Are Your Members Using Your Mobile App?
We often talk about the importance of mobile apps for today’s businesses. However, having a mobile app is only one part of the equation. The other equally essential part is getting your members to use it. Here’s a closer look at why mobile apps matter for fitness businesses, along with how to harness the full potential of your app through meaningful member use. Read more
The 24 Hour Key Card: Is It Right for Your Fitness Business?
Today's consumers are used to getting what they want when they want it. One strategy many gyms are adopting when it comes to giving it to them? The move to a 24-hour model. Wondering whether this is right for your business? Here’s a closer look at everything forward-thinking fitness business owners need to know about around-the-clock key card clubs. Read more
Customer Service: Why It's Everyone's Business
When we talk about a “buyer’s market” we often do so in the context of the real estate industry. However, the reality is that in the modern, technology-enabled world, consumers have more power than ever across all industries -- including the fitness market. And while having excellent products and services absolutely matters, another factor makes a huge difference when it comes to giving your business the inside edge: customer service. Read more
What Are Net Promoters and Why Your Gym Needs Them
When fitness business owners think about needs, they often think about member recruitment and retention numbers. But as it turns out, another number may be equally if not more important when it comes to driving growth: net promoters. Here’s a closer look at the concept of net promoters, why they matter, and how to cultivate more net promoters among your membership.Read more
Are You Overlooking the Value of These Fitness Members?
Fitness clubs have many different types of members. While it’s important to value them all, understanding these types can help fitness business owners leverage awareness into actionable insights. One group of gym-goers worthy of increased attention, according to a new study from the Customer Engagement Academy (CEA)? It's the once-per-week group exercisers. Here’s a closer look at why they matter so much, along with other key takeaways for fitness businesses looking to boost member loyalty. Read more
Three Ways Your Fitness Business Can Boost Memberships With Technology
Fitness Industry Technology Council (FIT-C) President Bryan O’Rourke pondered the future of the fitness business in a 2016 issue of Athletic Business magazine. “Think of a world where you don’t have a front desk. Think of a world where you’re wearing a device that knows when you’re coming in and checks you in automatically. Think of a world where when you finish your group fitness training, the club will have a certain flavor smoothie waiting for you,” he urged.Read more
Checking in on the Five Year Fitness Business Forecast
Club Industry recently debuted its comprehensive guide to the future of the fitness industry, "Forward Five Years: How the Fitness and Wellness Industry Will Change." Wondering what to expect in the coming years, and how it will impact your fitness business? Here’s a closer look at key takeaways from the 60-page report. Read more
Beyond the Spin Bike: Getting In On Machine-Based Workouts
Spin classes are tremendously popular for several reasons. Not only do they deliver a serious workout, but they also leave participants with a euphoric feeling of teamwork. Given the success fitness businesses have had with keeping members engaged through spin offerings, it’s hardly a surprise that other forms of machine- and equipment-based programming are emerging. Read more
Is Your Fitness Business Making the Most of Wearable Technology?
Heralded as “the future of fitness," wearables are fixtures on lists of the hottest contemporary fitness trends. Tracking everything from physical activity to heart rate to quality of sleep, these smart devices are revolutionizing the fitness industry. But is your fitness business making the most of them? Here’s a closer look at the wearables phenomenon, along with tips for gyms and health clubs looking to maximizing their potential. Read more
Is Red Light Therapy Right for Your Fitness Business?
Many of today’s successful gyms are focusing on much more than workout equipment and Zumba classes. Why? Because in order to succeed in today’s competitive fitness industry, you need a differentiating factor. Read more
Four Components of a Successful Fitness Business Front Desk
As a business owner, you've given a lot of thought to how to make your fitness business successful, including everything from the fitness equipment you provide to the programs you offer. However, one very important area may be going overlooked: your front desk. Think your front desk doesn’t matter? Think again. Read more
Exploring Your Fitness Business Financing Options
Fitness businesses have a bright outlook in today’s health-conscious world. But opening a fitness business in the hopes of cashing in on the boom is no small investment. The good news? Aspiring fitness business operators, as well as those thinking of expanding or upgrading their current operations, have several options. Here’s a closer look at four potential financing avenues for fitness businesses.
Four Popular Fitness Business Models
Today's fitness businesses have many different options when it comes to building profitable fitness businesses. And while some are more conventional, others are comparatively cutting edge. Wondering which model is right for you? Here’s a closer look at four fitness business revenue models, along with pros and cons of each.
Fitness Product Sales Continue to Skyrocket
The sports and fitness product industry grew to more than $90 billion in sales in 2017, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) recently published 2018 Manufacturers' Sales Report. Here’s a closer look at this booming industry, what’s driving the trend, and what fitness business owners should know.Read more
Should Your Health Club Offer Cancer Recovery Programs?
We often think of working out as a preventative measure against certain types of cancer. And, indeed, thanks to everything we know about the benefits of exercise, many people are living longer today with help from fitness centers. But did you know that your fitness business can also be part of the healing process for people living with cancer? Read more
Five Tips for Marketing Your Gym to Millennials
Much has been said about the Millennial generation, and with good reason: Not only are they massive in number at 75 million strong, but they’re also recognized as the most diverse, educated, and mission-minded generation. All of this adds up to a major takeaway from marketers: Capturing the attention of Millennials -- and their dollars -- calls for different strategies. Read more
The Immersive Fitness Imperative for Fitness Businesses
The thought of going to the gym isn’t always an exciting one for many people aspiring to move their bodies more. For fitness business owners looking to amp up their membership numbers, exploring new ways to make the exercise experience more appealing can be a successful strategy. Read more
Gym Marketing: Shining a Spotlight on Safety
In 2014 a woman sued a Manhattan gym for $1 million because she was blinded when an exercise band snapped and hit her in both eyes. In 2011, a man sued a California gym and one of its personal trainers after having a heart attack during a training session; he alleged that they should have determined he was out of shape and at risk. In 2016, a man was accused of attempting to rape a woman inside a gym locker room. Read more
Five Fitness Business Tech Trends
For many would-be exercisers, the act of convincing themselves to go to the gym can be more difficult than the time actually spent there. The good news? The “immersive fitness” trend can not only make exercise more efficient but also more exciting. But immersive fitness is only one of the tech-centric trends that are infiltrating -- and enhancing -- the face of fitness. Read on for a roundup of five tech trends for today’s fitness businesses. Read more
Is Your Fitness Business Utilizing This Major Sales Tool?
Member retention and recruitment are critical imperatives for bottom line-minded fitness businesses. After all, if you don’t have members, you don’t have income, and if you don’t have income, you won’t have a fitness business for long. The good news? There are many different ways to get the word out about what makes your gym, health club, or other fitness business better than the rest. One particularly effective sales tool? Videos. Read more