What is in this article?:
- The 2012 Best of the Best Health Club Program Winners
- BEST NEW MEMBER INTEGRATION PROGRAM
- MyPath Program Generates Revenue
- BEST NONMEMBER PROGRAM
- Fast Results
- BEST BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM
- Effective Engagement
- BEST NEW MEMBER SALES PROGRAM
- Sales and Marketing Done Right
- BEST COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM
- Citywide Results
- BEST CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
- Financial Wellness
The Best of the Best Awards recognize the best programming at fitness facilities in the United States and provide concrete examples of programs that have proven, successful results. The entries were rated by a group of judges from within the fitness industry who ranked each program based on its goals, goal attainment, innovation, budgeting, member or nonmember participation, marketing, program effectiveness, and the club’s follow-up efforts.
Follow the links to the right to read about each of the winning programs for 2012.
BEST NEW MEMBER INTEGRATION PROGRAM
LifeStart Wellness Network, Chicago
The basic belief that an individual’s lifestyle determines a pattern of good health prompted the LifeStart Wellness Network, Chicago, to develop the MyPath program. This new member integration program educates new members about their lifestyle and current health status and encourages members to take control of their lives so they can start on a path to healthier living. To assist members in making this change, the MyPath program is mandatory for every new member.
The program involves a four-step process: a questionnaire, a consultation with a coach, activity and re-evaluation—all of which are intended to show members where they are, where they have been and guide them through options on where they can go while LifeStart’s life coaches help provide ongoing guidance and support to help participants stay on track.
That route is determined by each individual’s starting point, current health status and long-term goals. The online Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant questionnaire helps identif y their starting point by capturing individual genetic, diet, lifestyle and stress-related inclinations and identifying health risks. The risks are ranked in order so that the area most at risk can be targeted first. A life coach then reviews their health history, current exercise and nutrition habits, lifestyle and goals. The coach performs a full-body biomechanical screening to determine any problem areas.
“We thought we could change the perspective of MyPath to something that was not judgmental but was looking at an individual and identifying where they were at, rather than ranking them,” says Mike Flanagan, LifeStart Wellness Network president. “By identifying where they are at right now and not judging how they got there…we could create a program that was based on their specific needs physically, mentally and emotionally as well.”
