Midwest FitFest 2023 Schedule of Events

Saturday, April 15

Session 1: 10 - 10:50 a.m.

Wild West Workout with Chloe Kin | The Ohio State University

Group Fitness A

Calling all our country music loving friends! With strength training and cardio bursts, this workout doesn't need a 'Ring of Fire' to get you sweaty. Let your favorite songs take you through this full body workout.

Beginner Clients: What Happens when your Client isn't Ready for Anything with Rachel Ryan | The Ohio State University

Group Fitness B

I want to create a session that helps personal trainers work with difficult and beginner clients. At least in my experience as a lead personal trainer, student personal trainers are comfortable in the gym and expect their clients to be similar. They also expect a certain level of readiness in their clients to be able to use barbells and weights. I want to teach trainers how to create plans if their client isn't ready/does not want to do traditional weight lifting techniques and how to progress them to that level.

Developing Meaningful Relationships and Rapport with your Clients with Colin Wright | The Ohio State University

VC Classroom 1333

Workshop participants will learn how to connect with clients and build meaningful relationships with them from the ground up. The workshop will progress through the different stages of the client-trainer relationship and discuss what is important at each stage. The workshop will also cover the different scenarios a trainer may be faced with that are not typically covered in the typical personal trainer curriculum including handling a difficult disclosure from a client, how to appropriately interact with different clients and match their personal style, and techniques for interpersonal engagement that will help foster a healthy and supportive relationship. There will be both lecture-based and hands-on sections of this workshop so that trainers are able to apply the lessons they learn.

Session 2: 11 - 11:50 a.m.

Dance Fitness with Jessica Pickett | Indiana University

Group Fitness A

Come ready to sweat and show off your best moves as you dance the day away to some of your favorite songs during this high intensity cardio workout!

Cycle & Vibe with MaryKate Welch and Leanne Kulchawik | Depaul University

Group Fitness B and Cycle Zone

Combine cardio fitness with mind body practices through this 45-minute class! In this specialty cycle class, you will be taken through 20 minutes of heart pumping cycling filled with a variety of hill climbs, fast flats, and other traditional cycling moves, followed by 20 minutes of restorative stretches and guided meditation. This unique fitness class is perfect for decreasing stress and increasing your focus.

What Makes a Great Personal Trainer with Genaro "Vito" Olvero | University of Illinois Chicago

VC Classroom 1333

This presentation will go over qualities and traits that make a great personal trainer. For example, adaptability is one trait that makes a great trainer versus a trainer that does not have a back-up plan.

Tuning your Tone of Voice with Brianna Bors and Lily Eifert | The Ohio State University

VC Classroom 1334

Have you ever wondered on certain days why you just can’t engage your participants or students? What could be going wrong that people aren’t as involved as they normally are? A big part of this may be associated with the tone of voice you incorporate into your cues during class. Your tones of voice play a driving factor in the engagement of participants and their willingness to listen and perform what you are asking them to. If you are curious how different tones of voices can affect engagement and the environment of a class, join us in an interactive lecture to enhance our tones of voice and learn how to utilize it to your advantage!

Session 3: 1 - 1:50 p.m.

Zumba with Charlotte Steimle and Caroline Lentz | University of Missouri

Group Fitness A

Zumba is a fun, high-energy cardiovascular fitness class that is inspired by Latin and International dances. This calorie burning workout is for people of all fitness levels and age groups who want to work out in a party like atmosphere. Join the party!!

Tonilates with Nuala Kalensky | Loyola University Chicago

Group Fitness B

Yoga, Pilates, and Toning come together in this triple fusion class designed to strengthen and tone the body while improving flexibility, stamina, mindfulness, and core strength. This class has the best of both Yoga and Pilates, calming your mind while working your entire body. Great for those new to Yoga and Pilates or those who already enjoy both.

Vibe Check! Bringing the Energy & Meeting Participants Needs with Mara Sanderow | The Ohio State University

Cycle Zone

Have you ever wondered what to do when you notice participants getting tired halfway through class? Or what to say when you notice the energy drop? Then this session is the one for you! It will include a 30-minute lecture and a 30-minute cycle class. We will cover how to bring the energy to your classes based on music, motivation, and class type. Additionally, we’ll cover how energy can shift and flow throughout class and what you can do to ensure your participants get the best and most energizing experience possible! You’ll walk away from this session with skills that can help you identify how to recognize what participants are feeling and the ability to adapt your class to meet their needs. This session will leave you motivated to find points in your class to bring the energy and to vibe check what your participants may be needing.

(P)rehab: Preventing Injuries Before they Happen with Blake Holthaus | The Ohio State University

VC Classroom 1333

A proactive approach to rehabilitation and injury prevention among active people.

How to Help your Clients Feel Confident in the Gym with Amber Powell | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

VC Classroom 1334

Learn how to help your clients feel mentally successful in the gym through increasing their confidence and motivation. We will break down how to feel confident in the gym through understanding sport psychology's six main sources of self-confidence. Teach your clients different ways to feel motivated to workout, as well as tips for managing gym stress and anxiety.

Session 4: 2 - 2:50 p.m.

Zumba with Chrismarie Psichogios | University of Illinios Chicago

Group Fitness A

Zumba is a fun, high-energy cardiovascular fitness class that is inspired by Latin and International dances. This calorie burning workout is for people of all fitness levels and age groups who want to work out in a party like atmosphere. Join the party!!

Inclusive Instructing with Aimee Chihuahua | The Ohio State University

Group Fitness B

Learning how to make participants feel safe & welcomed in group fitness classes through modifications, music, and words. Lecture followed by a barre class.

Lessons Learned Personal Training in Campus Rec with Shannon Briggs | Created for more PT

VC Classroom 1333

In this course, we will look at how being a personal trainer in campus rec can make you an exceptional trainer; more prepared, more compassionate, and more educated to care for and challenge your clients of all ages and situations. We will also look at our ‘assumptions’ and how they affect our ability to train our clients professionally. We will learn to show up with neutral expectations through case study examples and learn about our client’s needs individually. Finally, we will cover the benefits of collaboration, mentorships, and learning from our peers in group fitness and personal training. Bar none, training in Campus Rec will make you a better trainer and a better human being.

Prioritizing your Own Exercise as a Fitness Instructor and In Everyday Life with Ainsley Johnston | Indiana University

VC Classroom 1334

Using personal experience and research I will educate attendees on finding the balance between exercise for personal goals and for leading group exercise classes. This lecture will also include recognizing exercise burnout, working with a support system, and practicing self-care.

Session 5: 3 - 3:50 p.m.

Boxing Conditioning with Dan Junquera | University of Illinios Chicago

Group Fitness A

Boxing Conditioning teaches basic boxing skills and techniques, designed to increase muscular strength and cardio endurance—the perfect boxing class to get shredded! Boxing Conditioning will include cardio calisthenics, shadow boxing, bag work and core strengthening exercises.

Cardio Kick & Core with Jess Pickett | Indiana University

Group Fitness B

Fit both Cardio Kickboxing and strengthening the core into the same session! Starting off with kickboxing, participants will learn various strikes that will be put into quick, powerful combos, followed by a combination of core exercises to focus on strengthening the abdominals, glutes, and back.

Body Positivity and the Impact on Healthy Living with Layton Paloutzian | Southern Illinois University Carbondale

VC Classroom 1333

How does body positivity impact healthy living? The types of body positivity. The positives and negatives of current and past manifestations of body positivity. Where we should go with body positivity.

Built to Last: How to Cultivate Long-Term Adherence Throughout the Lifespan with Seth Bertrand | University of Missouri

VC Classroom 1334

A client's relationship with fitness and wellness begins at the youth level. This presentation reviews the motivations and needs of younger populations compared to older clientele and what personal trainers can do to cultivate a sustainable and positive approach to exercise that lasts into adulthood.

Session 6: 4 - 4:50 p.m.

Midwest Wedding Cardio with Maddie Kuehne | Loyola University Chicago

Group Fitness A

Dance along to your favorite wedding line dances while getting in a great cardio workout!

Power Yoga with Raegan Hepp | The Ohio State University

Group Fitness B

Take your practice to the next level in this dynamic, physically energizing form of yoga. This class will challenge your body and engage your mind as we go through a sequence of empowering poses that move at a quicker pace. Discover what you are capable of through this unique power flow that will push you to embrace your highest self. The core of the class will be stretches, balancing postures and strengthening asanas, with a final relaxing Savasana meditation.

Director's Meeting

VC Classroom 1333

All Coordinators, Directors and Assistant Directors are encouraged to attend.

Calisthenics 101 with Max Cohen | University of Missouri

VC Classroom 1334

Who needs equipment when you have GRAVITY! Come learn about the fundamentals of bodyweight strength training known as calisthenics; movement progressions and regressions, and how you can incorporate calisthenic basics into programming for the general population to improve strength, flexibility, coordination, and mobility.

Sunday, April 16

8 a.m.

Group Fitness Class

Group Fitness A

Kick off your last day at Midwest FitFest and let’s get stronger together! This class will offer a variety of movements to increase muscular strength and endurance. Mix up your normal workout with strength training intermixed with moderate to high cardio bursts.  All fitness levels are encouraged to attend!

Midwest FitFest Map

Registration is now closed

If you are still interested in coming please contact Ashlyn Tocco at atocco@siue.edu 

Midwest Fit Fest is dedicated to providing professional development opportunities to students, university-affiliated staff and professional staff through collaboration, sharing ideas, networking and new skills.

The Conference brings together student personal trainers and group fitness instructors from all over the Midwest for a time of sharing and learning from one another. Fitness professionals of the future have been meeting annuallly for the past dozen years to learn from their peers.

BECOME A MIDWEST FIT FEST 2023 SPONSOR

 Get your company in front of over 200 anticipated attendees at the 2023 Midwest Fit Fest conference in April!

Contact Ashlyn Tocco at atocco@siue.edu to support our conference. 

Our region is filled with talented, well-educated fitness instructors and trainers who are positioned to pay it forward to the next generation of fitness professionals. Please complete the form below if you are interested in this opportunity.

If you are interested in the below events please click the button below to RSVP 

Friday, April 14 | Social at The Outlet from 5 - 9 p.m.

Sunday, April 16 | Brunch