As a season change is right around the corner, what will you do to mix things up within your health club environment? I have a few thoughts for you. Check out the video below!

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Lindsey Rainwater is an experienced consultant and coach  to the fitness and wellness industry.  She specializes in business development and leadership. Currently she is working with the Fitmarc Team helping Health Club owners all over the south central region of the united states propel their business forward via group exercise solutions.  For more information about Lindsey, follow her @lindseyrainh2o 

Lindsey Rainwater, Consultant and Coach to the Fitness and Wellness Industry

What's your favorite restaurant?  And why do you go there?  

The other night my boyfriend and I were firming up our evening plans, we were feeling low key and decided dinner and movie sounded like the perfect evening.  We enjoy going out for Pho and go to our favorite little hole in the wall family owned spot about once a week.  

The movie theatre we were planning to go to was next door to another pho spot, but we did not eat there.  We drove across town and went to the pho spot where we know Tony, and he knows us.  You see, every time I am out of town he asks where I was and how my trip was, we have a relationship with these folks.  I find it fascinating that we will drive across town to visit Tony, for Pho vs. go wherever is most convenient.

Relationships really do influence our purchasing decisions, and more over the consistency of the combination of service and relationships usually makes a lasting relationship between business and customer. 

So how did the relationship start?

Well that is a simple answer, Tony asked us our names, and we asked him what his was.

Our names are our identity, the title we offer the world and one of the most personal ways to go from stranger to friend.  

I had to laugh thinking about the fact that we went so far out of our way for a bowl of soup just to be in the environment we preferred.

Why? Because Tony creates an experience for us at his restaurant simply by knowing our names and addressing us when we visit him.

I ask you today, how many new members or strangers can you make friends by asking their name?  

Better yet- how many staff members can you inspire to do the same?   

A little food for thought- make names a priority. 

Let me know, Lindsey Rainwater what your experiences are around learning names. 

It’s a beautiful day in your neighborhood! As Mr. Rogers would say!

What a great television show so many of us grew up watching, Mr. Rogers had it right, it is a beautiful day, let’s enjoy our neighbors company. 

I know what you are thinking, where am I going with this?!

Neighborhoods and the community within more specifically is what I have been thinking about.  Each neighborhood has a specific community and culture that comes out of it.  Depending on the geography and who lives there, all different activities are born out of this “neighborhood” concept.

Let’s take for instance the neighborhood that sits on a park. That park generates activities all by itself that people living there engage in.  Walks in the park, getting up early to run the park, Sunday afternoons, at the park.  You see what I mean; the park plays a role in facilitating a community.  So my question to you today is this.  What are you doing to engage your neighborhood in your community? Are you a fitness center in the community that is not tapping into your neighborhood? If your facility is on a park, do you use the park as part of your marketing plan to reach new members?

It is important for us in the fitness industry to think of ways to engage our members and meet them where they are.  And sometimes that means literally, where they are, their park! Come to them, draw them in from their natural setting and show them how great your community is! It does not have to be a park; it serves as a nice example.  But more over, find out about the people, places and things that your members are a part of, and get involved! This way, when that new member is checking you out and sizing you up against your competition, you have already met them outside of your 4 walls in the community, and it is a no brainer for them to join you, after all, we do business with friends more confidently than strangers.  

I would love to hear from you! Tell me, Lindsey Rainwater, what do you do to bring your neighborhood into your Fitness Center?