In the increasingly competitive environment that is the health and fitness industry, successful health clubs need an edge. In many cases, the edge comes in the form of a valuable employee or a new product or service offering. The most successful clubs are able to leverage their advantages and use them in multiple areas to address multiple challenges.
There are several common challenges that health club managers and owners have unsuccessfully tried to master for years. Fortunately, there are revolutionary new products that represent practical and inexpensive solutions to many such challenges.
What are some of these challenges and more importantly, what about a solution?
Challenge #1:
Is there a tool that can maximize member participation in my group exercise classes?
Challenge #2:
Is there a piece of equipment versatile enough to truly be considered multipurpose ?
Challenge #3:
How do I attract individuals from the rehabilitation market to my club?
Challenge #4:
How do I minimize the expenditures associated with purchasing new equipment while at the same time maximize space for my member traffic flow?
One answer to all of these questions can be a new angle in fitness — a foam wedge, surrounded by a silkscreen protective cover shaped in a 45-degree angle. The wedge product can be used for various body exercises. In fact, 21 different exercises for flexibility and strength, across various parts of the body have been identified. To understand the real value of a piece of equipment like this, let’s take a closer look at the answers to each of the questions posed earlier:
Challenge #1:
Is there a tool that can maximize member participation in my group exercise classes?
The Solution:
Body wedge equipment can easily be incorporated into a club’s new and existing programs, and it can provide members with a unique fitness experience.
The folks at Sports Club LA in New York immediately saw the benefits of wedge equipment and how it could, in fact, be used to combine aerobic exercises and strength training into one, very unique workout experience.
Several group exercise programs can be conducted using specially designed wedge equipment as its centerpiece including, Kick IT, BW Yoga, ABS Only, Kids Play, Fit-Over-Fifty, Circuit Training, Pre and Post Natal, Balance Training, Personal Training, Pilates and so many more. The wedge can be a great tool for group exercise classes because its compact size creates more room and lets health clubs maximize the number of members per class. Since the wedge is versatile enough to be used for multiple types of classes, it minimizes the equipment necessary for multiple classes.
“We purchased several units and began to incorporate them into our Total Body Conditioning class and wow, what a workout!” said Terrence Fister, Vice President, Clay Group Exercises. “The piece practically dictates a new format. It was a snap to incorporate and my students love it,” Mr. Fister added.
“All of our classes which incorporate the body wedge have been sold out with waiting lists exceeding 10 people,” said Michelle Hanlon, Group Fitness Manager at Equinox in Scarsdale, New York. “I have not been this motivated with a product since the birth of the spin bike,” added Ms. Hanlon.
Challenge #2:
Is there a piece of equipment versatile enough to truly be considered multipurpose ?
The Solution:
Of all the benefits a body wedge provides to its users, versatility is probably its most valuable asset. It can be used in place of, or in conjunction with, the exercise ball, incline bench, decline bench, Step, and Bosu. Quite simply, it is a fitness tool that does not intimidate, it is not only for the more advanced athlete, and it can be used sided-by-side by all ages and fitness levels in a single group exercise class. The wedge is a versatile product that can be used for personal training, rehabilitation, and group exercise classes, among other things.
And, most importantly for fitness club owners is the unit’s ability to be easily stacked in a corner, alleviating any concerns for storage. While the units are easily stackable for safe and convenient storage, they rarely stay stacked for very long. They are often found in the weight rooms being used as crunch boards, incline and decline benches and assistance with numerous stretching exercises.
Challenge #3:
How do I attract individuals from the rehabilitation market?
The Solution:
I actually developed the body wedge product for myself as a rehabilitation tool to help recover from Rotator Cuff surgery. For me, the exercise ball didn’t provide enough stability during my exercises, and I admit that some part of me was fearful of the instability of the ball and the idea that I might hurt myself again. As a Certified Personal Trainer and former health club owner, I understood what tools I needed to safely begin my rehabilitation. I was so impressed with the progress of my own rehabilitation I thought others might benefit from the unit as a strength and conditioning tool during injury recovery periods.
According to Encore Medical, a publicly traded company that sells products to the rehabilitation market, the rehab market is growing at 8 to 10 percent each year.
Because the population in the U.S. is getting older each year, these growth rates should continue. Rehab patients are different from the typical health club member. Many participate in competitive athletics. While many rehab patients are older, either baby boomers or sometimes senior citizens, both of these groups have significant disposable income and are rarely marketed to by health clubs.
Although most individuals do not consider health clubs as a viable workout option when recovering from surgery, health clubs can tap into this underdeveloped and very lucrative market segment by using equipment with rehabilitative functionality.
“..My market is older, 35-75, many of which have orthopedic concerns. This product has been embraced by everyone! Members have expressed the fact that they are simply so comfortable while performing strength, flexibility & balance exercises on a wedge,” said Kerry Silverstone, Group Exercise Director at the Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness Club.
Challenge #4:
How do I minimize the expenditures associated with purchasing new equipment while at the same time maximize space for my member traffic flow?
The Solution:
As mentioned earlier a body wedge unit is compact and so it does not take up much space. This means that member traffic during group exercise or other types of exercise is not impeded due to bulky equipment. Additionally, the wedge is easy to store and so it is a very functional piece of equipment. However the most impressive thing about this type of product is that it can be purchased for less than a hundred dollars. This price includes instructional tapes and workout charts. It s a tremendous value for clubs looking for an all-in-one solution.
As a club owner, or manager, you can lead and address the challenges that face your club with revolutionary new products. Or, you can struggle to address your challenges because you choose not to embrace new solutions. I hope you choose wisely!
Rich Decker is the President of BodyWedge 21. He can be contacted at 631.926.5549, or by email atrdecker@bodywedge21.com, or visit www.bodywedge21.com.
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