Clubindustry

Trade shows are always a busy few days of meetings, seminars, exhibitor visits and more that tend to blur together after awhile. I always feel as if I’ve been in a whirlwind after even just one day at a trade show. Well, I guess it’s only appropriate that on Tuesday, the day that I arrived in San Francisco for the IHRSA show, the city greeted me with a blustery wind that my cabbie assured me was unusual for the city.

I spent my first afternoon here with a quick visit to the Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood City, CA (one of the Western Athletic Clubs). A few weeks ago, I interviewed Jim Gerber Sr., owner of Western Athletic Clubs, for an Executive Insights that will appear in our April issue. I was lucky enough on Tuesday afternoon to tour the Pacific Athletic Club with Jim Gerber Jr., who works at that facility. The facility was impressive from the stone-floored lobby with a nearby restaurant and cafe to the four pools, tennis courts, spin room, aerobics room, mind/body studio, child care area and Kids Club area, stretching room and cardio and strength areas. I saw many mothers with children in strollers at 3 pm at the club. It’s a very family-oriented club and a model of many of WAC’s new facilities.

It was a great way to start my first day in San Francisco, which is one of my favorite cities in the country to visit–even with the windy greeting!-Pam

Well, Stuart and I have safely arrived in San Francisco despite, I think it’s fair to say, a terrifying cab ride from the airport to our hotel downtown. I know cab drivers never have the best reputation for being “safe,” but this guy seemed as though he was auditioning for Speed 3: License to Die. Also, the motto on the back of his baseball cap (which I tried focusing on to not get sick from the San Fran landscape blurring by us at light speed) did nothing to ensure that we were in safe hands. It read, “I’m feeling lucky.” Thankfully Stuart and I were lucky enough to arrive at our hotel in one piece.

After checking in, we hit the streets and managed to find the Moscone Convention Center despite our mutual and self-admitted lack of a sense of direction. There we met up with Pam and Gregory Florez, our monthly Focus on Technology columnist, and his wife. Greg had just finished leading a session on wellness and was very impressed with the crowd’s well-informed questions. After discussing technology and it’s relationship with wellness we all parted ways, happy to have spent some time together in person and not just on the phone. We really are pretty lucky to be here. –Jennipher

So the staff of Club Industry‘s Fitness Business Pro is off for yet another road trip. This time we‘re all leaving on a jet plane (although we know when we‘ll be back again) for the city of sourdough, twisty roads and cable cars, not to mention the Golden Gate Bridge and, for this entire week, enough fitness professionals to run a small (albeit, very fit) city.

In case you can‘t attend this year‘s IHRSA show, we‘ll cover all the major happenings on this blog including seminars, keynotes, receptions, new product announcements, the trade show floor and any other fun things that happen along the way.

Today though, Stuart and I are working diligently on the April issue and getting things as ready as possible for our issue deadline next week. Once we get back from the show we have two full days to get everything to the printer. It‘ll be a push, but we‘ll get it done! (We‘ve also allocated some room in the issue to cover the happenings at the show, keeping the mag as current as possible.)

So, keep checking the blog often! We all plan on blogging at least once a day. Ta ta for now - “see” you in San Fran! -Jennipher

I appreciate that my boss, Pam Kufahl, tried to make me look good while I was out of the office for a couple of days battling the stomach flu. Pam said that I was still calling and e-mailing contacts by my computer at home.

Truth be told, I did a little e-mailing and made a couple of calls. But this illness knocked me down like no other in recent memory. I‘ve trudged through head colds and sore throats before, but the stomach flu is one body blow from which you just can‘t recover quickly enough.

The good thing is I lost a few pounds, which gave me an idea on a new weight-loss plan. Call it “The Stu Flu.” Follow these five easy steps: 1. Get violently ill. 2. Eat only crackers. 3. Drink plenty of Sprite/7-Up. 4. Don‘t move a whole lot. 5. Repeat.

For other recommendations, consult your physician. - Stuart

So, what do you think is going to happen with Bally? As we reported last week, Bally didn’t have a whole lot of good news when it held its conference call with analysts last week. Management at the public company, which has been staving off bankruptcy and searching for a buyer for about two years now, basically threw up their hands in the call and said they weren’t sure what they had (as far as membership numbers go) or whether they would be able to continue without filing for reorganization. Of course, many in the industry suspected this early on, but then, people I spoke to were suggesting that with former CEO Paul Toback gone and new board members on board, the company might pull a turnaround without a bankruptcy filing. It still could happen, but for Bally interim Chairman Don Kornstein to admit that bankruptcy might be a possibility says to me that it’s a probability.

The company hasn’t turned a profit since 2001, and it missed the deadline to file its 2006 annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week partially due to errors the company found in its membership numbers. Kornstein said he expects membership revenue would be down 3 percent (about $25 million less than 2005). Bally needs some understanding from its creditors, and I don’t know that its creditors have any “understanding” left.

However, a reorganization might not be a bad thing for the company. If done properly, it could pull this once powerful player back into prime position once again.

To deal with current woes, Bally CEO Barry Elson said that the company would layoff some employees, renegotiate rents and close underperforming clubs.

Our managing editor, Stuart Goldman, is working on this story for the April issue–even fighting through the flu to continue reporting on this subject (sitting at his home computer with a hot cup of liquid by his side as he makes phone calls and e-mails contacts).

Feel free to comment on your thoughts about Bally and its possible bankruptcy by clicking on the comment button below. - Pam

I’m all for freedom of speech. In fact, I think that’s one of the main reasons for the press. Whether or not blogs are actually the press is questionable, but blogs do make it easy for everyone to express their opinions.

On the one hand, I applaud that. On the other hand, it can sometimes make me cringe. You see, I went to journalism school where I was taught that you can’t personally attack people with the words like “side-show carnies” and you must have verification for any claims that you make against others.

We’ve had some strong comments posted recently about the blog I wrote about Manny Butera and his company’s bankruptcy. I plan to check out the claims made in these comments. I will let you know whether or not they prove valid.

However, for now, I ask that in the future, comments on this blog be made in a professional manner. If you don’t want to put your name on something, perhaps you should reconsider what you are submitting to be read by the fitness world.

I suggest that e-mails alleging illegalities be submitted directly to the editors rather than left anonymously online. It will take us time to check out the details, but I promise that we will do so. -Pam

It really is true that your best work happens outside of the office.

Case in point: a recent run at my local track. A long-time, self-diagnosed workoutaholic, I was spending a beautiful Saturday morning running a few laps in preparation for an upcoming 10K race. After running a few miles on the cushioned track in solitude, a group of 12 decked out in head-to-toe camouflage fatigues joined my “ranks” (military pun intended). After quickly surveying the scene to make sure no official military action or invasion was taking place in Kansas (silly, I know), I finally clued in to what this diverse group of ages and races was doing: their physical readiness tests or PRTs.

After covering military fitness for the magazine for more than two years, I like to consider myself fairly knowledgeable about each branch‘s requirements and programs. However, I‘d never had the opportunity to see an actual fitness test up close and personal (and without government clearance!). It was serendipitous to say the least.

So, the troops lined up at the starting line for their 2-mile run. And, once their sergeant yelled “Go!” they were off. Some faster than others. A couple of the younger and obviously in-shape guys sprinted off and easily finished the run in under 15 minutes. (I decided to time them after they lapped me, not once but twice.) However, some of the older, heavier soldiers took a bit longer. In fact, after just a lap or two they started walking. I imagine that because some of them were older, they probably had higher ranks in the military and were pretty distinguished. Yet, here they were…at the high school track…unable to run even half a mile.

I have spoken with countless military fitness professionals whose sole job is to prepare soldiers, airmen, etc. for this exact thing. They‘ve always said it isn‘t easy–you can only motivate and train someone to a certain extent; eventually the client has to take charge of their fitness. While in a normal health club a person might just fail to renew their membership, a servicemember doesn‘t really have that luxury. They either make the cut, go on probation or get kicked out entirely. (Granted, I have no idea what the past PRT history of these runners is and if this was their first or final attempt to pass the PRT, so the direness of this particular test is still up in the air. However, for added drama, let‘s assume it‘s the walkers‘/runners‘ final chance.)

Here comes the warm fuzzy: Instead of the finishers quietly stretching or watching the last three guys and gals hurrying against time to the best of their ability out on the track, about five of them went out to the other side of the track and ran alongside the winded runners/walkers shouting words of encouragement as they paced them.

This outwardly team-oriented cheerleader behavior really struck me. I have to be honest; it warmed my heart. And sure enough, all three of those in danger of failing picked up their pace and crossed the finish line within their age and gender adjusted time. Once each one did, the team shouted and cheered.

Imagine how the health of the average American might change if every deconditioned layperson got this sort of attention and response when it comes to exercise. My time on the track showed me that everyone needs a cheerleader every now and again–even the military. –Jennipher

Arnold Schwarzenegger must be reading our blog.

Last week, I tried to needle the California governor in his once-chiseled ribs about the Golden State‘s not having a law that protects women-only fitness clubs. I thought it was ironic that a state whose governor is a former Mr. Universe would not go out of its way to better serve its citizens in terms of health and fitness.

But give the Governator props for this: A bill was recently introduced in the California Assembly that would give businesses there a tax credit equal to 10 percent on the amount they spend to improve the fitness of their employees. This, apparently, is a reflection of a goal set by Schwarzenegger in January to extend health insurance coverage to California‘s 6.5 million uninsured residents as well as bring down treatment costs through disease prevention. If the bill passes through the Assembly and Senate, it goes to Schwarzenegger‘s desk. I‘m betting he‘ll sign it.

Whether or not Schwarzenegger reads our blog–and I‘m betting on the NOT side this time–I‘d still like to have him come to the IHRSA show in San Francisco later this month. The drive from Sacramento is not even two hours, and I‘m betting he wouldn‘t have to get behind the wheel. -Stuart

We found out Thursday that we‘re up for a Maggie Award, one of the highest honors in the magazine business. I‘d like to thank all the little people for making this possible. Really, it‘s an honor to be nominated, as long as we win.

The top news story in our March issue focuses on the challenges that some women-only clubs have faced in the state of California regarding gender discrimination. The story includes plenty of viewpoints as well as the challenges that some other clubs have faced. (A million dollars goes to the first person that comes across the word “transvestite” in the story.)

It‘s ironic that a state where the governor is Arnold Schwarzenegger - at one time the model of fitness in America - would have trouble making people (especially women) feel comfortable about improving their health. If Ah-nold were my governor, I‘d expect my state to do everything it could to promote the health and well-being of every citizen.

I couldn‘t reach Phillip Kottle, the man who filed separate complaints against two women-only clubs, for the story. Nor could I reach Shannon Hartnett, the owner of the Body Central club in Santa Rosa, CA, that was one of Kottle‘s targets. My thanks to the good people at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat for their background information and for covering this case so closely. It‘s always nice to count on good, strong newspaper people.

Because Body Central closed its doors, you have to wonder if Hartnett was simply ready to move on after owning the club for 10 years. From what I‘ve read, she was looking to sell the club anyway.

This was not the first time Hartnett had been embroiled in controversy. A one-time weightlifter, Hartnett received a two-year suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency in 2005 after testing positive for steroids. Hartnett had been training in Omaha, NE, with plans to compete in a powerlifting championship earlier this month.

That competition in Columbus, OH, was part of what is called the Arnold Sports Festival, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. Go figure. -Stuart

We got the March issue out on Tuesday, so it should be arriving at your club and here on this Web site in a couple of weeks.

This was my maiden voyage into the production of a magazine. I had written for a magazine before and I‘ve read parts of other magazines before, but I had never before seen the completion of a monthly issue from start to finish.

I would put the magazine publishing process somewhere between working on a newspaper and working on a book. To put it in fitness layman‘s terms, if a newspaper is like a sprint and a book is like a marathon, then a magazine is more like a 5K or a 10K. I have never entered a sprint, a marathon or a 5K or 10K, but that‘s the best analogy I can come up with at this time.

The good thing about this process was we didn‘t have any all-nighters. That was in large part to the hard work of everybody in production, especially Jen Shaver, Jen Ray and my boss, Pam Kufahl. Today is Pam‘s birthday, by the way, and she decided to take the day off. We celebrated yesterday by giving her a bunch of unhealthy food, which is still on her desk. I‘ve already raided her stash this morning and maybe later today I can rummage around the rest of her office to see where she hides the really good stuff.

My contribution to the foray of goodies was a box of Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnuts. I didn‘t tell anybody in the office this, but I also bought a couple of whole wheat Krispy Kremes, which may be the best invention since Tylenol put both daytime and nighttime cold medicine in the same box.

I wouldn‘t advise your club members to start pounding down the doughnuts, but if they do indulge, tell them to go whole wheat. After all, they‘re only 180 calories each. Actually, you really have to take that with a grain of sugar, because that‘s just 20 fewer calories than the original glazed doughnuts, and the fat content is still sky high (17 percent of the daily value, according to the nutritional facts on the Krispy Kreme Web site).

That should give your members all the more incentive to work out even harder. Right? -Stuart