Jason Haywood
Q: What area of fitness are you currently working in?
I own and run my own business called Body Mechanix with several of my friends and also work as a Strength and Conditioning Trainer at a local gym.
Q: How did you get into the fitness industry?
Fitness was and is a big part of my family so from a young age I was very active in the industry playing and competing in a lot of sports. I then went on to a Sports High School and from there it has basically been full steam ahead since.
Q: Your reason for being in the fitness industry?
Well just basically for the reasons in the above question. I have been in the industry for most of my life so don’t really know anything else but fitness! My mission is to try and spread my enthusiasm for an active lifestyle to everyone around me.
Q: Any gripes about the fitness industry?
Only that I think fitness is to heavily marketed by so called “experts” in magazines, that predominantly give poor or incorrect advice. Nothing can compare to a good training program developed by a qualified trainer and sound nutritional advice.
Q: Did you study any areas of exercise or fitness?
Most of my studies have been completed at FIA. I started years ago by attaining my Certificate III in Fitness then the Certificate IV in Fitness - Personal Trainer and now thanks to FIA I also have a Diploma of Fitness, Diploma of Remedial Massage and a Diploma of Sport. I am currently enrolling in an undergraduate Degree in Exercise Science at the Australian Catholic University (ACU).
Q: How important do you think it is to update your learning in the fitness world?
Of great importance! Since completing all my courses I found that attending appropriate weekend type workshops and short courses gaining CEC's and PDP's really helped gel all my knowledge together. I have definitely become a better trainer by keeping up to date with the industry and continuing my education.
Q: What would you like to see happen in the industry over the next few years?
I would like to see the mainstream fitness consumer exposed to "crossfit" style functional fitness. I think the industry is too over-whelmed with non-functional, machine orientated exercise which not only gives minimal results (if any), but also quickly gets boring which I think leads to most people not sticking to their training and losing motivation.
Q: Any predictions?
Functional, mixed modality, free weight exercise dominating the industry in years to come (Crossfit).
Q: What advice do you have for anyone wanting to learn more about fitness?
Don’t wait around, If you are sitting there thinking about it you are wasting time and other people could be taking your potential clients/job positions. It is a rapidly expanding industry and exercise is more and more being recognized by the Allied Health area as the solution to modern day health issues. The fitness industry is a lifestyle, If you have a passion for well-being, training, (early mornings! haha), and an active lifestyle you will succeed. If you want a good professional education go to the FIA. I started with the Certificate III in Fitness and have now completed all the courses FIA has to offer and am realizing my dream of going to University.
Jason Haywood can be contacted at: jasonhaywood@hotmail.com
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