The Club Insider Archives: November 2025
Cover Story Classics
TRUST
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesPublisher's Note: In 2018, when Club Insider reached the milestone of 25 years in publication, we changed our tagline to "Celebrating 25 Years of Trust." (this was updated each year until we hit 30 years; now, we have added a + for the subsequent years of our 30s) Most importantly, though, this tagline represents the reality of TRUST being required for our publication to exist. If we did not have the trust of our readers, our authors and our advertisers, we would never have made it.
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"Insider Speaks"
One Club Owner's Opinion #2 - We Should Scrap the PHIT Act... I Know, OUCH!
By: Steve Vucovich
Steve VucovichPublisher's Note: Club Insider was founded on the principle of "Telling It Like It Is..." This month, our friend Steve Vucovich, Managing Director of Club Apple in Idaho Falls, Idaho, has submitted an article that truly does that. Though the opinion that is about to be expressed may ruffle some feathers, whether or not that opinion is right or wrong is irrelevant, but the conversation needs to be had. That is because the idea of passing the PHIT Act has been around for what is now decades. Heck, I remember first reading about it when I was in college (I graduated in 2007). That is why I made the decision to put this article up front and center as an "Insider Speaks" editorial.
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How Interior Design Influences Physical and Mental Wellbeing
By: Bruce Carter
Bruce CarterInterior design plays a crucial role in addressing the health club industry's challenge of people disliking exercise by creating an environment that people love and want to spend time within. Interior design has a deep and measurable impact on both physical and mental health within health club environments, playing a critical role in enabling members to meaningfully improve their wellbeing. Thoughtful design goes beyond aesthetics; it orchestrates how spaces are experienced, influencing emotional responses, motivation, community and long-term engagement with physical activity.
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How to Get Intimate with Your Clients
Lessons From Pixie Acia
By: Nancy Trent
Nancy TrentIn the crowded world of fitness and wellness, client engagement often gets boiled down to numbers: memberships, attendance and retention rates. But, what if the secret to loyalty, motivation and meaningful results isn't found in metrics at all but in human connection? Pixie Acia, somatic and spiritual wellness coach, fitness innovator and creator of #DOITFORTHEDOPAMINE, believes that intimacy with clients is the hidden ingredient for transformative experiences. With over 15 years of experience teaching at SoulCycle, Fiit and her own retreats worldwide, Pixie has built a reputation for inspiring clients not just to move but to show up fully in their lives.
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The Future of Fitness is Friendship
By: Jeffrey Pinkerton
Jeffrey PinkertonWhat is the future of fitness? If you get the same marketing emails I do, you'd think it's all about technology and trackers, the next new "thing" or machine promising to "revolutionize member engagement." Don't get me wrong, I love technology, but I don't believe the future of fitness (at least not a healthy and thriving version of the future) will involve more screens and more stats. Don't we already spend enough time each day staring at screens? I believe the future of fitness will be defined by people and programs, by connection and community. The future of fitness is friendship.
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Workout Anytime Announces National Partnership with the American Cancer Society
ATLANTA, GA - Workout Anytime, the premium 24/7 fitness franchise with more than 190 locations nationwide, announced a national partnership with the American Cancer Society during its 2025 Franchise Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Medicare to Reimburse Doctors for Physical Activity Assessments and GLP-1 Medications
WASHINGTON, D.C. - For the first time, Medicare will pay doctors to assess a patient's physical activity levels as part of routine care. This new policy formally recognizes physical activity and nutrition as vital components of preventive healthcare and integrates them directly into how doctors assess and talk with patients about their overall health.
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HealthFitness Celebrates 50 Years of Transforming Corporate Fitness
LAKE FOREST, IL - HealthFitness, a Trustmark company and a leading provider of comprehensive fitness solutions, celebrates its 50th anniversary. Since 1975, the company has partnered with organizations across the country to build healthier, more connected workplaces, evolving alongside the industry while staying true to its passion for people.
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Bay Club Expands Greater Seattle Campus with Acquisition of Arena Sports
SEATTLE, WA - The Bay Club Company ("Bay Club") is expanding and diversifying its portfolio and Greater Seattle Campus with the acquisition of indoor sports and entertainment company, Arena Sports, which consists of five locations in Mill Creek, Magnuson, SODO, Redmond and Issaquah, including the Magnuson Athletic Club.
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HWLS Partners with Millennium Health and Fitness
AMARILLO, TX - Frank Guengerich, President and CEO of Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Services (HWLS), announces the company has partnered with Millennium Health & Fitness, Inc. (MHF) to lead the company's growth and expansion initiatives alongside an exceptional team.
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World Gym Q3 Results
EPS Jumps 82.5% on Record Revenue
TAIPEI - World Gym Corporation, owner of the iconic global World Gym brand, announces record third-quarter results for the period that ended September 30, 2025, underscoring continued growth momentum and improving margins.
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Norm's Notes for November 2025
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Founder and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in with our 383rd monthly edition of this 30+ year running club business publication I refer to as: A Labor of Love! I'm very thankful that you've tuned in again for this iteration of Norm's Notes, as I proceed on my keyboard with my longtime habit of "Telling-It-Like-It-Is!" I'm really happy that you're reading this edition, and I want to THANK YOU ALL for sticking with us every month! As usual, we have a bunch of health and fitness club business news, so please read on!
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