Category: FitLife

Amenities, Collaboration, FitLife, IHRSA, Industry Leaders, Message From John

John’s Musings – 2018 is going to be a great year!

By John’s Musings

Happy News Years to everyone! 2018 is beginning to feel like a record year with the amount of orders that are streaming into our order desk. Fitness facilities seem to be packed with new members and I’m optimistic that “fitness” is going to be back in fashion again.

January’s Soapbox will be one of our best ever. Lots of new content furnished by experts new to the Soapbox, its exciting to be meeting all these new people and their desire to help people achieve a better quality of life. If you have a suggestion for a topic to be highlighted, please let me know and we will do everything we can to be accomadating.

Lets start with Petra’s very own “Cleanologist”, Franz Johnson and his video test of hand sanitizers and dealing with the flu

Just about every person I know has been affected by the flu epidemic. Reviewed figures seem to point to a record flu season. The current flu shot only inoculates you to 30% of the flu viruses which means you more susceptible than in past years to get the flue.  As we all know the best way to avoid the flu is “wash your hands” as often as you can! In the first Soapbox article for the January issue, Petra’s “Cleanologist” Franz Johnson speaks to the need to wash your hands and if this isn’t possible, use a hand sanitizer. We have embedded in Franz’s article a video on a test comparison of Petra’s foaming non-alcohol hand sanitizer versus Gojo/Purell’s hand sanitizer. Not only did our foaming hand sanitizer reduce/neutralize/kill more pathogens/bacteria than the Gojo/Purell hand sanitizer but our product is half the cost! I believe your will find Franz’s video not only entertaining but very educational.

Continue reading “John’s Musings – 2018 is going to be a great year!” →

Amenities, FitLife, Leadership

Education To Better Work with Aging Population and Medical Conditions

Medical Fitness Tour 2018

Expand Your Knowledge in Medical Fitness And Active Ageing

The aging population is growing at an unprecedented rate, and those with medical conditions are seeking fitness & allied health professionals with skills to help improve their quality of life and overall health. Education in medical fitness and active aging is more important than ever!

The Medical Fitness Tour is working to educate professionals in these fields, so they can effectively work with these populations. Increased knowledge will not only broaden your toolbox, it will help boost your business.

Registration is open for Tour events in:

Phoenix, AZ, February 3-4, Ability360

Glassboro NJ, April 14-15, Rowan University

Continue reading “Education To Better Work with Aging Population and Medical Conditions” →

FitLife, Success, Wellness

Your Friends Are Here

By Ashley at Club Northwest

As we jump into the new year our thoughts often focus on change. We reflect on what we accomplished throughout the year and how we can improve ourselves in the coming year. While we may think we want a better body, a better relationship or a better job, what we really want is to be happy.

Happiness isn’t an overrated concept. When we feel happiness other aspects of our lives align. Our physical health improves, our relationships improve, and every day improves. Wellness is holistic happiness. This happiness in all areas of your life is either shadowed or enlightened by one thing, your perspective. While we may not have control over many things in life, perspective is something we decide for ourselves.

Continue reading “Your Friends Are Here” →

Amenities, FitLife, Giving Thanks, Leadership, Success

John’s December Musings

By John’s Musings

December is the month for giving, for making donations at the Salvation Army Red Kettle, for spending time with family and friends and wanting to give back to those less fortunate than ourselves. December is one of my favorite times of the year as it refocus me on  what’s really important, helping to make lives better, provide hope and help people achieve a better quality of life. Those of you in the fitness industry are blessed with a bigger than normal heart and your members are often thought of as extended family. As I travel around north America, I’m amazed at the generosity I see in our industry and cherish the friendships I make as so many of you truly do want to make a difference and make the world a better place. In the new year, if there are “Giving Back” experiences you have witnessed or participated in, we would love to hear about them. If there are charitable organizations that need recognition or perhaps a donation, don’t be shy, let us know. We cherish our readership and are looking forward to 2018 as we have some exciting events to share with everyone.

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New years

Amenities, FitLife, Wellness

Wake up and smell the Hypochlorous

By Franz Johnson

A week or so ago, “John from-Petra-glad-I-met-ya” asked me to start writing a monthly article for the Soap Box . Since I am just as crazy as John, I agreed to it! Pretty sure he asked me because of my commitment to the Jan San industry and the passion I have for helping my customers maintain their built environment. Either that, or everyone else turned him down…..

Since the cold and flu season hangs on for several months and is not nearly as enjoyable as the holiday season let’s talk about ways to keep your facilities and members healthy. Providing wipes for gym members and staff is the best possible solution during open hours, the equipment touch points are at the very least being cleaned. Having access to wipes gives your members the confidence that they are being cared for.

Continue reading “Wake up and smell the Hypochlorous” →

FitLife, Wellness

Selling Fitness: The Complete Guide to Selling Health Club Memberships

By Casey Conrad

Lets face it, like it or not, chances are most of us have to sell products or services at some point in our career as a fitness professional.

Regardless of your role in the business, understanding the steps to fitness sales is a skill that can not be over looked.

Casey Conrad has been in the health and fitness industry for 27 years. In addition to authoring ‘Selling Fitness: The Complete Guide to Selling Health Club Memberships,’ she has created and published over 25 other sales, marketing and management training products for the industry.

In a recent appearance as the expert guest for The Fitness Business Podcast Sales Intensive Series, Casey talks about 4 key areas of fitness sales:

  • The 8 Steps to Fitness Sales
  • The 5 pre-qualifying questions you must ask a prospect
  • How to handle sales objections
  • How to make follow up calls with a prospect

Continue reading “Selling Fitness: The Complete Guide to Selling Health Club Memberships” →

FitLife, Wellness

Facility Tour, You’re Invited!

Gain Knowledge to Change Lives

The Medical Fitness Tour offers fitness and allied health professionals an opportunity to grow their knowledge in the field of medical fitness. Join us for three days of educational sessions presented by industry experts that cover an array of medical fitness and aging topics. Earn continuing education credits and network with presenters, vendors, and your peers!

Check the below attachments for Session Schedule and other information:

Gain Knowledge to Save Lives
Tour Schedule Phoenix

 

FitLife, Tradeshows and Events, Wellness

We Love Ability 360

By Brielle Carter

The Ability360 Center is a 62,000-square-foot universally designed, accessible and transit-oriented non-profit resources center serving the disability community in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area.  A national model for accessible design and collaborative programming, the Ability360 Center is located in the heart of Phoenix, less than two and a half miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and situated conveniently on the Valley Metro light rail system.

Ability360 continues a 35-year tradition offering and promoting programs to empower people with all disabilities to take personal responsibility so that they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community. The independent living philosophy states that people with disabilities should have the same civil rights, options, and control over choices in their own lives as do people without disabilities.

The Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center opened in October of 2011 to provide health, fitness and recreation programs to individuals with disabilities and their families. The spectacular center is co-located with the Ability360 Center in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to Ability360, eleven other disability services organizations call the Ability360 Center home.

Continue reading “We Love Ability 360” →

Amenities, FitLife, Leadership, Success

John’s October Musings

By John’s Musings

Greetings from the high mountains of Reno/Tahoe

I’m so blessed with the different people that come into my life. The content for the October Soapbox is provided by people that want to make a difference, that have a “heart” to help others and provide a better membership experience.

Social media is a necessary part of branding an athletic facility and yourself. In today’s fitness industry, you need to distinguish yourself from your competitors and cultivating your brand via social media is one way to do so. Amanda Vogel is a fitness expert and speaker that educates decision makers on group exercise, social media, fitness writing and blogging. In this Soapbox issue she shares with us her latest podcast on “Your Guide to Guest Blogging as a Fitness Expert”. In her podcast she talks about  1)What is guest blogging  2) Does blogging benefit your business 3) How do you know if a blog accepts guest bloggers? 4) How can you make your blog stand out from the crowd 5) Common do’s and don’ts and other topics you should find of interest. Take 30 minutes out of your busy schedule and listen to her blog which I believe will give you insight on burnishing your brand and highlighting your facility and yourself.

Continue reading “John’s October Musings” →

FitLife, Partnership

Wyoming Athletic Club gets a ‘lift’ from Copper Weights

By: Angela Woody

WAC is among first full service health and fitness centers in U.S. to enlist copper alloys to fight against the spread of infection-causing bacteria.

Casper, WY, August 15, 2017 – The Wyoming Athletic Club (WAC) here has become one of the first full service health and fitness centers in the U.S. to enlist the help of antimicrobial copper alloys to help protect customers from the spread of infectious bacteria.

The Club is using Black Iron Strength’s CuLEAN® line of weight lifting equipment. The line is made with EPA-registered CuVerro®, a copper alloy that continuously kills 99.9% of infectious bacteria it touches.

According to Lou Quint, founder of Health Club Management, Inc. which owns and manages two WAC facilities, infection control is a big concern for customers of health clubs.

“Knowing 80% of germs are spread by touch, we ran tests on our traditional weight equipment using a hand-held microbe measurement tool,” Quint says. “‘Clean’ is any reading below 300. The bacteria readings on our grips at WAC were over 7,000.”

Continue reading “Wyoming Athletic Club gets a ‘lift’ from Copper Weights” →

Amenities, FitLife

Can you spare a cup of soap?

By: Don Miller
St Vincent de Paul of North Central Montana

When you picture a typical business or customer of PETRA products, you probably see health clubs and their members. Let me tell you that nearly all of our customers can’t afford their next meal, let alone a refreshing day at the spa. We serve our clients living on the streets and in the local prison. Beyond the necessities of food and shelter, we have found the gift of a shower and some clean clothes to be medicine for people needing hope. The volunteers of our group visit jails and homeless camps with a few treats and nutrition, but one of the most appreciated gifts we can share is cleanliness.

We have found that body wash and shampoo are a blessing to those struggling through life each day. In the jail, we give writing paper, a bit of candy and a small cup of shampoo. That shampoo gives a nice aroma in their cell, it helps them stay healthier in the over-crowded cell blocks, and it even doubles as laundry soap so they can clean their uniforms more than once per week.

Continue reading “Can you spare a cup of soap?” →

FitLife

Amanda Vogel: Your Guide to Guest Blogging as a Fitness Expert

By: Amanda Vogel

Amanda Vogel has a Master’s degree in human kinetics and is a certified fitness instructor. She regularly speaks at top fitness conferences–including IDEA World, NASM Optima, canfitpro and IHRSA–where she educates fitness pros on group exercise, social media, fitness writing and blogging. She recently completed her role as the Social Media and Technology Track Captain for the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual summit meeting. In addition to being a social media consultant for fitness brands and public figures, Amanda reviews fitness technology, exercise gear and workout wear on her blog FitnessTestDrive.com. As a professional writer, she has contributed to many popular publications—including IDEA Fitness Journal, Shape and Women’s Health—and guest blogged for the American Council on Exercise, NASM, AFAA and more. Amanda lives in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

FitLife, Wellness

Front line stories from David Cardone’s FitMarc Team

By David Cardone’s

Thank you Brent for thinking of the impacted club’s.  I’m sure all clubs impacted by disasters have very similar stories.

It’s definitely trying times.  Many of our displaced staff are front liners.  It’s hard for us because we want to just write checks to make their world right again.  But, the club also has to think of our long term viability because the flooding displaced 1000-1500 of our members.  Many of which are still under water, over a week after the storm.   It will be a year before many of these people are back in their homes. The club needs to be prepared to handle those losses.

It is humbling to see what front line people go through to have the privilege of working.  They are critically important to our customer service chain. But, for many, the club is everything to them and they care more about us even though they may of lost everything.

Continue reading “Front line stories from David Cardone’s FitMarc Team” →

FitLife

Highlights from the 37th FitLife Summer Conference


This was the  37th year for the Fitlife Summer Conference (held in Bend Oregon), which rivals IHRSA as the longest running conference in our industry. The conference addressed issues of change which seem to be everywhere. Topics like growing a facility’s membership base, dealing with new categories of clubs/studios that are eroding membership and managing the “Rapids of Change” that permeates the fitness industry were highlighted.

Presenters like Bill McBride from Active Wellness/BMC3 keynoted a presentation on “People Performance” and Sal Pellegrino from Precor presented on “How to Sell and Succeed in Competitive Markets in 2017”. If you ever get a chance to hear these guys present at a conference or event, they will exceed your expectations.

Please keep in mind the FitLife Conference is open to all independently owned facilities, no matter where your facility is located.

For further attendance info, please contact Neal Simpson (neal@fitlifeclubs.com).

FitLife, IHRSA, Rex Roundtable

John’s August Musings

Next to the month of March when IHRSA occurs, I find July to be the second busiest month of the year. Summer Conferences for regional IHRSA organizations like MACMA and Fitlife take place and provide excellent venues to refresh and learn the latest information to provide a better membership experience. And along with the summer conferences, prospects and customers want me to drop by and do a “walk-through of their facility. Three weeks on the road and I finally get to come home for a bit.

Fitlife is the regional conference held in Bend Oregon. Bill McBride was one of the key-note speakers and of course was sponsored by Petra-1. Bill spoke about “People Management”, finding the right people to work “with”, “manage” and “lead”.  We also welcomed Sal Pellegrino from Precor who presented an overview of key trends and how “low Cost”, “big box” and “boutique” expansion is effecting the marketplace. He provided case studies of how facilities hes involved with made adjustments and thrived in their respective marketplace.

The Fitlife conference is open to all “non-corporate” fitness facilities, not only will you find the conference informative but also relaxing as the venue is nestled along five garden-like acres on the banks of the tantalizing Deschutes River.

Continue reading “John’s August Musings” →

FitLife, Rex Roundtable

John’s Musings, By John Mickelson

Soapbox readers

Next to the month of March where we all attend IHRSA, July has become the month for all IHRSA regional conferences and events. MACMA (covers the states of Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware and Pennsylvania and New Jersey) and Fitlife (covers the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana) are regional IHRSA organizations that provide conferences that educate and provide a tradeshow venue to view the latest items for improving your membership experience. If you are not a member of these organizations, please email me and I’ll provide you all the contact info.

This month, Will Phillips (Founder, REX Roundtables  will@rexroundtables.com ) has shared with us his perspective on hiring….you hire for attitude, and train for skills. I believe its one of the best written articles on what to look for when hiring a new employee. In being a preferred vendor for the REX Roundtables organization, we have found REX to be an organization where you receive much more than you give. It truly does change lives. If you are not a member, you need to talk with Will or Eddie Tock ((914) 643-3207) about how your facility would benefit by joining.

Bill McBride and Brent Darden have been regular contributors to the Soapbox. Both Bill and Brent along with Allison Flatley will be presenting at Club Industry (October 4-6) the topic of “Leadership Mastery, Leadership – The Direction & Strategy”. We have included a copy of the speaking notes and itinerary. If you haven’t experienced a session where Brent and Bill are presenting together, you need to make sure you attend. Add Allison Flatley of Corporate Fitness Works talking about “Service & Member Experience” into the presentation and you have three industry icons that will exceed your expectations.

Brent Darden – brent@brentdarden.com  Allison Flatley- allisonflatley85@gmail.com Bill McBride – BillMcBride@BMC3.com…

Continue reading “John’s Musings, By John Mickelson” →

FitLife

The Creative Destruction of the Fitness Industry

FitLife will present some new research on fitness trends discussing the various business models, focusing on studios and boutique clubs.

A focus will be on studios and boutique clubs and why they work with the new wave of consumers. We will introduce the subject with some facts on what’s happening now in fitness.  Included are details on the new wave of fitness users (Millennials) including how they are spending their money in our industry. (10 minutes)  The good news they spend much more money of fitness than the baby boomers!  The challenge is delivering how they pursue fitness in a traditional club environment.

Members of the round table were chosen as they represent different types of clubs in our industry and inside the Fitlife Club Network.  Each Round Table Member will discuss what they are doing to offer a unique functional, boutique studio type experience within their business.

  1. Describe what’s new in their business that addresses fitness industry trends/ fitness business models.
  2. What’s working: (Best Practices) and its effect on member attraction, retention, ancillary revenue and operations.
  3. What’s not working (Lessons Learned)
  4. What are you changing to adapt (What’s next)
  5. Open discussion with the audience.

Continue reading “The Creative Destruction of the Fitness Industry” →

FitLife, Wellness

Panel Discussion at Fitlife with Greg Dearholt

Medical Fitness Education Foundation will be launching a Medical Fitness Tour, with the help of Fitness Fest (event planner) in February 2018, in Phoenix, AZ. With the goal to travel to all 50 states at some point.

The “Tour” will offer fitness & allied health professionals two, 1-day full workshops and 8 non-competing workshops. Attendees will be granted a one-year professional membership to the MFN (MFN members will be given a large discount)

Topics may include and not be limited to: Active Aging, Alzheimer’s, Arthritis, Autism, Cancer, Diabetes, working with those with Disabilities, Fall Prevention, Fibromyalgia, Heart Disease, Joint Replacement, Mental Health Challenges, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Osteoporosis, Respiratory Disease, Stroke and women’s health issues including pre & postpartum care.

MFN is offering presenters a free opportunity to promote themselves, their course/workshops via a 90-minute workshop and a free vendor table at these events. FitnessFest will have CEC’s set up for the Tour.  Attendees will be granted a one-year professional membership to the MFN (MFN members will be given a large discount)

MFN is looking for venues to donate their location for this educational event. We have a few large fitness clubs, a country club in Boston interested as well as being part of Club Industry Tradeshow fall 2018.

Our vision is to spread this type of education around the country and continue to build the MFN registry of qualified professionals in the area of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of chronic disease/medical conditions.

FitLife

Sal Pallegrino’s notes for Fitlife presentation

By Sal Pellegrino

A general overview of key trends and how low cost, big box and boutique expansion is effecting the marketplace. We all have more competition than ever, but I will share case studies of four successful Gold’s Gym owners who have made adjustments and thrived nicely in their respective markets. They share unique strategies on, marketing, customer engagement, group exercise, small group training, social media success and re-investment. Sal will finish with a summary of best practices and share a number of ideas as a result of his numerous club visits in 2017. This session is essential for owners, directors, and managers hoping to preemptively prepare for inevitable changes. Don’t miss this informative session with one of the industry’s finest suppliers.
Continue reading “Sal Pallegrino’s notes for Fitlife presentation” →

FitLife

Bill McBride, Brent Darden & Allison Flatley to speak at Club Industry regarding Leadership Mastery

Track Title:  Leadership Mastery

FitLife will lead with the Leadership Mastery Track title at the Club Industry Show in Chicago, IL on October 4-6, 2017.

The Club Industry Show allows you to meet and network with other industry leaders as well as the people behind the products, face-to-face, and have fun with a community of other like-minded professionals on the exhibit hall floor, in educational sessions and at networking events.

Here are the details of the Leadership Mastery track title:

Presenters:

  • Brent Darden – brent@brentdarden.com
  • Allison Flatley – allisonflatley85@gmail.com
  • Bill McBride – BillMcBride@BMC3.com

Agenda / Sessions:

  • Quick Introduction of all the Track Presenters prior to the first session
  • Invitation for any that want to ask additional questions of all 3 presenters to be in the room at the conclusion of the final session. This option will be shared prior to each session. 15 Minutes or so of Presenters “Hanging Out” – Informal not an official panel – “Meet & Greet”.

Track Sessions (5) – 4 at 75 Minutes / 1 (Lunch at 60 Minutes) 

  1. Leadership – “The Direction & Strategy” – (Brent & Bill)
    1. What Is It? It’s not Management!
    2. High Level. Traits & Characteristics.  Personal Leadership.
    3. Leading in the Future – Trends, Fads & Core
  2. Management – “The Operating Plan” (Allison)
    1. Where the “Rubber Meets the Road”
    2. Alignment / Standards
    3. Manager roles & responsibilities
    4. Accountability & Responsibility for Results
    5. The next generation of workforce
  3. People / Performance – “The Secret Sauce” (Brent)
    1. Finding Candidates
    2. Hiring
    3. Training
    4. Accountability to Standards
    5. Performance Management
    6. Incentive Pay, Rewards & Recognition
  4. Sales & Marketing – “The Engine” (Bill)
    1. Brand Position
    2. Sales Design
    3. Marketing Strategy
    4. Sales & Marketing Alignment
    5. Sales Results
  5. Service & Member Experience – “The Product” (Allison & Brent & Bill)
    1. People (Allison)
    2. Product (Bill)
    3. Process (Brent)
  6. Speaker Meet & Greet – Optional – 15-20 Minutes (All)

Continue reading “Bill McBride, Brent Darden & Allison Flatley to speak at Club Industry regarding Leadership Mastery” →