Club Insider

This Month in Club Insider: September 2024

Plan on C.I. in 2025
By: Justin Cates

Justin CatesJustin CatesTime sure flies by, especially when you are having fun!!! It has now been one year since Club Insider moved on from print to a fully online model. As we explained then, our goal with that move was longevity. We wanted to continue to be here for you, providing you with articles, stories and news that can assist your club business in being the best it can be. We believe we are achieving that goal. At this time, between our weekly and monthly publications, we are delivering more content to our readers than ever before. And, we are ready to deliver more!!! Read More

Great Teammates!
By: Herb Lipsman

Herb LipsmanHerb LipsmanGreat Teammates are such an important part of any team, department or organization. Great Teammates lift the attitudes, enthusiasm and performance of those around them by their mere presence, whether in the locker room, on the front line, in regular meetings or in the boardroom. What do I mean by Great Teammates? Here is my bullet list of characteristics of a Great Teammate... Read More

It's Time to Start Planning New Year's Programming
By: Frank Guengerich

Frank GuengerichFrank GuengerichYes, summer just ended. It's hard to believe, but it's only a couple months away from the New Year, so now is a great time to start planning programming for the season. I've outlined a few reminders of what you should be considering when developing your club programming. Read More

Non-Compete Agreements in the Fitness Industry
Implications for Club Owners, Personal Trainers and Group Exercise Instructors

By: Sara Kooperman, JD

Sara Kooperman, JDSara Kooperman, JDNon-compete agreements have long been a controversial topic across various industries, and the fitness sector is no exception. These agreements, which restrict employees from working with competitors for a certain period after leaving a company, are commonly used by fitness facility owners, personal trainers and group exercise instructors to protect proprietary business interests. However, recent legal developments, including a significant Federal court ruling in Texas, have thrown the future of non-compete agreements into uncertainty. Read More

Offense vs. Defense
The Strategic Game Plan for Your Gym Business

By: Jim Thomas

Jim ThomasJim ThomasIn the competitive world of gym ownership, whether you run an independent gym, boutique studio or personal training business, your success hinges on one critical question: Are you playing offense or defense? Understanding the difference between these two approaches can be the deciding factor in whether your business thrives or merely survives. In this article, we will dive into what it means to play offense versus defense in the gym industry, how to recognize which mode you're operating in, and strategies to ensure you're always on the offensive. Read More

The Fitness Industry Gets a Workout
By: Nancy Trent

Nancy TrentNancy TrentGyms are really feeling the pressure these days. Contributing factors include the popularity of weight loss drugs, the FTC getting involved in membership cancellation policies and Gen Z making the most of their membership fees. So, gyms are upping their game, which was apparent at the recent IDEA World Fitness and Nutrition Expo, an event organized by the IDEA Health & Fitness Association, which took place from July 10 - 14 at the Los Angeles Convention center. Here are the Top Trends spotted at IDEA... Read More

Exploring Success in Marketing & Advertising
Perspectives From iHeartMedia - Part I

By: Gary Polic

Gary PolicGary PolicThe landscape of advertising has become increasingly intricate, with a multitude of vendors, media companies and platforms to choose from. Deciding which options will deliver the best outcomes for your business can be challenging. Polic Consultants Group, LLC has teamed up with iHeartMedia to offer specialized marketing and advertising services designed for the fitness industry. Read More

Is Wii Tennis the Future of Pickleball?
By: Jeffrey Pinkerton

Jeffrey PinkertonJeffrey PinkertonWhat a ridiculous headline. Could the high-tech, motion-sensing, digital-paddle game of Wii Tennis be the future of Pickleball? Well, no. Nintendo shut down production of the Wii in 2013. How did pickleball, with no technology, no data-tracking, no AI, no ultra-personalized and customized specifications reach millions of people? To be clear, I am not here to talk entirely about Pickleball, but instead, to discuss what we can learn about its massive and growing rise in popularity and its similarities to great group fitness - it's social; it's simple; and it's inclusive. Read More

Crunch Fitness Franchisees, Fitness Holdings and CR Fitness, Each Acquire Two New York Sports Clubs Locations
GREENWICH, CT - Fitness Holdings LLC, Crunch Fitness' largest franchisee in the Northeast, announces the acquisition of two New York Sports Clubs locations in Boston. Fitness Holdings will take ownership of the two clubs on October 1st. The clubs will be a great addition to their portfolio and growth strategy to own and operate 60 clubs in the near term. Read More

Club Studio Opens New Location in Citrus Heights, California
IRVINE, CA - Fitness International, LLC announces it has opened a new Club Studio location in Citrus Heights, California on Sunrise Boulevard, bringing top-of-the-line amenities, boutique studio classes and wellness services together in one gym. With an investment of approximately $10M, the club boasts a dynamic, modern and elegant interior space and equipment. Read More

Global Fitness Participation Reached New Heights in 2023
BOSTON, MA - The global fitness industry reached new milestones in 2023 as more people than ever embraced health and fitness across key regions. According to data collected by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and published in its 2024 HFA Global Report, several established markets reported record membership levels and fitness penetration, while many emerging markets displayed robust potential for further development. Read More

Norm's Notes for September 2024
By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesNorm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Founder and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in with our 369th monthly edition of this 31+ 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! Read More

View Archives


Sports and Fitness Insurance Corporation