The Club Insider Archives: March 2016
World Gym Celebrates 40th Anniversary!
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesThis month, we have a cover story 40 years in the making. Congratulations to everyone at World Gym International as they are celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year. Part of that celebration will take place at IHRSA's 35th Annual Convention, to be held in Orlando, Florida, March 21-24, 2016. The Joyce J. Cammilleri Family in Los Angeles has owned World Gym International for seven years, ever since Joyce Cammilleri bought the company from Planet Fitness on December 31, 2008. Mike Uretz had inherited World Gym from Joe Gold, and ultimately, he sold it to Planet Fitness. Later, the Cammilleri Family bought it from Planet Fitness. During the first seven years of Cammilleri Family ownership, the company has expended significant time modifying and improving operations for the future. The results are now becoming clear on several fronts.
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"Insider Speaks"
Transgender Legal Considerations for Health Club Operators
By: Paul R. Bedard, Esquire
Paul R. Bedard, EsquireIf a transgender individual requests access to the locker room within your club that corresponds with their gender identity, how do you or your front line staff respond? This question, like most, is one that is best answered with the benefit of advance preparation. This requires the proactive formulation of a policy that complies with your specific jurisdictional requirements and the thorough training of your employees in this regard. Once enacted, your policy should be included within your employee training materials and within your membership agreement.
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Talent: Hire From Without Or Look Within
By: Melissa Knowles
Melissa KnowlesIs it better to build from within or "buy" from the external job market? The answer is not absolute. To be successful, an owner will have to do both. It's about figuring out which conditions in which you build or buy. Here's a quick guide to follow when faced with your next hiring decision.
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Tips for Success and Being the Best
Is Your Selling Conversation Complete or Incomplete?
By: Karen Woodard-Chavez
Karen Woodard-ChavezOne of the main deterrents to closing sales is not having a complete conversation with the prospect. A complete conversation includes being: (1) Informative, (2) Inspirational and (3) Persuasive. Most underperforming salespeople are purely informative.
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Internet Middlemen and the Fitness Industry
Part III
By: Stephen Tharrett
Stephen TharrettIn Part I of this series, we highlighted a quote from famous economist Joseph Schumpeter, which said, "Situations emerge in the process of creative destruction in which many firms have to perish that nevertheless would be able to live on vigorously and usefully if they could weather a particular storm." Well, in this final part of our 3-part series, our overarching goal is to offer up some strategies that will allow your business to weather the present storm so that, instead of perishing, your business lives on vigorously.
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Why It's Time We Paid Employees to Exercise at Work
By: Ryan Holmes
Ryan HolmesIs your job killing you? According to death statistics from 2011 compiled by the CDC, the top three killers in the United States are heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases like emphysema. Collectively, these diseases killed 1,316,211 Americans that year. Far too many of these deaths were preventable. It's no secret that regular exercise and a good diet can dramatically reduce rates of heart disease. Nonetheless, nearly 80% of American adults don't get the recommended amount of exercise each week (2.5 hours of moderate aerobic activity or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity).
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Programming For The "Fun Of It!"
Step 2 of 7 to Becoming a Programming Professional
By: Laurie Cingle
Laurie CingleA programming professional is a person who is an expert in the skills required to implement and fill programs. What does it take to become a programming professional in your facility? There are seven steps or skills: (1) Find program prospects, (2) Invite them to learn about and understand your program, (3) Present the program, (4) Follow up with program prospects, (5) Enroll them in the program, (6) Ensure success in the program and (7) Grow programs by promoting events and additional programs. Let's focus on Step #2, Invite Program Prospects to Learn About and Understand Your Program.
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Health Club Industry Serves An All-time High 64 Million Americans
BOSTON, MA - More than 64 million Americans were consumers of a health club in 2015, a record-high since IHRSA began tracking health club consumer statistics in 1987. The number of individual members totaled 55.3 million, up 2.2% from 54.1 million in 2014. Members visited their club an average of 104 days in 2015, also an all-time high.
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Crunch Franchisees in West Florida and Atlanta Appoint Kevin Laferriere To Chief Operating Officer
NEW YORK, N.Y. - A team of Crunch Fitness franchisees managing locations in West Florida and Atlanta, announced the appointment of Kevin Laferriere as their new Chief Operating Officer. Laferriere, a 26 year industry veteran, former CEO of FITPRO and former COO and President at Lifestyle Family Fitness, has been an influential leader in the growth of many fitness brands. His proven success in operations and tremendous experience in the industry make him an ideal match for the Crunch brand and the VRJ Holdings, LLC team in West Florida and Atlanta.
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Colorado Athletic Club Opens 8th Location
DENVER, CO - Colorado Athletic Club officially opened the doors at its Union Station location, occupying the entire second floor of 1601 Wewatta Street in the Lower Downtown (LoDo) district in Denver.
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David Patchell-Evans To Be Honored With
2016 Canadian Fitness Industry Leadership Award
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA - The Canadian Fitness Industry Leadership Award is Fitness Industry Council of Canada's (FIC) most prestigious honour. This award is given annually to a FIC member who has, throughout the years, proven to be an industry leader while operating a fitness facility. This individual is passionate about the wellbeing and promotion of the industry and has contributed significantly to its progression. FIC is very proud to announce that the 2016 recipient for Canadian Fitness Industry Leadership Award is David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans. Patch is the Founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness, and President of canfitpro.
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Equinox CEO, Harvey Spevak, Supports Entrepreneurship Among University of Michigan Ross School of Business MBA Students
ANN ARBOR, MI - The Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business announced that Harvey Spevak (MBA '87), CEO of Equinox Holdings, Inc., has made a sizable donation to further expand the opportunities available to students with an interest in pursuing an entrepreneurial career path. The funds will be used to create The Spevak Fund for Entrepreneurial Studies, which will provide scholarships for students focusing on entrepreneurship.
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MTVAC Presents Check to INOVA From 10th Annual Swing Pink Charity Event
ALEXANDRIA, VA - Mount Vernon Athletic Club (MTVAC), a Alexandria, Virginia area fitness and tennis club, donated money raised during their 10th Annual "Swing for Pink" tennis charity event held every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. Since 2006, the club has been hosting this event and has raised over $124,000 for the cause. The funds raised by Swing for Pink are used in the local community, specifically at the Breast Care Institute at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital and Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center. Funds go directly to families who are fighting the disease and are seeking care.
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Blink Fitness Launches New Marketing Campaign, "Every Body Happy"
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Blink Fitness, a premium-quality, value-based gym unveiled their new ad campaign, "Every Body Happy." The spirited campaign, which features a variety of confident and happy gym goers who come in all shapes and sizes, taps into a larger cultural shift currently happening; not only are different body types being acknowledged, but they're being celebrated as well.
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Industry Icon Neal Spruce Ramps Up to Grow Another Impactful Brand With Ptonthenet And PTA Global
DENVER, CO - Neal Spruce and his investment group have officially acquired two of the industry's most trusted and relied on development companies; Personal Training on the Net (PTontheNet) and Personal Training Academy Global (PTA Global).
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Norm's Notes for March 2016
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in!
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