Imagine all the help it could provide clubs if for one day they could insert themselves into the member’s shoes. This month we did just that. Jordan Martinez, 22, discussed his experience at Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers. Martinez joined the club in June and has since signed up for personal training.
Martinez could have worked out at the University of Florida’s wellness center, but instead he chose to pay for a membership at Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers. Why? The personal training program. “I wanted assistance in starting a strength-training program,” he said. “I also wanted to learn new techniques and workout machines so that when the personal training program ended I would have the knowledge needed to continue well-rounded workout sessions by myself.” Martinez meets with his personal trainer three times a week at $55 a session.
GHFC has done a lot of things right in Martinez’s eyes. The wide variety of club members made him feel comfortable from day one. “Younger, older, stronger, weaker; it seemed everyone was there for one reason: fitness.” Martinez was also attracted to the club’s flexible hours — open 24 hours a day — numerous choices of group sessions — yoga, Pilates, aqua, cycling and specialty classes — and the selection of recreational activities.
The club has promotions advertised in the club entrance that Martinez has taken note of — as well as the periodic e-mail updates about new events. He wasn’t aware of any special programs or rewards for member referrals. What could have gotten him signed up faster? Not much, Martinez said, but he did say a lower price for the first few months would have been a good incentive, as well as a trial membership.
Personal training has been a positive experience for Martinez. He says he has toned up, gained muscle mass, lost weight and increased his energy. It has changed the way he feels about himself. “The most important benefit was increased energy and a higher quality of sleep,” he said. “Throughout my training program, I have seen myself increase in strength as well, which has led to higher self-esteem and confidence towards working out.”
Now, Martinez is a walking advertisement for GHFC and their personal training program. “I feel anyone who is a novice in any gym or club setting should make a wise investment into a personal trainer to begin their lifestyle changes and/or to plan out a healthy workout plan.”
Some things to consider:
• What are your members telling their friends and family about their personal training experience?
• Are your trainers’ properly trained, certified and able to help?
• Do your trainers enjoy their jobs and make members feel comfortable?
Always consider these aspects from a member’s perspective.
While Martinez’s experience with personal training has exceeded his expectations, he would like to have more help setting up a nutritional diet based on his fitness plan. “My trainer has assisted me with such (nutrition) tips, but they were developed over time,” he explained. “A nutritional plan from the beginning with the amount of daily calories, protein, carbohydrates, etc. that would make my fitness program more efficient and could have been improved on.”
What else can you be offering your members to make sure their expectations are exceeded? Have you thought about offering new features or a nutrition program? Try bringing in new classes like cycling or yoga — most classes can be established in already developed areas of the club.
Our interview with Martinez opened up our eyes to the importance of nutritional counseling in clubs. Nutrition makes up about 80 to 85 percent of the results members achieve. Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers have used Vitabot Online Nutrition programming and others for nutritional guidance. Companies that specialize in nutrition can help make eating properly easier for the average member, like Martinez. –CS
