Club Insider

The Club Insider Archives: July 2021

Ken Davies' City Fitness
More Than a Gym. A Community.

By: Justin Cates

Justin CatesJustin CatesPhiladelphia. The Birthplace of America. The City of Brotherly Love. The Cheesesteak Capitol of the World. The Home of Rocky Balboa. And, the nicknames can go on and on. When you think of a quintessential American city, Philadelphia is it. And, within this great American city resides Ken Davies and City Fitness. Now, six locations strong, City Fitness prides itself on being more than a gym, but a community for its members. Like the stories of America and Rocky, the story of Ken Davies and City Fitness is one of fighting, surviving and thriving. As Rocky said, "You, me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But, it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done." I know... it's a movie, but Rocky wasn't wrong! Read More

Exercise IS Medicine
By: Mike Alpert

Mike AlpertMike AlpertDuring the past several months, I have listened to a lot of conversations and concerns about the long-term effect that COVID-19 will have on our industry. As with most discussions, there are two sides: those who feel we will never return to the pre-COVID days and those who believe we will come back stronger than ever. So, do you choose to believe that the glass is half empty or half full? I believe the glass is more than half full. Read More

Health Clubs + Hormones = Higher Income in ONE WEEK
By: Donna Krech

Donna KrechDonna KrechIndustry research is reporting that anywhere from 63% to 80% of your members are buying nutrition and wellness somewhere other than your facility. Nutrition and wellness is our number one business, so we know that means a minimum of $200.00 per month, every month. Yes, $200.00 Per Month, Every Month! You do the math. If you have 1,000 members in your database, even on the low end, 63% means those 630 people are giving $126,000 PER MONTH to someone else. Read More

How to Create Strategic Partnerships in Your Community
By: Gary Polic

Gary PolicGary PolicReady, Set, GO! We are back... well, sort of! Why, sort of? Because there is one question left to ask... "Are your sales teams back to networking/prospecting outside the club with a structured systematic approach?" WHY is this so critical? Only 21% of the American population works out in a gym, so where do we meet almost 80% of the population? Where they shop, dine, work, and socialize! So, the race to build relationships with your community events organizers and local retailers is back in full force. What is your game plan? Well, here are three quantified ways to increase your brand awareness and sales in your communities today... Read More

Revenue-cycle Management Within the Health Club/Gym Space
By: Bill McBride

Bill McBrideBill McBrideThe original use and description of Revenue-cycle Management (RCM) has been in the healthcare space; yet, the same principles are so critical in our space, fitness facility management. I view our space as a continuum of Healthcare: Fitness + Wellness + Medical Integration, a holistic approach that includes Mental Wellness, Recovery, Surgery Preparation, Post Clinical Rehabilitation, Hydration, Sleep, Weight Management / Nutrition, Nutraceuticals and Happiness. Revenue-cycle Management is the process of tracking revenue from patients, clients, members and customers from their initial appointment or encounter with the organization to their final payment of the balance or the end of their relationship with the organization/business. Read More

Using Video Marketing to Grow Your Gym
By: Jim Thomas

Jim ThomasJim ThomasYour member and client base is coming back, and your gym is gaining slow and steady recognition among your social media channels and your main website. However, to keep the momentum going, you'll need to inject a little more creativity into your blog posts, social posts, newsletter and email campaigns. And, video marketing is the perfect way to do precisely that! After all, who has time to read through so many words every time you publish a new post? Below, I review some ways you can incorporate video marketing to help increase the growth of your gym. Read More

Well, What Questions Should You Be Asking About Group Fitness?
By: Jeffrey Pinkerton

Jeffrey PinkertonJeffrey PinkertonMost successful operators know that group fitness is an important part of their business. It improves engagement, influences retention, and when done well, can drive reputation. Most agree, inside the group fitness room, cool stuff happens, instructors do what they do, and members really enjoy it. Most admit they wouldn't run their business without it. Big picture, it's important. But, often, when diving into the details (scheduling, programs offered, key metrics, etc.), many owners don't have a solid strategy for managing that component of their business. Of course, to be a great leader, you don't need to have all the answers, but you do need to ask great questions. Read More

IHRSA Names Elizabeth Clark President & Chief Executive Officer
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, The Global Health & Fitness Association, has announced the appointment of Elizabeth Clark as the Association's next President and CEO. Clark, a seasoned association executive, joins IHRSA at a critical time for the fitness industry and the Association. IHRSA is the world's leading authority on the commercial health club industry. Read More

Crunch Fitness Extends Business Relationship with ABC Fitness Solutions
NEW YORK, N.Y. and LITTLE ROCK, AR - Crunch Fitness, the health club brand known for making serious fitness fun through innovative programming and an inclusive atmosphere, and ABC Fitness Solutions (ABC), a provider of technology and related services for the fitness industry, have announced the extension of their technology partnership as Crunch accelerates their growth throughout the pandemic. Read More

EVCS Collaborates With LA Fitness to Install EV Fast Chargers at Its Fitness Centers
ARCADIA, CA - EVCS, one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) fast charging network operators on the West Coast, has announced a collaboration with Fitness International, LLC, a leading health club operator in the United States, to install fast charging stations at LA Fitness locations throughout Southern California. Read More

Thinking Outside AND Inside of the (20x40) Box
USA Racquetball and U.S. Handball are enjoying connecting with you as a result of our articles in this great Club Insider publication. Thanks to Norm and Justin Cates for the opportunity to advertise and bring thoughts and suggestions to you on Saving Courts Profitably, i.e., clubs benefitting financially and members having courts to play on: Returning Members + New Members = Increased Profit = Keeping Courts = Win/Win! Read More

Norm's Notes for July 2021
By: Norm Cates

Norm CatesNorm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Founder and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in with the 331st Edition of Club Insider. Read More

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