My IDEA World Experience: Why This and Other Fitness Conferences Are Worth Attending as a Fitness Professional
The IDEA World Welcome Party at the JW Marriott LA Live - Christian Pizarro | CP Personal Training
15-Minute Read
Disclaimer: I am not receiving compensation from IDEA for reviewing this conference.
Flying home from another successful fitness conference in Los Angeles almost three months ago, I asked myself, “Why didn’t I attend any of these earlier?” I asked myself the same question last year, departing Las Vegas for the same event. IDEA Health and Fitness Association holds annual events focusing on fitness education, networking, and celebration. They have one event in Seoul, Korea, and two here in the States: Personal Trainer Institute in Alexandria, Virginia, and IDEA World, usually on the West Coast. I’ll talk about the latter today.
(UPDATE: IDEA and ACSM are launching a new conference in February in Chicago, replacing the Personal Trainer Institute.)
Considered a celebration of fitness, IDEA World is a three-day conference that brings fitness professionals, wellness and nutrition experts, and fitness gurus worldwide to a West Coast location every July. Last year, I attended my first IDEA World conference in Las Vegas, which was scorching hot outside but was incredible, nonetheless. This year’s edition was in the City of Angels, Los Angeles. Steps from Crypto.com Arena (I still call it STAPLES Center), the Los Angeles Convention Center was the setting for five days of enhancing my business and skills as a trainer. Although I did not participate in any pre- or post-conference intensives, I will review the rest of my experience and give tips about planning to attend.
The Accommodations
My Room with a View - Christian Pizarro | CP Personal Training
A Southern California-located convention meant higher prices. Last year in Vegas, it was $125 a night at the host hotel, Westgate. This year, you had four host options ranging from $230 to $270, all on the LA Live premises: The Courtyard, the Sheraton, the Residence Inn, and the JW Marriott. I chose to stay at the JW Marriott, the highest-priced choice at $269 a night but reasonably priced for a brand of that caliber. Since I did not have a car and just took a Lyft everywhere, I didn’t have to worry about the high parking fees ($55). The opening ceremonies and the welcome party were also held inside. Plus, it was a five-minute walk from the Convention Center and even a shorter walk from the arena, where I attended an LA Sparks game the night before the conference began.
Taking in an LA Sparks WNBA game before the start of the conference. - Christian Pizarro | CP Personal Training
As expected from an upscale four-star hotel, the rooms were comfy and modern, featuring panoramic views of the LA Live complex below. I received a good night’s sleep thanks to a very cloudlike bed, and the bathroom included a panoramic view of the arena and conference center. I felt like a VIP with the room I had. It also helped that I had Gold Elite status with Marriott’s Bonvoy loyalty program from all the nights obtained from my filmmaking work, which meant an upgrade to a larger room with a king bed. Also, a fridge was in my room, meaning any groceries I bought could be stored inside.
Dining options were plenty, albeit pricey. Room service was also available, but that was also at a premium. However, the Illy Caffe was my go-to each morning, offering various affordable breakfast options like pastries and burritos. I don’t even have to mention the high-quality coffee they have!
(If you want an in-depth look at their fitness center, click here!)
The Conference
The Main Ballroom for the Opening Ceremonies and Awards Ceremony - Christian Pizarro | CP Personal Training
Last year, I paid $82 for the entire conference as part of a special anniversary offer. I paid $349 as an IDEA member this year, but non-members pay a bit more. Memberships can come in bundles with full conference benefits for either of IDEA’s US-based conferences (one event is in Korea).
As it was only the second IDEA World since COVID-19 and pricing was higher due to location, I expected attendance to still be low compared to pre-2020 conditions. Compared to last year, attendance seemed slightly lower, but I enjoyed all the connections I made. The education and experiences are priceless. You can participate in seminars on current research and trends in fitness to more active workshops that are hands-on and can even get you sweating. You can go to one session that will help develop your business and then head to another to learn more about nutrition.
What sets this event apart is the number of opportunities to stay involved and be rewarded. Whether you bring your energy or are active in intellectual conversations, you may receive an Inspiration Medal from a speaker or staff member that can also lead to winning a prize package at the end of the conference. I have been fortunate to have won one during each edition I attended, and yes, you can win a medal more than once.
Wednesday and Sunday of conference week, intensives were offered for an additional cost. These are more specialized and for specific audiences, such as an introduction to personal training by NASM, an introduction to group fitness by AFAA, and numerous certifications like a Schwinn indoor cycling or a functional aging specialization. Between these intensives, the workshops, and the seminars, you can earn CEUs (continuing education units) for re-certification, which is also a great excuse to travel!
Along with the start of workshops and seminars, Thursday featured the Opening Ceremonies and Awards and the Welcome Party, both held inside the main JW Marriott Ballroom. One of the more unexpected events was a pre-recorded message from Oprah to one of the award winners. Not only did she mention this person’s accolades, but she even gave a shoutout to all the conference attendees! That was a great moment. Later that night at the Welcome Party, dinner was served, as well as a cash bar. But, the highlight was the dance floor. That’s always a fun time, especially if you like bustin’ a groove!
On Friday and Saturday, the Expo Hall was on the main floor. It showcased the newest equipment and trends, as well as opportunities to test those innovations and work out with some of the most popular fitness professionals in the world. The Showcase Arena was the location for the MEGA Circuit, a circuit workout with some of the newest equipment, and a couple of group workouts, including a Tae Bo workout with the superstar creator, Billy Blanks. The latter was something you should experience if you attend in the future.
One new event this year was Spartan DEKA. From the creators of the Spartan Race, DEKA is a functional fitness test completed individually and, sometimes, in teams. It was a functional fitness decathlon involving ten stations designed as an assessment. FIT, Mile, and Strong are the three types of events under this moniker, with the latter used at the conference. The difference is that “FIT” includes a 500-meter run in-between stations for the equivalent of a 5K, “Mile” only requires a tenth of a mile run in-between stations for a total of a one-mile run, and “Strong” does not include any extra cardio outside of the ten stations. I would have participated if I had not scheduled other workouts in advance, but as a spectator, it was safe to say that it would not be easy. If you want to learn more about this event, click here.
The Area
Xbox Plaza at LA Live, across from Crypto.com Arena - Christian Pizarro | CP Personal Training
As mentioned, the Los Angeles Convention Center was the primary location for the education sessions and exposition. Unlike Vegas, where numerous entertainment and dining options were a walk away, the LA Live complex across the street from the convention center had limited immediate options. SmashBurger seemed the only option for a quick and affordable lunch unless you walked a half mile further into downtown. Yard House is another great option, depending on how crowded and fast you can receive your food. Of course, I wouldn’t want to walk those streets alone.
All the convention hotels were within walking distance, with the JW Marriott being the closest. LA Live included the Peacock Theater, the GRAMMY Museum, a Lucky Strike bowling alley, and Regal Cinemas. Not to mention that Crypto.com Arena was a two-minute walk from my hotel. Next year, I would love to visit the GRAMMY Museum and gather a group to bowl.
The Social Aspect
One of the main reasons I go is to network with other fitness professionals. With people coming from all corners of the world, I was able to make connections with people as close as Columbus and as far as Australia. The beautiful thing was that people of all ages, sizes, and cultures were represented at the conference, and I felt that the seniors and Californians dominated the overall attendance. That is a testimony to where fitness is trending as the older population finds more ways to stay fit as they grow older.
Numerous networking opportunities were also present. One of the most underrated ways of completing that is by talking with others in line before each session. I met some of my closest friends in the industry just by taking time and getting to know them. There was also the Welcome Party on that Thursday, which included drinks, dinner, and a dance floor for even more fun. On the Expo Hall floor, you can meet with the companies or organizations you enjoy and pick their brain or make connections. Who knows. You may meet some key people who can help you with your fitness career!
Many workshops involve pairs or group work. For someone like me who holds boot camp workouts, I placed more emphasis on those sessions. My favorite was Friday Morning: a one-hour workshop/workout and learning how to use the environment around us to create a program. We were split into four teams, with half choosing to be “pushed” and the other half going a bit lighter. It was more team-building than competing and quite the workout. It was the most fun I have had when you work with others and build people up (Shout Out to the White Team!!!).
I noticed a lack of other Millennials in the crowd or fellow Clevelanders. Most of the time, I felt I was the only person from Northeast Ohio at this conference. It also seemed like more Gen Z-ers were present and willing to learn, which is also great to hear. Luckily, I met others from different areas and how they run their businesses and methods, so the lack of hometown professionals was not a concern. It would have been nice, though. If you attended the conference and felt similar, let me know in the comments below.
Top Tips
If you are going next year, here are a few tips on maximizing your experience (and budget!).
Buy groceries to be delivered to your hotel: Services like DoorDash or Uber Eats have grocery options and can save you a trip if you don’t have your car. Especially if you are a DashPass or Uber One member, you can receive free delivery and lower fees to have some snacks and meals delivered rather than walking 15 minutes to Whole Foods. That is unless you want to perform a long farmer’s carry, but save your energy for the workshops!
If you’re flying in, use rideshare services rather than renting a car: I think you can save a lot of money by using only rideshare services unless you are local. You will have to walk to a designated area at LAX to catch your ride, but the savings are worth it. In the week I spent in LA, I spent $173 on Lyft, which is close to a couple of rental car days and does not include hotel or convention center parking. It should be noted that I spent the first couple of days near Universal Studios Hollywood before heading downtown.
Book everything in advance: Hotel rooms will sell out, and flight prices will increase the closer you get to the event. You can book a refundable fare in case other plans come up. Luckily, you do not have to pay in full for your hotel until a day before your reservation, so it’s easier to cancel. Finally, space is limited for some of the sessions, so schedule early to guarantee your spot.
Space out your workouts: Expect to sweat at a fitness conference! If you plan to do the MEGA Circuit on Friday and then a group workout on Saturday, plan accordingly and schedule seminars in between any physical activity. I worked out in the morning, whether at the hotel gym or with a one-hour workshop, like one about using your environment to form a workout, and then took the morning to participate in seminars. Then, I used my Expo exploration time to perform one of the Showcase Arena workouts.
For first-timers: attend the “Rookie Rumble” session on the first day!: It is usually the first session on Thursday, but it sets the tone for your experience at IDEA World. I went last year and still connect with others who also took part. It is not as physical, and it’s more of an icebreaker with people also in your shoes as a first-time attendee. You will have that core group throughout the weekend and will be able to share stories, contacts, and meals. Don’t miss it!
Be yourself: I think this one is a given, and it’s advice that’s either given to or from me. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because everyone else might be in the same situation. It seems nerve-racking, but also remember that most fitness professionals are just like you: energetic and friendly.
Conclusion
This blog entry promotes attending fitness conferences as a trainer, gym owner, or other professional position through attending this specific conference. I wish I had known about these earlier in my career because they are exciting and informative. Improvements can be made by attracting more people to the event next year. I think the programming is on par with my expectations going in. I understand that this can cost a good amount to attend, but I see this as an investment in myself, my clients, and you, the reader. Of course, you can write this off as a business expense, but these events will shape you professionally and personally. I hope to see you in LA next July and Chicago in February!
Have you attended IDEA World or any other fitness conferences in the past? What are some pros and cons of attending? Are there other conferences I should consider and may be better? Let me know in the comments below!
