Why These Health Club Owners Became Believers

Last year, I posted my thoughts on an article written by Barry Klein and Rob Bishop, owners of Elevations Health Club in Scotrun, PA, as they contemplated the pros and cons of pre-packaged group fitness.  In that post, I shared my experience with the Les Mills Group Fitness System from my point of view, both as an instructor and as a multi-site group fitness manager.  My thoughts focused around the development of instructors, and how pre-packaged group fitness offers unparallelled training and educational opportunities, both of which are crucial to an instructor's success. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was reading through Athletic Business again and saw a follow up article by Barry and Rob - this one titled, "Health Club Owners New Believers in Pre-Packaged Group Fitness."  Since their article just about a year ago, these gentlemen have experienced the value that a well planned and executed program can bring to a fitness facility.  Here are the reasons, according to Rob and Barry, that pre-packaged group fitness is a good value:

• "You cannot afford to recreate the marketing materials that they put at your disposal."
• "You can't train your instructors as well as they can."
• "Your young instructors will love it."
• "They have systems that you don't."
• "You are part of the community."

Are there any other facilities out there that have experience with pre-packaged group fitness?  What are your thoughts on this area of your business?  Contact me, Kelli Hatton, and let me know!