April 2011
Web-Exclusive Content
Executive Insights
Smaiyra Million and Millennium Partners Transform Luxury Clubs into Lifestyle Brand
Millennium Partners Sports Club Management LLC, led by CEO Smaiyra Million, plans growth in the high-end club market beyond its six Sports Club/LA locations....
Magazine Content
First Word
Did the Recession Hold Up Fitness Equipment Innovation?
Club operators, still stinging from the revenue and retention losses of the recession, are awaiting that new product category that will re-energize the industry and alleviate their product boredom. ...
Feature
Pool Operators Face ADA Deadline, Continued VGB Compliance Issues
Just two years after updating pool drains to comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, operators of public swimming pools, wading pools and spas must be prepared to comply with the new Americans with Disabilities Act....
Industry Observer
Financial Future Looks Brighter for the Fitness Industry, Panel Says
As the U.S. economy improves, several financial experts are predicting a better future for the fitness industry—but perhaps not until next year. ...
IHRSA Show Highlighted by Bash for Augie’s Quest
The 30th annual International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) show was packed with a variety of activities for the more than 10,400 industry professionals, including 7,000 convention and trade show attendees....
Gold’s Gym Enters Oklahoma City, Low-Price Markets
The concentration of growth for the next wave of Gold’s Gyms will be in Texas and Oklahoma....
Army Takes New Approach to Fitness
The last year has seen the greatest changes in the Army’s fitness training and testing in several decades, but they did not result due to a sudden change in approach....
Club Industry Wins Neal Award for Lifetime Achievement Award Profile
Stuart Goldman, managing editor of Club Industry, received the Jesse H. Neal Award, which has been called “the Pulitzer Prize of the business media.”...
Supplier Side
Fitness Equipment R&D Has Not Been Affected By the Recession, Manufacturers Say
Despite several years of a recession, few fitness equipment manufacturers say they have cut back on research and development efforts. ...
Fusion Pilates Gains Acceptance at Health Clubs
Dedicated Pilates students for years are now expecting something more out of their workout. This fusing of Pilates was once controversial as some devotees worried it could dilute Pilates’ principles, but it is now commonplace in many fitness facilities. ...
24 Hour Fitness, Vendor Quell Fears of Cardless Check-in System
When 24 Hour Fitness rolled out its cardless check-in system, which uses fingerprint scanning instead of membership cards, one of the questions many of its members had was what, exactly, their club would do with their fingerprints. ...
Business Builders
Good Communication Keeps Health Club Staff and Members Happy and Motivated
Developing a communication plan for staff and members is essential to prevent problems....
Retention Edge
Enhanced Design and Programming Helps Retain Members
Design and programming are two ways to enhance members’ experience....
Smart Design
Inviting Health Club Design Puts Prospective Members at Ease
The proper health club design can reduce the intimidation factor and make potential members feel more at ease....
Sales Strategies
Turn Your Health Club’s Service Staff into Salespeople
As the recession affects health club sales, it's even more important that club owners know how to teach the service providers how to sell. ...
