Wow, what a year.
This week marks one year since the world seemed to be turned upside down and inside out. At the beginning of the pandemic, no one could predict the challenges that were ahead of us. Last March, we published this blog post thinking that we would have to shift the course of our lives for a few weeks, maybe a few months at most. Then, it became clear that we needed to prepare for the long haul. Many of us struggled in one way or another; gyms and facilities were closed, jobs were lost, family time was missed, anticipated events were postponed or eventually canceled. At NETA, our goal was to be a source of hope. We wanted you to feel like you could keep going – that your career and education did not have to be put on hold. Throughout the last year, the team at NETA worked tirelessly to adapt our offerings for you and fitness professionals across the state, country and world. In the most challenging times, we made a conscious decision to think on our feet and pivot, which led to the following growth opportunities:
- Live Virtual Certification and Education Workshops
- 183 live virtual certification and continuing education workshops were offered by NETA over the last year. Our top-notch trainers worked hard to continually improve the online class experience for participants. We continue to offer a full line-up of live virtual workshops as they have become quite popular and in high demand.
- Fit Fest Went Virtual
- We hosted three Virtual Fit Fests! These Virtual Fit Fests meant that people from all over could participate – including individuals from 34 different states and Switzerland. We received feedback from many participants expressing gratitude for the opportunity to connect, learn and earn CECs from their home.
- New Specialty Certifications and Workshops
- It was a top priority to give you NEW options to help advance your career. Four new specialty certifications were added, including:
- Numerous workshops were added (so MANY new workshops!):
- A brand new, Beyond the Gym Series that featured:
- Exploring the World of Virtual Fitness
- Creating Community Through Change
- Taking Your Training Outdoors
- A brand new Primary Review Series that included:
- Exercise Science 1
- Exercise Science 2
- Understanding Fitness Calculations
- Guidelines for Fitness Programming
- Choreography and Class Design
- Nutrition and Weight Management
- Communication and Behavior Change
- Body Weight Bootcamp
- Ketosis and the Endurance Athlete
- Senior Fitness Connect!
- Foam Rollers and More
- Breathing for Better Athletic Performance
- Supplement Savvy
- Foam Roller Fit!
- Yoga Sequencing
- A brand new, Beyond the Gym Series that featured:
- Advanced Yoga Is Now Offered
- The Advanced Yoga Specialty Certification was added to our lineup of Yoga workshops. This final, 3-day Advanced Yoga workshop is the final preparatory step for teachers wishing to apply for Yoga Alliance registration and concludes our Yoga Alliance approved 200-Hour Yoga Teacher program.
- Virtual Yoga Retreat, April 19-25, 2021
- This new, week-long event will provide an opportunity for instructors to gain new certifications, earn continuing education credits, and further your journey toward our Yoga Alliance approved 200-hour yoga teacher training program.
Whew – that was quite the list! Although we do not know what the future holds, you can count on NETA to be here for you and your profession. We will not stop adapting and stepping up to meet new challenges with creativity and vigor. We are grateful that you have been with us on this journey. Together, we will continue to grow.