The truth is most people join a health club to lose weight. It may be their primary goal or part of an overall goal to improve their health and fitness. Yet simply exercising is not enough. Studies show that exercise alone rarely results in weight loss.
So what are clubs offering these clients? Many simply rely on their personal trainers to share their knowledge of nutrition during their sessions with clients. This approach can make it very difficult to keep consistent quality. The lack of structure makes it easy for each trainer’s own bias or misinformation to be passed on to clients. This is of greatest concern when it comes to liability issues.
Relying on personal trainers to dispense weight loss advice is also very difficult to replicate from one facility to another. This method tends to embrace the latest diet or nutrition trend and becomes obsolete when that particular trend falls out of fashion. It also requires reinventing when you have staff turnover.
Metabolic testing can provide the basis for a weight loss program that is leading edge, enough to attract clients, yet based on sound, scientific principles. Consider these points:
Easy implementation.
Recent advances in metabolic testing have made it simple enough for anyone to operate the equipment. With just a few minutes of training, even your receptionist will be able to administer a Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) test. This means that you can implement this program utilizing your existing staff. And regardless of your staff turnover, the program will continue.
Survive diet trends.
One thing holds true in weight management and that is energy balance…you have to burn more than you consume. Metabolic testing shows a person exactly how their own body can do that. So no matter what current diet strategy a client may want to try, metabolic testing will still apply. And when the next diet craze comes around, your investment won’t be obsolete. Metabolic testing will compliment any diet the media throws your way.
Return on investment.
Most overweight people (especially women) are convinced they have a slow metabolism. Offer them a way to actually test it, and they will line up around the block to have it done. Most markets report that clientele are willing to pay a minimum of $40 per test, with some markets charging as much as $90. Most systems will pay for themselves with the first 60 tests. When was the last time you had a piece of equipment that actually paid for itself?
Keep the client coming back.
You will want to encourage clients to come back for retesting every month. Any change in caloric intake can alter their RMR. These changes are often the cause for the dreaded weight loss plateau. With regular retesting, your staff will be able to detect and adjust for changes to their metabolism. This is vital during the maintenance phase. Clients should be tested monthly for at least six months after reaching their goal weight.
As clients experience success, they are less intimidated by exercise. As they drop weight, their exercise routine becomes more comfortable. Their changing body image helps them feel more confident in the club setting. And they will also have built a relationship with your staff that will help them feel supported and welcome in your facility.
Metabolism is the current buzzword in the weight loss industry. Just look at the magazine covers at the supermarket checkout. Potential clients will be attracted to the new opportunity to actually test their metabolism. The results can show how their own metabolism has frustrated their weight loss efforts in the past, and what they can do to be successful this time.
Metabolic testing will elevate the status of your facility by offering such leading edge technology. You can offer a program that is not only the latest and greatest (thus competing with all the wild claims of diet centers and infomercials) but also be confident you are offering something that is proven to work, permanently. And results like that will win you customers for life.
Scott Kofoed is the President of Korr Medical Technologies, Inc. He can be contacted at 801.483.2080, or by email atsak@korr.com.
