This Month in Club Insider: April 2024
Sara Kooperman's SCW
Fitness Education for Life
By: Justin Cates
Justin CatesA good idea is a good idea. But, it doesn't mean it will work, at least not right away. The Lightbulb. That's a pretty good idea, right? Well, it took Thomas Edison over 1,000 tries to get it right, and its iterations have endlessly improved over time. A car instead of a horse... A plane instead of a car! Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers (Orville and Wilbur) might have a lot to say about that... They did not get it right the first few times, either. Many times, the idea itself is not what is flawed when it first fails. It is the method... or, the timing... or, a combination of factors so minute that it takes a while to untangle each and reiterate. And, that is if there is still time, motivation or funding...
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"Insider Speaks"
Things That Make Me Go "Hmmm"
By: Mike Manning
Mike ManningHere is a short list of current things in the fitness industry that make me go "Hmmm..."
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How AI Revolutionizes Personal Training Sales
An Insightful Q&A with Victor "VMan" Verhage
By: Gary Polic
Gary PolicIn the rapidly evolving fitness industry, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a game-changer, especially in selling personal training packages and programs. Polic Consultants Group, LLC caught up with Victor "VMan" Verhage, a visionary in the fitness business landscape, to delve into how AI can be a powerhouse tool for personal trainers and fitness club owners. Let's explore how AI can specifically cater to members' goals like weight loss, muscle building, energy boosts and overall wellbeing.
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Franchising: The New Expansion Wave in the Fitness Industry
By: Paul Bosley
Paul BosleyAs an industry veteran of 49 years, I have witnessed profound changes in the fitness industry. I started working in sales in a privately held chain that merged in with Health & Tennis Corporation of America, owned by names that have become legends in our industry, including Jerry Kahn and Don Wildman. When our companies were acquired by Bally, the total number of clubs stood over 600 nationally, and the second largest chain was Gold's Gym with less than half that number of clubs. The only other chains which really operated as licenses were World Gym and Powerhouse Gym.
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Health Clubs as "Experience" Centers
By: Eric Durak, MSc
Eric Durak, MScIn most businesses (it should be all businesses), relationships are key to enhancing business models. The old adage that, "doing business with people you like," goes a long way to moving forward. In the health club sector, having a good "experience" is about as key to the business as any new equipment or clean bathrooms or plenty of parking. The fact that they are part of the great experience is paramount to clubs. But, it is important to understand what the current experience is and what other types of experiences may be used that will enhance the experience above that of just "renting equipment."
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The Value of Group Fitness
Data, Dollars and the Doorman Fallacy
By: Jeffrey Pinkerton
Jeffrey PinkertonGroup fitness is not often seen as a profit center, but it is a huge differentiator for your facility. And, when you invest in it, it can pay huge dividends for community, for connection and for the member experience. But, since it's not a simple line item on your profit and loss statement, there is a good chance that group fitness is viewed as an amenity more than an asset. If you view it as an amenity only, you're probably looking for ways to cut costs (and ultimately, cut corners). If you view it as an asset - with the potential of growing into a million-dollar department - you should ask yourself this question: how can I build on what we have, invest more and maximize the return?
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Why Work Here?
Building a Gym Culture That Attracts and Retains Top Talent
By: Jim Thomas
Jim ThomasThe fitness industry is booming, but so is the competition for talented employees. In this war for talent, your gym culture is your secret weapon. It's not just about treadmills and protein shakes; it's about creating an environment where people thrive, grow and feel valued. Here's how to build a gym culture that makes people say, "Why wouldn't I want to work here?"
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Fitness Formula Clubs Celebrates 40 Years By Being Named Chicago Reader's 2023 Best in Chicago
CHICAGO, IL - As Chicagoland-based Fitness Formula Clubs' (FFC) embarks on its 40th year, another milestone is added to the celebrations: being named Chicago Reader's Best Gyms in Chicago for 2023. Founded in 1984, FFC is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the local communities it serves across its 10 locations, seven within Chicago city limits and three in the nearby suburbs.
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Gold's Gym SoCal Marks 35 Years With Long Beach Expansion
LOS ANGELES, CA - Gold's Gym SoCal, the original home of fitness workouts, celebrates its 35th Anniversary, marking three and a half decades of unparalleled dedication to health, wellness and community. To coincide with the milestone, Gold's Gym SoCal is unveiling its plans to open its newest state-of-the-art facility located at The Pike Outlets in Long Beach in Spring 2024.
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Wello Works Redefines Work-Life Balance with Dual-Concept Space, Launching in Australia and the United States
AUSTRALIA - Tony de Leede, renowned wellness entrepreneur, is set to make waves in the world of coworking with the grand opening of Wello Works in Rosebery, Sydney, Australia and Sandy Springs, Atlanta, United States. This groundbreaking space introduces a dual-concept approach, seamlessly integrating coworking and wellness under one roof. Wello Works comprises two distinct spaces, Wello Coworking and the Wello Collective, each designed to cater to the diverse needs of today's consumer.
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USTA Seeks to Make U.S. the #1 Tennis-Playing Nation by 2035
ORLANDO, FL - The USTA announces an ambitious, multi-faceted growth strategy aimed at making the United States the number one tennis-playing nation in the world by 2035, increasing the country's tennis-playing population to 35 million total players (or 10% of the country's population). The growth strategy is the vehicle for realizing the organization's new mission: "Growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere." The strategy includes a dedicated focus on player retention, coaches and courts.
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Norm's Notes for April 2024
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Founder and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in with our 364th monthly edition of this 31+ 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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