The research data and conclusions were recently presented at a national voice conference and the founder of VOXFIT™ is also currently writing a book entitled Voice Fitness: Voices Fit to Inspire, targeted to positively impact and empower individuals who are occupational voice users.
Voices FIT to Inspire...
February 4, 2019
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An occupational voice user is any individual who places great demands upon his/her voice and whose livelihood is dependent upon a functioning voice (Stemple, 2000)--which basically means anyone who uses their voice for their job--and fitness professionals make up a monumentally large population within this group. VOXFIT™ has years of experience in the worlds of medical speech/voice pathology and fitness/media/vocal performance, and this experience guided the company founder to conduct her own research related to the importance of providing vocal seminars to fitness instructors comprised of education on vocal health/care to prevent voice disorders to an at-risk population, healthy voice use for an efficiently functioning vocal mechanism, and dynamic vocal performance and message delivery to effectively command a room and deliver monumental class experiences.
This research and previous research on the topic has proven the imperative need for fitness professionals to receive vocal training in order to promote the best class delivery and ensure long healthy careers.
Noteworthy data points of the recent research include:
-The research survey was distributed to fitness professionals of all styles (indoor cycling, HIIT training/boot camp, barre, yoga, Lagree, dance, zumba, aerobics, pilates) and 100% of all 230 respondents agreed that voice has a significant impact on every class
-Close to 80% of respondents affirmed they have never had a vocal training, but over 82% teach 3+ classes per week and obviously qualify as "vocal athletes"
-92% of respondents stated that they feel a vocal training would be beneficial for their work in the fitness industry, with 85% stating they would be interested in attending such a training
-Approximately 70% of all respondents stated they have experienced hoarseness (dysphonia) at some point related to their instructing of fitness classes, and over 50% of these fitness professionals have never been trained on how to use their voice for instruction
-60% of those surveyed have experienced a feeling of straining their voice/using effort during instruction of classes, and 60% also reported being social/talkative individuals outside of teaching--therefore displaying a consistent use of voice in and outside of their "work" setting.
It should be easy to understand that fitness professionals are incredibly at-risk for voice disorders and/or vocal injury...and don't always have training on how to properly take care of their vocal instruments, prevent vocal injury, strengthen and prepare their voices for the high vocal demands of their jobs, and/or use their voices in the most effective, efficient, and dynamic ways possible to create monumental class experience and client engagement/connection. THAT'S THE PASSION AND MISSION of VOXFIT™ though--combining the medical and fitness worlds (as the founder "lives" in both of them consistently), to provide voice training/education/coaching and voice therapy (if/when needed) to occupational voice users (especially fitness instructors).
VOXFIT’s strong passion for voice, fitness, public speaking, and empowering/inspiring others powers the company mission in hopes that it can positively impact all voice users, especially those that aim to lead, help, inspire, and motivate others through instruction and communication utilizing the voice.
Author
Sara Davis, M.A. CCC-SLP
Author
Check out the Meet The Founder page for bio!