The Club Insider Archives: May 2012
The Planet Fitness Juggernaut Keeps Rolling!
Planet Fitness' 530+ Locations Serve 3.5 Million!
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesWhen I previosuly interviewed Mike Grondahl, one of the co-founders of Planet Fitness, for our January, 2008 Club Insider Cover Story, my first sentence read, "Juggernaut is defined in Webster's Dictionary as 'A relentless and overwhelming force or movement.'" At the time, I was referring to a Planet Fitness that had just 18 company-owned stores and 185 franchisees, with 58 additional signed franchise agreements for new locations to be built.
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The "Insider Speaks"
America's Costly Lifestyle
By: Joe Moore
Joe MooreWhile our politicians remain polarized on health care reform, and as the U.S. Supreme Court decides on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, perhaps the rest of us should look more closely at our health. After all, the excessive cost of health care in America is the symptom of an underlying disease. While changing the system of how health care coverage is provided, purchased and paid for may help alleviate some of the symptoms, it won't eradicate the fundamental sickness.
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Why Your Health Club Should Be Run More Like A Dojo
By: Andy Graham
Andy GrahamWhy your health club should be run more like a dojo... or, "I'll rest when the IHRSA statistic of '2-4% of members' represents the percentage of members not working with a coach/trainer." I'm positioning the conclusion of this article at the very beginning so I have your full attention.
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How to Be More Productive in Less Time
Eat That Frog!
By: Donna Krech
Donna Krech"If the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is eat a live frog, then you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that's probably the biggest, worst thing that could possibly happen to you all day long. Your frog is your biggest task." - Brian Tracy
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Maximize Your Follow Up Efforts!
By: Karen Woodard-Chavez
Karen Woodard-ChavezThe best way to maximize follow up is to increase your first time closing ratio. Yes, that is stating the obvious, but we forget the obvious sometimes. Outside of increasing your first time closing skills the best way to maximize follow up is to have your next step of action planned out and committed to before the prospect leaves the club.
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The Fitness Industry Is In Good Shape
By: Darice Britt
Fitness has been a growth industry during the past couple of decades. U.S. health club industry revenue reached $21.4 billion as memberships totaled 51.4 million in 2011, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). Industry revenue increased from 2010 by 5%, while memberships grew by 2.4%. After growing from 26,830 in 2009 to 29,890 in 2010, the total number of health clubs saw a marginal increase to 29,960 in 2011
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Fitness 4 Charity
A New Home for Old Equipment
By: John Paul Ouvrier
John Paul OuvrierWhat does the gym and club industry do with all the old exercise equipment that it has? More often than not, most of it goes to waste and is thrown away. Fitness 4 Charity is an organization that answers the question what to do with this equipment: Give it to those in need by starting a not-for-profit charity.
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Ask Sandy!
May 2012
By: Sandy Coffman
Sandy CoffmanDear Sandy, I am graduating from university with a business major. I've been teaching a Step Class and working at the front desk of a club close to school for almost two years. I have really enjoyed it and was surprised but happy when they asked me to work full time as a Program Director.
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Vertical Fitness Group Converting 11 Gold's Gyms In Wisconsin and Minnesota To New "Xperience Fitness" Brand
APPLETON, WI - Vertical Fitness Group (VFG) has converted 11 Gold's Gyms in Wisconsin and Minnesota to its new "Xperience Fitness" concept beginning May 1st. The Appleton-based health club management group recently reached an agreement with Gold's Gym International (GGI) to part company in order to launch its new brand.
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Bodytech Wins a New Partner In Brazil
Private Equity Fund of BTG Pactual
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - Bodytech has won a new partner. In an unprecedented agreement, the private equity fund of BTG Pactual acquired a minority participation of the Bodytech chain of fitness gyms through the injection of primary resources, becoming part of the controlling block through a shareholder's agreement.
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Body Training Systems and Netsertive Partner To Provide Cutting-Edge Online Marketing
MARIETTA, GA and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - Body Training Systems (BTS), a leading supplier of group fitness programs, announced a new partnership with online ad technology company, Netsertive, to provide its customers with cooperative online marketing services.
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PFP Media and Club Industry Announce Partnership and Search for the "2013 PFP Trainer of the Year" Award
MADISON, WI - PFP (Personal Fitness Professional) Media, a leading industry resource for personal trainers, is pleased to announce a partnership with Club Industry, the premier magazine and event for fitness and wellness professionals, to search for the 2013 PFP Trainer of the Year award.
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Iron Grip and RetroFitness Announce Partnership
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Iron Grip Barbell Company, a manufacturer of free weight equipment, and RetroFitness, a fitness chain, announced that RetroFitness has selected Iron Grip to be the preferred supplier of dumbbells, barbells and Olympic plates to RetroFitness franchise locations nationwide.
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Cybex Announces First Quarter Results
MEDWAY, MA - Cybex International, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYBI), a leading U.S. manufacturer of fitness exercise equipment, reported results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2012. Net sales for the first quarter of 2012 increased by 20.2% to $37.3 million compared to $31.0 million for the corresponding 2011 period.
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An IHRSA Public Policy Update
As most have seen, IHRSA's State advocacy team has an impressive three-year record with 69 wins and 2 losses, defending the bottom line from burdensome government regulation. How do we do it? Let's take a look at a victory you may have read about in the Capitol Report.
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Daily Physical Activity Protects Against Alzheimer's
CBS News - By 2030, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease worldwide is expected to double to 80 million. But, a new study finds daily physical activity might provide a person's best chances of staving off the degenerative brain disorder, even if they're over 80 years old.
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President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Announces 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) will pay tribute to the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award winners at their annual meeting on May 1, 2012.
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Norm's Notes for May 2012
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in! Where oh where to start?
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