View the Program Guide for complete details including required prerequisites.

PC1 — Standard First Aid with CPR Level A Recertification (Blended)

This recertification course combines 4 hours of online learning with 3.5 hours of in-class training. Participants must successfully complete the online portion prior to attending the in-class portion of the course. See page 12 in the Program Guide for full details.

PC2 — Alert Emergency First Aid with CPR Level A Course (Blended)

This basic-level first aid course combines 3 to 4 hours of online learning with 3.5 hours of in-class training. Participants must successfully complete the online portion prior to attending the in-class portion of the course.

• This course is accepted by BCRPA. This course does not meet WorkSafe BC Occupatinoal Level 1 requirements. Please check with your employer to see whether they will accept this first aid training option prior to registration.

See page 12 in the Program Guide for full details.

PC3 — Alert Emergency First Aid with CPR Level A Recertification

This recertification course is 3.5 hours of in-class training.

• This course is accepted by BCRPA. This course does not meet WorkSafe BC Occupational Level 1 requirements. Please check with your employer to see whether they will accept this first aid training option prior to registration.

See page 12 in the Program Guide for full details.

PC4 — In Person BCRPA Fitness Theory Exam

Nervous about writing the Fitness Theory exam online? BCRPA is pleased to offer aspiring and seasoned Fitness Leaders the opportunity to write the Fitness Theory exam in-person. See page 13 in the Program Guide for full details.

PC5 — In Person BCRPA Older Adult Fitness Exam

Complete your Older Adult Specialty Module and write your Older Adult Fitness Exam in-person. See page 13 in the Program Guide for full details, including pre-requisites.

PC6 — In Person BCRPA Personal Training Exam

Complete your Personal Training Specialty Module and write your Personal Training Exam in-person. See page 13 in the Program Guide for full details, including pre-requisites.

Welcome, Fitness Award and Keynote

Opening Keynote: Reunite to Reignite — Ingrid Knight-Cohee

As we reunite in person for BCFit and other sorely missed personal and professional events, Ingrid will reflect on the lessons learned from the global pandemic; the impact on the fitness industry and implications of the “new normal” for fitness pros. We have a spotlight on the critical importance of exercise and the professionals who motivate and sustain the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Capitalizing on this unique time to reignite passion and commitment to healthy living, Ingrid will examine the trends, and our collective trajectory towards meeting the continued challenges ahead.

See page 8 in the Program Guide for full details.

Concurrent Sessions 1   •  Select from 5 choices  •  See page 8 in the Program Guide for full details.

1A — Getting the Maximus out of Your Gluteus — Brian Justin

This session will look at the gluteal muscle group which is a key muscle group for core stability, lower body movement, aesthetics, and knee protection. This workshop will delve into various ways to help clients take their glutes to school. Learn a quick ASSessment and then we will delve into programming using various techniques to take your clients from sleepy butt to functional one!

1B — All Inclusive Step — Syd Sam

REcreate and REinvent an All Inclusive Step class from foundation moves to advance options. This interval style class will keep your clients engaged, challenged and returning for more.

1C — Find Your Inner Athlete at Any Age - Aquatic Cross Training — Judy Bjornson

This shallow and deep water class design will be utilized with and without equipment in infinite ways to create purposeful yet challenging programs for people of all fitness levels.

1D — Beyond the Workout: How Fitness Leaders Can Impact Community Health and Wellness — Kate Lee and Derek Linwood

Vancouver's All Bodies Community program staff will share their experience and with community engagement and development through inclusion, diversity, fitness, art and sport. Fitness Leaders will learn how their leadership strengths and unique positions can be used to create lasting relationships, and build trust to develop a sustainable active and inclusive community. Discover how embracing barriers allows for creative problem solving and how to be responsive without having all the answers.

1E — Get Down to the Beat - Musicology 101 — Debbie Jessen and Rhonda Jackson

Phrasing, down beats, 32 counts, oh my!! Still confused by phrasing in professional fitness music mixes? Did you know that by using phrasing and 32 counts you don’t actually have to count repetitions...the music does it for you! This workshop will provide a brief introduction to the parts of the music (phrasing, down/up beats, etc) and how to recognize, find and use them. We will listen, learn and then practice with a short master class in order to put it all together.

Concurrent Sessions 2   •  Select from 5 choices  •  See page 9 in the Program Guide for full details.

2A — Baby Got Back! — Brian Justin

Many Fitness Professionals experience back pain as part of their job of teaching clients or running classes. This active workshop will go over a restorative back health program for self care. The 4 ingredients for this restorative program are: 1. Breathe parasympathetically. 2. Move slow. 3. Integrate your brain. 4. Address the 3 neuromuscular stress reflexes. Come on out and experience a movement massage.

2B — HIIT Your Happy — Debbie Jessen and Mirela Rotaru

We all love HIITS, they are a great way to up the intensity for short periods of time. We will explore 5 popular HIIT formats and how to safely incorporate them into you Group Fitness formats. Using modifications/progressions, you will be able to HIIT Your Happy with all your participants!

2C — A Ride With A View — Traci Addison

Take an inspiring ride that will introduce you to techniques on how to visually lead your participants though, hills, flats, mountain peaks, time trials and interval training. Participants of this workshop will experience how to couple riding to the rhythm of powerful music and creating an inspirational visualization for your riders to experience every class.

2D — Intro to Trauma-Informed Fitness — Kathleen Middleton

If you work with humans, you work with trauma. Learn how you can support your client's journey through the fitness world in ways that promote healing. New research about the effects of strength training on the brain's ability to recover from emotional trauma allow you to help a client feel safe not just in the gym, but in their own body.

2E — Advancing Despite Adversity - Building Resilience as Fitness Professionals — Brenda Adams

The fitness industry has been through a lot, Fitness Professionals have been through a lot. Knowing how to keep moving forward when you are faced with challenges is
absolutely essential. This session will walk you through the 6 pillars of resiliency and show you practical ways that you can build your resiliency so that you can continue to advance despite adversity.

Fitness Café (optional)

Connect with fellow Fitness Professionals at the Fitness Café where small groups, roundtable style, will give you the opportunity to discuss issues that matter to you. Discuss hot topics, and share ideas and strategies to tackle the most prevalent issues facing the fitness industry today

Concurrent Sessions 3   •   Select from 5 choices  •  See page 10 in the Program Guide for full details.

3A — Older Adult Training: The Great Method to Make It Fun — Melanie Morrissette

This session will go over the great method to making older adult and the osteofit program interesting and fun for participants.Older adult programs often focus on fall prevention and the same exercises come back on a regular basis. To make it interesting for instructors and participants, classes have to be fun! Melanie will focus on games that play and important part in working on speed, coordination, agility, memory, etc.

3B — Shoulder to SHOWlder — Kim Bond

Learn the process of creating a set of shoulders that are mobile, strong and flexible. We'll participate in creative and fun activities that allow us to communicate easily about S.I.T.S . with our clients and members. Being creative will encourage your clients to engage in exercises and areas that generally overlooked and problematic in today's technological world.

3C — Inclusive Yoga Teaching — Gaylene Thoeny

Ensuring a welcoming experience for all shapes, sizes and abilities in your Yoga class. Discover teaching tools such as the importance of neutral, non-triggering language when offering cues, and how to present modifications that create a sense of confidence, success and ease. Learn how to use props to create accessibility to ensure the poses comfortably fit our bodies rather than fitting our bodies into the pose.

3D — Creating a Safe Space for Everyone — Michael Marousek

Your goal is to help the patrons of your facility to get healthy, but sometimes you feel like you are a security staff in the fitness centre. This can be our reality. If that is your case then this session will help you make the unwanted duty less stressful. Combining the components of the Non-Violent Crisis Intervention program, industry's leading practices and innovative solutions from around the globe, this session will enhance your toolbox as a Fitness Attendant with a focus on improving your ability to provide a safe space for everyone, especially for yourself.

3E — Client Drop-Out Prevention Strategies — André Potvin

Did you know that 80% of new and returning clients quit within the first 2-months of training? Did you also know that this is totally preventable? Join André Noel Potvin as he outlines the key reasons for this high drop-out rate and how you can prevent it from happening. In this lecture, you will learn your client’s development level of competence and commitment and then choose the most appropriate prevention strategy to maximize motivation and exercise adherence. Finally, you will be able to identify primary and secondary factors influencing your client’s progress and implement effective “drop-out” prevention strategies.

Concurrent Sessions 4   •   Select from 5 choices  •  See page 11 in the Program Guide for full details.

4A — ABC's of Functional Fitness — Tim Borys

Having a 6-pack, a great butt and strong core top most fitness wish lists, yet so few people have them! Success in these areas isn't about working harder. It's about working smarter. Learning how this "functional triad" fits together is the key to maximising results. This session debunks the myths of core training while diving into the science, biomechanics, and programming needed to help our clients get the abs, butt and core they desire.

4B — Find Your Balance — Debbie Jessen and Mirela Rotaru

Everyone needs balance in their lives. This workshop will focus on building strength, agility and core strength by improving both static and dynamic balance. This will benefit not only those who work with the Active Ageing population but will include practical and effective activities for all demographics and group fitness formats.

4C — Pilates - Mat to Standing — Pamela Keefe

In this session, we will go through 8 basic Pilates exercises on the mat. Learn muscles used, correct body position and how to teach it. For each mat exercise we will move to standing. Learn the similarities and differences of the same exercise on a different plane. Take it away and spice up your next class!

4D — What is Chair Yoga? — Stacey Buss

Successfully teaching chair yoga is more than just knowing the poses. It's also about understanding the nuances and subtleties of this style to ensure a truly safe, always stable, completely accessible practice. It's about recognizing the physical and sometimes emotional needs of the participants. It's about creating a positive experience and space that offers the greatest opportunity for success.

4E — Training the Arthritic Client — André Potvin

Arthritis is a health problem which affects approximately 27% of Canadians 50-64 years of age and 46% of those 65+. It can be quite debilitating, stripping those afflicted of a functional and joyful quality of life eventually leading to hip and knee replacements. Join André as he details the pathophysiology of both knee and hip arthritis including the do's/don'ts of training the arthritic client and provide you with effective exercises and program design strategies. Leave this session with greater confidence in your ability to work with arthritic clients.

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