Press Room

IHRSA/ACE Fitness Professionals of the Year Announced at IHRSA’s International Convention and Trade Show

Posted: Apr 05, 2001 in

SAN DIEGO--The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) developed the IHRSA/ACE Fitness Professionals of the Year awards to acknowledge superior professionalism and service in the industry. During a special presentation at IHRSA’s 20th Anniversary International Convention & Trade Show, Friday, March 23, in San Francisco, Calif., IHRSA and ACE named the Fitness Director of the Year, Personal Trainer of the Year, and the Group Fitness Instructor of the Year for 2001:

IHRSA/ACE Fitness Director of the Year, Scott Lewandowski, Gold Coast Complex, Chicago, Ill.
Union Station Multiplex is operated by Fitness Formula–a company that owns and operates several clubs in the greater Chicago area. Lewandowski is responsible for all programming, cardiovascular and resistance equipment, and member retention at his facility. One of his most popular programs is Marathon Training, which he started two years ago. He also takes pride in the Multiplex’s “Goal Getter Program,” which ensures that each member has a positive experience and meets his or her fitness goals. This constant attention and interaction has increased the club’s retention rate, thus increasing the use of personal trainers and revenue for the club.

IHRSA/ACE Personal Trainer of the Year, Ann D. Gilbert, Shapes Total Fitness for Women, Brandon, Fla.
Shapes Total Fitness for Women is a multi-club operation consisting of 12 women’s only clubs in the greater Tampa area. As a personal trainer, Gilbert has worked with many of her clients for years. At Shapes, she had developed many programs to keep members motivated and focused on their workouts. She has also developed several corporate fitness programs. Gilbert wants her clients to focus on keeping active, rather than losing pounds, and she is always working to add variety and freshness to their programs.

IHRSA/ACE Group Fitness Instructor of the Year, Donna Brouillard, the Kingsbury Club, Kingston, Mass.
Donna Brouillard began her career about 20 years ago as an aerobics instructor with special attention on handicapped and special needs clients. Currently, she teaches nine different classes each week, including strength, conditioning and stretching programs for doctor-referred members at the Kingsbury Club. Brouillard has developed and implemented corporate fitness programs and has worked with low-income communities to establish exercise programs within housing developments.

This year’s winners received a generous gift package, including $1000 in scholarship funds, ACE publications and ACE merchandise. They will be featured in upcoming IHRSA and ACE publications and will have opportunities to work as ACE spokespeople throughout the year.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. As the nation's workout watchdog, ACE conducts university-based research and testing that targets fitness products and trends. ACE sets standards for fitness professionals and is the world’s largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or log onto the ACE Web site at www.acefitness.org.

The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is a nonprofit association dedicated to the growth, protection, and promotion of the health club industry, and represents nearly 6,000 clubs worldwide. IHRSA is an international leader in health club industry education, research, and advocacy. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the "Official" Charitable Partner of IHRSA.