The Club Insider Archives: November 2019
Dr. Gerry Faust Passes Away
A Special Tribute and Expression of Appreciation to Gerry
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesPOWAY, CA - The late Dr. Gerry Faust, 77, was born on January 1st, 1942 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The great man was truly one of a kind... a true gentleman and a vastly experienced and extremely highly qualified man in his field who leaves huge footprints in the world of high-level management training and education for all who follow him. Some people journey through life and leave footprints wherever they go, footprints of love and kindness, compassion and courage, humor and inspiration, faith and joy. Dr. Gerry Faust was one of those very special people. Even when they're gone, we can still look back and clearly see the trail of greatness they've left behind, a trail bright with hope that invites us to follow.
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The Boutique Fitness Studio Stampede
Part I
By: Stephen Tharrett
Stephen TharrettThe boutique fitness studio industry has been garnering considerable media hype, not to mention private-equity funding over the past several years. When an industry, such as boutique fitness studios, is able to capture the imagination of consumers, the attention of industry pundits, the envy of many fitness operators and the wallets of investors, you've got to believe it's the real deal!
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Exercise IS Medicine!
By: Mike Alpert
Mike AlpertMost everyone in our industry knows that Diabetes is a terrible chronic disease and that it is one of the most financially draining illnesses to treat. Let's take a look at what Diabetes is, the complications that are offshoots of this disease and how exercise can be used to treat it.
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Six Weeks to Sales Success
By: Casey Conrad
Casey ConradIt's no mystery; the number one issue for most fitness facility operators is getting more prospects to walk through the door. Let's face it, marketing is much more challenging today than it was in the past. Long gone are the days where an ad in a newspaper or a direct mail piece would generate dozens, if not hundreds, of leads. With traditional mediums drying up and a myriad of digital platforms available, getting in front of prospects requires entirely new approaches and skill sets.
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Build Your Tribe:
Sure-Fire Ways to Maximize Your Group Fitness Participation
By: Jarod Cogswell
Jarod Cogswell"You're stronger than you think!" It's a mantra I have used for years, teaching large group fitness, and I firmly believe it. Admittedly, it gets me emotional at times. Heck, I've even shed tears of joy in the middle of the turf inspired by collective effort, perseverance and witnessing "our tribe" push themselves and one another farther than they thought possible... And, as a fitness professional, there's no better feeling than helping people push past their barriers to feel stronger mentally, emotionally and physically.
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Attaboy!
By: Derek Barton
Derek BartonRemember the compliment, "attaboy?" Remember when you got an "attaboy" and how good you felt, especially when it came from your father or your first boss? They even made a silent comedy film back in 1926 called, "Atta Boy." I don't remember that either. In case you are visiting planet Earth and just picked up a copy of Club Insider (a wise choice), you may not know the term, "attaboy."
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Your Members Can Have Their Cake and Eat it too!
By: Ron Alterio
Ron AlterioHealth and fitness clubs all around the country are trying to figure out how to drive more paid group personal training, and one of the most common questions and a key concern that comes up in the process is: "How can I do this without cannibalizing my one-on-one personal training revenue?" Most owners understand that paid group training helps cast a wider acquisition net due to its affordability. Most also understand that paid group training helps service a higher percentage of your member base for a much lower cost. But, let's face it, those same operators have spent their entire careers focused on driving the largest profit center and revenue stream outside of the membership base: one-on-one personal training.
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Effective Lead Follow-Up Cycle for New and Existing Leads
By: Karen Woodard-Chavez
Karen Woodard-ChavezWhen I ask clients how they are doing with Month-To-Date (MTD) new membership sales, the responses vary. Some are on track, some are ahead of pace and others are behind. Inquiring why on all counts and especially with clients who are behind, the response is typically that traffic has slowed down. Lead generation is clearly a key to sales success, and often, there is not enough lead generation going on. That is another article. What I also find is that there is typically ineffective lead follow-up happening. When this happens, sales teams are leaving a LOT of opportunity on the table that should easily translate into more new sales, better member relationships, increased referrals and better retention.
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Understanding and Protecting Your Health Club's Intellectual Property
By: Paul R. Bedard, Esquire
Paul R. Bedard, EsquireHealth and fitness clubs, like most businesses, benefit from their intellectual property. And, like most industries, the health and fitness club industry is not immune to intellectual property disputes and lawsuits. Therefore, health and fitness clubs must protect their intellectual property, including their trademarks and copyrights. In addition to boosting and protecting your brand, understanding your legal rights and the mechanisms involved in the protection of your intellectual property can also minimize the possibility of a costly lawsuit.
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Fitness Holdings Northeast Acquires Crunch Paramus
GREENWICH, CT - Fitness Holdings Northeast, LLC ("Fitness Holdings"), one of the leading franchise groups in the Crunch Franchise network, has announced its acquisition of Crunch Paramus, in Paramus, New Jersey. The acquisition closed in October and raises the ownership group's club count to 22, serving more than 100,000 members.
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ABC Financial and Trek Announce Vendor Partnership
LITTLE ROCK, AR - ABC Financial (ABC), a leading software and payment processing provider to the health and fitness industry, has announced their preferred partnership with Trek CCM, LLC. ABC is excited to integrate Trek's automated, yet personal, customer communications platform with ABC's software ecosystem. Trek's solution, Heather, will enable clubs using ABC Financial software to effectively and efficiently communicate with members on a continuous basis.
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Planet Fitness Reaches $5 Million Fundraising Milestone Benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of America
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. and home of the Judgement Free Zone, announced that, together with its franchisees, partners and members, it has raised more than $5 million since 2016 for its nonprofit partner, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. This fundraising effort is made possible through Planet Fitness' philanthropic initiative, The Judgement Free Generation, which aims to prevent bullying and promote kindness among youth.
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Casey Conrad Appointed as Northeast Regional Director for BEMER, USA
WAKEFIELD, RI - Casey Conrad, long-time sales and marketing industry consultant, announces that she has been appointed as the Northeast Regional Director for BEMER, USA, a European medical device company based out of Liechtenstein with U.S. offices in Carlsbad, CA. As a Regional Director and Independent Distributor, Conrad will help guide sales and marketing, provide advanced trainings and promote the company's mission of "A BEMER in Every Home'' for the states of VA, MD, DE, PA, NJ, CT, RI, NY, MA, VT, NH and ME.
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Norm's Notes for November 2019
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in with our 311th Edition!
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