In 2012 Erie, Pa. was named one of the top 10 fattest cities in the country. That only served as extra motivation for one health club in town, Best Fitness Erie, in its quest to make the city one of the healthiest nationwide.
OctoberBest has been Best Fitness’ method of making the city a healthier place, while also serving as a way to donate to local charities. The event gives out free 30-day memberships to community members in the hope that the club will inspire a love for exercise in non-members.
“Last year, our corporate office thought we were crazy for wanting to do this, but after having a record-setting month, and getting so much positive feedback from the community, we decided to push for an even bigger OctoberBest this year,” said Annie Skraba, the operations manager for Best Fitness Erie. “You absolutely cannot put a price tag on the community spirit that this event brings into our club.”
In 2012, 350 people accepted their free 30-day membership, and 78 percent continued on as full-time members.
During last year’s OctoberBest event, charitable donations were also given to the Children’s Miracle Network at Saint Vincent Health Center, a local nonprofit. The Regional Cancer Center will be the recipients of those donations this year. Anybody who decides to begin a full-time membership after their 30-day trial will only pay $5 (instead of the usual $99 enrollment fee), with all proceeds going to the cancer center.
In addition to the 30-day memberships, OctoberBest is also planning on a Halloween Zumbathon. All proceeds from the event, as well as the continuous sale of pink ribbons and T-shirts throughout the month, will go to the Regional Cancer Center.
“It’s a local organization and all of their money, time and effort stays right here in Erie,” said Skraba. “Erie has a lot of instrumental non-profit organizations, so it’s great to be able to help them. After all, as a local business, we wouldn’t be anything without the support of our community, so it feels great to be able to give back any way we can.”
All the OctoberBest events have been a way for Best Fitness Erie to connect with the town as a whole.
“Erie is a very blue-collar town — very giving, very charitable,” explained Skraba. “With it being so giving, we try to do different events that always affect Erie in a positive way. With having over 6,000 members that not only support the club, but also the community, it makes it easy and fun for us to give back and be part of the community.”
Even the mayor of Erie has gotten involved with the club. He began his membership during last year’s OctoberBest event and has lost more than 50 pounds since.
With the support of the mayor and the rest of the community, Best Fitness is not only donating to local charities, but also continuing its journey to make Erie one of the healthiest communities in the country.
“The whole point of us doing something like this in our community is to educate the whole population on living a healthy and active lifestyle,” said membership manager Eric Taylor. “Whether they end up joining Best Fitness, or another fitness club, we are doing our job to make Erie a healthier community. Hopefully other clubs … can join us in the cause to make America a healthier nation.”
By Ashley Scoby
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
