodging.

Keep your eyes peeled for information on how to apply for a free ticket to REX, which is coming soon!

Many attendees also opt in for an additional experience after the main program. This optional add-on includes transportation to Manhattan, accommodations at a boutique hotel near Grand Central, and guided tours of premier fitness facilities in the city, such as Chelsea Piers & Mercedes Club and trendy studios. This experience will provide valuable exposure to innovative concepts in metropolitan fitness settings.

Final Thoughts

Professional development often takes a backseat during challenging times, yet these periods demand more powerful leadership. REX Leadership Academy recognizes this paradox and creates space for fitness professionals to strengthen their capabilities when needed.

The academy is an investment in individual careers and the industry’s future. With a focus on leadership, this educational experience addresses the root cause of many challenges facing facilities and fitness businesses today. Participants leave equipped with practical strategies, professional connections, and renewed confidence, which benefit their personal career trajectories and the organizations they serve.

Firefighter to Fitness Innovator: How Brian Bartolomei Built Leviathan FitWerx

Personal training veteran Brian Bartolomei’s career path took an unexpected turn after he suffered back injuries during firefighting rescues. These setbacks became the catalyst for creating innovative fitness equipment designed to solve problems he personally experienced. After nearly three decades as a personal trainer, cancer survivor, and confronting mounting physical limitations, Bartolomei channeled his expertise into developing equipment that makes training safer and more effective.

The result is Leviathan FitWerx, a company bringing thoughtfully designed fitness solutions to the market. His flagship product, the Lift Ryte, emerged from his rehabilitation needs and has evolved into a versatile tool, gaining traction in facilities from boutique studios to professional athletics and everything in between.

A Service-Oriented Journey

Bartolomei’s path reflects his commitment to helping others. At 18, he began as a lifeguard and then moved into physical therapy as an assistant, introducing him to therapeutic exercise and eventually personal training. His career took another turn when a client, a San Diego firefighter, inspired him to join the firefighting profession.

“I’ve always been kind of service-oriented,” Bartolomei explains. “My dad was in the Navy, and firefighting obviously puts you in the thick of helping people at their worst time.”

Two separate back injuries during rescues ultimately ended his firefighting career. During his self-managed rehabilitation process, Bartolomei began developing what would later become the Lift Ryte unit. What started as a personal solution quickly became something others found valuable, eventually spurring him to establish Leviathan FitWerx to manufacture and sell the equipment.

Personal training remained his passion for nearly 30 years, but physical limitations began taking their toll. After surviving cancer (which doctors believe may have been linked to firefighting foam exposure), and dealing with bilateral rotator cuff tears, arthritis in both shoulders, and a torn labrum, Bartolomei recognized the need to transition. Creating innovative fitness equipment allowed him to continue making an impact while protecting his long-term health.

The Innovation Behind Leviathan FitWerx

Leviathan FitWerx’s flagship product, the Lift Ryte, demonstrates the practical problem-solving at the heart of Bartolomei’s approach. What began as a shoulder press attachment for a landmine quickly evolved into a versatile training tool offering significantly expanded functionality.

“I was using a dual-handhold landmine attachment, but the problem was when going from the ground to a press movement, you had to let go and then get underneath it,” Bartolomei describes. This limitation prompted him to modify the design by adding rotating bars to seamlessly transition from clean to press without releasing the handles.

The innovation continued as he realized a full bar across the unit would allow unlimited hand position variations. This dramatically expanded the equipment’s versatility, enabling everything from RDLs and bent-over rows to deadlifts, Zircher squats, thrusters, jerks, and ballistic movements. The result is equipment that serves as a teaching tool for proper technique and a way to perform advanced movements with greater stability.

Alongside the Lift Ryte, Bartolomei has developed the Ground Control, a foot support system for suspension trainers that provides fixed, adjustable foot positioning for people with ankle, knee, and hip mobility limitations.

Building an Equipment Company from Scratch

Transitioning from personal trainer to equipment manufacturer hasn’t been without challenges. “There are a lot of things that come up that you’re like, ‘Oh, I didn’t even think about that,'” Bartolomei admits, citing unexpected costs like liability insurance, packaging requirements, and manufacturing complexities.

With a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology rather than an MBA, Bartolomei has navigated the business learning curve while carefully building partnerships. He’s established relationships with two specialized resellers—one focused on military applications and another targeting high school and college athletics. The Lift Ryte has already found homes in several Lifetime Fitness locations, local studios, and recently, a high school in Kentucky.

His current focus centers on the CrossFit market, with 12,000 worldwide gyms representing tremendous growth potential. Intellectual property protection remains a priority, with patent approval expected soon. This strategic approach to distribution and partnership, carefully avoiding marketplaces where knockoffs flourish, reflects Bartolomei’s protective stance toward his innovations.

Final Thoughts

The path from service professions to entrepreneurship demonstrates how passion for helping others can find expression through different avenues. For Bartolomei, creating equipment represents a natural evolution, continuing to improve lives while adapting to personal circumstances. Each piece of Leviathan FitWerx equipment embodies practical solutions born from firsthand experience with training challenges.

Through Leviathan FitWerx, Bartolomei has multiplied his impact beyond one-on-one training sessions, potentially reaching thousands of fitness enthusiasts through thoughtfully designed equipment that makes movement safer and more effective. His story reminds us that our most significant contributions sometimes emerge from navigating our obstacles and limitations.

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