With the top clubs in the industry emphasizing more service-driven activities as opposed to sales-driven activities, it’s easy to understand club operators are finding it harder and harder to offer a consistent, high-end experience to members across all their offerings. With well-trained, fitness franchises on every corner, it’s becoming more imperative that club staff focus on all aspects of the member experience.
Make no mistake — we are in the entertainment and service business as much as the fitness business. This is why so many clubs are starting to outsource to third party companies for staff training, program content and marketing support. This smart business strategy is all to gain more time, money and business results for all stakeholders.
Along with lifestyle, job satisfaction and work/life balance, the bottom line is that clubs everywhere all chase time, money and results. The club owner or general manager chases time, money and results to keep their businesses afloat and profitable. Coaches, personal trainers and instructors want more money for their time and the energy they put into their role. Members are seeking value for their hard earned money and effective results for the time and money spent getting there.
Without a doubt, what many fitness businesses share in common is the desire to have more time, more money and better results. Finding solutions to this ever-lasting game of chase can render anyone exhausted, overwhelmed and discouraged. It’s cat and mouse. Face the challenge — try and persevere at all costs because in this industry, everyone is driven by the desire to change people’s lives for the better, sometimes at the cost of our own betterment.
Collectively, fitness pros and club management are getting smarter at sharing best practices and putting heads together — however, these three resources seem elusive to many. This is why considering outsourcing to third party companies may be the smartest option for your time, money and results.
Current trends are showing that health clubs need to build more team-based activities within their club community. For larger facilities, it’s more clubs within their club.
Recent IHRSA stats prove that members and gyms around the world are using small group training and team training to gain greater access to these three resources. The trick is finding the right program and doing it right from the start.
Outsourcing has worked for successful companies like Slack, Alibaba.com, Seat Geek, and even many parts of Google. In today’s fitness market, the need to have improved quality, scalability and simplicity for members is more important than ever.
JP Richard is the president and CEO of TRIBE Team Training. He can be reached at 514.554.8580 or jp@tribeteamtraining.com.
