April 1, 2010
First Word
It's Time to Rebrand the Fitness Industry
Last month at the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) 2010 convention and trade show, Malcolm Gladwell, author of and Tipping...
Calling All Top 100 Clubs
The Top 100 Clubs entry form is available online, and you have a limited time to submit your club for consideration for this annual list of the top revenue-producing...
Feature
Certification Standards Are Being Established for Health Clubs
The health club industry is creating a facility certification standard that could affect the future of the industry....
Health Club Operators Are Considering Buying Cardio Equipment Again
After putting of cardio equipment purchases due to the recession, some health club operators are now looking to buy....
Club Industry East 2010 Conference Is in New York City
Everything seems to be perpetually in motion in New York City, and at the Club Industry East conference and trade show, May 5-7 in New York, you may feel...
Executive Insights
The Atlantic Club and Pat Laus Forge Ties with the Community
Patricia Laus turned a failing racquetball and fitness club into The Atlantic Club, a successful for-profit club with strong ties to its community....
Industry Observer
Giardina Returns to TSI after Tough Year for the Company
NEW YORK Bob Giardina is no stranger to Town Sports International, New York. The new CEO, appointed by the board last month, is actually the former CEO...
One-Time Charge Becoming More Common for Clubs
CHICAGO A recent lawsuit has highlighted a growing club practice during the recession of charging a one-time fee to members as a way to increase revenue...
YMCA's Corporate Sponsorships Aggravate For-Profits
PITTSBURGH The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh sold corporate sponsorships and naming rights for parts of its new downtown branch to four corporations a move...
Army Updates Basic Training for Sedentary Recruits
FORT JACKSON, SC More sedentary recruits prompted the Army to update basic training for the first time in 30 years. About 27 percent of young people in...
Supplier Side
Nautilus Cuts Costs, Plans to Roll Out Four New Products
FALLBROOK, CA The new owners of Nautilus Inc. aren't sitting still now that they have the licenses for many of Nautilus' commercial fitness and strength...
Club Owners Look to Insurance Premiums for Cost Savings
OVERLAND PARK, KS Many health clubs nationwide are experiencing lower membership numbers and reduced annual revenues because of the slow economy. This...
Express Club Trend Has Mixed Effect on Locker Rooms
OVERLAND PARK, KS The explosion of express clubs in the United States has become a double-edged sword for manufacturers who make products for locker rooms....
Business Builders
Keeping Score, Tracking Data Are Keys to Winning the Health Club Business
Club owners collect a wealth of data, but often, all of it is not fully used. To be used, data must be relevant, timely and in a form that is usable by...
Retention Edge
Retention Begins with Membership Sales Staff and Compensation
Everyone deals with the retention issue differently. Some club owners choose to have a retention person on staff to stay in touch with members, invite...
Smart Design
Compete Against Low-Priced Clubs with Better Facility Design
When your club is a $39-per-month club and a new competitor comes to town that charges $10 or $20 per month, you probably start worrying and asking yourself...
Pro Shop
Pro Shop
VIBRATION TRAINING Power Plate International introduced the new pro6. It is the first-ever combination of Power Plate exercise with upper body cable-resistance...
