Half of the people that join an exercise program will quit in 6 months, so what are you going to do to make them return again and again?
We know you’ve covered the basics, and you know your business has the potential to go far. Now you may be wondering what can you add on to your existing gym to stand out. Most fitness buffs are looking for that novelty experience that they can’t find anywhere else... And they’re willing to pay and drive the extra mile to experience it.
Simple improvements to your fitness center could make you the most popular gym in your area and retain more and more members. We’ve rounded up the 7 things your gym should have in order to reach your full potential.
Fresh, clean, well-kept equipment
As much as this seems like a no-brainer, nothing will destroy your business potential faster than a review stating your gym is dirty. Maintaining a properly cleaned gym should be your number one priority. Installing dispensers with disinfecting wipes will allow for members to quickly clean off equipment after using.
Also, keep a close eye on the durability of your equipment. If your machines have stuffing falling out of the padding, or scrapes and damage that clients will see, it’s worth repairing the equipment or buying something more long withstanding. Keep up with product releases that may be fitting to your health center. If a $500 piece of equipment will retain $20,000 worth of members, it’s absolutely worth it.
Save room for the 5PM gym goer
Before you cram equipment and tools into your health center, focus on creating space. It can be tempting to want to fill up your fitness center with sparkling new equipment – but avoid this tactic if there’s an irregular traffic flow in your club.
Think about how frustrating it is for those who can only go to the gym at the busy 5 p.m. mark. If your gym is overstuffed with equipment and clients, most people won’t bother showing up if it means they can’t get a good workout in. If you’re worried about a lot of people waiting around for equipment, invest in free weights and barbells they can take to an open area to perform other workouts.
If your gym is truly too full with little room to move without bumping into people or machines, it may result in a loss of client memberships.
Group training classes
Group training has become the new happy hour. If you’re not offering unique, targeted group training at your gym, you’re missing out on a market of friends, coworkers, and family members. The appeal of group training is that is provides a perfect chance to socialize while ticking off the box for getting a workout it.
With innovations like ClassPass, group training won’t slow down in 2018.
The range of classes you offer is up to you. From HIIT (2018’s #1 predicted health and fitness trend!) to cycling, barre, yoga, boxing, are some of the most popular and filled classes.
Qualified personal trainers
Finding the right personal trainers for your fitness center may seem like a daunting task, but it helps put a name and a face to your club that keeps clients invested in you. They are the knowledge and motivation behind your club, and they help bring in a new wave of customers that aren’t ready to hit the gym without some guidance.
Spending time to vet candidates that offer something completely unique to your fitness center is a smart investment.
Wellness & holistic health professionals
Another potential hire you should make for your gym is finding a professional health and wellness expert. Diet and exercise are key to making the largest changes in your health, having a contracted holistic health professional will prove to pay out in the long run.
Holistic health professionals incorporate many aspects of wellness into weekly or monthly sessions. Topics and areas of focus include your spiritual, intellectual, social mental, and environmental health. If clients tend to notice your gym is not only helping in shaping their body but their mind, you’ve successfully leveraged the wellness trend to gain new leads.
Syncable equipment for wearable tech
Wearable tech won’t be going anywhere anytime soon – that’s why you can make your gym specifically stand out by investing in equipment that allows for Bluetooth or syncing capabilities. Two-way data exchange will allow for your members to see in real time their speed, pace, caloric burn rate, and other measurements. Apple Watches and FitBits have already taken to the sync, but we think using your gym’s app to connect with equipment would be an equally impressive quality to provide at your gym.
Body composition testing
Giving clients a chance to look at their body from the inside out coincides with the overall health and wellness trends we’re seeing dominate the market. It’s important you’re investing in a 3D body imaging software that can help your personal trainers map out exercise plans for clients.
3D body composition software lets your clients view in exact detail every measurement on their body, along with fat percentage. If your trainers are still using tape measures or calipers, it’s time to switch over to a method that will dazzle and entice potential and current clients.
