Although City Fitness’ mission is daunting — it takes it seriously. That mission is to change the perception of Philadelphia as one of the unhealthiest cities in the country, to one of the fittest and healthiest.
“We are working to accomplish this by making City Fitness Philadelphia’s fitness authority, promoting a positive, fitness-centric lifestyle,” said Kenneth S. Davies, the CEO and owner of the fitness chain.
City Fitness clubs are characterized by positive, clean and welcoming atmospheres that boast high-tech equipment and programming. However, no two clubs are exact. Each is designed to be a reflection of the neighborhood in which it resides.
“One might be gritty and urban, while the next is clean, modern and professional — but the same community atmosphere is present throughout,” explained Davies. “Everything we do is designed to provide the best possible fitness experience to the most amount of people. We pay a lot of attention to member feedback and industry trends, and ensure that our members have the quality programming found at a studio with the most updated and extensive collection of equipment that you could need at a gym.”
In addition to high-quality fitness offerings, ensuring City Fitness’ staff are the best of the best is a top focus for the company. According to Davies, from the frontline staff to the executive team, City Fitness looks to recruit, retain, develop and invest in talented and passionate individuals who care about the company’s mission.
“We don’t just say that — we give our folks room to grow and explore in their roles, and their development is one of the things I’m most proud of at City Fitness,” continued Davies. “Their successful growth is reflected on the success of the company.”
As a result of the focus on customers and quality staff, Davies said one of the things members rave about the most is the community vibe and the experience that provides. “From the second they walk in and are handed a towel by our front desk staff to the interactions with our sales teams, managers and personal trainers, everyone feels at home — like they’ve just walked into the best part of their day,” he said. “At a certain point, great equipment and programs are expected, but a community is unique and much harder to create. That’s what makes our clubs uniquely City Fitness.”
As advice for other club operators, Davies once again expressed the importance of having quality staff you can rely on to help you manage and lead. “You can’t do it all,” he continued. “You must hire people that you trust who are in your business running it, while you are working on it.”
Finally, Davies noted to not be afraid to take risks. “Don’t be afraid to try new things,” he said. “While it can be daunting and may not work, change is good within clubs. As long as you are doing something for the betterment of the members’ experience, they will ultimately appreciate your efforts.”
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
