TRAINING
Creating a Healthier Scuba Diving Business with a Fitness Profit Center – by Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, SFT, SFN, SSC, NBFE Owner, ScubaFit ® , FitDiver ® , DiveFit ® , SurfWalking ™
Fit individuals are more likely to participate in recreational activities. Of the top recreational sport activi- ties, at least four are fitness activities that are likely to lead individuals to try scuba diving. Divers that partici- pate in a fitness lifestyle may extend
for me it was,“ shares Danny Fugate, Instructor and Owner of Alpha Divers in Knoxville, Tennessee. The diving and fitness industries are parallel in many ways. Professionals from both industries make excellent re- ferral networks for new clients. ScubaFit, as a distinctive specialty for diving professionals and continuing education for fitness professionals, provides the tools to bridge diving and fitness to create a fitness profit center for diving busi- nesses - without the overhead of water certification. Once the instructor completes the specialty, online or in-person, the teaching materials, instruction manuals and workbooks, and, if necessary, an affordable professional liability rider are available. Recommendations include 7 to 10 hours of eight-to-one instruction. Value is created by combining ScubaFit with other diving certifications and at certain training milestones. New Open
their biological health by as much as 20 years, are more likely to advance their training, and dive more often. A diver certified at 20 years of age that remains in good health might enjoy 50 years or more of a diving lifestyle. The benefits of good health are profound for everyone, and particularly for divers; reducing risk and improving div- ing performance, yet less than 30% of divers exercise. As the diving population ages, existing clients and pro- fessional staff need to know how to become and remain
physically fit, prevent illness and in- jury, quickly rehabilitate, as well as manage conditions reported by divers, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, and obesity. New, al- ready fit clients may need an under- standing of the appropriate physical effort at depth and safe training be- tween diving activities. It is important
Water courses, Advanced Diver, Res- cue Diver, Technical Diving and Staff Development are effective pairings. Physical fitness for diving program- ming fits well with specialty course packages like underwater photography, improved buoyancy, and preparation for destination group travel. Nutrition and hydration for fitness
Dive centers with pools have a unique opportunity to bring ScubaFit based activities to their diving clients.
for divers of all ages and fitness levels to prepare for the physical and mental demands of different types of diving, conditions, logistics, potential unexpected situations, and comfort and efficiency in the water. Keeping and attracting diving clients with a sustainable physical fitness profit center is as simple as the science- based ScubaFit ® Diver Course. It is a PADI Distinctive Specialty and is also available to all credentialed agency in- structors. ScubaFit is the only fitness program approved by both diving and fitness agencies. “With ScubaFit you can build a routine that fits your needs and lifestyle. I incorporate ScubaFit into my dive shop and with my instructors. For us it starts at the top with me. As a ScubaFit instructor, I've been able to help reshape my staff’s lives and help them get started on a healthier lifestyle. We offer it in store for all of our cus- tomers and friends. You are never too old to start; it just takes one day. That first day may be the change you need,
and diving are included in the course, along with self-health assessments. It is customized to determine current fitness levels, set goals, and transfer the information to diving ac- tivities. Divers can pursue improved health and fitness pri- vately and independently or by finding fitness-for-diving buddies. The course also brings understanding of perceived exer- tion, and the safe mindset of conserving, not exerting, while diving. One of the biggest mistakes is to attract new divers by promoting scuba diving as a workout. Whether the new client is deconditioned or incredibly fit, based on diving physiology and by definition, workouts belong on dry land or the surface, not at depth. However, scuba div-
ing is great motivation for staying in shape. For information: Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, SFT, SFN, SSC, NBFE click or scan the QR code, or call 760-271-6069, www.scubafit.com.
email Gretchen
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