Introducing Brett from EMD UK
Cover Ninja loves Group Exercise. It’s a fact. So by default, when we meet people who share our love & passion for Group Exercise as much as we do, we embrace them and make them our best pals.
That’s been our story to date with EMD UK. They are big time rollers as they are the National Governing Body for Group Exercise in the UK. EMD UK have been huge Cover Ninja supporters and we are thankful we have made such good pals.
To get to know them even better, we decided to ask Brett (a big dog at EMD UK!) a few questions…
1. What is your role at EMD UK and how long have you been doing it?
I am Head of Sales and Marketing, so I oversee the marketing strategy to raise the profile of group exercise across the industry.
2. Why did EMD UK want to work so closely with Cover Ninja?
As the National Governing Body for group exercise, we understand that unforeseen circumstances can wreck a class schedule and knowing approved cover is available quickly will be a great addition for instructors to ensure their participants don’t lose out on their regular classes.
3. What surprising lessons have you learned with EMD UK?
That despite the huge impact group exercise instructors have on the health of the nation, they are not rewarded as much as they should be. Another aspect is the lack of policing of valid qualifications, as you wouldn’t visit a dentist who wasn’t qualified, so why would you entrust your body to someone who does not fully understand what effect certain exercises can have on it??
4. Who are your biggest influences? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing today?
My family are my biggest influencers. I was brought up to always do your best in everything you do. That does not mean you are the best at what you do, there is always someone better at some point, but that you should always try and deliver more than what is required.
5. What’s the best advice you have ever received?
“You have 2 ears and 1 mouth, use them in that proportion”. You learn so much more by listening to people and understanding what they need.
6. Do you foresee any challenges ahead in the group exercise world and recruitment?
I think there will always be recruitment challenges if the sector doesn’t promote itself as a viable and great place to be work in. There needs to be a concerted effort by the sector to advertise itself as a highly rewarding career. The impact our sector has on the health of the nation means our instructors can make huge differences to people and their lives. Surely, that must be a great reason to join in. That effect though also needs to be recognised and the compensation needs to be reviewed and improved upon by employers.
7. What’s your favourite group exercise class?
Core Pilates, although have just been introduced to Broga and that looks interesting as due to a back injury I need to maintain suppleness and improve strength.
8. What are you excited to see in the next few months of the Cover Ninja/EMD UK launch?
Organisations working closer together to benefit our whole sector.
9. What’s a non-fitness fact about you?
I can drink a bottle of beer in under 3 seconds…….if that isn’t appropriate 😊I was in the Guinness Book of Records as a teenager.
If you would like to know more about EMD UK take a look at their website here.
If you would like to speak to Brett specifically (you should, he’s a top guy with excellent chat), drop him an email, here.