About Justin Cates

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HealthQuest
Reinvesting in the Future of Fitness
February 2016 - This month, we are very excited to feature HealthQuest of Hunterdon, New Jersey. The story of HealthQuest we will be presenting is one of reinvention and reinvigoration, culminating in an incredible renewed 105,000 square-foot facility on 38 acres that is among the best of the best. Led by General Manager, Wade Williams, and supported greatly by Owner, Jack Cust, HealthQuest's list of offerings is incredible. But, this story, like any club's, is more than just a list of offerings. Read Article...

Help Us, Help You.
August 2022 - Club Insider: Telling It Like It Is Since 1993... The Pulse of the Health and Fitness Club Industry... Celebrating X (X = currently 29, soon to be 30!) Years of Trust... MAKE IT FUN!!! These are a few of our taglines over the years, and they tell our story. They are quick, memorable and true. This month, we announce a new one you will be seeing, and it is: Help Us, Help You.

In 1993, this publication was created to be a voice in the wilderness. Our goal was to say and share things others would not. Over the years, this has included telling the stories of those in the industry you might never have heard about elsewhere (Cover Stories), sharing various news and happenings from coast to coast (Norm's Notes), and when needed, taking strong stances on industry issues and sharing special topics ("Insider Speaks"). All of this has been anchored with fantastic, in-depth content across a myriad of subjects by our hundreds of Contributing Authors over the years. And, of course, all of that has been brought to you by our esteemed Advertisers.

Across almost 30 Years of Trust, we have Told It Like It Is, sought to be the Pulse of the Health and Fitness Club Industry and have Made It Fun! But, now, we ask you to: Help Us, Help You. Read Article...

IHRSA 2021
Celebrating the Industry's Revival
November 2021 - The year 2020 was the longest on record... It wasn't any different in terms of time, from hours to days to weeks and months. But, the perception of time was definitely different. It was almost infinite. This year, 2021, seems to be going much faster. It's already November!!! Still, we want it to go even faster because 2022 is supposed to be back to "normal." We long for normal. However, as we have learned, it's during these times of abnormal that we have all hopefully learned the most in terms of how to better run our businesses during those "normal" times. This should not be a lesson lost. In the future, no matter how fast time is perceived to be running at that moment, it's important to do what can be done to slow it down. Use the iterations from previous periods to learn and define, acknowledge and refine. For our industry, one of the yearly times we slow down, remove ourselves from daily business life (sort of) and come together is IHRSA's Convention and Trade Show. This year, after its cancellation in March of 2020 and the move of IHRSA 2021 from Los Angeles to Dallas, we finally all met in person. As Liz Clark, IHRSA President and CEO, said in her opening comments, "We did it; we're here!" Read Article...

IHRSA Returns to Sunny San Diego
March 2023 - Finally, the IHRSA Show returns to where we all love: Sunny San Diego! We want attendance to go from a lull to a roar! If you are already scheduled to be there, read on to learn about what you should definitely check out while there, with a Club Insider twist, of course. And, if you are still on the fence about attending, read on, too! Read Article...

In-Shape Health Clubs
Shaping Healthier, Happier Lives
October 2018 - In 1981, a retired doctor named Dr. Mort Rothbard founded In-Shape Health Clubs in Stockton, California. Back then, it all began with the conversion of a dated racquetball club into a full-service health club. Over the next 37 years, the company grew to 67 locations across California. Whereas the national brand names we know that originate in California and are focused on primary markets, In-Shape focuses on the secondary markets other players may not see as having the potential for a full-service, resort-style health and fitness club facility. It's within these openings that In-Shape found a niche that has created duplicatable success. Read Article...

Jack Tawney
A Passionate Focus on Results in the Northwest
March 2014 - Many years ago, when I was a young kid green to the world, I was taught many important lessons that have served me throughout my life. I am still learning to this day, and I always will; however, two of these lessons in particular have made a real difference in molding me into who I am today. The following interview with Jack Tawney, Co-founder and owner of Harbor Square Athletic Club in Edmonds, Washington and a partner in numerous Peak Health & Wellness locations across Idaho, Montana, Washington and Wyoming, reminded me of two lessons I learned at an early age. Read Article...

Jared Williams' Dynamic Fitness
The Passionate Coach Motivating Team Players to WIN
May 2022 - As I have written on occasion, the great game of football was a truly transformative experience in my life. I am not alone in this experience and subsequent observations. If you talk to anyone who played the game for more than that one "I'm going to try it out" season, they will tell you the same. Don't get me wrong, I played other sports, too, but they did not hit like football, literally and philosophically. The others did not change me as a person like football did. Read Article...

Jason Markowicz' Fitness Premier 24/7
One Team. One Dream.
June 2022 - Over the years, countless health and fitness club industry professionals have exclaimed that this is a people business. To begin this month's cover story, I want to once again shout that from the rooftops! The health and fitness club industry is a people business!!! Really, it's as people driven as it gets. Yes, we have some really cool stuff in facilities worldwide, and some facilities simply outmatch and outclass others. That is the nature of business. However, if we could be all-knowing and be granted the specific, non-skewed statistics as to what truly makes a club company successful or not, I have no doubt we would find that it is the people, not things. Read Article...

Jeff Quinn and Echelon Health & Fitness
Crafting and Cultivating the Member Experience
April 2023 - Each morning, while getting ready for the day, I look in the mirror. Not to check my devilish good looks (just kidding), but to look myself in the eye to know I am ready to do what I need to do once again. In doing so, I think about a few things. First, I think about how fortunate I am: I live where I want. I work how I want. I have created the life I want. Second, I think about how that occurred... Each week and month, I get to publish Club Insider, which has the sole Mission, "To help the owners and operators of health and fitness clubs professionalize their clubs and gain the trust and business of their community." Every action we take reinforces that statement. Within your business, my hope is your Mission or Values includes something such as: To help our members live a healthier and better life. Does each action you take reinforce a statement like that? Read Article...

Jeff Sanders
Lessons in Leadership, Alliances and Advocacy
January 2022 - We are the culmination of our life's experiences. Throughout that time, some events lead us to the top rungs of success; others bring us to the lowest depths of failure. But, each is an opportunity to learn and grow. Then, it is our duty to share much of that with others. This creates a never-ending circle of knowledge, and in business, this process can mitigate many failures before they occur. Read Article...

Keith and Kathy Rawlings' Arena Club
Making It FUN for Every Family
July 2017 - For years, Club Insider has published at least one ad each month that simply says: Make It FUN! The reason for this is quite simple; it is our way to remind our readers that the health and fitness club industry is supposed to be FUN! Sure, there is the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly pressures of successfully running a business in ever-increasingly competitive markets. But, without FUN, the product of health and fitness is a hard one to sell. Our industry's top challenge is that it is easier for people to sit around and live an inactive lifestyle. They know the consequences, but creating action is still difficult. A key way to combat that is to sell fun, in addition to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Throw in a focus on the family unit and you have the formula that serves The Arena Club in Bel Air, Maryland. Read Article...

Ken Davies' City Fitness
More Than a Gym. A Community.
July 2021 - Philadelphia. 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 Article...

Kim Manocherian and New York Health and Racquet Club
The Home of Health, Happiness and Everyday Heroes
September 2015 - The family business is an interesting concept, mixing elements from the business world and family dynamics to create an organization that offers a product or service. For some, it comes easy; for others, it is quite a challenge. In all cases, though, in order to succeed, a level of balance must be found, that of sound business concepts mixed with constructively handling possibly conflicting managerial styles. Crucially important to achieving this is communication. Going further, within the health and fitness club industry, in order to succeed, another balance must also occur, that of the relationship between the club and its member and what is offered to them across fitness, social, entertainment and other spheres. Read Article...

Linda Fondren
Instituting The Local Shape Up
October 2010 - From time to time, adversity can strike and change one's life. Sometimes, that change is for the better, if the difficulty of that time motivates someone to achieve better things. And sometimes, that change can be much worse if the difficulty prevents the ability to move on. Read Article...

Luke Carlson's Discover Strength
Be Unstoppable
July 2024 - Specialization. It occurs in all industries, and it has come to the health and fitness club industry. We have seen it in the boutique movement, whether cycling, Pilates, yoga and many others. In the case of this month's cover story, we will delve into specialized strength training. Luke Carlson, CEO of Discover Strength, can be considered a young gun whose aim has been set on affecting change in his clients utilizing a very focused 30-minute, one-on-one or small group (3:1 ratio) format. The model is built on education and provides results in a safe and regulated environment. Beyond Discover Strength, Luke gives back to our industry and other industries with his public speaking, as well as Board service for the Health and Fitness Association (HFA). Most recently, he was named Vice Chair of the HFA Board. In this month's cover story interview, Luke will speak to all of this and more. I invite you to read on! Read Article...

Maria Gonzalez and ClubFitness
Inspiring and Empowering!
August 2024 - It is easy to take for granted the things we are born with. That could be physical ability, linguistic capability, financial means above the average... you name it. True character is built outside one's comfort zone. How do we react to being challenged? Do we give up, or do we rise up, striving to be better? This story is about the latter, rising up and striving to be better! Maria Gonzalez, CEO of Club Fitness, is a native of Colombia. In 1998, speaking limited English, Maria and her husband, Carlos, immigrated to the United States. Like all of us before her, the United States was a beacon, and the people came. The fabric of cultures, languages and life experiences this has brought together has created a beautiful quilt of humanity that is unmatched anywhere in the world. Read Article...

Michael Olander
The O2 Fitness Experience
June 2014 - Think back a few years to the Great Recession. During that time, did your health and fitness club company thrive or merely survive? What did you learn during that time, and what would you change prior to the recession if you could go back? These are very important questions because, as history will attest, another recession will eventually come. Will you be ready? If the answer is, "I don't know," I hope the following cover story will help. Regardless of the answer, though, read on because the story of Michael Olander and O2 Fitness is an exciting one and a refreshing approach to fitness. Read Article...

Mike Feitelberg and Team
The Future Begins At The Edge
May 2015 - Get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and then, figure out where those left should sit and where to drive the bus. In its most simplistic form, this is a key takeaway from Jim Collins' Good To Great. This month, Club Insider is pleased to feature Mike Feitelberg, Co-Owner and President of The Edge, a 6-club chain located in Vermont. Carrying the previous analogy further, Mike Feitelberg and his team have an incredible bus. They have filled the seats with amazing people. And now, they are driving it towards the future of our industry. Read Article...

Modern Club Architecture and Design - Part I
Featuring Interviews With Rudy Fabiano and Bruce Carter
May 2018 - Each month, at Club Insider, we attempt to bring to you, our readers, stories of club success. Though we always seek to report the full story of how an organization came to be, eventually, the core of the story becomes about what they are doing now. As so many have been quoted about overnight successes, though, the irony they try to embellish is that an overnight success is never that. It is something that took years and levels of planning to achieve that most cannot comprehend. That is why, this month, I am personally excited to bring to you an in-depth cover story about modern club architecture and design, featuring two true veterans of the field in our industry, Rudy Fabiano and Bruce Carter. Read Article...

Modern Club Architecture and Design - Part II
Featuring Interviews With Rudy Fabiano and Bruce Carter
June 2018 - In Part I of our 2-part cover story on modern club architecture and design, Rudy Fabiano and Bruce Carter discussed many of the aspects required in the detail-oriented field of club architecture of design. There are many things to consider with every project before you ever get to the stage of picking actual design elements, materials and finishes. This month, in Part II, Rudy and Bruce will discuss those design elements, materials and finishes. I invite you to read on. Read Article...

MOSSA
LET'S MOVE!®
November 2024 - Exercise is hard. And, hard is not fun. I know what you're saying: But, Justin, C.I. always run these little ads that say, "Make It Fun!" We sure do, and it's to always remind our readers of the first line of this article: Exercise is hard. And, hard is not fun. But, it doesn't have to be that way. There are ways around these two unmistakable truths of our business. One method is to trick the mind. The other is to share in the pain. And, if you can do both at the same time, now you're really onto something. Enter MOSSA. Read Article...

New! clubinsideronline.com
March 2008 - Read Article...

Newtown Athletic Club and Jim Worthington Raise Over $200,000 for Augie's Quest
April 2016 - Augie's Quest, an organization that's leading the search for the Cure for ALS, has become an immeasurable force for good within our industry and the greater society in which we operate. In the eleven years since its founding, the Augie's Quest cause has raised more than $45 million towards finding that cure. Many have said that it is Lou Gehrig's disease, but when it is rid from this Earth, it will be known as Augie's Cure. Augie has been our General for the fight, but within that title are the soldiers helping to fight that war. One of those soldiers is Jim Worthington, owner of the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC), in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Read Article...

Norm Cates, Jr.
75 Years and Still Kickin'!
January 2021 - One's life is the aggregate of the experiences, lessons and people met and affected along the way. And, a life well lived is one that fills each of these categories with a plethora of stories and shared experiences. The life of my Dad, Norm Cates, Jr., is one that has been well lived, and I am thankful it is one that continues on. In honor of his 75th Birthday on January 17, 2021, this month's cover story will share his life to date with you. Now, 75 years in, his experiences, lessons and the people he has met and affected along the way can fill volumes, so I am going to do my best to share as much of it with you as I can in this limited space. Sharing this milestone in my Dad's life is a top honor in my own life, so I thank you for the time you spend reading this story. Though it is long and thorough, I can promise you it is entertaining, informational and beneficial. So, once again, I invite you to grab two or three of your favorite beverages, sit in your favorite comfortable spot, and enjoy the following in-depth interview with Norm Cates, Jr. Read Article...

October Cover Story Preview
Paula Neubert and Club Greenwood
September 2020 - This year, 2020, has been a year of firsts for so many us. From our personal lives to professional careers, we have had to adapt like never before. The same has occurred for us here at Club Insider, especially over the course of the past two months as important industry news continues to break, day-in and day-out. We are thankful to be a nimble publication, because it allows us to quickly change editorial direction in order to effectively cover pertinent news in near real-time (both online and in print). Our recent August and September Cover Stories have been a testament to that fact. Read Article...

About Our Authors

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