Fitness and aerobic exercise industries have become firmly established as vital and necessary services for park and recreation programming. Illinois park and recreation agencies have the opportunity to play an integral role in the enhancement of their community's overall health and fitness. Methods to accomplish this goal are group aerobic and exercise classes available through local fitness centers and health club facilities.

By conducting a telephone survey of other park and recreation agencies, I discovered that many are doing quite well at providing fitness and exercise programs to their communities. Many park and recreation agencies have developed high quality aerobic exercise and fitness programs staffed by top level directors and instructors. Most of these professionals are certified through nationally recognized organizations and/or have a degree in related health and fitness fields.

A common problem many park and recreation agencies share is how to best advertise and promote their programs in an effective and consistent manner. As recognized community leaders, it is essential for park and recreation agencies to discover methods of innovative program promotions that will educate the customer; methods that illustrate the quality, expertise and wide-range programming available in their local park and recreation programs.

The Joliet Park District "all-star approach" to marketing their programs to their community happened by developing an aerobic performance team — the Aerobic All-Stars. Participants were selected through an audition process and joined the team of Joliet's aerobic-fitness professionals.

The group performs at community and park district events, giving the Joliet Park District's aerobic-fitness programs high visibility in the community; recognition that is necessary for successful advertising and marketing campaigns.

The purpose of the Aerobic All-Star Team is to promote health, fitness and the Joliet Park District. The Aerobic All-Stars perform at park district sponsored events, community festivals, club meetings, and other events related to wellness, health and fitness.

Observers are attracted by the upbeat music, colorful aerobic wear and, above all, the performance. The All-Stars motivate people to consider their own fitness levels. All-Star team members encompass all ages and have a lot of fun demonstrating their aerobic and athletic abilities. Observers are inclined to become involved in the park district's aerobic exercise classes, inspired by the All-Stars' performance.

Ingredients for All-Star Success
The instructors and participants enjoy the public recognition they receive for their enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to participating in a regular fitness program. Aerobic class participants strive to develop their own health and fitness skills and eventually become Aerobic All-Star team members. Class participants become goal-oriented and more successful in their own fitness endeavors. The attention the Aerobic All-Stars generate creates even greater enthusiasm for the park district's other exercise programs. The entire aerobic-fitness program benefits

The Joliet Park District's "Aerobic All-Stars" promote health and fitness for all ages. Their performances inspire local observers to consider their own fitness levels and become involved in the park district's aerobic exercise classes.

from the team's good example and performance in the community.

I will describe the procedures to follow if you desire to develop an Aerobic All-Star Team for your park and recreation agency. The work begins with a pre-planning stage when initial ideas and goals are developed for the team. The audition and selection process is the next step. Once the team participants are selected, you're well on your way to promoting your aerobic-fitness programs the "all-star" way. A detailed outline for selecting an aerobic team follows:

I. Promoting The Audition
In order to generate a successful audition that will attract a lot of candidates, you need to launch a promotional campaign targeted to potential team members. Following is a step by step recruitment plan.

A. Have a meeting with your aerobic-fitness staff to get their valuable input and ideas. By involving staff in the planning process, they become more enthusiastic about promoting the event themselves.

1. At this meeting select a date, time and place for the audition.

2. Decide upon the name for your team.

3. Determine the minimum age for team members. The Joliet Park District established 2 teams; the first is the Aerobic All-Stars, ages 16 and up; second is the Junior All-Star Team, ages 9 to 16.

4. Design and print a flyer detailing the audition. Include what to wear, where to meet, the time, how the selection process will work and what skills are necessary for a successful audition.

5. Send flyers to community colleges, local universities, high schools, junior high schools, and other health and fitness facilities. Also, send a press release and a copy of the flyer to both radio stations and newspapers.

B. Promotions should focus on the Aerobic All-Star Team as an elite group of individuals who have achieved high levels of physical fitness.

II. The Day Of The Audition
A. Have all candidates arrive 1/2 hour before the judges. This allows time to answer questions, describe the selection process, and complete necessary paperwork.

1. Candidates need to fill out information cards with the following information: Name, address, telephone number, and age. This information card should include a medical history form and a waiver. (Candidates under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver.) Request participants' clothing sizes, should the candidate be selected to become a team member.

2. Assign candidates numbers printed on small sheets of paper. Pin these numbers to the candidates for the judges' viewing. A master list of candidates and their numbers is used during the final selection of team members.

3. Aerobic staff members can demonstrate combinations and exercises the candidates will be asked to perform. One instructor should serve as the moderator to identify correct and incorrect techniques. (Have the judges present during this presentation.)

III. The Audition
A. Divide the candidates into groups of 8-12. Each group auditions separately. Line candidates in numerical order from the judges' point of view.

B. Select 3-5 judges. Include members of your aerobic staff and professionals from health or sports medicine fields.

1. Review with the judges the scoring procedure and what your expectations are.

2. The judges should be seated at a table with enough pencils and erasers to judge the entire audition.

C. Have candidates follow an aerobic instructor through a twenty minute routine that includes:

1. 10 minutes of aerobics (have the candidate warm up prior to the performance.)

   a. Use 4-6 combinations ranging from low impact aerobics to high impact aerobics. The combinations should also go from simple to complex.
   b. Incorporate strength movements (arm combinations). Also include flexibility moves, such as kicks.
   c. The last 2-3 minutes should incorporate moves for an aerobic cool down so the transition to the next phase will be physiologically safer.

2. 5 minutes of floorwork.

   a. Select exercises like push ups to evaluate strength.
   b. Select exercises to demonstrate abdominal strength like abdominal curl-ups.

3. 5 minutes of cool down tor flexibility assessment.

   a. Include static stretches that demonstrate specific flexibility in hamstrings and hip flexors and extensors.
   b. Incorporate stretches that demonstrate general flexibility skills.

4. Judges should evaluate candidates on their presentation skills.

   a. Determine each candidate's ability to generate enthusiasm and

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excitement through their smiles, facial expressions and eye contact.
b. Judges should look for candidates with high confidence levels and lots of energy.

D. Following is a review of the judges' scoring sheet.

1. The score sheet is divided into categories related to the requirements of the audition routine.

2. Use a scoring system of (+)(*) or (-) for each area in each category. A ( + ) is given to individuals who display high skill levels in any particular area. A (*) demonstrates average performance or execution in any particular area. A ( - ) is for individuals with less than average ability in any area.

3. Score for each of the following categories: Technique, Coordination, Fitness Level, and Presentation Skills. The scoring follows a scale of l-10 with a 10 as excellent, an 8-good, 6-average, 4-below average, and 2-poor. An individual can score as high as 40 points.

E. Tabulate scores; high marks determine the all-star team members.

1. Determine a natural cut off point in the totals of each candidate's score to select your team, or ...

2. Decide ahead of time how many people you want on your all-star team.

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After announcing the Aerobic All-Star Team members' names, begin the work of choreography. The show should primarily consist of aerobic moves and combinations similar to those used in ongoing classes. Remember, the purpose of the All-Star Team is to promote health and fitness to the general public and attract them to participate in local aerobic-fitness programs. Performances should give the audience an idea of what aerobics or exercise classes are like. The show should incorporate segments that are "flashy", that can capture the attention and enthusiasm of the audience. Joliet has the Junior Aerobic All-Stars perform segments of the show alone for that unique touch. Also, the aerobic-fitness instructors perform more difficult portions of the show. Both groups add a lot to the performance and generate crowd appeal.

It is important for the show to include a mini warm-up and a cool down period. Selecting music that appeals to a wide audience for your performance "vignettes." The more people you draw to watch and enjoy the performance, the more people you can expect to join your program!

The show should last 20-30 minutes, enabling the team to incorporate different impact levels and variations of style into the performance. Shows that last longer than 30 minutes risk losing the audience's attention. Give viewers enough to stir up their desire to get involved in a regular aerobic-exercise program. At the conclusion of the show, make your aerobic staff members available to answer questions and hand out brochures and schedules on your program. Pass out one-week passes to aerobic programs for the audience. Find out who the people in your audience are. Have a drawing for 1 free session; people fill out a coupon with their name, address and telephone number and drop it in a box or container. At the conclusion of the show, draw the name of one winner. Create a new mailing list of participants for local aerobic programs.

Every Aerobic All-Star Team should plan to adhere to a regular fitness conditioning program that improves their cardiovascular conditioning level, muscular strength/flexibility and technical skills. Joliet Park District provides their team members with a list of suggested exercises and activities to choose from. After completing initial workshops that teach team members the entire show, your All-Stars should practice 1-2 weeks prior to each performance. Being an All-Star is a voluntary commitment; try to keep time required for involvement to a minimum.

When selecting aerobic team costumes keep in mind the body types and ages of the team members. Select a classic leotard and tights of neutral colors such as black or tan. Develop jackets and sweatsuits with your park and recreation association logo and/or an All-Star Team logo. Every time your logo is seen around the community it will enhance the promotion of your program!

Park and recreation agencies have long-standing commitments to community activities — both leisure and recreational. Aerobic and fitness opportunities can move to the forefront of your agency's programming. Enhance your agency's ability to meet the needs and interests of the community. Promote local programs in unique and innovative ways, the "all-star" approach to promotions!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Debbie Reichenbach holds a Gold certificate from the International Dance Exercise Association. Additionally, Debbie is certified by the American College Of Sports Medicine, the Aerobics And Fitness Association Of America, and Dr. Cooper's Aerobic Institute. As a member of the 1985 and 1986 Midwest Region Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship Team, Debbie has performed on national TV and at many regional events. This experience, combined with a ballet and jazz background and her work as a top instructor for the National Cheerleaders Association, gives Debbie an excellent background for developing and directing exercise and fitness programs. As President of Creative Concepts (fitness consulting and training), Debbie travels throughout the United States conducting workshops and lecturing. Debbie has presented workshops on creative choreography and on the technical application of the exercise sciences at conferences and international conventions. Presently Debbie is the fitness specialist and program coordinator for the Joliet Park District. Debbie is active as an instructor and in the development of the program.

Illinois Parks and Recreation

12

May/June 1989

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