Kelly Boen of Slender Lady in Cypress, TX writes:
"Tip: Game: My members like to play bingo. Each member gets a bingo card and I display them on the wall, each day I draw 3 numbers. When they come to workout for the day I cross out their number on their card. Whoever gets a line drawn first, makes an X or 4 corner square, gets to pick a prize like t-shirt, water bottle or towel."
++++++++++++++
Debbie Bayliss of Slender Lady Alexandria, VA writes:
"Tip: We've been doing a 99 days for $99 special for the slower summer months which have brought in some business. We're hoping they roll over into a full membership in the fall."
++++++++++++++
Ann Price of Contours Express in Grove City, OH writes:
"Tip: Identify a member who would be a good 'walking billboard' for weight loss/fitness, such as someone who is very active in and influencial with community organizations, schools, church, etc. Typically, this person is active in fund-raising for some cause, so offer to make a donation to a cause for pounds lost. Here's what I'm doing: For a minimum of 20 pounds, I will donate $5 to the local Football Mothers' Club, with $10 for each addition pounds up to 30 more. When this influential community person has lost 50 pounds, she'll feel great, the Mothers' Club will have a donation, I'll get a lot of business!"
++++++++++++++
Carla Turner of Shape Up! Fitness Center in Lucerne Valley, CA writes:
"Tip: To keep the girls mind off of the fact that they are exercising we will play catch phrase. I read the questions and the answers and ask each what they think the answer is. They are done before they know it. We also have an area to borrow fitness and health magazines. We have inspirational sayings on the walls, like 'To have a friend, be a friend.' I try to rotate and post different fitness information."
++++++++++++++
Terry Aitken Flying Hills Fitness Center in Reading, PA writes:
"Tip: Prospective members make some sort of decision when walking into your facility within four SECONDS! It is usually before you have a chance to open your mouth! Is your facility making silent positive impressions? Your reception area is critical; take a look at it as if it were the first time. What is it telling you? An employee RULE is: if the door opens, look up. Simple, effective. Show every person some dignity and acknowledge their presence. Your sales ratios will improve."
++++++++++++++
Carla Turner of Shape Up! Fitness Center in Lucerne Valley, CA writes:
"Tip: I am setting up a table with different food choices, mostly packaged (granola bars, wheat thins 100 cal, special K bars, drink choices) so they won't spoil, also a local fast food restaurants' chicken sandwich and have the nutritional information next to them so that members can see the difference of their choices. I am asking members if they have any favorite, good for you food choices that we can share with everyone else. The members love to be involved! I am asking for recipes and we will create our own Shape Up! Cookbook. Maybe we will sell them and give the profits to a local organization or the school. We are a small town. 8000 people."
++++++++++++++
Robin of It Figures! Fitness Center in Urbana, Ohio writes:
"Tip: We own a women's only gym. We put up a suggestion box where you earn cash for making POSITIVE suggestions for improving the club appearance, improving the workout, improving the member retention. We have implimented such great ideas as a "secret sister program" where participating members draw the name of another member who works out in the same time slot. (7:30 to 10:00, 10 to 1, 3-5 or 6-8) During the year, the women send cards with fitness tips, encouragement, motivation ideas and more. It's great, because THE SECRET SISTER PROGRAM develop relationships that increase membership retention! As the result of a tip we have also contacted a local beauty salon and asked them to provide our club restrooms with FREE HAIRCARE PRODUCTS, which has their salons advertising on it. This way members have haircare products to use, and the salon has low cost advertising. This has improved our club appearance during the sales presentations because we offer a "cut above the rest!" So, as you can see, it PAYS to ask!"
++++++++++++++
Trish Kleinfelder of The Body Shop in Silver Creek, NY writes:
"Tip: Contact your local college to find an intern in the health and wellness field. They will work with your members for free as part of their education requirements. They can do nutritional counseling, work-out tips, help elderly members, etc. Saves the owner a ton of money and gets fresh ideas to members."
++++++++++++++
Ruthanne Gold-Winters of An Oasis For Women Health Club in Oregon writes:
"Tip: Take advantage of secondary sales, sell water, health snacks, tee shirts water bottles, as well as having a branded product just for your clients, such as skin care, make up, jewelry. I have monthly parties promoting my products. Women love to mingle and meet new friends. Have food and drink. I also promote a small gift if they bring a friend that isn't part of the club yet.I also have encouragement gifts... if you come 3 times a week for 8 weeks you'll get a nice gift basket where you can give your clients a feeling of encouragement."
++++++++++++++
Aimee Mussett of Silhouette Fitness in Pemberton, BC Canada writes:
"Tip: When sending welcome letters or christmas cards (or some other correspondence) to members, include a coupon for another profit centre. Example, 10% off a clothing purchase coupon with a welcome new member letter."
++++++++++++++
Virginia Reynolds of Contours Express in Oak Ridge writes:
"Tip: We do not allow children under 13 in our gym for insurance reasons, but since we are a women's only gym that has been problematic. Many of our members comment that they dread the summer time because they don't have a way to get away from the kids and into the gym. I set up a Kidz Pool program to allieviate this problem. The members all know each other pretty well, so they trust each other with their children for as little as thirty minutes. They sign up and are matched to another member with the same problem and are able to maintain their workout consistency through any breaks in the school year."
++++++++++++++
Jill Gunsaulies of It Figures! Fitness in Urbana Ohio writes:
"This month we are trying to have a spin off of the Deal Or No Deal show. We are offering a game with the top prize being a $100 Visa gift card, but the "banker" can offer things such as free months, sweatshirts, tee shirts, tote bags, or other goodies for the clients willing to "sell their envelope" (we chose envelopes because they are much cheaper than suitcases). We have 20 envelopes that someone can pick from which are set up much like the show on television, with all prizes being between .01 and $100.00. Clients choose their envelope and then have to open additional ones just like on the show. We are having clients fill out a questionnaire for a random drawing to be a contestant, clients can earn additional contestant spots if they invite a guest to the gym. (One appearance for every person that a client has join!) This is fun for everyone. We have a "lucky case" game going too, where gym members who are friends or family of the contestant can come and cheer them on, while having a chance to win something if they choose the lucky case. Just a fun way to break up the summer here at It Figures! Fitness, I am not however shaving my head!!! Jill
++++++++++++++
DO YOU HAVE A GYM OWNER TIP THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SUBMIT? CLICK ON THE "SUBMIT A TIP" LINK AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE! |
