Q&A: Dustin Wilson talks about Bethany Athletic Club’s partnership with Jonas Fitness.
Club management software (CMS) is one of the most important aspects of your gym’s operations. In fact, Dustin Wilson, the general manager of Bethany Athletic Club, described it as “ the bread and butter of our operations to be successful.”
According to Wilson, Bethany Athletic Club has found a great CMS partner in Jonas Fitness. Here, learn exactly why the software company has been a key component of the gym’s success.
Why did you decide to partner with Jonas Fitness — what problem were you looking to solve, or what solution were you looking to incorporate?
DW: We decided to partner with Jonas after taking over club operations in May of 2015. We wanted an all-inclusive club solution for EFT billing, returns, classes, bistro, childcare, etc. It was important that customer service was readily available when needed and we have the option to handle all account issues in house. Some other providers would require they run the billing portion and refunds — which takes away from the instant problem solving and customer service for our members. We also were seeking a simple user interface, especially for our front desk, without it looking like a Windows 96 platform.
How has Jonas Fitness helped your club improve its daily operations?
DW: Jonas helped our club improve its daily operations by providing an all-inclusive software to manage the different departments of our club: aquatic, childcare, personal training, bistro, POS, billing, group exercise, Pilates, etc. They allow members to have their own self-service portal through our website to be in control of class registrations, updating credit cards, making a payment or booking appointments.
Why is it so important to have a great CMS partner like Jonas Fitness?
DW: It is important to have a good CMS partner as this is the bread and butter of our operations to be successful. They allow us to make data-based decisions and have reporting at our fingertips to quickly pivot. It gives the members a sense of ownership and organization that would be next to impossible to operate without in this day and age. Plus, they allow for consistent billing, and this is needed for the club to be successful.
How would you describe Jonas Fitness’s customer service?
DW: Jonas’ customer service has always been immediate when we call and knowledgeable to step through any concerns. We are provided with a client success representative that regularly checks in and follows up on any problematic issues.
Why should other club operators consider working with Jonas Fitness?
DW: They should consider Jonas for competitive pricing, modern user interface, and the ability to customize roles to provide more/less access depending on the expectations/responsibility of any given position in the club. If you can’t collect the data and have good reporting, it will continue to be a challenge to run a successful athletic club with the advancement of brand-new clubs, boutiques and low-cost/high-volume gyms.
Visit Jonas Fitness’ website to learn more about their solutions for your gym business.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
