Clubindustry

Traditionally, at the end of our e-newsletter, Newsbeat, we ask a question in hopes of getting some sort of response to a story that we’re working on. Yesterday, the day of President Barack Obama’s inauguration, we asked you about what you think Obama’s impact as president will mean to the fitness industry.

We’ve been fortunate over the past few months to receive several comments related to stories on our Web site or posts on this blog. (By the way, did you see our new group photo on the blog? It’s our new administration!) But I don’t remember getting responses to the Newsbeat question—or to our stories, or to our blog—this quickly.

We also received a response yesterday to our Hot News story on where Obama might work out as president. Apparently, Obama and the Internet go hand in hand, so when you type “Obama” on the Web, it gets a lot of play.

With that in mind (Obama), we want to ask again (Obama) right here on our blog if you think President Obama (Obama) will have an overall positive or negative effect (Obama) on the fitness industry, related to taxes on business (Obama), passage of legislation in favor of health clubs (Obama), motivating people to begin exercising (Obama), etc.

Feel free to leave a comment.

Obama.

I haven’t written a post here in quite a while, so let me start off the still fairly new year with a quick and light-hearted post.

Today was definitely the day of the Schwartzes. This morning, I had the good fortune of speaking with Alan Schwartz, chairman of TCA Holdings (Midtown Athletic Clubs) who was our Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2007. Alan gave me a lot of good stuff for our upcoming article on staying competitive in a bleak economic climate, such as the one we’re all enjoying right now.

Later, a woman whose last name is Schwartz called me out of the blue to ask about revenue generated from fitness DVD sales. I didn’t have a lot of suggestions for Ms. Schwartz, but if you do, drop me a line.

Then this afternoon, as I was doing some, (ahem), “research” for my story, I saw that the Detroit Lions today hired a guy named Jim Schwartz as their new head coach.

I don’t know about you, but I’m all Schwartz-ed out.

With the holidays behind us, we’re turning our attention to the February issue and the challenges of the coming year. In interviewing people for an article on wellness for the next issue, I’m struck by how important this topic is for many Americans, especially considering the state of the economy. As one woman I spoke to pointed out, fitness and wellness may be things people give up first when they’re strapped for cash or time, though really, that’s when we need them the most. Who couldn’t use some help with stress reduction?

Coming from a natural health background myself (it was my beat at Mother Earth News magazine when I worked there), I’ve been resonating with the way these sources are defining wellness as a body, mind and spirit connection. A more holistic, preventative approach may be what we need to redefine the true meaning of health. If we don’t address issues with the mind and spirit, as well as the body, it’s like treating pain without addressing the cause. But if we examine the emotional and spiritual factors contributing to ill health, perhaps we’ll have more success managing the physical aspects of fitness. What types of wellness programming are you considering for the year ahead at your clubs?

Now that January is upon us, many of you are seeing your January rush. But is that rush as big this year as last? If not, perhaps you are looking for some help. I’ve done a search on our Web site for some of the most helpful articles you might want to read about, issues such as lead generation, marketing, retention and cost cutting. Check these out for information that I think could help you improve your January and your full 2009:

Leads, Leads, Leads

Free Reports Equal Increased Revenue

Develop a Marketing Plan

Breaking the Marketing Mold in 2004

25 Creative Marketing Ideas for Your Club

Guidebook to Success

Diagnosing Financial Failure

Marketing with Little or No Money

Seven Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

Internal Marketing: Six Ways to Uncover the Gold Mine in Your Club

Eight Deadly Marketing Sins

The Retention Plan

Membership Retention for Fitness Clubs

Also, later this month, our Web site will include several articles related to how to survive in this economy, so stay tuned for more help!