Network Magazine Spring 2016 | Page 32

She ‘cared’ about me, and as a result I’d never wanted to be better at anything more in my entire life, so I signed up – first for a class, and then for a career. bacon and push a team to new heights when it came to group fitness. I guess you could say they had the ‘X factor’. So what is the X factor? The Oxford Dictionary defines the ‘X factor’ as: A noteworthy special talent or quality or A variable in a given situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome. Unsatisfied with traditional definitions, I decided to consult the Urban Dictionary which defines the X factor as: an indescribable quality or something about a person that you cannot put a finger on… Je ne sais quoi. Great, I thought, how am I supposed to find and recruit instructors with this X factor if the quality is indescribable? Well, maybe it’s not. I thought back to the first time I stepped into a group fitness class way back in 1995. Now, it was a long time ago and I may have been wearing a G-string leotard, but I remember that from the first moment I was absolutely hooked, mesmerised by the alluring combination of lycra, fitness, choreography, loud pumping music and a group of which I was automatically a part. We were all in this together, and the instructor was instantly my idol. I was grapevining, easy walking and rocking horsing my way into fitness heaven and my most immediate concern was going home to beg my mother to buy me a pair of Reebok ankle high cross trainers, and a fancy new pair of bike pants so I could be just like my instructor... It was a 90’s thing. In my mind, this instructor was a superstar and I knew that one day I was going to be just like her. She had style, a great body and a great outfit, but most of all she had a great personality. She was funny, she wanted to know my name, she wanted me to know the other people’s names and she wanted us all to have fun. She ‘cared’ about me, and as a result I’d never wanted to be better at anything more in my entire life, so I signed up – first for a class, and then for a career. These studio celebrities still exist today, and participants are still mesmerised by them. They take things to the next level and inspire their participants, igniting the fire that drives them to be their best, helping them to grow both inside and outside the studio. The ripple effect of this is that the family and friends of these participants notice the change in them, and can either be inspired or challenged by it. If the former, they will also come along to class hoping for a taste of the good stuff. They too are welcomed and included by the X factor instructor, and the army grows. AEROMIC POUCHBELTS AND MORE–AVAILABLE NIGHT & DAY ALL YEAR ROUND www.fitnessaudioshop.com.au Yes - the full range of Aeromic arm pouches and waist-worn pouch belts, plus Aeromics, E•Mics, Fitness Audio mixers and wireless systems, and all the accessories in our range are now available online, any time. Pay using Paypal or your credit card – web orders are generally processed within 24 hours from stock on hand. Call us at our office in Alexandria, South Sydney 9.30 to 3.30 Mon-Fri - 02 8399 1052 FitnessaudioShop is a division of Aerobic Microphones Australia Pty LTD ABN 30 067 052 073 32 | NETWORK SPRING 2016 TM A U S T R A L I A Email: [email protected] JP’s Blog: http://blog.fitnessaudio.com.au PANTONE 165 C PANTONE 661 C