World aerobic champions Cassie Scully and Anthony Ikin ran workshops and demonstrations in Warrnambool at the weekend.
WARRNAMBOOL aerobics coach Emma Bellman expects the visit of two world champions to rub off on her young squads.
Queenslander Anthony Ikin and New South Wales’ Cassie Scully took more than 30 students, and a handful of parents, through intensive fitness sessions at the weekend.
The pair represented Australia at aerobics world championships in the Netherlands last year and left the students in awe of their talent and positive outlook.
Bellman, the head coach of EKB Fitness and Aerobics, said the visit would help with her students’ preparation for state and national championships.
She said Ikin led his “Ikin Shake It” class to open the day-long workshop at Action Indoor Sports Centre.
Ikin and Scully then taught the group a series of training drills targeting strength, jumps, kicks, fitness and choreography before working directly with specific pairs and trios.
“It’s not everyday you get two experts like that to help you out and look at your routines, what’s working and what’s not,” Bellman said. “The kids see these two as pretty much celebrities, they were lining up for photos.
“They’ve given us a really good set of fitness drills — drills we can use in every training session.
“There’s so much to work on. They’re drills you know you’re not going to be wasting your time, you’ll see improvements as quickly as possible.”
Bellman said Ikin and Scully’s ability to motivate the students stood out.
“They were really proud all of the kids kept going. All the athletes were there from 9am in the morning until 4.30pm,” she said.
“And a few of them were still there for private sessions until 7.30pm.
“Just the athletes going that long shows how the two were so motivating.”
EKB Fitness and Aerobics has started preparing for what it hopes will be another trip to Federation of International Sport Aerobics and Fitness world titles.
The club will contest state titles on May 4 and, should they qualify, national titles. School aerobics titles are also on the radar.
Bellman said Ikin and Scully would visit Warrnambool again in February next year.
“I couldn’t have asked for the day to go any better,” she said.
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au