I love tennis! SOOOO much!
April 29, 2013 // Category: Fitness Community
Fitness is booming and with the ever increasing number of corporate wellness programs and health insurance incentives, opening a gym appears to be full of opportunity. However, with all of the different options (trends, facility type, equipment, programming, etc.), taking that first step in opening up a gym can be quite daunting. This 3 part series will hopefully shed some light on where to begin and provide resources for learning more about the gym business.
What type of facility should I open? Deciding what type of facility you’d like to open is an excellent starting point. There are thousands of options ranging from the one stop shop that offers something for everyone to niche facilities. Aligning the type of facility you’re planning on opening with the area demographics is paramount. For example, if the area you’re opening in has a median resident age of 55, the population is over 60% female, and the estimated median household income is $23,000.00 you probably would not want to open up an Mixed Martial Arts facility that focuses on private grappling sessions.
January 04, 2013 // Category: Fitness Community
The New Year’s resolution has been one of the most important drivers behind how our industry has marketed and sold itself since Vic Tanny opened his first gym in the 1940’s. During the first two months of the year many clubs will drive 20% to 25% of their annual sales, and in most instances by appealing to our resolutions and offering discounts that make it a deal no one can resist. Today, people expect to receive enticing deals from club operators proclaiming great prices and a guarantee that the club will help them achieve their resolutions. Unfortunately, the majority of American’s who join a club in January or February are gone by April, and in nearly every case it’s tied to their inability to reach their goals.
Rather than focusing on marketing and sales strategies that appeal to the prospects emotional impulses, why not make our own New Year’s resolution and focus on offering a value proposition that encourages and supports prospects in achieving their resolutions? As a club, try one of these strategies to change the lives of prospects and members, and keep them coming back.
November 09, 2012 // Category: Fitness Community
If you’ve managed to avoid all the ads for the flu shot this fall, I would be impressed – or you might be a hermit. We’re completely flooded with ads about the importance of the flu shot, but many people ignore the benefits, making controlling the spread of the flu virus in gyms very difficult.
Because the flu virus thrives in dense populations where people come into close contact with each other, the neighborhood gym becomes a natural breeding ground for the spread of the flu virus. Our industry is all about enhancing the overall well-being of our members, and the community at large, so it makes sense for fitness centers to take extra precautions when it comes to preparing for the flu season.
