From Trainer to CEO: Amy Boone Thompson’s Insights for the Industry

A seasoned leader, IDEA’s CEO provides practical advice for fitness and wellness professionals looking to thrive in a changing landscape

As the fitness industry continues on its current fast path toward holistic wellness, those who have weathered its changes and growth over the years offer invaluable perspectives. To celebrate the end of National Wellness Month, Athletech News spoke with Amy Boone Thompson, CEO and owner of IDEA Health & Fitness Association.

With over three decades of experience in the fitness industry, Thompson has journeyed from personal trainer to executive leadership. Her hands-on experience and deep commitment to wellness have shaped her leadership approach and vision for the future of fitness.

For those navigating a diverse industry, Thompson’s experience offers valuable lessons in adaptability and leadership. Her perspective highlights the importance of staying informed about industry trends, embracing technology and continuously developing skills.

The following has been lightly edited for clarity.

Athletech News (ATN): How has your hands-on experience in fitness shaped your leadership philosophy?

Amy Boone Thompson (ABT): In 1995, I began my professional journey as a personal trainer at a women’s club in Chantilly, Virginia. It was there that I witnessed firsthand the profound impact a dedicated fitness professional can have on people’s lives. The challenges, successes and hopes of the women I coached revealed the power I had as a trainer, inspiring me to pursue a career in this industry. The experiences with those clients, and the deep inspiration they provided, confirmed for me that the fitness, wellness, and sports industry was where I was meant to be.

ATN: What do you see as the most significant challenges facing fitness and wellness professionals in the next 5-10 years, and how can they best prepare?

ABT: Post-COVID , the gig economy has grown out of necessity, and technology has empowered fitness professionals to work more independently than ever before. Our vision is to inspire these highly qualified professionals to work when and where they want.

IDEA is dedicated to providing solutions for fitness professionals at every stage of their career. At the top level, recruiting and staffing are significant challenges impacting the success of our clubs and studios, and ultimately the communities they serve.

We believe in developing professionals by establishing the highest quality standards of continuing education, publications, in-person and virtual events, and partnering with like-minded businesses to address many of the industry’s pain points.

ATN: As Chair of World Active, you’re in a unique position to influence global fitness policy. How do you plan to bridge the gap between local fitness initiatives and global health recommendations?

ABT: Together, World Active Members share, collaborate and support each other in their efforts to serve the fitness and physical activity sector globally. Under my leadership, the council is formalizing World Active and activating its manifesto through working groups involving 52 fitness trade associations from around the world.

These groups contribute to the development of global standards that further legitimize our role in preventative healthcare and collaborate to strengthen and unite our industry. World Active is establishing a singular international voice to enhance collaboration with the World Health Organization, aiming to represent the fitness and physical activity sector globally for a healthier, more active world.

ATN: Sustainability and inclusivity are crucial issues in the fitness industry. Can you share some specific examples of how IDEA is implementing these values in its operations and content?

ABT: We are committed to the collective success of all fitness and wellness professionals worldwide. Now and in the future, you can expect IDEA to lead by our core values and code of ethics, which include sustainability and inclusivity. We are advocates for essentialism and securing our place in the healthcare continuum, and we’re leading efforts toward a more diverse and equitable profession through our education, events and content that empowers a holistic health and fitness industry—a place free of -isms and phobias, where every professional and every person has access to the benefits of health and wellness.

ATN: The IDEA & ACSM Compensation & Benefits Survey revealed some interesting insights. Can you delve into some of the more surprising or concerning findings?

ABT: The pandemic caused 1.5 million fitness professionals to lose their jobs, which accounted for 47% of our fitness labor force. As exercise professionals return to the workforce, we’re seeing more hybrid roles, with nearly all working in multiple locations and teaching or training online to supplement their income.

The 2023 Fitness Industry and Compensation Trends Report provides data on current wages in the industry, as well as information on benefits and hiring and promotion criteria. We expanded the number of positions surveyed from seven in 2015 to 12 in the 2023 survey to capture our growing industry. This survey data can help position your company or yourself competitively within our industry, so let’s delve into the data.

ATN: Looking ahead, what do you see as the next big paradigm shift in the fitness industry?

ABT: Recruitment and staffing continue to be issues for many, so it’s important to address that. We have created a strategic partnership with CoverMe , a UK-based tech company, to upgrade the fitness industry by providing a two-sided solution to the perennial recruitment issues while enhancing opportunities for fitness professionals.

For IDEA members, these added features to IDEA’s FitnessConnect® professional directory will not only continue to verify credentials and liability insurance but also offer enhanced features to place professionals’ profiles in front of hiring clubs and managers in their community who are looking for talent with their exact expertise.

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