This Month in Club Insider: October 2019
Black Box VR
The Virtual Reality Gym Experience
By: Justin Cates
Justin CatesI was born in 1985, the year that the most successful video game franchise in history began: MARIO. I didn't jump on the bandwagon until Super Mario 3, which is still my favorite video game of all time. But, as I played the Mario trilogy, and future iterations of it, I was pretty active. I built my calves by jumping up and down as I completed another level. I worked my triceps as I threw my controller to the ground when I lost. I was completely invested! I'm joking, of course. Ironically, the future of the health and fitness club industry must become completely invested in participants like me, but its participants aren't going to be invested in the experiences of old. Yes, keep those experiences for the members who expect them, and adjust accordingly as their demand decreases. BUT, know that you must create experiences for the members like me... Millennials and Gen-Z who truly want a reason to leave work, not to mention the house/condo/apartment in which we reside to improve ourselves. Read More...
Justin Cates Named to Disney World's 2020 Traditions Team
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesJUSTIN CATES, my fine son and multi-talented partner in Club Insider, has something very, very special going on in his life. Let me explain. When Justin was seven years old, we took him to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and we had a fun and amazing visit. He fell in love with the place, especially the Monorail System. Fast forward 27 years to October, 2019... Almost two years ago, Justin moved to a suburb of Orlando and got a great "Hobby Job" at Disney World. Don't be alarmed. He has been and is sticking with his Club Insider work. He calls Disney a "Hobby Job" because when he started at Disney, he did so simply to get out of the house regularly, since he works from home to produce Club Insider. Read More...
Exercise IS Medicine!
By: Mike Alpert
Mike AlpertFor the past few years, I have been writing this monthly column for Club Insider, doing my best to promote and move forward a global initiative called Exercise IS Medicine. The intent has been three-fold... Read More...
How to Design A Club to Be Less Intimidating
By: Bruce Carter
Bruce CarterAnyone associated with the health and fitness club industry is quite comfortable in a club environment. Familiar surroundings and like-minded people make up this tremendous industry. Yet, many do not feel this comfort level, and therefore, try to avoid clubs. Yes, the need is there, and maybe even the desire, but the club experience does not "speak" to the majority of individuals. Read More...
Here's What You Can Do Right Now to Improve Your Business
By: Jim Thomas
Jim ThomasI have worked with many gym owners who have had success with the simple formula I'm about to give you. Now, this formula will work no matter what stage of your business you're in: (1) if you're barely keeping your head above water; (2) if you're stuck in the middle and have become stagnant; or (3) if you're rolling right along and want to capture more market share. Read More...
The Ultimate Paid Group Training Roadmap
By: Ron Alterio
Ron AlterioI want to do something a little different for this month's article. After many months of writing about one of, if not the, hottest topics in the industry, Paid Group Training (PGT), I thought it would be kind of fun to create a compilation of sorts. The January rush is not that far away, and you've got a little over 70 days to make the necessary course corrections to really have a shot at driving greater engagement and revenue. As such, I have organized what I believe are the top five articles to help give you the greatest chances for success in the shortest amount of time. Each one starts with a short excerpt from the original article and is then followed by a quick link at the bottom to review the article in its entirety. Read More...
Influence With IMPACT
Building, Bonding and Beyond...
By: Nancy Trent
Nancy TrentA recent article in AdWeek revealed that 81% of Gen Z are influenced by what their friends do. The new research comes from a student data company, Amplify, in partnership with Canadian newspaper, The Globe & Mail. The first of Gen Z, born in 1997, graduated college the summer of 2019 and entered the workforce for the first time. The same poll found that only 10% of Gen Z's purchasing decisions are made by what celebrities are doing. When asked what they do before they make a purchase, 80% of the Gen Z polled said they research the internet. Read More...
Keynote Speakers and Agenda Announced for IHRSA 2020
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association has announced that four keynote speakers will be headlining the 39th Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show in San Diego, California. IHRSA 2020 promises to be the most exciting event of the year for industry leaders, filled with phenomenal keynote and education sessions, numerous opportunities to network and brand new and exclusive educational offerings. The convention and trade show will take place March 18 - 21 in San Diego, CA. Read More...
In-Shape Health Clubs to Raise $185,000 For Cancer Research
STOCKTON, CA - In-Shape Health Clubs, one of California's top community destinations for health and fitness, has announced its goal to raise $185,000 this October in its annual In-Shape Fights Cancer campaign. If In-Shape reaches this goal, it will have raised $500,000 for local chapters of the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children's Hospital in just five years. Read More...
Club Industry 2019 Slideshow
Check out photos from Club Industry 2019! Read More...
Norm's Notes for October 2019
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 Checking In with our 310th monthly edition. YAHOO! I don't know about you, but I'm good and ready for some cool weather! Here I sit today in Marietta, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia on October 1st, and it's 97 degrees outside! Of course, if you're in Montana today, where it snowed about three feet yesterday, you're wishing is was 90! Now... on to the rest of Norm's Notes for October 2019. Read More...