The Club Insider Archives: December 2015

2015 In Review
By: Justin Cates

Justin CatesI love to travel, and one of my fondest memories traveling was my first trip to New York City. During my visit, I needed to take the subway to a few of my sightseeing destinations. Waiting on the platform, I could hear and see the train in the distance, and it was getting closer at a seemingly faster rate. Right before its arrival, the wind gusts put off from the train hit all the travelers waiting on the platform. Moments later, the train arrived and began to decelerate, bringing more wind with it. On the platform, you could see traveler's clothes and hair moving with the direction of the arriving train. And, then, it stopped, the train's doors opened and boarding began. Moments later, the train was off again; this time with new passengers and to a new destination. Read More

IHRSA to Celebrate 35 Years and Counting!
By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesI'm pleased to comment on the fact that IHRSA will celebrate its 35th Anniversary in Orlando, Florida at the 2016 IHRSA Convention and Trade Show, March 21st thru 24th. To say that the IHRSA is something that has made Rick Caro and me very proud since we co-founded it in 1981 would be a real understatement. Read More

"Insider Speaks"
Dealing With Active Shooters in Your Club and Elsewhere
By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesSince the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993, our beautiful America has also been hit by a series of warlike efforts including bombings overseas and even in the U.S. Then came 9/11/2001 when the World Trade Centers came down, and it became clear that America had a real fight on its hands with lunatics. Since then, and in particular for the last two to three years, Americans and people around the world have become subject to attacks of all kinds in all kinds of places... with the latest ISIS attack in Paris, France and then just this month with the ISIS-inspired San Bernadino, California massacre. Read More

How Much Are Your Unemployment Claims Costing You?
By: Melissa Knowles

Melissa KnowlesHow you are handling your employee onboarding, management and termination procedures make a HUGE difference in your experience rating and how much you pay to the state each payroll. State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) is a cost of business, like Workers' Compensation or liability coverage. But, believe it or not, it's a cost that you as an owner have a great deal of control over. Your policies and procedures have a big impact on your experience rating and your bottom line. Read More

A Value Proposition:
Focus On Your Personal Training Department
By: Angie Pattengale

Angie PattengaleThere are approximately 54 million health club members in the United States, of which about 13% of them, or roughly 7 million club members, are signed up for sessions with a personal trainer. That's a collective 13% across the entire U.S. health club sector. What percentage of your club members take advantage of personal training services? And, what does it mean to you? Read More

Tips for Success and Being the Best
By: Karen Woodard-Chavez

Karen Woodard-ChavezAs a new leader in your organization, you need to be aware of the pitfalls that can muck up the path to success. The following are a few... Read More

Tips for Hiring, From JLR Associates
By: Jeff Randall

Jeff RandallWhether you are adding staff for the upcoming busy season or you are doing some staff reengineering, it's important to remember that any organization is only as strong as its weakest link. It only takes a few poor performers to adversely impact your company. Most managers understand the importance of hiring wisely, yet many don't know how to do it. They wind up making hiring decisions based on their gut reactions. This may work some of the time, but for the most part, the organization winds up with poor performers and unmotivated staff members who will drag an organization down. Read More

An Enlightened Prophecy for the Health and Fitness Industry in 2016
By: Stephen Tharrett

Stephen TharrettNeils Bohr, a historical legend in physics, once said about prediction, "Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future." Yet, in today's universally and real-time connected environment, predictions and forecasts abound whether it's in economics, politics, sports or in the case of this paper, the fitness industry. We do not portend to see the future. Rather, we believe as Voltaire so eloquently stated in the Portable Voltaire, "It is said the present is pregnant with the future." Read More

Tips to Succeed in the Gym Business
By: Jim Thomas

Jim ThomasOne of my favorite quotes comes from Jack Welch of General Electric when he said, "If you can't dominate, don't spend your time there." Of course, all gym owners want to succeed, but many times, they are more focused on trying to compete and not dominate their marketplace. When you are forced to compete, you run the risk of becoming a commodity and are forced to compete on price. If you want to grow and dominate your market, you must know your unique selling position. Read More

Programming For The "Fun Of It!"
Program-Ready Checklist for the New Year
By: Laurie Cingle

Laurie CingleAre you "program-ready" for the New Year? Check the box to the left of each item or task to determine what remains undone before the New Year's rush... Read More

Augie's Quest Making Progress!
An Update From John McCarthy
This year, for the first time ever, the BASH is coming to the East Coast, to Orlando, FL, on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Your readers may be interested to know... Read More

Planet Fitness Continues Growth in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Planet Fitness, the innovative health club franchise known for its Judgement Free Zone and affordable prices with memberships for only $10 a month, will be opening two new locations in Ponca City and Enid, Oklahoma. Ponca City is slated to open by mid-February and Enid in the Spring of 2016. Read More

The Columbia Association Honored
COLUMBIA, MD - Columbia Association (CA) has been honored once again in Howard Magazine's annual awards, in which readers vote on the best that Howard County has to offer in 74 different categories. CA received four first-place awards... Read More

Daxko Acquires CSI Software
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko, Inc. announced it has acquired CSI Software LLC, a provider of enterprise software to health and fitness clubs, campus recreation centers, parks and recreation centers, wellness centers and nonprofit organizations. The acquisition represents a meaningful and logical market expansion, as Daxko is already the largest provider of health and wellness software to member-based nonprofits such as YMCAs and Jewish Community Centers. Read More

Wellbridge Acquires Maryland Athletic Club Brand
BALTIMORE, MD - Wellbridge, a Denver-based company that operates a family of 21 premium athletic and tennis clubs across the country, announced the purchase of the Maryland Athletic Club (MAC) brand. This follows Wellbridge's acquisition of the MAC Harbor East location on July 1, 2015. Read More

World Gym Celebrating 40th Anniversary in 2016
World Gym International, Inc. recently had their 39th Anniversary Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, and next year, they will celebrate their 40th! In honor of their 40th Anniversary, Club Insider will feature World Gym International, Inc. in a 2016 Cover Story, and I'm looking forward to sharing their story with all of you. Read More

Technogym's Program for Children Begins Third Year of:
"Let's Move for a Better World"
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Technogym, a leading wellness and fitness company, announced its global "Let's Move for a Better World" challenge will take place in 2016, for the third consecutive year. Sign up is now open for fitness facilities across the United States to join the Challenge. Read More

Norm's Notes for December 2015
By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in! Read More

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