Team of five industry veterans will decide winner of global personal training program

SCHILLER PARK, Ill., May 8, 2012 - Life Fitness today announced its selection of judges for the 2012 global Personal Trainers to Watch program, an effort to recognize personal trainers for fitness excellence. The panel of five esteemed industry experts ranges from exercise physiologists to published authors, and has been hand-selected to determine one winner and 10 finalists by scoring online nominations from across the world.

Expanded to a global market for the first time since its launch in 2011, the Personal Trainers to Watch program calls for the nomination of fitness professionals who exude a passion for health and aim to better the lives of their clients.

"After taking Personal Trainers to Watch to a global market, it was important to select a well-rounded judging panel that could relate to an international nomination base," said Chris Clawson, Life Fitness president. "We`re thrilled to give deserving personal trainers a chance to connect with some of the world`s most established and successful fitness professionals."

2012 Personal Trainers to Watch Judging Panel

Nicole Nichols was named America`s Personal Trainer to Watch by Life Fitness in 2011. "Coach Nicole" is the fitness expert and managing editor for SparkPeople.com, and is one of the most-watched trainers on YouTube. Nicole has a bachelor`s degree in health promotion and education, specializing in fitness. She maintains several fitness certifications, including the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Training and AFAA Group Fitness Instruction, and is comprehensively trained in mat and reformer Pilates through Balanced Body University. Her latest DVD is titled "SparkPeople: 28 Day Boot Camp."

Rodney Corn is a co-founder of PTA Global and has more than 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. As a collegiate athlete, bodybuilder, published author and regular contributor to industry publications, Corn has traveled the globe sharing his extensive scientific and practical experience in wellness, sports performance and corrective exercise. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of San Francisco and California University of Pennsylvania. Corn holds a bachelor`s degree in psychology and master`s degree in biomechanics. He is also a Fellow of Applied Functional Science with the Gray Institute.

Pete McCall is an exercise physiologist with ACE. In his role, McCall creates and delivers fitness continuing education programs, and is a co-creator of the ACE Integrated Fitness TrainingTM (ACE IFTTM) model. McCall has a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania. He is a certified personal trainer with ACE, and holds additional certifications through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. McCall also serves on the content review committee for http://www.ptonthenet.com, and is an adjunct lecturer for the Exercise and Nutritional Sciences program at San Diego State University.

Chris Clawson is president of Life Fitness. An industry veteran, Clawson joined the Company in 1994 and has served in a number of different positions focused on product development, sales and marketing. Clawson also spent six years in retail management with two leading sporting-goods retailers. Athletics has always played a significant role in Clawson`s life, having played professional baseball before entering the fitness industry.

Deborah Plitt has been a network trainer for Life Fitness since 1994. Plitt develops education modules and provides academic training to Life Fitness customers throughout the world. Plitt received her Bachelor of Science from Penn State University in Exercise and Sport Science and is currently working toward a Master of Science in Human Movement Science from A.T. Still University. Plitt is also a certified corrective exercise specialist with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and an advanced health and fitness specialist with ACE.

Read the original:
Brunswick Corporation : Life Fitness Announces Judging Panel For Personal Trainers To Watch 2012