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ustomer service problems in fitness facilities can challenge even the most conscientious owners and managers. No mat-
carry a Fitness Group photo identification membership card and "scan in" when they enter the facility. We implemented the new system to ensure that individuals using our services/facilities were members in good standing. The Problem: One of our members refused to have her photo...
by Shirley Archer, JD, MA
P
How to Hire Specialty Instructors
By Shirley J. Archer, JD, MA
rogram directors in today's fitness facilities face a challenge. "We cannot possibly know everything there is to
following areas: ...
Free Training
as sound investments, and has a training course fund budgeted for such purposes. Besides training and certification, the Y's fitness instructors receive other employee extras--most of which, naturally, are geared toward fitness. "I occasionally give gifts like fitness tapes," Turner says. "And since I attend fitness conferences and conventions, I always bring back shirts and other f...
by Chalene Johnson
If you answered “True” to more than two of these questions, it’s time to take action! What can you, as an employee, do to make your next staff meeting more enjoyable? Simple: Get involved. Face it, staff meetings are as certain as death and taxes—but they do not have to be as daunting. Taking a few moments to prepare for your next staff meeting will ensure that you get more out of it, gain respect from your boss and coworkers and actually enjoy the experience.
First, begin by following a few basic ground rules:
by J. Annesi
Hiring Trainers Who Motivate Clients
By Jim Annesi, PhD
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magine taking the guesswork out of hiring qualified, competent and skilled personal fitness trainers capable of motivating and
What Traits Work?
Research for the study was conducted in fitness facilities in the Northeast and Midwest United States. Supervisors of five training departments were asked to select (from a prepared list) specif...
by Chalene Johnson
6 Steps to Productive Meetings
By Chalene Johnson
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here are some things in life that we all dread attending: funerals, dentist appointments, tax audits and, let's not forget, staff meetings. It's really too bad that staff meetings have come to share such poor company. Maybe your company's get-togethers are not that bad, but they
probably could benefit from a few key changes. Before you can mak...
by Stephanie Vlach
Your employees directly affect the success of your business. They work with your clients, sell your products and engage in frontline, day-to-day operations. Some employees are a pleasure to manage, and others—well, not so much. Working with an exemplary employee who is productive, independent, motivated and delightful is every manager’s dream. On the flip side, some employees are just bad hires and the decision to let them go is straightforward. Unfortunately, staff management isn’t that black and white. newsletter_teaser: Your employees directly affect the success of your business. They work with your clients, sell your products and engage in frontline, day-to-day operations. Some employees are a pleasure to manage, and others—well, not so much. Working with an exemplary employee who is productive, independent, motivated and delightful is every manager’s dream. On the flip side, some employees are just bad hires and the decision to let them go is straightforward. Unfortunately, staff management isn’t that black and white.
There are many misconceptions about selling and many of them are negative. Thankfully, sales is changing and the old ways of closing deals with a “pitch" are over. Sales is now all about making connections that lead to lasting partnerships. These new methods are especially effective for fitness business owners looking to grow their business in a meaningful way.newsletter_teaser: There are many misconceptions about selling and many of them are negative. Thankfully, sales is changing and the old ways of closing deals with a “pitch" are over. Sales is now all about making connections that lead to lasting partnerships. These new methods are especially effective for fitness business owners looking to grow their business in a meaningful way.
by Cathie Ericson
When Jack and Jenna Oliver opened Above the Bar, a CrossFit® facility in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 2 years ago, they knew it wouldn’t be an overnight success. However, they didn’t expect the competition to be so fierce. “It rattled us for a few seconds," Jenna notes, "until we realized that people come to us because they think we have a superior product." newsletter_teaser: When Jack and Jenna Oliver opened a CrossFit® facility, they knew it wouldn’t succeed overnight. But they didn’t expect such fierce competition. “It rattled us for a few seconds," Jenna notes, "until we realized that people come to us because they think we have a superior product."
by Ryan Halvorson
High-intensity interval training seems all the rage these days, as both anecdotal information and scientific evidence support its claims to be an efficient and effective form of exercise. However, many experts are concerned that deconditioned clients may think the programming is too tough. Is there a way to facilitate HIIT sessions that doesn’t leave novice exercisers feeling overwhelmed?
A new study says yes.
