October 2022 Club of the Month, presented by ABC Fitness Solutions:
HealthFitness, est. 1975
HealthFitness boasts a nationwide team of more than 2,700 professionals who believe in the power of health and fitness — and creating opportunities for others to believe as well. The brand motivates and engages more than 1 million participants across its 140-plus clients.
Here, Jaclyn Madill of HealthFitness shares more on what makes the organization unique, how it engages members, industry trends and more.
Your division has recently transitioned into HealthFitness — how has this acquisition positioned your business for success?
HealthFitness, a Trustmark company, builds and manages comprehensive fitness solutions for leading companies and organizations. As such, this acquisition was highly complementary in our overall strategy to help clients create healthy communities in a post-pandemic environment. Through this transition we have brought together the best of each of our capabilities through an aligned culture. We are perfectly positioned for continued excellence in managing a fitness center’s profitability, while putting our people’s health and well-being first.
What makes HealthFitness clubs different from other clubs?
We’re more than a check-the-box fitness provider — we’re movement experts, with decades of experience in engaging a variety of populations across various industries. We bring years of medically integrated health and well-being programming to support the continuum of care for our health system clients. Another differentiator is that we provide a holistic approach that extends beyond fitness. For example, for our corporate clients, we have a proven track record for reducing musculoskeletal issues with our injury prevention and treatment services to help keep people moving.
How have your programs changed the way members engage with you and the community?
HealthFitness is a proven leader in engaging and connecting people both on-site and online, to create a strong community of health. With the launch of our HealthFitness360 app, we are now truly the leader in a high-touch, high-tech hybrid fitness solution. Our unique and intentional programming is at the forefront of our success. For example, for our hospital-based wellness centers, our programming has been quantifiably effective in improving the health of their employees, patients and their entire community.
How has technology improved the member’s fitness experience at HealthFitness?
Fostering personalized connections through a blend of virtual and on-site programming has never been more important. As the pandemic progressed, we saw an opportunity to develop a more comprehensive solution, one that provides an optimal participant experience that is accessible, motivating and engaging. We created this vision, refined it by listening to our trusted clients and participants, and launched HealthFitness360. This digital space makes it easy for members to connect on any device — desktop, tablet or smartphone — to find our best-in-class content and experiences led by our best-in-class people. Our aim is to reach, motivate and educate participants whenever and wherever works best for them.
What are other keys to your success at HealthFitness?
Through strong leadership we developed a positive culture based on excellence, innovation, growth and tenacity. We also make sure to take time to have fun, laugh and celebrate. We are in the relationship business — our culture and incredible people are the most critical keys to our success.
What’s a trend you’re seeing in the fitness industry that other operators should keep on their radar?
Meeting members where they want, when they want, with what they want. Our members love visiting our clubs and conquering their workouts in person, but they also need the flexibility to tackle them virtually on occasion as well. Now more than ever before, members are expecting the option to participate from virtually anywhere. Providing this virtual capability is no longer a perk for fitness centers, it is a business requirement.
In addition, we acquired FitReserve, a gym network, and are forming partnerships with other leaders in the fitness and well-being space to provide our clients the full package. We believe fitness centers that focus on one solution to the detriment of another — rather than adopt a diversified model — will get left behind.
If you could give one piece of advice to other gym operators, what would it be?
As Debra Siena, HealthFitness executive director of client services, says, “You’re either green and growing or ripe and rotten.” In other words, never stop learning, evolving and striving to be your very best for yourself and everyone you have the privilege to help.
Created in partnership with ABC Fitness Solutions. Visit abcfitness.com for more information on how they can help your fitness business.
