Why why WHY, are you doing what you are doing? 

Two years ago at IHRSA one of my favorite talks of all time, Simon Sinek's "start with Why" was featured as the Keynote.  His message is critical to many industries but ESPECIALLY to the fitness and wellness space.  Knowing why a health club exists is not only critical to survival in this climate of ever changing business, it is also increasingly obvious that the club itself is not the only resource for an a healthy lifestyle.  

As IHRSA is approaching again in the coming weeks, I am anticipating what this year will bring.  I am wondering about the message Simon delivered two years ago, has the "WHY" made it's way into the "what we do"?  

Check out Simon's video below, this particular clip has been shortened from the original.  

"People do not buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it." -Simon Sinek

Simon's timeless message is of particular value considering the largest and most critical changes that are current for the fitness industry.  Technology has reached the point of saturation that participation is increasingly not optional.  Today's consumer has just as many tools to stay and get fit/healthy as do health clubs. The tipping point is coming, the why for the consumer is changing and the fitness industry's ability to flex with what is coming is critical to the future of the industy. 

If you are interested in the movers and shakers in the space of technology connected Why's, check out Fit-C.  I have mentioned this group before, but today especially they are top of mind as the webinar that aired today spoke to this topic specifically.  For more information on Fit-C or to listen back to the webinar from today click here.  

I urge you, as you look at your calendar and plan for IHRSA this year, be on the lookout for tools to enhance your clubs WHY adding to your members experience and truly changing lives!

cheers!

Lindsey 

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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 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 

Pretend with me for a moment that you are a person that just joined a health club to start working towards your fitness goals in the new year.  You purchased a wearable fitness device, you are tracking  daily nutrition and activity.  Now, you walk up to the elliptical, select an option and start moving.  Then a disconnect occurs, the machine is reporting to you what is happening on the monitor and so is the wearable on your wrist, the activity is being tracked twice, but not syncing. You begin to wonder why?

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At the center of what I am discussing is connectivity ability.  Consumers are purchasing wearable devices and measuring their daily activity while exercising at health clubs and at this point the consumer is not able to easily connect or sync their device with equipment in the gym.  

This presents a large gap in our industry and consumer understanding.  The places to go exercise are not connecting technologically to what the consumer is using to track their activites.  What an incredible opportunity!  to create apps and systems within fitness equipment that starts to connect actual workouts with tracking systems.

I am not the only one thinking about this dilemma.  Thought leaders at the Fitness Technology Council (Fit-C) are working hard to develop and promote technology standards for fitness equipment.  You can team up with them by joining their council.  

In an era where Quantified Self  is becoming a highly used term, the internet of things is driving consumers activity.  The Fitness industry has room to respond with connected equipment and more technology centered functions to meet the consumers needs.  

If you are interested in purchasing a wearable device it is becoming easier to decide which one to go with.  The Warby Parker Style try on system  for wearables, Lumoid gives you the ability to check out each product individually to see which one fits your fancy! 

It is very exciting to be a part of the ever expanding fitness industry, wearables and connectivity is a large opportunity and one I look forward to seeing traction in the coming months and years. 

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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 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