Our History
Founded in 1977 by Michael Wollman, the National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) is a non-profit organization and recognized leader in the health and fitness industry. Originally introduced as the National Dance-Exercise Instructors Training Association (NDEITA), the organization officially changed its name in 2004 to reflect the comprehensive scope of the professional programs we offer. Over the course of nearly five decades, NETA has provided career education, training, and certification to more than 160,000 fitness professionals, and our credentials are recognized by most fitness facilities nationwide.
Today, NETA’s Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer certifications are both accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). In fact, NETA is proud to be one of just four organizations that maintain NCCA-accreditation for its Group Exercise Instructor certification. This recognition is just another example of our continuing commitment to advance the professional potential of every client and the fitness industry as a whole.
Celebrating 50 Years of Fitness Education
This year, NETA celebrates 50 years of helping fitness professionals build meaningful careers. What started in 1977 as a small dance studio in Minneapolis, teaching ballroom, disco, and a new kind of class called Dance Exercise, has grown into a nationally accredited certifying body that has trained more than 160,000 fitness professionals across the country. Along the way, the organization changed its name from NDEITA to NETA, expanded from group exercise into personal training, yoga, Pilates, and a dozen other specialties, and earned NCCA accreditation for two of its core certifications. Fifty years later, the mission hasn’t changed: support and inspire well qualified fitness professionals through accessible, evidence based education. Here’s a look back at how we got here, decade by decade.
Five Decades of NETA
The 1970s
A Dance Studio in Minneapolis
- 1977: Michael Wollman incorporates Community Dance Center in Minneapolis, offering ballroom, disco, and Dance Exercise classes.
- 1978: Community Dance Center starts training group exercise instructors for local community centers.
- 1979: The name NDEITA (National Dance Exercise Instructors Trainers Association) is registered. Certification workshops begin at community centers and YMCAs.
The 1980s
Aerobics Goes National
- 1980: NDEITA introduces Step Certification, expands workshops nationwide, and publishes its earliest known manuals.
- 1985: Private label music production begins under the NDEITA name, providing licensed music for Aerobics classes.
The 1990s
Personal Training and New Specialties
- 1994: Mario Crespo joins NDEITA. He becomes President in 2000.
- 1995: NDEITA launches its first Continuing Education workshops and becomes an ACE continuing education provider.
- 1996: NDEITA introduces Personal Trainer certification, created by Lu Herbeck and Michael Iserman (now NETA’s Certification Director).
- 1997: NDEITA’s Kickboxing Specialty Certification launches.
- 1998: NDEITA offers its first home study courses, a library that’s since grown to more than 130 programs.
The 2000s
A New Name and National Accreditation
- 2000: Mario Crespo becomes President, and NDEITA’s Pilates certification launches, created by Suzanne Kranitz.
- 2004: NDEITA is officially renamed NETA, the National Exercise Trainers Association.
- 2006: NETA earns NCCA accreditation for its Personal Trainer Certification and launches its first Yoga Certification program.
- 2008: NETA earns NCCA accreditation for its Group Exercise Instructor Certification and holds its first annual Fit Fest.
- 2009: The Indoor Cycle Specialty Certification is released.
The 2010s
Specialty Certifications Expand
- 2010: The Kettlebell Specialty Certification is released.
- 2014: The Wellness Coach Specialty Certification is released.
- 2017: NETA’s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training is approved by the Yoga Alliance.
The 2020s
Going Virtual and Celebrating 50 Years
- 2020: NETA launches live virtual workshops under Darci Revier, plus a week-long Yoga Retreat, in response to Covid-19.
- 2021: NETA’s 14th Annual Fit Fest goes virtual, drawing more participants than any previous event and mostly 5-star reviews.
- 2022: NETA celebrates 45 years of fitness education.
- 2026: NETA celebrates 50 years of fitness education.
Former Key NETA Contributors
Michael Wollman
NETA Founder
Michael Wollman founded the Community Dance Center in 1977, beginning with a simple idea rooted in something he loved deeply: dancing and bringing people together. What started as a dance club quickly became a place where people could learn, connect, and experience the joy of movement. Michael charged a small fee for dance lessons and hosted dances that gave people an opportunity not only to learn new skills, but also to meet others and build lasting friendships.
As the Community Dance Center grew, Michael recognized an emerging need for qualified instruction in what was known at the time as “Jazzercise,” now “Group Exercise”. Seeing an opportunity to help others share his passion for dance and fitness, he created a new division of the Community Dance Center called the National Dance Exercise Instructors Training Association (NDEITA).
Because of Michael, countless lives have been changed for the better. His passion, vision, and commitment laid the foundation for NDEITA/NETA, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to bring people together through dance, fitness, education, and community.
Linda Benzinger
Linda Benzinger served as NETA’s Workshop Coordinator from 1987 to 2012. She was instrumental in cultivating relationships with our host site facilities and coordinating workshops over the years. While coordinating thousands of workshops over the years, she was especially known for the close relationships she held with workshop hosts, some of whom still work closely with NETA today. Linda worked passionately on her beloved electric typewriter until her very last day!
Lu Herbeck
Lu Herbeck served as NETA’s first Education Director from 1995 to 2010. Lu was instrumental in leading the development of NETA’s Personal Trainer Certification program, which launched in 1996. Lu also played a significant role in helping NETA achieve NCCA accreditation for its Personal Trainer Certification in 2007 and Group Exercise Instructor Certification in 2009.
Following her tenure as a member of NETA’s office team, she continued her service to NETA as a volunteer member of the Certification Board, serving as both Vice Chair and Chair. Lu’s many contributions were invaluable for the advancement and recognition of NETA’s certification programs, and she proudly spearheaded the creation of many of NETA’s continuing education programs.
Susane Kranitz
Susane Kranitz worked for NETA from 2000 to 2012. She began as an Office Manager, then spent a few years as a National Presenter for NETA, and ended her career with us as the Director of Education. One of her most notable contributions during her time with NETA was her creation of the Pilates curriculum from scratch.
Amara Viaene
Amara worked for NETA from 2009 to 2019. She began as the Workshop Coordinator in 2009 when Linda Benzinger retired. Later on, Amara became the Marketing & Events Director at NETA, where she contributed greatly to promoting and organizing NETA workshops throughout the U.S. Throughout her time at NETA, she enjoyed working on advertising, marketing, and promoting fitness workshops through trade shows and email campaigns, leaving an impactful impression on our organization and the surrounding community.
Susie Supper
Susie Supper has been a valued National Presenter for NETA since the 1990s and served as NETA’s Education Director from 2005 to 2008. She played an instrumental role in shaping the format and launching NETA’s first Fit Fest in 2008. What began as a new event has grown into an annual tradition, now celebrating more than 18 years of Fit Fest programming both in person and virtually. Susie continues to be one of NETA’s most sought-after and respected National Presenters, sharing her expertise and passion with fitness professionals year after year.
Meet NETA’s Current Team
Fifty years of history is only part of the story. Get to know the team leading NETA into its next chapter.
