Author: Rick Mc

Sounds high.

As the American waistline continues its spread, fitness is shaping up as one of the hottest careers of this tepid economic recovery.

Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by a brisk 24 percent in the decade to 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics …

Despite the shaky economy, health club membership is up more than 10 percent over the past three years, according to IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. …

Bryan said the average salary for a certified personal trainer is about $53,000 and rising. A high school diploma is sufficient to begin a career in fitness, he added, although more than two-thirds of professionals have college degrees. …

FOX – Obesity epidemic propels fitness as career

Of course children’s fitness training is critical.

“… nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese …”.

(via gymfinity)

… nearly 87 years old Johanna Quaas from Halle, Germany, is now the oldest active gymnast of the world!

Today she presented her parallel bars exercise at the official press conference of the brand new 2013 issue of GUINESS WORLD RECORDS … in the Tower Hotel of London.

… Remarkably the retired PE teacher from Leipzig; Germany only began to train at gymnastics in her 50s taking part in her first competition at the age of 56.

Johanna says “it is great feeling to be included and I hope the record inspires others to realise it’s never too late.”

Keep watching to meet the world’s Heaviest Sportswoman 203.21 kg (448lb).

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Johanna knows her elbows are a little bent on that “planche”. She’s working on it. 🙂

Former professional dancer Claudia Kohl, now in Berlin, is opening a studio called “The Artists Coaching Place”. She’s been teaching artists for the past 16yrs in Alexander Technique and her own movement method.

If you aren’t in Berlin — but are interested — a 12wk webinar begins Oct 12th:

Week I to IV – Start Smart Connection:
Start Smart Connection: Creative Cleanse

Week V to VIII – Heart Connection:
Step Into My Power

Week IX to XII – Art Connection:
Creative Joy

details

The best Manna variation on Beam so far has been Shannay from Jamaica.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here the entire routine from the WOGA competition 2006. (VIDEO)

So easy for her, it’s at the end. Wow.

Ged Atzeni is an Aussie gymnast, working variations of Manna.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Cool.

Cirque du Soleil needs more Manna in their performances. Breakdance, too.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

A young gymnast from Kazakhstan … Universiade 2009 training.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thanks Mike.

The best resource online for Manna training tutorials is Gymnastic Bodies. (VIDEOS)

In Mandarin.

xie xie for the tutorial.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Myself and most everyone predicted Japan would win Team at the 2011 Worlds and in London. They didn’t.

Yet again, as it was all quadrennial — China took the Gold.

Here’s a terrific pre-Olympics feature featuring Uchimura on Canadian TV.

Watch it on YouTube. (Embedding disabled.)

I was with gymnastics legend Abe Grossfeld when China beat Japan in Team at the Olympics. “Luck“, he responded. My inclination was to agree.

Both teams were lousy in prelims. But in the 3-up, 3-count Team Final, Japan should win 8 out of 10 times.

Perhaps his failures in Team will keep Kohei in the sport through to 2016.

I hope so.

(via supermura)

The Seattle native is now Men’s Head Coach in Scotland.

There’s a terrific new interview in the Herald Scotland.

As usual, Jim is well spoken. And outspoken.

… When … Holt says Scotland could be better off as a result of independence and should consider seeking separate membership of the International Olympic Committee whether or not the referendum fails in 2014, he is talking about sport rather than politics. …

read more – Champion of the also-rans has big plans for Scotland

Olympic bronze medallist Daniel Purvis and GBR Olympic alternate Daniel Keatings could both be eligible for that Team.

There’s some drama between his employer, the Scottish Gymnastics Association, and their government funding agency, Sport Scotland, too.

Good luck Jim.