Business Articles

It’s a good time to be working in the fitness industry. According to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), 2012 proved profitable for fitness facilities. “Improvements were recorded in all nine performance indicators measured,” said Jay Ablondi, executive vice president of global products for IHRSA in a press release. “Significantly, the greatest growth was achieved in non-dues revenue and EBITDAR (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent).”

“Me, plan a health fair? You must be kidding!” That’s what I said when I was asked to organize our fitness facility’s first health fair. After 8 months of wrong turns, detours and far too much stress and drama, the big day came. Our first health fair was a hit! And we earned $1,000 for our designated charity!newsletter_teaser: “Me, plan a health fair? You must be kidding!” That’s what I said when I was asked to organize our fitness facility’s first health fair. After 8 months of wrong turns, detours and far too much stress and drama, the big day came. Our first health fair was a hit!

If you think your biggest expense is payroll, which is what I often hear when I ask fitness facility owners and managers, you’re wrong. In my experience, attrition—the number of members lost compared to the number of members overall—is the real financial sinkhole.newsletter_teaser: If you think your biggest expense is payroll, which is what I often hear when I ask fitness facility owners and managers, you’re wrong. In my experience, attrition—the number of members lost compared to the number of members overall—is the real financial sinkhole.

The fiscal year is coming to a close, and you have a chance not only for a successful final push but also to connect with your personal trainers in a way that inspires them. Use the following tips to build a cohesive team, empower your trainers and, ultimately, sell sessions.newsletter_teaser: The fiscal year is coming to a close, and you have a chance not only to make a successful final push but also to connect with your personal trainers in a way that inspires them. Use the following tips to build a cohesive team, empower your trainers and, ultimately, sell sessions.

You’ve been asked to reinvigorate—or create—a mind-body program at your facility, and you have no clue where to start. In addition to being a freshman at this task, you run up against a few unforeseen obstacles. How do you create an amazing mindful program that supports membership and the bottom line?newsletter_teaser: You’ve been asked to reinvigorate—or create—a mind-body program at your facility, and you have no clue where to start. In addition to being a freshman at this task, you run up against a few unforeseen obstacles. How do you create an amazing mindful program that supports membership and the bottom line?

Shiny, solid floors. An upgraded stereo and microphone system. Brand-new equipment. Many fitness facility managers look around their club and can rapidly envision what needs to be acquired or improved.newsletter_teaser: Shiny, solid floors. An upgraded stereo system. Brand-new equipment. Many fitness facility managers can rapidly envision what needs to be acquired or improved. The facility design and construction process itself, however, is not as quick.

As a facility owner or manager, you know that ongoing monitoring can be essential if you want to contribute to your members’ fitness and wellness for the long term (Goldman 2012). A significant way to help people succeed in their fitness goals is to provide ongoing fitness assessments: measurements and tests that combine to determine an individual’s physical fitness.newsletter_teaser: As a facility owner or manager, you know that ongoing monitoring can be essential if you want to contribute to your members’ fitness and wellness for the long term (Goldman 2012). A significant way to help people succeed in their fitness goals is to provide fitness assessments.

The “Saving a Sinking Ship” series has profiled a flailing business called Jacked Up Fitness. Part 1, “Bringing Your Business Back From the Brink,” covered an initial assessment I did that revealed several core issues needing improvement. In response, the facility’s owners made aesthetic changes, improved their systems, revamped leadership structure, added a set of policies and organized their financial infrastructure.newsletter_teaser: To wrap up our series on Saving a Sinking Ship, we put the finishing touches on our studio, update the branding and prepare for a successful relaunch.

This is the final installment in our series on leadership development for fitness professionals. This segment will show you how to prioritize your time so you can work toward balancing your personal life and your professional life. Finding the right work–life balance will reduce stress and improve productivity.newsletter_teaser: In this final installment of our series on leadership development for fitness professionals, you will learn how finding the right work–life balance can reduce stress and improve productivity.

As an autonomous fitness professional, you’re probably working hard to build your business and name. Promoting other companies may seem to run counter to developing your own brand, but the reality is that making connections and building affiliations can help your business grow. What Is an Affiliate Program?newsletter_teaser: As an autonomous fitness professional, you work hard to build your business and name. It may seem counterintuitive, but promoting other companies and products can help your business grow.