Every month, Club Solutions sits down with an industry expert to share in their wealth of knowledge. In the April issue, we sat down with Ann Glor, the general manager of Wisconsin Athletic Club.
1. How did you get started in the fitness industry?
In 2001 I was a new mom and member at the Wisconsin Athletic Club (WAC). The WAC offered a program to train individuals to go from taking group fitness classes to teaching the classes. This was the perfect opportunity to do something I enjoyed and work for a club I loved. I completed their program and am still teaching classes.
2. What’s been a key to your organization’s success? What are you most proud of?
We’ve created a culture focused on people. When you focus on people, everything else falls into place.
We’ve also kept our focus on our mission to make a difference in people’s lives. I believe it’s provided empowerment to our team members to not feel they have parameters when it comes to keeping members happy.
The WAC has always placed a heavy emphasis on connection, and this past year has really shown us that importance. Our strong ability to connect sets us apart and has created devoted members and staff.
Lastly, we focus on continuous improvement. This certainly means improving the physical buildings, the equipment and the programming, which has aided in our success. But it also means looking for ways to continually improve our team, our leaders and to never settle.
3. What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?
Learning and leading through this past year. There is no trophy to place on a shelf, but there is a lot of self-fulfillment in persevering through an extremely challenging time. It was and continues to be a time of great self-discovery.
4. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career? And how did you overcome it?
I stepped into the role of general manager on August 1, 2020. This was a goal I had been working toward and it felt great to see all of my hard work and determination come to fruition. But, as I was immersed in learning all the aspects and responsibilities of my new role, I had to find the best way to lead our team through a new version of our club and how to navigate running a club to be financially efficient, while not losing the level of service our members expect and deserve.
5. What is one lesson you have learned that other fitness professionals can learn from?
The importance of taking care of you and the power of saying no. I used to feel like saying no would negatively impact others’ viewpoints of me, or I would miss critical opportunities. In the end I realized I was only negatively impacting myself.
6. Tell us one fact about yourself others may not know.
One of my life goals is to visit all 50 states. I’m at 34. My requirements for counting a state are staying at least one night along with actually visiting something in that state.
To learn more about Ann Glor and her journey in the fitness industry, connect with her on LinkedIn.
