February 2009
First Word
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Let's start out with the ugly. It is, after all, what you are probably obsessing about. The ugly part about today's economy is that it's one of the worst economic situations this country has experienced in quite some time....
Economic Advice
If you're feeling out of sorts because of the economy and you're wondering where to turn for help, you can find it in the online economy section we've...
CI East Show
The Club Industry East trade show is nearing, and this issue has several pages worth of details about what to expect at the conference and trade show scheduled for May 27-30 in Boston....
Top News
Hold on Tight
There's a famous Bette Davis line in the 1950 movie All About Eve in which she says, Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night. Fitness club...
Feature
A World of Opportunity
The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) will hold its 28th annual convention and trade show, March 16-19, at the Moscone Center and the San Francisco Marriott Downtown....
Trend Watch
Embracing Wellness
A holistic approach to health can help members, as well as club owners, through tough times....
Senior Games
Seniors have been playing virtual fitness games at retirement communities for years. Will health clubs join them in the game?...
25th Anniversary
Clubs of the 2000s
As the fitness industry moved into the new century, it experienced tremendous growth in club numbers, both in the United States and overseas....
Fitness Business News
Wellbridge Sells One Club, Announces Denver Club Opening
The Wellbridge Co. recently sold the Concord Athletic Club & Spa in San Antonio to Spectrum Athletic Clubs, Los Angeles, and announced a new Colorado Athletic Club, which will open later this year in Denver....
More Americans Now Classified As Obese Than Overweight
The number of Americans classified as obese now outweighs the number of people defined as overweight, according to a report recently released by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey....
Minnesota Court of Appeals Upholds Ruling Denying Membership for Same-Sex Couple
The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's ruling that the Rochester Athletic Club did not discriminate against a same-sex couple when it denied them a family membership to the club, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune....
Peak Fitness Agrees to Alter Business Practices
Peak Fitness, which has a chain of 28 clubs in North Carolina, settled a lawsuit with state Attorney General Roy Cooper's office last month, resulting in the club company changing its billing and refund policies....
Gold's Makes More Changes at Corporate Level
More than two months after David Schnabel's resignation as CEO of Gold's Gym International, the company made more sweeping changes at its corporate headquarters....
New World Gym Owners Seek Franchisee Input
Just two and a half years after being purchased by low-priced, no-frills franchisor Planet Fitness, World Gym changed hands again late last year when the Joyce J. Cammilleri family bought the franchise for undisclosed terms from Planet Fitness....
Industry Growth Still Anticipated
Despite the economy, rising unemployment and price cutting at many health club companies, several polls indicate that the fitness industry will fare better than other industries during this recession....
In Brief
Life Time Fitness Slows Construction; Army Opens Fitness Research Facility; Snap Fitness Tops Franchise 500 List; 24 Hour Fitness Renews Biggest Loser Partnership; Greenbrier Valley YMCA Files Injuction...
Inside Manufacturers
Manufacturers Ride Wave of Uncertainty During Recession
Although the economic downturn has many manufacturers concerned, some fitness industry manufacturers are cautiously optimistic....
Inside Manufacturers
MOTUS USA on 'Sport Science'; NeuroActive Bike Exercises Brain, Body; Former Life Fitness Employee Accused of Stealing Equipment...
On the Mark
Tried and True Game Changers for 2009
As the industry faces a tough year ahead, club operators should try these strategies to pull through....
Focus on Clubs
Sales Skills Need Refining If Clubs Are to Thrive
A recession doesn't suddenly make customers and money disappear. However, it does make for fewer customers and less willingness to part with money. That...
Focus on Technology
Enhance Operations With Technology-Based Skills
Technology-based learning diminishes your investment risk during this time of razor-thin margins for business errors....
Executive Insights
Interview with Royce Pulliam, CEO of Lexington, KY-based Global Fitness Holdings and its 30 Urban Active clubs
Royce Pulliam, CEO of Global Fitness Holdings, and his team have their sights set on big growth ahead, with no plans to stop despite the economic downturn....
One Last Thought
Men Also Need Privacy in Shower
Be sure to focus your services equally on both males and females. Male members can be just as shy about undressing in front of others as women are, and they deserve the same amount of respect and attention....
