“Any experience can be transformed into something of value.”

                                              -Vash Young

Several of you have been making suggestions that are variations on a similar theme. The consensus of opinion is that the IFPA, as an Association made up the world’s best Fitness Professionals, should display our passion and commitment to the fitness lifestyle and simultaneously display our support and appreciation for all of the men and women serving in our armed forces. The summation of the best way to achieve this goal is to prepare an IFPA Calendar utilizing the best male and female physiques of the members of the IFPA.

You have pointed out that the “Pin-Up” has been a mainstay of men-in-combat since cameras were invented, and before the camera, warriors used suitable substitutes. You have also pointed out that women serve along side of men in the military, so a unisex approach to the calendar should be used. Many of you, who are current members of the IFPA, are currently serving overseas and we at the IFPA are anxious to honor your request, however you need to be aware of the dissenting point of view.

The IFPA is a PROFESSIONAL Certification and Education Association. The following questions must be poised: “Is it appropriate for a professional association to prepare a “Pin-Up” type calendar?” “Would you expect the AMA (American Medical Association), the ABA (American Bar Association), the ADA (American Dietetic Association) or any other professional association to put out a “Pin-Up” calendar?” “Is this project the image you want to present of your association?”

For those of you that have been members of the IFPA for the past several years, you are well aware that many of the photos the IFPA uses on our website or in any brochure, article, manual, marketing, advertising, etc., all come from photos sent in by our members. The IFPA uses only IFPA members in all our training videos. The IFPA has used “Model Searches” in the past in order to give our IFPA members the opportunity to “Star” in IFPA materials. Therefore, you should be aware that the IFPA is made up of the most beautiful people with the most beauteous bodies in the world and would undoubtedly make a marvelous calendar, but once again: “Is this an appropriate image for your association?”

In order to put this issue to rest, I am going to leave it up to you, the members of the IFPA to decide. You are to have the opportunity to vote on this question in the IFPA Poll on the IFPA website -. You are also invited to offer your opinion on the IFPA Forum on the IFPA website And you are always welcome to respond to this FitBit (and any FitBit for that matter) to make your opinion known.

Your opinion and vote on this matter is wanted, appreciated and needed. Please don’t miss-interpret this as my being rude or a prude (yes, for those of you that know me, I thought that criticism was funny too), but I want closure to this issue. These requests are taking up an inordinate amount of my time and I need to move on to other issues, so your immediate attention to this matter will be appreciated (and a relief). Please vote today.

With the Utmost Appreciation,

Jim Bell, PhDc

President, IFPA