How clubs can support and improve members’ mental health and well-being.
The fitness industry is increasingly recognizing the vital link between mental well-being and physical exercise. Embracing a holistic approach to health is more important than ever to improve the overall quality of life of your members and staff.
On the latest Thought Leaders digital roundtable discussion, Steven Trotter, the principal consultant at Globetrotter Wellness Solutions and the director of Well-Being at East Carolina University; Tony Berlant, the vice president of training and development and co-founder of Q4 Active; and Richard Earney, the program education specialist at Midtown Athletic Clubs, sat down to discuss how the industry can create a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health.
Trotter opened the discussion by emphasizing the importance of understanding the current landscape of employee engagement and stress. He cited the Gallup State of the Global Workplace report, highlighting only 31% of the U.S. and Canadian workforce is engaged. Stress levels are alarmingly high with 54% experiencing stress within the last 24 hours due to their job. Comprehensive training and development for staff can help improve the mental health of both staff and members.
“When talking about employee engagement, not only are we thinking about the staff that works in our clubs and facilities, but a lot of our members are employees of somewhere else and experiencing these things,” explained Trotter. “One of the main things we can do is provide training and development to our staff. We train team members as we would with CPR, first-aid and emergency preparedness while also thinking about equipping our staff to listen to understand instead of listening to respond.”
Encouraging awareness of mental health in this way creates a culture centered around care and gets employees bought in.
Earney emphasized the necessity of everyone on the team to be committed to the importance of mental health, including the top leaders of your organization.
“Improving the mental health of our members starts with us as an organization,” said Earney. “This is top-down. If your executive team and the owners of your company do not adopt this or believe in it, it’s not going to work.”
Another point of conversation related to the differing experiences different demographics face when it comes to mental health. Trotter, who works with mostly college students, explained how the impact of the “loneliness epidemic” due to disrupted traditional social milestones because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Berlant underlined the danger of isolation as well, especially among older adults whom he works with the most. He emphasized the need to cater mental health programming to the demographic you’re targeting while maintaining a holistic approach. Figuring out a few key areas to focus on with programming was a top tip.
“They say social isolation is the new sedentary lifestyle,” said Berlant. “So I do think focusing on overall brain health is important, but maybe choosing a couple of lanes is what I would suggest. To be universally supportive is to not only focus on emotional health — which is still extremely important — but also don’t forget some of the other aspects of mental health like cognition.”
Similar to how common mental health concerns change depending on the generation, Earney has noticed a shift of marketing campaigns’ over time. While marketing in the 90s was geared toward those looking to achieve a muscular physique, campaigns look much different today. Not only do modern publicity initiatives appeal to more people, but they focus more on feelings than aesthetics.
Midtown has also promoted that mindset shift in their clubs by taking out the mirrors in their club. The club has received positive feedback and appreciation for the change. It has also caused Earney to reevaluate other areas of improvement relating to the design of the space and operations.
“Really look at your environment where you’ve set things out,” advised Earney. “It’s not just about our marketing but how we’re set up to be more welcoming and inviting.”
What it means to advocate for mental health is constantly evolving. Fostering environments that promote overall well-being ensures you can better serve both your members and employees. This comprehensive approach not only enhances individual experience but also contributes to a healthier, more engaged community.
