Club Insider

The Club Insider Archives: November 2013

Xbox One Enters The Fitness World
BTS Partners To Launch Xbox Fitness And A New Name!

By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesNorm Cates15%. 16%. 17%. Pick one. Pick one of these three percentiles, and you'll be close to the current penetration level of the United States market by our health and fitness club industry. It's important to note here that our industry has been stuck at this level for the past 12 years, or so. Read More

Talking Retention
What Do You Measure?

By: Chris Werte

Chris WerteChris WerteHealth clubs ask this every week. There are so many different Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) out there for measuring retention within our clubs. At Retention Management, we rely on our clients to measure the impact of our service as early experience showed us that, no matter what figures, we can show the most powerful ones were those provided by our customers, not us. Read More

Is This A Sea-Change In The Health and Fitness Industry?
By: Will Phillips

Will PhillipsWill PhillipsWhen planning for the future success of your business, it is valuable to distinguish between trends and fads. Fads are exciting and short-lived. They can consume valuable resources without significantly improving your business. Trends have a long lifespan. In 1982, John Naisbitt published Megatrends, and now, 40 years later, these trends are still present. You may remember the first megatrend: High-tech Requires High-touch. The ability of Apple to build on this trend contributes largely to its success. Read More

The One Thing You Need To Make A Million Dollars in 2014
By: Donna Krech

Donna KrechDonna KrechRemember when you were a child? Lacing your shoes, mastering simple math and even keeping peas on your plate seemed incredibly difficult. That is until "the way" clicked for you. Once you recognized a pattern or discovered a system, things became easy. Tying your shoes, adding two plus two and coordinating utensils with your peas became automatic (Although, I must confess, I became very good at sneaking peas under the table and feeding Dolly, our family dog). You could do all of this without thinking. Read More

Recruit Your Next Great Health Club Salesperson
By: Jim Thomas

Jim ThomasJim ThomasIf you wait until you are starving to eat, everything looks good and you can make some really bad choices. Filling a sales position in your gym is no different. If you wait until you have a job opening to start looking, everyone will look good to you, and you could make a costly mistake. Avoid that mistake by keeping your eyes open for gym sales talent all of the time, especially when you are not hiring. When you spot someone you feel has the specific sales talents your health club might need in the future, add that person's name to your Club Talent Bank for a better approach when you need it. Read More

Selling With Technology
Part II

By: Casey Conrad

Casey ConradCasey ConradIn the first part of this article series, we focused on how to utilize your clubs' online guest pass to maximize both leads, and ultimately, sales. In this article, we will discuss Facebook, which is the most popular social media platform as of this writing. Read More

Mastering The Five Core Competencies for Sales Success
By: Karen Woodard-Chavez

Karen Woodard-ChavezKaren Woodard-ChavezWhether you are selling or managing staff who sell, this content will be a good assessement tool for your endeavors toward excellence. There are five core competencies for any seller as outlined below, and this content will be presented for membership sales staff specifically. However, this content will apply to anyone in your organization who is selling lessons, sessions, spa treatments, etc. Read More

Health Club Consumer Behavior Sheds Light On Industry's Future
The 2013 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report

By: Stephen Tharrett

Stephen TharrettStephen TharrettIHRSA, with analysis and insights provided by ClubIntel, recently finalized the 2013 Health Club Consumer Report (to be released by IHRSA at the end of November and can be acquired at www.ihrsa.org/research-reports). The 2013 Health Club Consumer Report, like its predecessors, delves into the attitudes and behaviors of health club consumers, seeking to understand the impact these current practices might have on how club operators shape their business in the future. In 1919, Marcel Proust, in his book, A L'ombre Des Jeunesfilles En Fleurs, was quoted as saying, "What we call our future is the shadow that our past projects in front of us." Read More

Programming For The "Fun Of It!"
January Programming: "Engagement" vs. "Retention"

By: Laurie Cingle

Laurie CingleLaurie CingleJanuary is a time when members --regular year-round participants and those who rarely participate-- flock to the facility for the New Year's rush. In addition, it is the biggest month for acquiring new members. Read More

Fitness Management & Consulting Launches MyFitnessCareer Job Website
DALLAS, TX - Jim Thomas, President of Fitness Management & Consulting, announced the launch of its new MyFitnessCareer Job Website, for job seekers and employers in the fitness industry (www.fmconsulting.net/myfitnesscareer). Read More

Dan Ritchie Named 2014 PFP Trainer of the Year
CHICAGO, IL - Dan Ritchie was introduced during a special ceremony at Club Industry 2013 attended by fellow Trainer of the Year finalists Jacqueline Larsen of Wisconsin and Grant Roberts of California. Last year's winner, Valorie Ness, helped present the award along with PFP Media Publisher Josh Vogt and Editor Lindsay Vastola. Read More

Life Time Fitness Appoints New COO
CHANHASSEN, MN - Nearing his 15th anniversary with Life Time Fitness, Jeffrey G. Zwiefel has been named the company's Chief Operating Officer. Read More

Northcastle Partners Acquires Jenny Craig
GREENWICH, CT - Jenny Craig is set to be acquired by North Castle Partners. That will put the iconic weight loss brand under the same roof of Curves International, making a unique wellness company offering both diet and fitness options together. Read More

New FCC Rulings on Telemarketing Calls and Text Messages
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legislation that changes how clubs can use Call and Text Campaigns went into effect on October 16, 2013. We want to ensure clubs clearly understand how these regulations affect them. Read More

New Fitness Studio Association Created
CHICAGO, IL/CORNELIUS, N.C. - Providing an impressive roster of benefits, minimal cost and focusing on the business of running a fitness studio, the Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) launched with the support of some of the fitness industry's leading brands. Read More

ACE Declares Day Before Thanksgiving As Workout Wednesday
SAN DIEGO, CA - Move over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, here comes Workout Wednesday. In an effort to help individuals combat some of the effects of holiday weight gain (and reinforce healthy lifestyle choices throughout the year), the American Council on Exercise (ACE) launched a program to help steer the public toward a collective effort to get moving and engage in fitness activities on November 27th, the day before Thanksgiving. Read More

Kids Who Exercise More May Get Better Grades
WebMD News - Getting regular daily exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity may also boost students' academic performance, according to a new U.K. study. Read More

Club Industry 2013 Slideshow
Check out photos from Club Industry 2013! Read More

Norm's Notes for November 2013
By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesNorm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader checking in for the first edition of our 21st year of publishing! Thanks and our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to everyone who helped us make those first successful 20 years happen. STAY TUNED as my son, JUSTIN CATES, and I, set our sights on the next 20 Years! Read More

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