Health Clubs/Fitness Facilities 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).”

When was the last time you took a hard look at the risks your business faces and the systems that you have—or don’t have—in place to safeguard yourself when disaster strikes? In this article you’ll learn how to manage the most costly risks to your business and how to stay ahead of the risk-management curve as your business growsnewsletter_teaser: When was the last time you took a hard look at the risks your business faces and the systems that you have—or don’t have—in place to safeguard yourself when disaster strikes? Learn how to manage the most costly risks to your business and how to stay ahead of the risk-management curve as your business grows

fpo newsletter_teaser: As a fitness pro you may have already hit the mark with a personal training studio or an exercise class. Now, you’d love to take your business model to the next level. The big question: Is creating a franchised fitness brand your best next move?

In Part One of this series, we discussed the importance of researching users, space and programs before committing to new fitness facility design and construction. We also looked at funding and its effect on programming. The goal of this three-part series is to make fitness managers aware of key elements in the planning and building process, with a focus on group fitness and personal training spaces.newsletter_teaser: The goal of this three-part series is to make fitness managers aware of key elements in the planning and building process, with a focus on group fitness and personal training spaces.

In the last few years programming has evolved, and consumers are looking beyond memberships to small-group training experiences for results and solutions. People are willing to pay top dollar for these programs. Let’s briefly examine some successful SGT programs, and then look at what the managers, directors and owners of multipurpose fitness centers can learn from them.newsletter_teaser: In the last few years, programming has evolved, and consumers are looking beyond memberships to small-group training experiences for results and solutions. People are willing to pay top dollar for these programs. Let’s briefly examine some successful SGT programs, and then look at what the managers, directors and owners of multipurpose fitness centers can learn from them.

Understanding why members remain loyal to fitness facilities may help managers and owners with their direct marketing efforts—and beef up retention rates. Here are the top reasons individuals stay members, says the most recent IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report: 2012 Health Club Activity, Usage, Trends & Analysis, produced by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association.

Operating a business can be challenging. Success demands innovation and creativity, and business owners must learn to develop strategies that will separate their business from all the others. What will customers appreciate about one personal training studio versus another? You can distinguish your venue in multiple ways<&em>unique equipment, greater square footage and desirable amenities are just a few. However, while these accommodations alone may be effective, they don’t guarantee success and they can be quite costly.newsletter_teaser: Operating a business can be challenging. Success demands innovation and creativity, and business owners must learn to develop strategies that will separate their business from all the others. What will customers appreciate about one personal training studio versus another?