e-Letter
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| June 2008
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e-Letter Archive
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| In This Issue: Readers Q&A The FM Blog Contribute to FM FM Seminar Track Upcoming in FM
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Readers Q&A
Each month in the e-Letter, we feature a question posed by a Fitness Management reader in the Readers Q&A section on the website. In the Readers Q&A, you can add your response to questions that have been submitted or post your own question. It's all online: fitnessmanagement.com/readers.
QUESTION: Early Morning Opening Time
I am opening a new fitness center, and am wondering about opening hours. How big is the demand to have a fitness center open at 6 a.m.? Is it really worth it to open so early and pay the staff, rather than opening at 9 a.m.? Do people want group classes that early? Any advice on closings times would be helpful, too.
— Marion
ANSWERS
My best advice is to try opening early for a few months and track usage vs. expenses. If more than enough members use the facility during the early morning to cover the additional expense, then stay open. You'll never know how many members you are missing until you try it. We offer Spin classes at 5:30 a.m. daily that are usually full.
— Wayne Scheiman, Sports Fitness and Fun, Florida, N.Y.
I think that morning hours are extremely important for a gym. This is the only time when office-goers can come. Also, many fitness-conscious people are early risers, and believe in an early morning workout. You will lose these critical segments if you plan to open at 9 a.m.
— Richa
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Read all answers | Post your answer | Ask your question
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The Fitness Management Blog
From "All the Rage" (June 16):
I don't want a new 'rage phrase' coined in a fitness center. 'Spin rage' is bad enough. I can think of more that would be equally bad. Can you imagine yoga rage, occurring when the instructor holds the Downward-Facing Dog just a few seconds too long? Or treadmill rage, occurring when a wannabe marathoner goes way over the 20-minute limit?
Sadly, none of these are more ridiculous than the event that inspired 'Spin rage,' wherein a man repeatedly shouted the dubiously self-motivating, 'You go, girl!' accompanied by some enthusiastic grunting. It was just too much for Christopher Carter, who felt the need to remove Stuart Sugarman from his cycle and slam him into a wall.
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Read more | Comment
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Contribute to an FM Article
Three Opportunities to Get Quoted in Fitness Management!
Do You Clean Green?
Tell us what environmentally friendly cleaning choices you make at your facility, and get quoted in an FM article! Email Associate Editor Heather Peavey at heather@fitnessmanagement.com.
Tournament of (Virtual) Champions
Has your fitness center organized or hosted an "exergaming" tournament? Tell us how you pulled it off! Email heather@fitnessmanagement.com and get quoted in FM.
Locker Room Organization
Do you have a system for inspecting, ordering or organizing your supplies and/or locker room amenities, such as soaps, shampoo, etc.? If so, we want to hear from you! Email anne@fitnessmanagement.com, and be included in an upcoming article.
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Fitness Management Seminar Track
Fitness Management will once again sponsor a seminar track at the Athletic Business Conference & Expo, December 4-6 in San Antonio, Texas. Topics of interest for owners and managers of fitness centers include:
- The DNA of a Five-Star Fitness Manager
- How to Choose the Right Training Services, Products and Programs for Your Fitness Center
- The Fitness Center You Want vs. the Fitness Center You Can Afford
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Complete list of seminars | Conference website
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Upcoming in Fitness Management
Look for these featured articles in the July issue:
Entertaining Members By Anne B. McDonnell, Senior Editor
Facility operators share what music, television and other audio/visual systems they offer, and how they benefit business.
Virtual Tools for Your Facility By Kelly Coulter
Grow your business by using email and the Internet to communicate with members and prospects.
Global Enlightenment By Stephen A. Tharrett, M.S., and James A. Peterson, Ph.D.
New ideas from abroad about technology, service, programming, pricing, design and more can help U.S. facility operators.
Meet the Expert: Youth Programming By Stephen A. Black
Exercise programs for young people should be fun and combine interval training, strength training and technology-based equipment.
Research Update: Assess for Success By Wayne L. Westcott, Ph.D., and Mike Reeves, M.S.
The YMCA of Greater Kansas City shows other facilities how the results and lessons learned from its indepth fitness assessment program can help track progress and motivate members.
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