After last week’s edition, I was still thinking about the NFL and your clubs. For one reason, the NFL is still messed up; and second, I got an e-mail from Greenwood Athletic Club in Colorado.
They said that during the NFL lockout a few of the Denver Broncos had already taken to getting their lift on at the club. President Paula Neubert explained that it was nothing new for their club.
“We already have high-profile athletes in the club, so most members didn’t think twice and welcomed them,” she said. “I believe they have had interactions with members and kids. Our members have been very gracious about giving them their space, so their interaction is just like any member to a fellow member.”
Among athletes hitting up the facility were Tim Tebow, Zane Beadles, Jeffrey Byers, Chris Clark, Eric Olsen, Ryan McBean, Mitchell Unrein, Kyle McCarthy, Ryan Harris, Chris Kuper and former Broncos QB John Elway.
In a large club and large market professional athletes can help give your club some serious street cred. However, what if you are in a podunk town in one of the 50 states?
Think about the local celebrities in your town. How many guys exercising in your gym are still talking about their high school football days? When I spoke with Carl Liebert back in December, he told me that 24 Hour Fitness allows varsity high school athletes to work out at 24 Hour Fitness locations during their season.
Not all, but some of the schools, don’t have the best weight facilities. Therefore, having a weight room like 24 Hour Fitness gives them an equal playing field with some of the wealthier schools.
Just imagine if you could put the varsity football team in your gym for a couple of hours a day. When they start making a run towards state, they will excite the entire club when they come in.
Also, you need to remember your younger members. Some of the guys that are working out in your club are freshman, and they look up to those guys. Some of the people exercising are parents that wish their kids would get into the gym. Seeing other youth working out could help give them some leverage to get their kids off the couch.
You may not be letting professional athletes workout in your club, but you could be letting future athletes workout. You never know, you could be letting the next Neon Deion (Deion Sanders) run on a treadmill.
Tyler Montgomery is the Editor of Club Solutions Magazine. Contact him at tyler@clubsolutionsmagazine.com
