How to Stop Gym Germs Before They Harm Your Members

This is an IHRSA featured post, brought to you by 2XL.

Whether or not you self-identify as a neatnik, a tidy gym does have a direct effect on your profitability. 

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How Gyms Can Cash in on Boomers' and Millennials' Purchasing Ideologies

This post is a preview of the July 11 webinar, "Boomers and Millennials: Cashing in on their Distinct Purchasing Ideologies."

No doubt you've read an article, likely written by a baby boomer, detailing millennials' narcissism, tech-dependence, and other alleged shortcomings. But, despite these perceived differences, millennials and baby boomers actually have a lot in common when it comes to their purchasing ideologies.

Both groups, for instance, share a love for coupons, sales, and bargains. And both are comfortable with browsing, researching, and shopping online. Most importantly, baby boomers and millennials are now equally attractive demographics for health clubs, making it critical for club operators to rethink how they're engaging with both.

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Lessons in Fitness Leadership: Stay in Rock-Solid Contact with Positive People

The Lessons in Fitness Leadership series highlights IHRSA’s industry leaders and thanks them for their continued commitment to growing, promoting, and protecting the health club industry. By sharing their business expertise, we hope that you will get to know them, what they've learned along the way, and how they view leadership. 

Jon Brady
COO
Midtown Athletic Clubs

What is the most fulfilling part of being a business leader in the fitness industry?

We get to work in a dynamic, innovative industry where we have the chance, every day to help change people’s lives for the better. This is such a fulfilling and purpose-fueled business, and I am grateful to be a part of it. As a leader, I get the chance to guide others on their journey and to give back what I have learned, so the mission to make our communities healthier and happier places has an ongoing and far-reaching impetus.

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How Better Software—and Better Data—Can Take Your Fitness Business to the Next Level

This is an IHRSA featured post, brought to you by ASF Payment Solutions.

Disruption is overrated. After years of tech start-ups trying to transform business models to create sleeker, more efficient markets—and building up huge losses along the way—investors are learning that sometimes it’s better to simply upgrade the technology you already use than to break everything and start over.

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This Week in the Fitness Industry: IHRSA Global 25 Profiles Fastest Growing Companies

The IHRSA Global 25 Profiles Fitness Industry Leaders
IHRSA released The IHRSA Global 25, outlining the top 25 health club companies worldwide. The annually compiled list recognizes top players in terms of revenue, number of memberships, and number of facilities according to Club Business International magazine. “Continued robust performance and innovation from leading club companies attests to the industry’s strength and potential for growth,” said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA’s executive vice president of global products in a press release. As a whole, the industry’s worldwide revenues increased to $83.1 billion in 2016. Top leaders in the list highlighted include LA Fitness International, which grew to 689 owned locations. Planet Fitness led in overall revenue at $1.9 billion and led with 8.9 million members, and franchise leader Anytime Fitness climbed to 3,443 locations worldwide, topping the charts in both 5-year revenue and 5-year unit growth metrics. Learn more about the IHRSA Global Report.

First Chinese Fitness Franchise License Granted to Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness has become the first U.S. fitness franchise granted license in China, according to a release. Dave Mortensen, the company’s president and cofounder, will join master franchisee Maurice Levine in Shanghai June 27-28 to align efforts with suppliers and local supporters on expansion. Anytime Fitness has seven locations already open in China with twenty new agreements signed and anticipates 300-500 gyms in China by 2020. “We’re in the business of building communities and helping people achieve their goals, something that transcends across borders,” Mortensen said in a press release. Levine also owns the franchise rights for Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. In less that three years he has grown the franchise across six countries in Asia and 150 territories, becoming the number one gym operator by number of outlets in Asia. According to the release, more than 99% of the Chinese population does not have a gym membership and Anytime Fitness’s plan is to curb the culture to a more fitness oriented one.

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June Policy Update: Legislation That May Impact Your Gym

The IHRSA Public Policy team monitors legislation on both a state and federal level for our members. If you are wondering how as a gym or club owner that is relevant to you, we can answer that. It’s very relevant and important that the latest and most up-to-date information on anything and everything that could impact your business is available to you. That’s where we come in.  

We monitor things like potential sales tax hikes on gym memberships, regulations on auto renew contracts, rules for free gifts or trials, and more. Our team works with grassroot efforts and lobbyists to ensure the best outcome for the fitness industry.

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How Your Gym’s Cancellation Policy Impacts the Member Experience

This post is an IHRSA Institute preview.

Today’s health club market is in a state of constant flux. It seems like every week there’s a new workout trend or must-have fitness technology, and it’s near impossible for independent clubs to keep up.  

On the bright side, your club is poised to deliver a competitive advantage that will never go out of style: a phenomenal member experience.

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In Memoriam: Robert J. Kuchefski

An insurance sales executive who served the fitness industry for 35 years

The fitness industry has lost a friend and trusted colleague, a person who was highly regarded for his personal warmth, expertise, support, and decades of service.

Robert J. Kuchefski, a sales executive for Hoffman Insurance Services, in Wellesley, MA, a firm that has long and deep industry ties, died unexpectedly on May 26. 

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5 Signs Your Gym’s Treadmill Belt is Finished

This is an IHRSA featured post, brought to you by SPORTSMITH.

On top of the list of things that annoy health club members is encountering an unoccupied machine with a sign saying, “Out of Order.” One popular article from Men’s Fitness magazine called “10 Reasons to Dump Your Gym” listed “broken equipment not getting fixed on time” at number one. 

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Are You Taking Full Advantage of Your Gym’s CRM Software?

As you well know, operating a health club calls for managing a long list of functions, including human resources, finance, programming, equipment facilities … and members.

Yes, your members need managing, just like every other aspect of your business.

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