Industry Buzz: Flying By the Seat of Your Pants

When you decided to open your first gym, I doubt you just jumped in without a plan. Instead, you likely did your research, developed a business strategy and devised a plan for sustainable growth. That is because a strategy is essential to running a successful business, no matter the industry.

In fact, strategies are essential to almost everything in life, including health and fitness. Unfortunately, many of your members are likely entering your gym without a strategy for reaching their goals. I know, because I used to be one of those members.

Just a few months ago, my “plan” for fitness involved going to the gym three to five times a week and randomly picking a form of exercise. Sometimes I’d do cardio, and every once in a while I’d decide to pick up a weight. Did I see results? No, not really. That’s because there was absolutely no strategy in my “plan” of attack. I was indeed, “flying by the seat of my pants” in terms of my health.

Now things have changed. My coworker pulled a workout off of BodyBuilding.com that, if followed, allows for gains in strength and overall fitness. And after five weeks of following this plan, I am indeed seeing results. It’s great!

My point in telling you this story is that many of your members are just like me. They know they need to workout, and they do, they just don’t know how to reach the goals they’re striving for. This is a problem. The worst thing you can do is watch your members flounder to reach their fitness goals.

Members aren’t trainers, and many don’t have a basic understanding of how the body responds to exercise and food. As a result, make sure they’re getting guidance of some sort, whether it’s through suggestions on exercises or even a basic workout plan.

If your members continue to flounder under your care, they’ll likely go elsewhere, to a place that can provide them the guidance they need in reaching their optimal health and fitness.

Hopefully that place is already you.