Written by: Helena Smolock, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Are women in the Global Fitness Industry facing male domination? A question that I started to ask myself most recently as I continue to reach out to major corporations to manage their on-site fitness facilities. My moto is that no project is too large or too small. Although I have an incredibly positive history with corporate entities and have the ability and experience to create a professional setting, over the span of my 40-year career, I had to begin thinking on a quite different scale.
I was interviewed on a show some time ago and was taken back by the comment the host made to me – “As a woman how did you survive this male dominated industry? It is admirable that you have where most people start up and quickly shut down!”
I was flattered that he had recognized that as a woman, I am still standing in a male dominated industry. He was truthful in his comment which is backed by statistics.
Statistics conducted by Sport Alliance and Women in Fitness (WIFA) revealed that –
“Half of men employed by fitness companies work in leadership roles. For female fitness professionals, the figure is just 36 per cent.”
Furthermore, the report revealed that leadership roles in the fitness industry are harder to achieve for women. 27 per cent of women agreed that their path to becoming a leader was more difficult because of their gender.
It is time for the corporate world to open its doors of diversity for Women Fitness Professionals and to support them in leadership roles.
Times have changed in the economic world where women are now forced to wear the many hats to balance work and home. I was the single mom who wore those hats. Fortunately, I had someone (amongst many) who believed in my talents and recognized my strengths, as well impressed with my experience.
A former owner and employer in Whiterock, BC Canada had hired me to manage their failing fitness facility due to the lack of experience their former management had. In my analysis of the facility, it required changing staff, improvement of its programming, services, marketing, and cleanliness of the overall space.
He gave me the opportunity as a woman fitness professional to lead my staff members, to make the necessary changes that created a more organized and successful facility where members took notice and became resolute customers. This was not my only project I had worked on in my career, but it was most certainly the one that had influence in my home life as a single mother. The opportunity and the salary went hand in hand.
More individuals like my former employer are needed to support and give opportunity to women and here are five reasons why corporate entities should hire women in fitness.
Women have an impeccable gift to detail and notice a loophole before it becomes a problem.
Women are highly organized. We must be if we are mothers.
Women most often multi-task and get the job done.
We continuously update our education and are eager to learn.
Women are dedicated to creating a successful team culture.
Helena Smolock, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Helena Smolock, is an award-winning CPT-RNC, a Master Athlete, and Founder and President of Velocity Athletic Training. She received the Business Excellence Award from the Langley Chamber of Commerce 2003, was voted by clients and business associates across Canada and the USA as Business Person of the Year (2020-2022), seated at 4 in the top ten businesses in the USA, and most recently in 2023 seated at 1 (Blaine, WA). Voted in the top ten Business Person of the Year 2023, seated at 6 in the USA. Her company, Velocity Athletic Training has most recently been voted by LUXLife 2023 as the 1 Personal Training Company in Washington State. She has been a Fitness Columnist for Canadian Healthstyle Magazine, The Langley Times and has been featured on radio and television. Helena is also WBENC ‒ Certified as a Woman Owned Business. The Gold Standard in business Certification.
From athletes and corporate professionals, to those seeking post-rehab, Helena has provided an environment where a trusted bond is developed between client and coach. Together we design your 1:1 Functional Conditioning to boost your Fitness with an Athletic Twist to enhance Performance and Mindset to WIN!!
