Sessions
Morning Sessions (MST)
Saturday May 10 am
Afternoon Sessions (MST)
Saturday May 10 pm
Conference sessions are subject to change.
Saturday May 10
Sessions: Block 1
8:00-9:15 am
Matthew Bain - Motivation: How does it really work? | Lecture theatre 2-215
Join Matt for an intriguing discussion on current motivation theory. Deconstruct your current understanding of motivation by asking questions about how your motives formed in the first place. Learn how self-talk impacts self-confidence, and how you can help to dismantle myths so that you can reconstruct motivation within yourself, your clients and your participants. By understanding how to think about and apply motivation, you can strengthen your skills, improve your interactions with others and your relationship with yourself.
Jessica Power Cyr - Blast the A**: Activate those gluteal muscles | Main Gym
The gluteal muscles are so important for everyday function. We need them to maintain an upright erect posture and maintain proper pelvic alignment, and we need them for propulsion during walking and running, and even standing on one leg. This workshop is perfect for all instructors from older adult fitness to mind-body specialties. Jessica will review the gluteal muscles and their function, and then present you with effective exercises to blast each of those muscles. You’ll come away with postural cues, and exercises to help your participants effectively engage their gluteal muscles.
Robin O’Grady - The Art of the Warmup: Setting the stage for success | East Gym
A well-designed warm-up is the foundation of a great class. It prepares your participants for movement and sets the tone for an engaging and effective workout. Yet, warm-ups can be overlooked or approached with a one-size-fits-all mentality. In this workshop, you’ll explore how to create intentional, dynamic warm-ups that align with the specific demands of different class styles—including strength training, HIIT, barre, step, and more. You’ll come away with tools to build creative, purpose-driven warm-ups that enhance participants’ experience, performance and reduce their risk for injury.
Sessions: Block 2
9:30–11:00 pm
Gisèle Tenant - Understand, Connect and Transform | Lecture theatre 2-215
Understanding and connecting with clients and class participants is essential for their success. Join Gisèle to discuss the intersections of motivational interviewing, the “Big 5”personality theory, and the Myers-Briggs type indicator. Explore practical insights and real-world applications of these tools to enhance your ability to motivate, inspire, and connect with your clients and participants.
Jessica Power Cyr - Wall Pilates | Main Gym
Pilates is all the rage right now but why not move it away from traditional mat classes? Learn how to incorporate Pilates exercises into any class, with the support of a wall. Jessica will review standing, seated and floor Pilates exercises that all use the wall. You’ll come away with combos that will give your participants sculpted abs, legs and glutes and a strong core.
Robin O’Grady - Step: From basic to brilliant | East Gym
Get ready to dive into an electrifying class bursting with energy and innovative choreography! Leave with the tools and confidence to create your own unique choreography. In this session you’ll learn:
The art of choreography layering and techniques to mix, match, and create new sequences.
How to seamlessly blend final-product choreography with detailed breakdowns, ensuring your classes flow smoothly and effortlessly.
A treasure trove of interchangeable combos and sequences to breathe new life into your classes.
Helen Vanderburg - Fluid Movement | Dance Studio
The human body is designed to move with power and grace. To move without restriction requires a balance between mobility, stability, and strength to create ideal symmetry. In this session, you’ll learn a series of integrated and isolated movement patterns to free restrictions in the body, enhance movement quality, and gain optimal performance in life. We will discuss popular training techniques and how to implement them into your participants’ and clients’ training programs.
Krista Popowych - Ride Revolution | Cycle studio
Today’s indoor cyclists want more than just a workout—they want results. This workshop focuses on creating cycling classes that are intensity-based and aligned with specific physiological goals. Using proven indoor cycling methods, you’ll learn to design classes that meet the needs of any rider, whether they prefer beat-based, HIIT, or power-focused workouts. Get ready to ride the revolution!
Sessions: Block 3
11:15 am-12:45 - pm
Andy Kitchen - The Fitness Professional as a Role Model | Lecture theatre 2-215
Explore concepts of what it means to be a role model as a fitness instructor, with special attention paid to your role as health and wellness ambassadors. In this lecture-style session you’ll examine the importance of social interactions in class and how fitness classes can build community. You’ll also explore how you impact your participants with the words you choose. In this session you’ll:
learn ways to improve your connection with participants
look at your teaching style to determine what you do well, and what you want to change or improve
Jessica Power Cyr - Barre HIIT | Main Gym
Join Jess for an intense yet fun Barre HIIT workshop. Jess will provide you with class format ideas and lots of fun combos, including:
upper body barre-inspired exercises with light weights and loop bands
sculpting lower body barre-inspired exercises with body weight and loop bands
short, intense, barre inspired cardio drills
Krista Popowych - Body and Brain Boost! | East Gym
Elevate your fitness and sharpen your mind in this unique workshop! Combining physical exercises with brain-training drills, your participants will improve coordination, focus and mental agility while building strength and endurance. Perfect for all levels of fitness, this session challenges both body and brain, leaving you energized and ready to tackle anything. Train smarter, move better and think faster!
Helen Vanderburg - Functional Pilates | Dance Studio
Functional Training continues to be a top trend in the fitness industry. Discover how Pilates-based techniques can enhance your functional training methods. Built on a solid foundation of science and movement mechanics, you’ll acquire the necessary strategies and techniques to develop functional movement programs for your clients. Explore functional and applied movement principles and assess movement patterns that create conscious movement habits for effective results in everyday life and high performance. This core-centric workshop is ideal for any exercise professional. Pilates experience is not necessary.
Judy Cudrak - Mastering Motivation in the Training Zones | Cycle studio
Let’s take a tour through the training zones! Many of our cycling classes typically incorporate drills that include training zones from 1 to 7. But, each of these zones have a different level of intensity and a different feel. How do we describe them, so our participants can recognize them as separate and distinct? In this workshop, you’ll examine the intensity cues that correlate to each zone. You’ll explore perceived exertion cues, and motivational cues to enhance your description of each zone. Come and connect to the cueing!
Lunch 12:45 - 1:15
On your own
Sessions: Block 4
1:15 - 2:45 pm
Lisa Workman - Understand Your Spine: The foundation of movement | Lecture theatre 2-215
Dive into the essentials of spinal alignment and explore how pure movement principles can ease tension and create stability. You’ll gain insights into each segment of the spine, from cervical to lumbar, and learn how to activate and stabilize core muscles in a way that supports each vertebra’s natural movement. This pure movement approach enhances both flexibility and strength, ensuring that every twist, forward bend, and extension is performed safely and effectively. Perfect for those who want a stronger, pain-free back for both physical activity and daily life.
Gisèle Tennant - Functional Movement Flow for Older Adults | Main Gym
Good functional movement starts with good range of motion. Range of motion is related to flexibility. In this dynamic workshop, you’ll briefly discuss the three aging curves while focusing on the connective tissues and their effects on mobility, flexibility, and overall well-being. Through interactive demonstrations, you’ll discuss practical range-of-motion exercises and techniques tailored specifically for older adults. Discover how incorporating targeted range of motion and stretches into your fitness classes and programs can mitigate the effects of aging, promote independence, and empower individuals to live life to the fullest. Get ready to inspire your participants and clients to age gracefully!
Robin O’Grady - All the Tools: A portable equipment tour| East Gym
Break free from old habits and reimagine your class experience. Take a refreshing journey through all the tools at your disposal. Tap into a wealth of innovative possibilities to unlock their full potential. From resistance bands to stability balls, learn how to revitalize your routines and captivate your participants with dynamic and engaging exercises. Share ideas, and brainstorm with your peers. Ignite a renewed sense of passion, and elevate your teaching to new heights.
Helen Vanderburg - Unlocking Mobility: Bridging science and practical application | Dance studio
The link between mobility and performance is very clear whether it’s to improve activities of daily living or athletic endeavors. The pathway for enhancing mobility is varied depending on the specific needs of your clients. In this workshop, you’ll learn common imbalances in the body, explore the upper and lower crossed syndrome theory, and the role of fascia in mobility. Experience mobility exercises to target tight and weak sites in the body to enhance your personal training client sessions, add to your classes or to create a dedicated mobility workout.
Jessica Power Cyr - Active Pulse: The heart rate ride | Cycle studio
Cardiovascular training is one of the most important determinants of overall health. Learn how to create effective cardiovascular workouts that are individualized to your participants, using the Tanaka Heart Rate equation and your resting heart rate. Jessica will take you through a 90-minute cycle workout that is systematic, challenging, and sure to challenge your participants. She’ll also provide you with a fabulous playlist that you can use for your classes.
*(optional) Bring and wear your HR monitor to add to your learning experience
AQUATIC SESSION | 1:15-2:30 pm
Andy Kitchen - K.I.S.S.: Keep it simple and stunning
This workshop will keep it simple and learn how to crank up the intensity of the moves we know, and that our participants love, by modifying your technique and teaching style. Then you’ll layer movements together for something fresh and new. Andy will review water principles and focus on the 3D use of the water, to increase variety, vary intensity and maximize fun!
Sessions: Block 5
3:00–4:15 pm
Matthew Bain - Mindfulness and Performance | Lecture theatre 2-215
This session will be an interactive, skill-development session. You’ll discuss aspects of mindfulness such as attention, and our abilities to know how attention is working, You’ll learn how to create a narrative around attention, for and with your clients, and ways to recognize and strengthen a mindful approach within the attention realms. You’ll discuss the development of meta-awareness (awareness of being aware), helping others to develop a non-judgemental approach with themselves, and then strengthening the skills and benefits of mindfulness as a tool.
Helen Vanderburg - Flexibility Formulas | Main Gym
Flexibility training seems to be the final frontier in exercise design and research. As much as we know about flexibility training there is still much that is unknown. The debate of "to stretch or not to stretch" at this time seems to be based more on personal preference. In this session, you’ll look at the science of flexibility, physiology of stretching, stretching progression, and explore a variety of stretching techniques. Learn the latest stretching techniques and the process to determine which method is the right one for your clients and participants.
Krista Popowych - Lean in, Lean Out | East Gym
Let’s lean in and transform! Ignite your metabolism in this high-energy workshop. Combining strength, cardio and dynamic intervals, you’ll learn effective workouts designed to maximize calorie burn and boost metabolic efficiency. Discover strategies to build lean muscle and maintain a strong active body. Perfect for instructors or trainers looking to rev up their members’ fitness routine and achieve sustainable results.
Simone Hodgkinson - Release the Shoulders | Dance studio
Help your shoulders with yoga and myofascial release techniques. Using a combination of yoga poses and tennis ball release techniques you’ll ease away tension, shoulder discomfort, neck pain and improve mobility. Learn a sequence you can share with clients and repeat on yourself. No experience necessary. Please dress warmly and comfortably.
AQUATIC SESSION: 2:45-4:00 pm
Judy Cudrak - Building Aqua Choreography Blocks—Backwards!
When breaking down movement combinations, we typically take the finished choreography, and work backwards. But how? So many methods! Come join this workshop as we take complex shallow-water combinations, using various break-down methods, to work from part to whole. Exploring these methods, you’ll create choreography break-downs that are easy to follow, leading to successful class plans and happy participants!
Sessions: Block 6
4:30-5:30 pm
Lisa Workman - Reset and Rejuvenation For the Fitness Professional: A yoga nidra retreat| East Gym
As a fitness professional, your days are filled with the rewarding yet demanding task of guiding others on their wellness journeys. Amidst the hustle and dedication, it’s essential to prioritize your own well-being. Join us for a transformative session designed exclusively for fitness professionals who are ready to rest, rejuvenate, and recharge. Immerse yourself in the deeply restorative practice of Yoga Nidra, also known as yogic sleep. The guided meditation technique will help you achieve profound relaxation, reduce stress, and restore your inner balance.
Simone Hodgkinson - Stretch, Then Relax | Dance Studio
Let’s release tight muscle groups, get a really good stretch! Then be guided into a blissful state of deep relaxation. Calm your nervous system, release tension and balance stress, as you use progressive and autogenic relaxation techniques. No experience necessary. Please dress warmly and comfortably.
AQUATIC SESSION: 4:15-5:30 pm
Patty Grant - Speechless Cueing | Aquatic
Did you know that you can teach an entire aquatic exercise class without saying a word? Both verbal and nonverbal communication are essential to your participants’ experience, but nonverbal communication is significantly under-rated. Elevate your understanding of nonverbal communication and how to use it to your advantage. This workshop explores nonverbal deck communication as it relates to teaching aquatic exercise, through expressions, gestures, posture, physical environment, paralanguage, vocalization and more.