Ignite Fitness Business to expand with new Group Fitness Summit in 2024

Looking to address demand for group fitness education and resources, independent gym owner Mel Tempest, founder of the Ignite Fitness Business events series, has announced the launch of the Ignite Group Fitness Business Summit.

Introducing the inaugural Ignite Group Fitness Business Summit, to be held in Melbourne in the first quarter of 2024, Tempest explains “group fitness instructors, managers and independents who run small group training studios have been starved of education, resources and tools; new group fitness programming is scarce, and when it's available, it's expensive.”

Tempest says “but the industry is starving for group fitness education and resources with group fitness having been thrown on the back burner for many years despite it playing an essential role in all clubs.

“During the pandemic, members of health clubs were exposed to a supermarket of online programming on a global scale and research over the last 123 months has identified that while members are returning to clubs, their number one priority is mental health and social interaction.

“And this is where group fitness plays a vital role.

“We as an industry need to take the business model of group fitness, push it into the minds of decision-makers, and get them to take it more seriously - after all, it's the cream of their business.

Tempest, who launched Ignite Fitness Business events in 2019, goes on to say “our Ignite group fitness event will open the doors of opportunity to all program and equipment suppliers, content creators, business educators and new fresh, innovative presenters. We are looking forward to exposing new products to the industry.”

Tempest, an independent gym owner for nearly 20 years, notes “I understand how important it is to create these events for business owners who don't have deep pockets like franchisees.”

Tempest who was inducted into the AUSActive Hall of Honour in 2022 has recently taken up a role with AusActive as an advocate for independent gym operators.

She remains the sole operator of her club, Genesis 24/7 Ballarat Body and Soul in Ballarat. For more information email mt@meltempest.net or go to www.groupx.business/

Images: Group fitness at Genesis 24/7 Ballarat Body and Soul in Ballarat (top) and Mel Tempest (below).