“This is it. This is the year I get healthy. I’m going to work out more and eat more vegetables!” As a club owner, you’ve probably heard your members say these things at the beginning of each new year. I’d also wager that for every member who sticks to their resolutions and goals, there are…
For more than 30 years, IHRSA’s annual Industry Data Survey (IDS) has gathered key performance indicators (KPIs) among leading health club companies. The resulting report, Profiles of Success, compiles and analyzes key metrics as well as common club practices such as club reinvestment and pricing. Whether your club company is among industry leaders or you’re…
For many small businesses, understanding employment law can be one of the most time consuming tasks. For health clubs, the rules defining independent contractors can cause a major headache. In fact, questions about independent contractors were the second most frequent legal question IHRSA has fielded from members in the past decade. Understanding employee classification can…
The relationship between personal trainers and clients is unique. It involves close physical contact and sharing private information. So it’s no surprise that intimate relationships could develop. Personal trainers who are friendly, who you can confide in, and who are trusted by their clients arguably have much higher client retention. However, trainers—and the club operators…
One of the eternal truths of the fitness industry is that club owners and operators are always in search of new non-dues revenue sources. The examples that come to mind most quickly are special fee-based services—e.g., yoga, Pilates, barre, personal and small-group training, racquet sports, spa treatments, aquatic offerings, youth programming, and food and beverage….
This is an IHRSA featured article, 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 Journal titled “10 Reasons to Dump Your Gym” listed “broken equipment not getting fixed in…
The CDC recommends that kids and teens get 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity every day. Sadly, only about 21% of 6- to 19-year-olds meet this goal. Instilling healthy behaviors in our children isn’t just great for their health well into adulthood, it can help build a better world. Health clubs and…
As fitness movements go, few have been as explosive as the boutique studio concept. One reason is that studios accommodate a range of fitness programming that capitalizes on red-hot lifestyle trends. With programs like yoga, Pilates, cross training, stationary cycling, heart-rate, boot camp, and HIIT, a studio can concentrate on individual instruction and small-group training…
Should I limit a member’s use of the club if I suspect they have an eating disorder? Be aware that it would be legally risky to do so. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with eating disorders. If you restrict, or prohibit, someone you believe has anorexia or bulimia from using the facility,…
Colin Grant was destined to be a fitness entrepreneur. After moving to Hong Kong with his family at age 10, he played semi-professional tennis—in the Davis Cup, Junior Wimbledon, Junior U.S. Open, and Junior French Open. As a teen, he founded start-ups in the tennis, entertainment, and coffee businesses. In 2001, he cofounded the Pure…
The constantly increasing demand and reliance on data has affected every industry, including our own. Today, when you walk through a health club and study what you see, it seems that the generation of reports, stats, and metrics is a secondary business—subordinate only to the provision of health and fitness services. This profound paradigm shift…
Despite what the Instagram models and stock image sites would have you believe, working out is not just a young person’s game. More and more adults are continuing to see the benefits of an active lifestyle as they age. Some older adults are even realizing it’s never too late to start their active journey. Joining…