May 1, 2010
First Word
What Do You Think of Our Cover Girl?
This month's cover photo caused a minor debate among some of the staff. Where some of us saw the woman on the cover as a beautiful, joyful and confident...
The Lifetime Achievement Award Goes To...
I am proud to announce that this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner is Curt Beusman. Although trained as a nuclear engineer, Beusman's entrepreneurial spirit led him to start several businesses, including the Saw Mill Club, Mt. Kisco, NY, which he opened in the 1970s....
Feature
Aquatic Programming Can Improve Retention and Revenue
The aquatics area of a fitness facility offers club owners opportunities for growth and additional revenue. ...
Industry Observer
YMCAs Banning Sex Offenders
SALISBURY, MD In a move to protect children from sexual predators, the Mid-Delmarva Family YMCA, Salisbury, MD, joined a growing list of YMCAs that ban...
Recent Franchise Deal Largest in Gold's History
IRVING, TX The master franchise agreement that Gold's Gym International announced last month was a long time in the making. The agreement, signed with...
IHRSA Uses Yellow Pages for Results
BOSTON When the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) researched the latest industry statistics that it released last month,...
Students Question Rec Center Funding Fees
SPRINGFIELD, MO Convincing students to take on additional fees for new recreation center construction is becoming more difficult for some universities...
Analysts Applaud Life Time's Successful First Quarter
CHANHASSEN, MN When financial analysts are praising you over the phone, you know your company is having a good quarter. That's what happened during last...
U.S. Navy Makes Changes to Improve Sailors' Fitness
HAMPTON, VA The Navy is changing its fitness programming in response to rising obesity rates among recruits. The service has a new Navy Operational Fitness...
Interest in Health Club-Related Activities Increased in 2009
SILVER SPRING, MD The recession may have affected memberships and revenue at some facilities, but health club-related activities still proved popular...
Supplier Side
Soldier Quality of Life Prompts Military Spending on Fitness
WASHINGTON, DC During the current economic recession, spending in many areas of the fitness industry remains on hold, but not necessarily for the military....
Life Fitness Makes Changes
SCHILLER PARK, IL -- Life Fitness is making some changes, which include the search for a new president. John Stransky left so suddenly from the role of president...
Operators Creating More Options for Online Self-Service
OVERLAND PARK, KS Online self-service options headline some of the latest trends in the software sector of the industry, according to vendors. The most...
The Next Step in Pilates' Evolution Involves Greater Accessibility
OVERLAND PARK, KS No longer relegated to dance studios or the private exercise rooms of the rich and famous, Pilates has become an integral part of many...
Business Builders
The Virtual World Could House Fitness Clubs of the Future
The fitness industry must continually unlearn its old ways and learn new ones. Often, what we learn comes from outside sources. In fact, almost all great...
Retention Edge
Service Charters Create Staff Buy-In And Lead to Better Customer Service
In order to retain your members, you need a clear vision of your club and you need staff buy-in of that vision to help you carry it out. The process for...
Smart Design
Diverse Health Club Types Require Variety in Fitness Facility Design
To meet the industry's core mission of expanding its membership base and getting more people active and healthy, club owners are putting fitness back...
Pro Shop
Pro Shop
MINI TRAMPOLINE The new PlyoRebounder by efi Sports Medicine offers true and is a versatile training tool for slow or quick response plyometrics, developing...
