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Articles by Bobby Dyer
Column: Confronting our housing crisis takes courage
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Courage of conviction is a fundamental requirement of all elected officials. Politics is a sport not for the faint of heart, but the only way to combat misinformation is to correct the record. The public has the right to know the rationale and process that goes into every vote cast. Throughout my service on council, we have voted on thousands of items using the same process and procedures we use today.
The rescuing of the soul of a divided America
Nearly 170 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln warned that a house divided against itself cannot stand. History has echoed that truth many times, most famously in the slow unraveling of the Roman Empire, not by foreign conquest, but by internal decay, civic distrust, and the erosion of shared values. Nations do not fail at all at once. They falter when they forget who they are. Today, America finds itself at such a moment. We are a nation blessed beyond measure, yet uneasy with ourselves.
Column: Virginia Beach welcomes The Moving Wall for remembrance, reflection
Beginning Friday, our city will host a profound and humbling tribute: The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. For six days, this sacred installation will stand at the Virginia Beach Convention Center — not as a monument of stone, but as a living space of memory, healing and gratitude. The Moving Wall bears the names of more than 58,000 Americans who gave their lives in the Vietnam War.
Opinion: Virginia Beach aims to continue growth and address housing Original
This is an exciting time in Virginia Beach, bringing the optimism of hope and the difficulty of challenges we must overcome. Over time Virginia Beach has endured tragedy and many challenges, yet due to the strength of our communities we endured together. With the shutdown of Virginia in March 2020, the collateral impact of keeping people homebound was enormous.
13 of The Best Summer Activities In San Diego
Summertime in San Diego has arrived, and the blue skies and sunshine are glowing on traveler’s smiling faces! Summer activities in San Diego are mostly based around spending time enjoying the refreshing Pacific Ocean. The weather in San Diego is excellent year-round, but during the summer from July through September, you get to enjoy “America’s Finest City” at it’s best.
Phase II of Multi-Million Dollar Renovation
The Houstonian Club has unveiled Phase II of its $23.5 million-dollar renovation, a project that began in October 2021. The entire project, culminating in Phase III, will be completed by the end of 2022. The renovation project includes: A complete overhaul of 70% of the facilities. This includes the club’s lobby, rotunda and atrium. A new indoor turf space featuring updated equipment and 4,100 feet of additional training space. An enhanced luxury shopping experience in the club’s boutique shop.
MUV Brands and The Covery Launch MUV Well
MUV Brands, the parent company of several fitness and wellness brands including MUV Fitness, MUV Studio and MUV Training, has partnered with The Covery Wellness to introduce MUV Well, a new wellness brand aimed at bringing recovery and rejuvenation to the Northwest Region. MUV will have exclusive rights for licensing and franchising for both MUV Well by The Covery in their associated health clubs and stand-alone The Covery Clinics.
ASF Payment Solutions: A Dedicated Partner
Daniel Stickler, the owner and CEO of FitCo Health Club, has been an ASF Payment Solutions (ASF) customer for six years. “We were looking for a company that could handle our growth pattern and make adjustments as needed,” said Stickler. “We were looking for a one-stop-shop that could handle our billing, customer relations, growth and more.” After countless conversations and research, Stickler decided ASF was their perfect partner.
Mel Tempest on Positive Work Culture
This month we sat down with Mel Tempest, the founder and owner of Ballarat Body and Soul Health and Fitness Studio/Genesis, to discuss positive work culture. Why is cultivating a positive work culture at a fitness facility important? When you have a workplace that is safe and inclusive, the team you work alongside with becomes more productive. This alone enhances your business while allowing your team to grow as individuals — professionally and personally. What does a healthy work culture look like?
Jennifer Calovich Joins GymRevenue as VP of Client Relations
GymRevenue, an all-in-one fitness club management software, announced the addition of Jennifer Calovich as their new vice president of client relations. Calovich, who served as LeadDolphin’s director of customer success from 2015 to 2018 and later as the key account success manager for Club OS after they acquired LeadDolphin, brings 20-plus years experience in executive leadership, business and product development, team development, and operations in the fitness industry.
acac Acquires Sportsclub Fitness & Wellness
On August 15, 2022, acac Fitness & Wellness Centers (acac) acquired Sportsclub Fitness & Wellness in Greenville, South Carolina. The club will continue to operate under the name Sportsclub Fitness & Wellness. “Over the years, we have had an opportunity to know many of the leaders at acac and genuinely look forward to working with them,” said John Whitten, the CFO of Sportsclub, concerning the new ownership.
The Challenge of Engaging a Community
Ben Hackney-Williams, the head of content at Myzone, shares how to engage your community through a fitness challenge. As an industry, we know what makes our members tick. We know how to motivate the individual, reward their progress with kind words and recognition, and keep goal-setting so that they maintain the level of attendance, accountability and accomplishment. This has been the way since time immemorial. Gym hand people a towel and send them on their way with varying levels of niceties.
Webinar: Post-IHRSA Learnings
The message was clear: Technology continues to change the fitness industry. Learn how operators can stay focused on the member experience and drive real ROI! IHRSA 2022 is in the books and, as usual, provided the industry with a ton of learning opportunities.
The Cool Products of IHRSA 2022
From June 22-24, fitness professionals gathered in Miami, Florida, for the 2022 IHRSA Convention and Trade Show. Couldn’t make the live event? Don’t fear. The following are a collection of cool products and services that were on display.
How to Support Your Team in Times of Turmoil
How do you support your team in times of turmoil? Utilize these four strategies below. The past two years have been challenging for not just businesses to navigate, but employees as well. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in high levels of anxiety, depression and grief. Societal and political issues have remained a constant source of stress. And now, rising inflation and fears of a recession are further burdening an already strained workforce.
Business Transition with Kris and Maica Peterson
Transitioning between businesses can be a stressful but sometimes a necessary move for many gym owners. Kris and Maica Peterson, the co-founders of Chuze Fitness, recently left the day-to-day operations of their company in 2020 to start a boutique fitness franchise with Eat The Frog Fitness. The couple recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss their decision and how it’s been beneficial for their family.
5 Examples of Resiliency in Business
Club News Featured The Pulse Landon Burningham of Physiq Fitness shares five examples of resiliency in business gleaned over the last few years. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer resulting in the mandated shutdown of gyms across the U.S. at the moment, there are still a multitude of challenges facing club operators today. This includes hiring and staffing challenges, rising inflation and fears of a looming recession.
Aktiv and GRID Partner to Amplify the Modern Fitness Facility
Leading functional fitness supply firm Aktiv Solutions, and specialty furniture and flooring innovator GRID are set to introduce a new wave of smart fixtures and flooring solutions. The companies have come together to develop a series of personal locker and technology driven floor coverings with a focus on location and utilization within exercise spaces themselves.
The Power of Cash Flow Recovery
Alex Wolf, the vice president of customer success for Swift Financial Services, sat down with Best Fitness CEO Dave Dos Santos to hit on the topics of where we are, where we’re going and why we can’t ignore cash flow recovery — especially now. Give us a quick gut-check. Where is the gym industry right now? Are we back in business? Still in recovery? Something else? DDS: People are definitely coming back to the gym, but I wouldn’t say we’re fully recovered.
What Culture Actually Means
Justin Drummond, the chief operating officer of Planet Fitness Growth Partners, LLC., shares the importance of company culture. Culture. What does that mean? In simple terms it is habits, beliefs and traditions of a certain group of people. But why is this important in our industry and all industries? How does it impact business? The culture of an organization can perpetuate one of two things: A vibrant, diverse, collaborative and inspirational backbone that is the catalyst for the company’s success.
The Best Wellness Destinations to Get Away From It All
Wellness packages are available in all sorts of different guises, whether you want to embark on a personal trip backpacking dedicated to individual self-improvement or organize a corporate retreat to strengthen colleague bonds and focus on employee wellbeing. The benefits of traveling to a wellness destination are many, as you can escape your normal life and really focus on yourself and what is important to you, with few other distractions.
Cooper Wellness Strategies and The Atlantic Club's Strategic Partnership
The Atlantic Club and Cooper Wellness Strategies have announced a strategic partnership that will bring wellness and medical fitness offerings to The Atlantic Club community in Manasquan, New Jersey. Launching on April 26, 2022, Cooper Wellness Strategies programs will be offered at The Atlantic Club, such as “Post COVID-19 Recovery (Long Haulers),” “Active with Arthritis” and “Health and Wellness 101.” In addition, a Cooper Wellness Center location will open at The Atlantic Club in late April.
The Future of Recovery Spaces
Why clubs are implementing recovery spaces and where they’re headed. Recovery has always been an important part of the member exercise regimen. However, in recent years more and more health clubs have invested in recovery spaces with increasingly robust options. One facility that has invested in a recovery-specific area is Chelsea Piers Connecticut. Its Recovery Room boasts an infrared sauna, massage chair, multiple Normatec Pulse 2.0 Full Body packages and a wide variety of Hyperice products.
State of the Fitness Industry Report: Predictions for Q2 2022
Club Solutions Magazine recently surveyed its advisory board on the industry’s top trends, biggest challenges and opportunities for clubs as we near the second quarter of 2022. The following is a state of the fitness industry report based on their insights. Top Trends Recovery Offerings — Cryotherapy, IV, etc.
Does Your Club Culture Cultivate Leadership?
Lynne Brick March 2, 2022 Lynne Brick, the president of Planet Fitness Growth Partners and co-founder of Brick Bodies and the John W Brick Mental Health Foundation, shares tips for ensuring your club culture is cultivating leadership. Needless to say, the past two years have been challenging, requiring fluid leadership.
Four Strategies to Boost Member Retention
Nick Thornton, the vice president of sales at Club Automation, shares why improving member retention requires a multifaceted strategy that’s part of your larger club management plan. Retention is and always will be a hot topic for health and fitness clubs. Many people have heard the industry standard statistic that it costs five times more to acquire a new member than it does to retain an existing one.
GoodLife Partners with George Foreman III and Craft Boxing Clubs
Taylor Brown February 21, 2022 GoodLife Fitness has acquired the exclusive Canadian rights to Craft Boxing Clubs and will launch it at their Winnipeg Refinery club location.
The Claremont Club & Spa Partners With Aktiv Recovery and Hyperice
Taylor Brown January 28, 2022 Aktiv Solutions, a leader in amplifying training spaces for health clubs, hotels, multi-family fitness centers and home gyms, FitnessDesignGroup the leader in the dynamic design and supply of commercial training spaces, and Hyperice, the industry leader in recovery technology and pioneer of percussion, vibration, dynamic air compression and thermal technology, have partnered to bring RECOVERY x Hyperice Bays to Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley, California.
Gold’s Gym DC Metro and a Competitive Edge
January 2022 Club of the Month, presented by ABC Fitness Solutions: Gold’s Gym Metro DC, est. 2020 For any business today, it’s vital to have a competitive edge. For Gold’s Gym DC Metro, its competitive edge at 20 locations is derived from servant leadership, an iconic brand and diverse offerings that meet people where they are on their fitness journey.
Using Technology for Future Growth
Mike Alpert January 3, 2022 Mike Alpert, the chief operating officer at Smart Health Clubs, shares how to choose technology platforms that will help your club get to the next level. It would be hard to deny the important role technology plays in the business world today and our industry is no exception. One challenge can be the number of choices you have to consider from club operating systems that manage billing and member management, and mobile and web apps.
Social Media Statistics to Consider for 2022
Taylor Brown December 29, 2021 Using these statistics can help you better understand how to utilize social media platforms to your advantage in 2022. As of October 2021, 4.55 billion people are active on social media according to Kepios, a strategic marketing consultancy. With this is mind, it’s important to have an effective social media strategy in place to reach potential new members in your area of operation.
Meredith DeAngelis: The Bottom Line
Every month, Club Solutions sits down with an industry expert to share in their wealth of knowledge. In the December issue, we sat down with Meredith DeAngelis, the chief marketing officer at Village Health Clubs & Spas. 1. How did you get started in the fitness industry? When I started working in the fitness industry, I was able to combine my passion with my career. I am very competitive, and I love running and cycling.
Is the New Year’s Rush Making a Come Back?
Could this be the first real New Year’s rush in over two years? Club operators weigh in. Pre-pandemic, the New Year’s rush was a time that operators from across the U.S. could expect a windfall of new memberships, with many consumers making resolutions to get fit or adopt healthier habits. However, that trend was disrupted over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, operators are predicting the New Year’s rush could be making a comeback.
Workout Anytime Positioned for Growth
After 19 months of challenges, gym and health club operators are looking forward to new opportunities in 2022. One fitness franchise that has been positioned for future growth is Workout Anytime. “One of our growth strategies is encouraging potential franchisee candidates to speak with current franchisees,” said Terri Harof, the director of franchise development for Workout Anytime.
Les Mills to Launch Premium Boutique Studio Solution
Les Mills November 15, 2021 Les Mills is launching a new boutique studio solution to attract younger audiences into clubs through an emphasis on experience and premium design. With Millennials and Gen Z – dubbed ‘Generation Active’ – now representing 80% of all fitness consumers, LES MILLS Boutique is a turnkey solution designed to help clubs win this key battleground and drive growth as they accelerate out of the pandemic.
Cool Products of IHRSA 2021
From October 13-15, health and fitness professionals gathered in Dallas, Texas, for the 2021 IHRSA International Trade Show. Couldn’t make the live event? Don’t fear. The following are a collection of cool products and services at the show. ACE Fitness The ACE Fitness Studio Owner Toolkit course bundle will give you proven strategies from the top fitness studio brands and the secrets to hiring and keeping engaged employees so your studio can stand out.
Engaging Members Through Wearables
Industry experts share the benefits of offering wearables at your facility and how they can engage your members. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), wearable technology has been a top three trend since it was first introduced to their annual Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends in 2016. While wearables have been around for a while, Craig Eagle, a co-owner of several Snap Fitness locations in Arizona, said they are something to keep on your radar as a gym owner.
Mike Lauer on How to Successfully Expand Locations
Taylor Brown November 2, 2021 This month we sat down with Mike Lauer, the senior vice president of operations at Eat the Frog Fitness about how to successfully expand locations. What are the best practices for opening a new location? Besides real estate itself, there are two critical areas for launching a successful facility: 1. Marketing strategy. Presales is so critical in fitness.
Preparing for a Difficult Conversation
Karen M. Raisch-Siegel, the executive director of LifeWorks of Southwest General, shares how to best prepare for a difficult conversation. Difficult conversations are hard to have but even worse to avoid. These days especially it can be a bit tougher due to someone’s mental state. What was once a normal feedback conversation could turn into a crucial one. Recently I attended a workshop for my organization.
Increased Profits: Just Add Dry Salt Therapy
With growing membership numbers and health trends, increase your club’s profits by adding dry salt therapy to your options. Attract Members Interested in Their Physical, Mental and Respiratory Health After almost two years where people spent most of their days cooped up at home getting very little exercise, fitness resolutions have begun to take on a little more weight as we head into 2022. The fitness industry can attest.
Onboarding: Build a Strong Member Experience from the Start
Brian Rawlings November 1, 2021 The New Year is fast approaching, which means resolution season is almost here. As new and returning members are introduced to clubs, there are opportunities to ensure they have a quality onboarding experience while simultaneously taking steps to protect the wellbeing of your guests, team members and facility. The following are three things to consider when onboarding new and returning members. 1. Use onboarding as a chance to review safety protocols.
FitnessOnDemand Launches New Livestreaming Feature
FitnessOnDemand (FOD) — IHRSA booth #1509 — the leader in on-demand, curated content from some of the world’s most innovative fitness brands and celebrity trainers, this month introduces another global innovation of its own.
Gold’s Gym SoCal: Inside the Aggressive Growth Strategy
Gold’s Gym SoCal, owned and operated by Angel and Willy Banos, recently announced plans to significantly grow its network of clubs in the next four years. The Banos brothers have been Gold’s Gym franchisees for 35 years and currently boast 20 locations throughout Southern California. The growth strategy will kick-off in 2022 with three planned openings. In addition, the franchisees announced plans to renovate and expand several existing locations starting next year.
Webinar: Best Practices for Deploying Technology
MYZONE October 7, 2021 Technology is NOT a strategy. The No. 1 fault for a failing launch of a new technology solution is because so often, technology is confused with strategy. In this webinar, we will discuss just a few tools that will allow you to strategize around a proper customer journey where technology can be the tool to guide you to a successful end game. Presented by Terry Woods, the VP of sales — Americas, at Myzone.
Cryotherapy: Your Club’s Three-Minute Profit Center
Cryo Innovations October 1, 2021 Keith Scheinberg, the founder and CEO of Cryo Innovations, shares the benefits of adding a cryotherapy profit center to your business model. Gyms need financial recovery now more than ever. But business owners can sometimes overlook the lucrative recovery needs of their members. How can recovery-as-a-service help you maintain your current roster while adding a new, consistent profit center for your facility?
ACAC Fitness & Wellness' Optimistic Outlook
The last 18 months have been some of the most challenging in the fitness industry’s history. However, as we near the end of this chapter, and even if there are a few more bumps in the road ahead, many operators are optimistic for the future. This includes the leaders of ACAC Fitness & Wellness, a 12-location, full-service fitness brand with clubs in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Allison Breunig on Best Hiring Practices
Taylor Brown October 1, 2021 This month we sat down with Allison Breunig, the hiring and enculturation manager at Gainesville Health and Fitness, to discuss best hiring practices. What should clubs keep in mind when hiring new employees? We focus on our applicants being a culture fit over anything else. Just because someone has amazing experience, or you really need to hire for a certain position, doesn’t mean they are going to be the right fit for your company.
Continuing Education Opportunities and Certifications
Kiley Mutschler September 8, 2021 In an industry that is ever changing, it is important that your teams are keeping up with continuing education opportunities and even exploring what new certifications are available. Continuous learning is a concept in which you are always working to enhance skills, develop professionally and to expand your knowledge. Not only is this a value to your employee’s career development but to your organization as well.
Cycling Instructors: Racing to the Top
Industry experts share tips for finding top-tier cycling instructors and creating the best indoor cycling experience at your facility. Indoor cycling has become one of the most popular Group X offerings among consumers. As a result, gyms need to put a lot of thought into how to create the best indoor cycling experience in order to compete. At CycleBar — a national chain with more than 200 locations in the U.S. — this begins with having a great, motivating instructor leading the class.
Recap: Ideas for Increasing Profits and Revenues
Taylor Brown August 19, 2021 On August 18, Club Solutions Magazine presented the eighth installment of a monthly virtual roundtable series on thought leadership, surrounding increasing profits and revenues. Panelists included: Robert Brewster, the CEO of The Alaska Club; Shawn Stewart, the founder/CEO of Fuel Fitness; Amita Balla, the regional director of sales, West Coast, at Crunch Fitness – Signature; and Cassie Gallagher, the owner of Avenue Fitness.
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