Club Insider

About Justin Cates

Justin CatesJustin Cates

Justin Cates is the Publisher of Club Insider. Having been born into a club business family in 1985, Justin grew up in the health and fitness club industry. He has lived and breathed this industry for 35 years, since his own day one, and he loves it dearly. Graduating from the Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia in 2007, Justin has run day-to-day operations of Club Insider for 12 years. Justin was elevated to Publisher of Club Insider on April 5, 2020. Justin’s Dad, Norm Cates, continues to serve as Founder and Tribal Leader Since 1993.

Phone: (863) 999 - 2677
Email: Justin@clubinsideronline.com

Previous Articles

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AUGIE
March 2018 - Augie Nieto is a man who needs no introduction. From the early days of Life Fitness to today, on the verge of bringing Augie's Quest across the finish line of finding the cure for ALS, Augie is pure and simply a warrior for good. As its leader, Augie's Quest has become a veritable force that truly proves the concept of strength in numbers. The strength of the numbers in our industry has become visible to many outside our circle, and with the cure for ALS, it will become visible to all, opening doors this industry never could have imagined. As history has shown, every great leader has an incredible partner in life who stands side by side with him through anything and everything that comes. Lynne is that to Augie. Augie is that to Lynne. Together, I believe it is safe to say that Augie and Lynne have accomplished more than even they could have imagined, and it is beautiful. Read Article...

AUGIE NIETO
The Definition of Legacy

March 2023 - The idea of legacy is from a moment in time looking back, yet it is built from the present moving forward. Thus, a legacy is the aggregate of the past. If you really think about it, it is truly an interesting concept. No one can actually experience their own legacy because that is what comes after. All one can do is everything possible during their time to ensure their legacy will be one that is good, positive, righteous and makes a difference. Augie Nieto has moved on from us, and in doing so, he has now left a legacy that has and will continue to have a profound impact... on those who knew him AND those who did not. Read Article...

Augie's Quest
Winning The War On ALS!

May 2014 - In March of 2005, Augie Nieto, a legend of the health and fitness club industry was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. After a very difficult time accepting the diagnosis, Augie realized that he, like Lou Gehrig, had an awful lot to live for. He came back stronger than ever with a new passion and goal in life, defeating ALS. At his side has been a true warrior and comrade in arms, with more courage than anyone could dream existed, his incredible wife, Lynne. Together, they set out on this journey. Now, nine years later, what a journey it has been, and you could say the destination is on the horizon! Read Article...

Baptist Health/Milestone Wellness Center
Where You Matter Most

January 2016 - Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were great and the New Year's rush is going even better. Let's dive right into the January 2016 Edition of Club Insider. This month, our cover story features a very interesting story out of Louisville, Kentucky: Baptist Health/Milestone Wellnesss Center, led by President Diane Kelton. Read Article...

Barry's Bootcamp
Inside the Red Room With CEO, Joey Gonzalez

July 2019 - Having numerous friends who live in Los Angeles and New York, I've seen social media posts about Barry's Bootcamp for years. As an industry participant, it's also my job to know about the always expanding plethora of brands our industry has to offer. This month, those two meet in the following cover story about Barry's Bootcamp. Within this story, you will hear from Joey Gonzalez, customer turned instructor turned CEO of Barry's Bootcamp, and his incredible journey with the brand. You will also hear from Jon Canarick, Managing Director of North Castle Partners, about their investment/partnership in Barry's, what they look for in companies like Barry's and what they bring to the table in partnership. So, let's dive right in! Read Article...

Ben Marciano's Zone Health and Fitness
Fulfillment Through Serving Others

July 2022 - When most think of success, they do so in terms of dollars and cents. Simple as that. The more money you have and make, the more successful you are. But, I offer that there are other, more fulfilling ways to think of success. Dollars and cents cannot fill the hole inside one's soul. If you feel incomplete, money will not fix it. Instead, maybe a more defined purpose, one's "Why," can. When you define purpose, you can attain it, and with that, one becomes complete. This month's Club Insider Cover Story is about Ben Marciano, Owner of Zone Health and Fitness, and he is one who has lived on both sides in terms of the definition of success. Read Article...

Ben Midgley and Crunch Franchise
Overnight Success is Not Over Night

March 2021 - Over the years, I have made a habit of periodically rereading Jim Collins' Good to Great. The book covers many concepts. But, for me, one of the most interesting is the Overnight Success. When discussing this and the representative companies studied to write the book, it becomes clear that the overnight success is really an illusion as perceived by those on the outside looking in. But, inside, the one being defined as an overnight success has been clawing, fighting and grinding to achieve that success. In most cases, the overnight success is not over night. This month's cover story, featuring Ben Midgley and Crunch Franchise, runs right along these lines. Read Article...

Black Box VR
The Virtual Reality Gym Experience

October 2019 - I was born in 1985, the year that the most successful video game franchise in history began: MARIO. I didn't jump on the bandwagon until Super Mario 3, which is still my favorite video game of all time. But, as I played the Mario trilogy, and future iterations of it, I was pretty active. I built my calves by jumping up and down as I completed another level. I worked my triceps as I threw my controller to the ground when I lost. I was completely invested! I'm joking, of course. Ironically, the future of the health and fitness club industry must become completely invested in participants like me, but its participants aren't going to be invested in the experiences of old. Yes, keep those experiences for the members who expect them, and adjust accordingly as their demand decreases. BUT, know that you must create experiences for the members like me... Millennials and Gen-Z who truly want a reason to leave work, not to mention the house/condo/apartment in which we reside to improve ourselves. Read Article...

Blair McHaney's Gold's Gyms
Making a National Brand Feel Local

June 2011 - We all know the major national and worldwide health and fitness club brands. Some are large and getting bigger, and others are coming of age. Economies of scale gives them the ability to make media buys on par with their size, keeping their brand top-of-mind in respective markets. This alone can drive traffic through their doors, both in large communities as well as small ones. Some, however, forget one important thing. Read Article...

Body Training Systems
Built to Build Your Club Business

February 2010 - A lot can be said about group fitness, and there are many views of it in this industry. Should a club go with a custom or freestyle program or should they install one that is professionally-produced and pre-choreographed? Is there an in-between route? Read Article...

Brian Vahaly and YouFit Gyms
Where YOU Fit In

May 2023 - A person is the culmination of a lifetime of experience, knowledge and beliefs, whatever they may be. No one thing can define any one person. Instead, the multitude knits the fabric that is one's being. That is YOU. That is me. That is all of us. And, we are all in this together. At YouFit Gyms, their slogan, and the subheadline of this cover story is "Where YOU Fit In." Within that statement, so much is said in very few words. Come one, come all, we love you, and you are welcome here. That is beautiful. Led by Brian Vahaly, CEO, YouFit is in good hands, having emerged from COVID-induced bankruptcy to once again being poised for growth. The experience, knowledge and beliefs that define Brian are now present at YouFit, and it is making all the difference in the world for the company. I welcome you to read on, as we present a conversation with Brian Vahaly, CEO of YouFit Gyms. Read Article...

Brooklyn Boulders
Building Community One Climb at a Time

June 2017 - It's a sport that has been around for years, and in 2020, it will make its debut in the Olympic Games, to be held in Tokyo. Coinciding with the sport's growth, facilities dedicated to the discipline are entering the mainstream instead of being relegated to empty, unused corners of multipurpose clubs. Among the leaders in this segment is this month's Club Insider Cover Story Subject, Brooklyn Boulders. Read Article...

BTS Launches Partnership With Augie's Quest
November 2012 - In our September, 2012 Edition, we reported that Body Training Systems (BTS) had joined MDA's Augie's Quest with the goal of raising $2 million by 2018. On November 9th, I was honored to be present for the launch of this partnership with the first "Groove for Augie" fundraiser event during the 2012 BTS Summit. Read Article...

Change By Football
December 2003 - Read Article...

Cherry Creek Athletic Club
The Evolution and Success of One of Denver's Premier Athletic Clubs

February 2017 - Change... Improvement... Evolution... It can go by any of these names. And, possibly even more so than in the general business world, within the health and fitness club industry, those who earn success do so by constantly changing, improving and evolving their craft. A classic tale of this approach, which we have documented in Club Insider numerous times, is that of Red Lerille, Owner of the world-renowned Red's, located in Lafayette, Louisiana. When it comes to improvement, his mantra is simple but absolute: Each and every month, change and improve at least one thing. Even small changes, in aggregate over time, can create an entirely new identity for a business. This month's cover story subject, the Cherry Creek Athletic Club (CCAC), located in Denver, Colorado, is another renowned facility that has evolved and created success. Read Article...

Chez Misko and Wisconsin Athletic Club
Making a Difference in People's Lives

September 2023 - In a previous age, one's career spanned its length with one employer. Among younger generations, that idea has fallen by the wayside in favor of moving and upgrading as the needs of one's life dictates. Further, the idea of having multiple careers in different fields has become prevalent. So, it is becoming rare to find one who has dedicated an entire career to one field, and further, it is even more rare to find one who has dedicated all that time to one company. I introduce one of those people, and his name is Chez Misko, COO of Wisconsin Athletic Club (WAC), our September 2023 Cover Story Subject. Read Article...

Chris Warner and Earth Treks
Climb. Play. Grow.

July 2018 - Our cover story subject this month, Chris Warner, Founder and Owner of Earth Treks, is a world-renowned mountaineer who has scaled the pinnacles of the climbing world: Mount Everest and K2. Most may think Everest is the most dangerous mountain in the world to climb because it is the tallest. However, it is actually K2 (world's second tallest) that is more dangerous with almost 30% of those attempting the climb losing their life (Everest is around 3%). As the ninth American to have scaled both peaks, Warner is truly in elite company. By comparison, only 12 Americans have ever walked on the moon! Read Article...

Chuck Richards and Team
The Story of Sunset Athletic Club

October 2016 - Chuck Richards was born and grew up in Tacoma Washington. Like so many kids, from an early age, he was active at his local Y. From the various sports and activities he participated in, he began to shine in swimming. Through high school, he focused on the sport, culminating in the honor of All American and being ranked #3 in the country. This led to a full scholarship to the swimming powerhouse, University of Indiana. Throughout his collegiate career, he was a 2-year All American and National Finalist. At that time, he was not at the Olympic level; however, upon graduation, his sports career did not end. Instead, he was pursued for the Pentathlon, a multidiscipline sport that included running, swimming, pistol shooting, fencing and riding. He began training and competing out of San Antonio in the summer of 1967. Read Article...

Cincinnati Sports Club
25 Years of Health, Wellness and Social Excellence

January 2015 - Happy New Year and welcome to 2015! To begin this hopefully exciting and successful year for our great industry, we want to share with you a story of true club success. We hope you can learn from it as well as use it as motivation while running your facility and serving your customers this year. This month, celebrating its 25th year in business, we share the story of the Cincinnati Sports Club (CSC). Read Article...

Club Fit
40+ Years of Health and Fitness Evolution

May 2016 - The task of business is a complicated one. The number of moving parts can seem infinite. We plan for everything possible, but it never works out completely to plan. Simplistically, some keys to long-term success include: Always learning from your mistakes, as well as the successes of others. Populating the business with a team of trusted and capable staff members who buy into the company's mission and values. And, doing everything ethically possible to build a customer base that loves, trusts and values your brand. Embedded within those tasks are thousands of sub-tasks that exponentially complicate things. Read Article...

Club Insider Thanks Its Continuing Sponsors
October 2023 - From time to time, we take the opportunity to dedicate a Cover Story to those who make it financially possible for Club Insider to continue on: Our Sponsors. This is important to us, because we always want to be able to be there for you, our Esteemed Readers. Further, though, through working with these great companies, we know what they can offer you, and we know their products and services can help your business. As Club Insider continues its transition to an Online Only publication, now more than ever, we THANK the companies you will read about for their continued sponsorship. And, we THANK you for your readership. This month is also the perfect time for this story, as we enter the final quarter of 2023. Now is the time to plan for 2024, and these companies stand ready to help you soar in the New Year! So, I invite you to read on. And, I thank you for doing so. You will be happy you did. Read Article...

Club Marketing
Then, Now, Always

February 2014 - Marketing... It's the function of business we have all turned a blind eye to at some point. We don't have the time for it. We don't have the budget for it. We will do it next year. If we build it, they will come... At least, that is what we tell ourselves. Read Article...

Club Northwest
For the LOVE of It

March 2017 - The manifestation of love is a beautiful thing. It is sometimes one of those things that can be hard to explain, yet, you know exactly what it looks like when you see it. It creates a warmth inside. It can motivate. It can be a reason for doing something as well as the end result. When you experience it, you want to share it. Even if you don't have it, you can still give it to others. Love is the fuel of purpose to create something better. At Club Northwest, love has become as powerful as currency. As a mission, love has created their higher purpose. That purpose has served to motivate and inspire. Over 20 years, that has fueled growth of a facility that is not your typical health and fitness club offering. It has become something much more for the community of Grants Pass, Oregon. Read Article...

Club One Fitness
One Mind. One Body. One Life...

April 2011 - I admit it, I am a technology junky. I love the newest gadgets; my iPhone (4), my iPad (2), this computer or that laptop. I love it all, and only in the past decade have the newest gadgets truly become affordable for the masses and not just the early adopters, with few exceptions. Yet, the quality has also gone through the roof! Read Article...

Continuing Education
The Gamechanger of a Career

July 2020 - We spend years in general and specialized education: K-12, college, post-graduate, doctoral, etc. No matter what the level we may achieve, one thing is common between all of these levels: At the time of their achievement, they are the aggregate of past knowledge. More important is what occurs afterwards. Education is not a start to finish spectrum; it is start, then never finish. Moving from education into a career, the gamechanger that will make or break the success of that career is continuing education. Within the health and fitness club industry, the number of sources that exist to enable continuing education is incredible. This month, Club Insider will attempt to provide information about a chunk of those resources. We won't be able to cover them all, but via those that will be covered, you will find even more to utilize. Read Article...

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