The Club Insider Archives: January 2014
The Amazing Greta Wagner
Leader of the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers
By: Justin Cates
Justin CatesEntering the New Year of 2014, I've now had the privilege of conducting cover story interviews and authoring cover story articles for half a decade. In that time, I have had the honor of speaking and corresponding with many incredible industry leaders, and frankly, some true legends. Throughout that time and experience, I have been most fascinated by a natural phenomenon that occurs with so many of those cover story subjects. That phenomenon is: one's personal background and upbringing carries forward later in life into their careers, and what they accomplish in our industry just makes sense when coupled with who they are, as described by them.
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"Insider Speaks"
The Call for Professionalism
By: Lisa Coors
Lisa CoorsLadies, have you ever gone to get your nails done and noticed a framed copy of your technician's license/certification on the wall? Or, have you gone to your physician and seen a copy of her Board Certification on the wall? What would happen if either of these people hadn't passed their certifications/board exams? Either they wouldn't be practicing or there would be a procedure in place to remove them from their respective industries.
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The Unsolved Problem in Our Industry
Part I
By: Will Phillips
Will PhillipsBy the time you're reading this, you should have had a great January sales season. Health clubs have solved the first industry problem, which is how to get people to join. We have not solved the second problem, which is how to get them to stay.
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To Draft Or Not To Draft?
It Really Shouldn't Be A Question Anymore!
By: Ron Alterio
Ron AlterioFrom The big boxes to the small studios; from the new kids on the block to the seasoned veterans, inquiring minds want to know... is switching over to a draft-based Personal Training (PT) model right for my business?
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PR 101
Get Your Marketing In Shape
By: Nancy Trent
Nancy TrentMy marketing communications firm kicked off its healthy heritage in the late '80s and early '90s by mainstreaming fitness giants like Kathy Smith, Denise Austin, Gin Miller, Johnny G and the game-changing equipment like the Reebok Step, the Body Bar and the Body Ball.
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How We Make A Difference In People's Lives
By: Jason Reinhardt
Jason ReinhardtThis is the time of the year to reconnect with your staff, guests and members and remind them how we impact and make a difference in their lives. Enthusiasm fuels success, and when you have your staff, guests and members excited about your club, it's a great combination! I've always said that the last four letters in enthusiasm stand for I am sold myself.
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Programming For The "Fun Of It!"
Success Template for Creating Profitable Programs
By: Laurie Cingle
Laurie CingleTurn your ideas into successful, profitable programs by using the following template as a guide to creating new programs or to giving a facelift to existing programs. Most programs should contain these five components.
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Henry Polessky
February 28, 1940 - January 9, 2014
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Henry Polessky, a veteran of over 50 years in the health club industry, passed away from cancer, ending a long battle on January 9, 2014 at 7PM. Born in Montreal, Canada, Henry would have been 74 had he reached his birthday next month.
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Letter to the Editor
Hi Hossein and Norm, Happy New Year! Hossein, Thank you for writing such a great article about the shortsightedness of taxing membership dues. I love the contrast between vices like smoking and drinking versus gym memberships.
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LA Fitness Rolling Along As It Acquires Two More Club Groups
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo and Rochester Athletic Clubs and Fitness International, LLC announced that they have completed a transaction where LA Fitness has purchased substantially all the assets of the four Buffalo and two Rochester co-ed clubs on December 23, 2013. The BAC/RAC for Women clubs in both cities and the CrossFit BAC Extreme Training facility on Union Road in Cheektowaga will continue to be operated under the BAC/RAC umbrella.
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Donna Krech Honored With Quilly Award
HOLLYWOOD, CA - Business builder, coach and owner of a national chain of weight loss and wellness facilities, Donna Krech, has combined her years of experience in motivating clients, along with the views of a select group of leading business and human development experts to write Never Ending Motivation - Eliminating the 7 Obstacles that Prevent You From Achieving Any Goal!
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Bill McBride Teams Up With Jill Kinney to Launch a New Health Club Brand
Active Sports Clubs
PETALUMA, CA - Bill McBride, former President of Club One Fitness, and last year's Chairman of the IHRSA Board of Directors; and Jill Kinney, Founder of Club One Fitness and former IHRSA Board Member, have teamed up to launch a new club brand called Active Sports Clubs.
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Microsoft Corporation's Xbox Fitness Rings The NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. - Microsoft Corporation's [MSFT] Xbox Fitness, a new online fitness service exclusive to Xbox One that takes the world's most popular fitness videos and makes them interactive, will join NASDAQ as part of the 3rd annual NASDAQ "Fit Week," a week of bell ceremonies featuring companies which help Americans lead healthier lifestyles.
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Stairmaster/Schwinn, Susan K. Bailey and Coastal Social Media Group Join AFS
CHICAGO, IL - The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) proudly announced special relationships with three major fitness industry organizations.
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Tilton Fitness Expands Partnership With Meridian Health
LINWOOD, NJ - Tilton Fitness Management (TFM), a nationally-recognized leader in health club operations, has announced an expansion of its partnership with Meridian Health, the leading not-for-profit health care organization in New Jersey. In August 2012, Tilton Fitness Management partnered with Meridian Health to manage and operate Meridian Fitness and Wellness in Hazlet, New Jersey. Beginning in January 2014, two of Tilton Fitness Management's South Jersey locations will likewise operate in partnership with Meridian Health, Tilton Fitness Northfield and Tilton Fitness Galloway.
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Norm's Notes for January 2014
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in! Boy oh boy, is America a great country or what? Hmm... Hmm... Hmm!!! Folks, as I write this, it's about 6 degrees way down south here in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of the Atlanta. This global warming thing is rough!
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