The Club Insider Archives: June 2025
Cover Story Classics
Rodney Steven II - A Rapidly Budding Club Business Titan Powers Ahead!
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesPublisher's Note: Continuing on with our Cover Story Classics series, we are aware the first few have featured those no longer with us. But, like the entire point of this series, we believe that the lessons of the past create the map of the future. This month, bringing that to you live and in color is our previous cover story and update interview with Rodney Steven II, President and Co-Owner of Genesis Health Clubs. When we first featured Rodney, Genesis was at ten clubs, but they already had an incredible history/story. Fast forward to now, Genesis now operates 70+ clubs across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kentucky and Florida. And, they have purchased and adapted two legendary brands into theirs: Atlantic Club and the Saw Mill Clubs. Setting all the growth aside, Rodney is also very involved with the advocacy of the industry, which benefits everyone! To that, we say, "Hooray," and "Thank You!"
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Customer Service at its WORST!
By: Frank Guengerich
Frank GuengerichI recently moved from Texas to Maryland and had to cancel my internet service with Suddenlink/Optimum and start a new service with Xfinity. In the process, I was contacted by a company called Safe Haven that is affiliated with my new home builder that represented that they were my personal concierge assistant, and they would assist in setting up my smart home system, security system and internet with Xfinity.
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Are We Really as Good as We Think We Are?
By: Thomas Plummer
Thomas PlummerIs this industry a wild success, as we proclaim from the stages at national conventions and to investment groups seeking to come spend money with us? Or, are we, at best, an 80-year-in-the-making failure, one which has only penetrated barely 21% of the market since its birth in post-WWII America? We gloat on the 21%, but leaving 79% on the table does seem like failure after eight decades of doing business. It's like me going to Vegas with two grand in my pocket then getting on the plane, still giggling from the cheap drinks and telling everyone around me I am a winner because I still have a couple of hundred left.
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The 15-Minute Daily CEO Routines for Gym Owners
Small Habits That Lead to Big Growth
By: Jim Thomas
Jim ThomasRunning a gym isn't just about keeping the lights on and equipment clean... It's about leading with vision, clarity and consistent action. But, in the hustle of managing staff, training clients and putting out daily fires, many gym owners lose sight of one critical truth: Your business will only grow as fast as you do. You don't need hours each day to improve your business. You just need 15 focused minutes, a simple, daily leadership habit that compounds over time into increased productivity, improved staff performance, better decision-making and business growth.
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Kale and Exercise
The Recipe for Results
By: Jeffrey Pinkerton
Jeffrey PinkertonKale. It's really good for you, packed with vitamins, antioxidants and all kinds of bone-boosting, heart-helping compounds. We should eat it every day. But, to most people's palates, kale's roughage is... pretty rough. That said, when prepared in just the right way, with some great ingredients, a kale smoothie can be a tasty afternoon snack. Even better, a ready-made bag of frozen kale, blueberries, cherries and strawberries can help reduce prep time and friction, increasing the odds that I'll get my vitamin boost for the day. Curious where I am headed?
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CR Fitness Holdings Opens 85th Crunch Location with State-of-the-Art Facility in Gainesville, Georgia
GAINESVILLE, GA - CR Fitness Holdings, the nation's fastest-growing franchisee of Crunch Fitness, announces the grand opening of their upcoming location, Crunch Gainesville, Georgia, its 14th location in the Atlanta metropolitan surrounding area. This state-of-the-art, brand new 40,158-square-foot fitness center represents a $5 million investment and is the first Crunch Fitness in the city of Gainesville, Georgia.
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World Gym International Signs Master Franchise Agreement for Brazil
TAICHUNG, TAIWAN - World Gym International (WGI), the franchise arm of World Gym Corporation, has entered into a Master Franchise Agreement (MFA) with Flag Holding LTDA to significantly expand its footprint in Brazil to 50 World Gym locations within five years.
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Bay Club Continues Investment Sprint with the Acquisition of 425 Fitness
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Bay Club Company ("Bay Club") announces the acquisition of 425 Fitness, a highly regarded group of fitness clubs in the greater Seattle area with three locations in Bothell, Redmond and Issaquah. The acquisition strengthens the Bay Club presence in Seattle and furthers its commitment to building vibrant, local communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, with its innovative Campus model centered on sports, outdoor recreation and active lifestyle experiences.
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Norm's Notes for June 2025
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Founder and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in with our 378th monthly edition of this 30+ year running club business publication I refer to as: A Labor of Love! I'm very thankful that you've tuned in again for this iteration of Norm's Notes, as I proceed on my keyboard with my longtime habit of "Telling-It-Like-It-Is!" I'm really happy that you're reading this edition, and I want to THANK YOU ALL for sticking with us every month! As usual, we have a bunch of health and fitness club business news, so please read on!
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