COVID and the Reinvention of the Fitness Industry
The fitness industry was enjoying a booming period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its arrival, however, things are now very different. Many fitness businesses were forced to shut down. Those that stayed open or reopened did so to a transformed world in which they had to make drastic changes in order to survive. This begs the question: How many of these changes are here to stay, and what will the fitness industry look like in a post-coronavirus world? Here’s a closer look. Read more
Six Fitness Business Cleaning Tips
Gyms are full of hard-working people. This also means sweaty bodies…and the germs that go with them. While the importance of maintaining a clean fitness business operation is nothing new, cleanliness means even more in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on for a roundup of six tips aimed at helping gyms protect the health and wellness of their community members while instilling peace of mind.Read more
Are You Maximizing Your Member Referrals?
Your members aren't just members; they're also ambassadors of your fitness business with tremendous potential to bring new members through your door. But are you maximizing their potential as unofficial salespeople for your community? Here’s a closer look at the member referral imperative, along with four tips aimed at helping you make the most of member referrals.Read more
Four Challenges Faced By Fitness Businesses During a Crisis
Businesses all over the world are finding themselves in unprecedented and unanticipated territory during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While now is not an easy time to be running any business, fitness businesses, in particular, face unique challenges. If you're a fitness business owner or manager, understanding these obstacles can be critical to navigating them. To that end, here's a closer look at four challenges to support reopening and recovery after a shutdown. Read more
Running a Fitness Center in the Midst of a Pandemic
Even though many shelter-in-place orders have been lifted, fears about COVID-19 linger. Factor in the threat of future outbreaks and epidemics, and it is particularly wise for today's fitness businesses to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. Here's a closer look at four best practices designed to help health clubs, gyms, and other fitness operations keep their members safe and satisfied. Read more
Excess Post Exercise Oxygen Consumption – EPOC
The afterburn effect, also known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), is when you have an increased quantity of calories burned after exercise (up to 72 hours after exercise). Exercise, especially high intensity interval training (HIIT), increases your muscles' demand for oxygen (VO2), which oxidizes carbohydrates and fats, producing the energy needed for movement.
EPOC is an important concept when understanding the training effect based on the training load. HIIT/Interval Training has been around for as long as there have been formal training programs. However, interval training was primarily used by athletes and coaches looking to improve performance, until McMasters University published what is known as the McMasters Studies that showed clear health and body fat loss benefits from intermittent high intensity exercise. And now we have over 10 years of solid research and practical results supporting this fact.
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What All Fitness Businesses Should Know About Hiring Their Sales Team
Your sales team is a critical part of your fitness business's success. But having an amazing sales team requires one overarching imperative: hiring and training the right people. Putting best practices in place for this process can help support best outcomes -- both in terms of finding the right people, attracting them to your organization, and retaining them. Read more
Do Video Games Hold the Secret to Fitness Business Success?
Video games are often associated with sedentary behavior. But as it turns out, the video game industry may have a lot to teach fitness business owners. Not only that, but gamers themselves represent significant potential to today’s fitness businesses. Here’s a closer look at the surprising relationship between video games and the fitness industry.Read more
A Must-Read for Middle-Market Fitness Businesses
A Must-Read for Middle-Market Fitness Businesses
We often talk about the booming fitness industry. However, not all gyms and studios are reaping the spoils. In fact, one type of fitness business, in particular, is struggling, according to a recent analysis by Bloomberg: middle-market clubs. Here’s a closer look at what all fitness business owners should know about this phenomenon.Read more
Keeping Up with the Latest Cardio and Strength Equipment Trends
The fitness landscape is constantly changing. The imperative for gyms, health clubs and studios looking to survive and thrive? Keeping up with the changes. In addition to offering in-demand programming, products, and services, this also means outfitting your gym with the equipment that will help your members reach their fitness goals while simultaneously supporting your fitness business’s bottom line. Read more
Five Things You Must Know Before Opening a Fitness Business
Starting any business is hard, but starting a fitness business comes with unique considerations. The good news is you’re not the first person to walk this path, and there’s plenty to learn from the ones who have gone before. Read on for a roundup of five things all aspiring fitness business owners should know.Read more
Is Rowing the Next Big Thing in the Fitness World?
New trends are constantly shaking up the fitness industry. One of the latest types of exercise to capture the attention of gym-goers is group rowing training. Here’s a closer look at this red-hot trend, along with tips for fitness businesses looking to capitalize on it. Read more
A Must-Read for Fitness Businesses Looking to Motivate Their Members
Motivated fitness business members are engaged fitness business members, and engagement is essential to both recruitment and retention. Which begs the question: What most motivates members, and how can your fitness business facilitate both motivation and engagement? Here’s a closer look at some must-know information for fitness industry leaders. Read more
Is Your Fitness Business Maximizing Your Equipment Investment?
Did you know that fitness businesses spend an average of just under $85,000 on new equipment annually, according to the IHRSA Health Club Equipment Report? This is a significant expense, and one that can be critical to coming out ahead in today’s fitness business competitive landscape. Here’s a closer look at three tips aimed at supporting wise decision-making when it comes to maximizing your equipment investment. Read more
Fitness Technology Trends: What's On Tap for 2020?
Fitness Technology Trends: What's On Tap for 2020?
“Each business is a victim of Digital Darwinism, the evolution of consumer behavior when society and technology evolve faster than businesses are able to exploit it. Digital Darwinism does not discriminate. Every business is threatened,” contends digital analyst, anthropologist and futurist Brian Solis. This assertion is true across all industries and business types, including fitness businesses. The takeaway for fitness business owners and operators? Keeping up with the latest technology trends can make or break your business. Read more
Does Your Fitness Business Need A Customer Experience Audit?
“If you are not taking care of your customers, your competitor will.” Today’s fitness business members have more options than ever before when it comes to choosing a gym. So what makes them choose -- and stay with -- yours? It all comes down to the customer experience. Which begs the question: Is your fitness business delivering the customer experience you want it to? If not, your member recruitment and retention goals may be at risk. Read more
Everything Fitness Business Owners Should Know About the Restorative Fitness Trend
Gold’s Gym recently announced its top fitness trend for 2020. Out in front when it comes to how America will work out in the year ahead is restorative fitness. Here’s a closer look at the trend, along with how fitness business owners can offer more restorative fitness programming to boost member recruitment and retention.Read more
The Fitness School: Combating Childhood Obesity
This post is brought to you by Jason Williams, founder of The Fitness School. Jason is looking to raise funds using his Indiegogo campaign. You can donate to his cause here: The Fitness School
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Is Your Fitness Business Recession-Proof?
Bloomberg recently estimated the country's chances of entering a recession within the next 12 months at 29 percent. While this is somewhat heartening, we've all heard the adage, "Hope for the best, plan for the worst." So what would a recession mean for your fitness business? Here’s a closer look at what all fitness business owners should know about recession-proofing their operations. Read more
Everything Fitness Business Owners Should Know About Heart Rate-Based Training
Wearable technology has topped the American College of Sports Medicine's roundup of the top fitness trends for four of the past five years. One of the major uses of wearable technology is heart rate monitoring. If you aren’t helping your members use heart rate-based training to support their fitness and overall health, you may be missing out on a major opportunity to help them reach their goals -- and to help your business reach its goals, too. Here’s a closer look at why heart rate-based training is so beneficial to gyms and their members.Read more