This Month in Club Insider: January 2025
Cover Story Classics
Red Lerille
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesPublisher's Note: Some things are timeless. A sight. A smell. A good story. Sage advice. In this case, we are going to go with a good story, and within, you will certainly experience some sage advice. Throughout 2025, we will be presenting something we are calling: Cover Story Classics. From our library of 300+ case study cover stories, featuring many of the greats of this industry and how they got there, we will be selecting those that truly stood the test of time to re-present to you. We are doing this for several reasons...
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When Struggling Becomes Comfort
Breaking Free from Familiar Chaos in the Gym Business
By: Jim Thomas
Jim ThomasFor many independent gym owners, the struggle to keep their business afloat is a constant battle. They grapple with dwindling memberships, rising operational costs and an ever-evolving fitness industry. Yet, amidst this chaos, some gym owners unknowingly settle into a dangerous pattern: the struggle itself becomes their comfort zone. The resistance to change solidifies, and the familiar chaos of an underperforming business feels safer than the uncertainty of doing something different. This article explores the phenomenon of struggle-induced comfort, the dangers it presents and actionable steps gym owners can take to escape this cycle and move toward sustainable success.
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Use PIPs to Address Culture Fits Who are Falling Short
By: Chris Stevenson
Chris StevensonA Performance Improvement Plan, widely known as a PIP, is a way to assist underperforming team members positively and strategically. While there are other methods of assessing team member performance, this method has a more specific purpose: to help a team member, considered a great asset by most, improve performance. My team and I have effectively used performance improvement plans in our organizations for various reasons and roles in many departments. Taking a strategic approach is critical to getting great results. Here are five keys to getting the most out of PIPs...
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Beyond the Finish Line
The Evolution of Running from Niche Sport to Mainstream Movement
By: Nancy Trent
Nancy TrentRunning has transformed from a niche activity into a vibrant, mainstream movement. The recent TCS New York City Marathon, Philadelphia Marathon and The Running Event have all highlighted this cultural shift. These events spotlight not only the physical endurance required to conquer marathons but also the growing role of running in the broader lifestyle and fitness community. Today, running isn't just about competition, it's a means of personal expression, community connection and self-care.
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A Strength Training Resolution Revolution
By: Terry Browning
Terry BrowningFitness fads, the newest, hottest trends, the code-cracking, must-have workout... we've seen them all come and go - with an emphasis on go - as trends tend to do. This time of year, in particular, the chatter is all about what's trending in fitness to appeal to resolutioners starting or restarting healthy habits. But, for the first time in recent memory, the "in" thing feels like something smart, something strong, something sustainable, something we can believe in, invest in and get people... well, in. Finally, people aren't just looking for some vague version of exercise ("I guess I'll join a gym") or looking to undo bad habits in general ("I guess I'll change my ways"). More than ever, people have specifically resolved to start strength training.
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Crunch Fitness Celebrates the Three-Million-Member Mark and Launches Crunch 3.0
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Crunch Fitness, a leading high-value, low-price gym, has marked the milestone of reaching three million members and unveiled its latest gym design, Crunch 3.0, a brand-new layout to elevate and energize the gym-goer's experience. Through meeting the members' evolving needs and understanding where the wellness industry is heading, Crunch has selectively curated the updated design elements in Crunch 3.0 to amplify the member experience.
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Health, Exercise and Fitness Dominate Americans' New Year's Resolutions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As 2025 begins, a nationwide survey by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) reveals that health, fitness and exercise are at the forefront of Americans' New Year's resolutions. Of the estimated 159 million adults planning to set goals, 60%, or approximately 96 million Americans, intend to focus on health, fitness and exercise, making it the most popular theme for 2025 goals.
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ACE and the Mental Wellbeing Association Introduce a New Certification Focused on Mental Wellbeing
SAN DIEGO, CA - The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the Mental Wellbeing Association, an initiative of the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation, announce the launch of the Mental Wellbeing Certification. This first-of-its-kind program focuses on mental health and wellbeing through established self-care practices in exercise, nutrition, mindfulness and social connection. This 10-module certification emphasizes the four pillars of mental wellbeing, empowering health and fitness professionals with the tools they need to help clients manage stress, enhance mood and build resilience through physical activity.
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Norm's Notes for January 2025
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Founder and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in with our 373rd monthly edition of this 32+ 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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