Fitness is a people-business; it's about networking to make connections, whether it's between mind and muscles, you and the best vendors, or members using your club to connect in their careers. It's a business model that's about helping others find success and good health. As a gym business owner, networking is crucial to your success; it's also one of the greatest benefits that you offer to your membership. The value of expanding members' circles of influence cannot be overestimated. The History of Networking and Public Houses In centuries past, the coffee houses of London were famous as places of big [...]
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The Niche Gym Business That Works For You If you're starting your own business, there are lots of fitness niches that you can pursue. CrossFit is but one of many. However, the CrossFit concept is the perfect example of a gym model that finds the strongest motivation for a specific type of gym membership prospect. It has been about four years, maybe more, since I first noticed CrossFit boxes. I was suddenly aware they were popping up in storefronts, industrial spaces, and old service stations around here. I have to say that I am impressed by the resilience of this [...]
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Modified Programs That Satisfy Niche Demand A special population is any category of fitness club members who need a doctor's note before they start working out. That's not an official definition but, as a small gym business owner, it might well be the difference between business model and liability. Unless you are the only gym in a one-club town, you know what it's like to face competition. Your fitness club was a substantial investment in capital or hard work. You owe it to yourself to find a niche that is underserved and hungry for high-quality service. Special populations fit the [...]
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The retention versus attrition club membership tension is never going to end in the gym business. It's sort of like the battle of the waistline, never-ending and more desperate around the holiday season. If your small fitness club or studio is getting quiet and new membership inquiries are tapering off leading up to the holidays and New Year, it's time to respond and take action. Of course, the pre-holiday season lull is the calm before the storm, as we then roll swiftly into the busiest time of the year for the fitness industry. Even so, now's a good time to [...]
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As you know, fitness is more than just providing a place to work out; it's about community and building a network of like-minded, healthy, and happy people. Whether you're networking for gym business owners or your membership, it's the connections you make that root your fitness enterprise in your local community. Success comes from connecting in this business because it's about people and building your membership one person at a time. There is one extra essential ingredient that goes into making your community, and that's passion. If you have the love and motivation that emanates from the energy of passion [...]
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Every once in a while I like to put out a few ideas for owners on the Gym Insight Blog. This time I have a few points about how to raise the profile and profitability of your small gym business. When you've scrambled to launch and run your business, you deserve to get the most fruit in return for your many labors. You probably started out with too few resources, ate your own dog food as they say, and slept in the back office once or twice. Why not seek out opportunities to multiply your returns with a little more [...]
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When it comes to signup time most gym membership prospects want easy choices. Then, of course, there are the more knowledgeable new clients, who know what they want and love to think they got a little something extra in the deal. As the gym owner or manager, you can play your cards close to your chest and make them all happy. This strategy sells more memberships and everybody wins. I'm a huge advocate of making things simple for gym members. When people apply for a fitness club membership they're often looking to you to guide them to the right membership [...]
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Although this article is a little more dry and technical than the previous ones, it gives a little bit more background as to why Insight into your fitness business, is so important to compete in this day and age. I hope you enjoy the guest post by Jhilmil P. A little bit of history: It appears as though the gym management system was first coined in the 1980's by chief executive officer Mark Mastrov of 24- Hour Fitness. Mastrov's movement incorporated a gym software system with payment processing into a 24 hour member accessable gym. (Success, 2012). Thereafter, gym management [...]
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