The national governing body for group exercise, Exercise Move Dance UK (EMD UK), has launched a new award to present at the International Fitness Showcase (IFS) next month.
The award is designed to recognise passionate and inspiring instructors who really want to make a difference. EMD UK, which now reaches a quarter of a million group exercise professionals, is hoping to find instructors who are making positive changes to their community and creating opportunities for people to take part in group exercise.
The award criteria are as follows:
- Instructors must teach at least five classes per week
- Instructors must have a minimum of 50 participants regularly attending their classes
- Instructors must be able to demonstrate how they have encouraged people in their community to attend their classes; how have they gone above and beyond each week?
For example: organising charity events; bringing people into the group exercise environment who wouldn’t usually attend; providing support outside of class times; building a community and support network of participants as well as supporting other instructors; or engaging with under-supported demographic groups such as black and ethnic minority, and disabilities.
What must you provide?
The instructor must provide five written testimonials from class participants explaining their journey from being inactive to active. EMD UK asks instructors to include information on the starting point of the journey and the result achieved as a direct result of the instructor’s support.
Closing date for nominations: Friday 2 March 2018
Commenting on the newly launched award, CEO at EMD UK, Ross Perriam, said, “As the national governing body, we want to make sure that group exercise caters to ‘someone like me’ and ensure everybody has the opportunity to take part. EMD UK is committed to driving positive change by understanding and removing the barriers that prevent people from taking part, and by supporting instructors to deliver excellence.”
EMD launches Dance the Distance
The new award isn’t all that’s new for Exercise Move Dance UK. IFS 2018 will also see the greatly anticipated launch of its charitable fundraising fitness model – Dance the Distance®.
Instructors will lead exercise classes equating to 5K in dance steps as opposed to running, to raise vital funds for their chosen charity. Those instructors interested in holding an event can visit the EMD UK stand at the IFS and chat to the team to find out more – EMD will offer support by providing music, choreography, marketing support, and event guidance.
EMD UK’s COO, Emma Forward, was keen to highlight the importance for fit pros to get involved, “Dance the Distance provides a brilliant opportunity for instructors to deliver a fundraising event, giving them all the tools and resources they need. Instructors can use Dance the Distance to attract new participants, retain existing class goers, and raise vital funds for charities of their own choosing.”
Dance the Distance is being presented at the International Fitness Showcase in the Spanish Hall on Saturday 24 March at 10:30am and Sunday 25 March at 8:30am. The presenters are Gillian Reeves, Lisa Brockwell and Jo Cooper.
Where next? Triathlete Lucy Gossage reveals her training tips
