Over the past decade consumer choices have changed tremendously around how to join a Health Club.  In the old days, health club memberships were sold in small closing offices with big contracts, often scary closing pitches and a no way out clause.  Thank goodness those days are over, the softer and friendlier "month to month" agreements are now in place, but now an even more progressive consumer controlled way of joining clubs has come along. 

Check out ClassPass, if you have not already heard of this show stopper of a platform, check it out! 

"For $79, you'll have your pick of classes to choose from, including cycling, yoga, Pilates, barre, strength training, bootcamp, dance, and so much more. Plus, we’re adding new studios and classes each and every week.  

Commitment not your thing? Cancel anytime". -ClassPass

I am not the only one talking about the platform, visionary Bryan O'Rourke had this to say.

"Technology is creating a tsunami of business model innovation and Class Pass is but one example. Competitors in the health club and fitness space should prepare for the opportunities and threats that are arising because significant change is upon us all. We have certainly entered a new era". -Bryan O'Rourke 

I could not agree more with what Bryan is saying here! the traditional health club membership model is changing significantly. As consumers are more and more empowered to have what they want when they want it, as an industry we are going to continue to see consumers create the reality of the market. 

What do you think, how will classpass and membership models like this impact our industry?

Reply here, send me your thoughts! 

And! take a moment to complete the survey bellow.

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 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 

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 

Freedom! 

To exercise from your living room and have an interactive experience just as if you were at your neighborhood gym! 

I am highly fascinated with the ways that technology is enhancing our day to day lives, technology allows us to be more connected than ever in very savvy and conscious ways. 

One of my favorite ways technology is demonstrating this said connectivity is through virtual delivery fitness experiences.  I write about this topic often and am very much in favor of people joining our industry and becoming wellness consumers.  Virtual offerings are bringing new people to the industry and expanding our reach into new places creating more healthy lives!

I have compiled a list of virtual fitness platforms that any person that owns a smart phone, tablet or computer can access and have a fitness experience from their living room.  

1. Wello Workouts allow you to pick when and where you want to workout and all you need is a webcam and internet to get started.  A personal training will walk you through your workout through a live video stream and since they can see you it acts much like an in person training session.  They also offer group to join so you can cheer on teammates! A totally fun way to get moving from home with hands on support. 

2. Fitocracy offers private coaching covering fitness assessment, nutritional plan, workouts and accountability.  Based only our goals you scan through and select a trainer that fits best with your desired results.  From there it is an easy process of connecting with your coach and creating your plan! I personally love the look and feel of this platform. 

3. Daily Burn comes in all shapes and sizes! After you choose your desired results and times per week you would like to workout, you are assigned a program and trainer that will help you achieve your goals! I love that Daily Burn offers heart rate monitors that can be synced with the workouts so you can see what your heart rate is and the trainer can coach you per your HR.  

4. Bodee Fit offers workouts you can do without equipment! With custom training packages ranging in between 4-12 weeks you can get your tailor maid workout with them! They have other training packages available and do a great job of explaining what online coaching/training is and if it is right for you.  

The elevation of the human connection with technology as the vehicle allows for breakthrough new ways to get fit and stay fit. Do you use a virtual/online workout platform? 

I welcome feedback and would love to hear what's working for you!

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 

I laughed as I typed that title...

click on Infograph to see source article

We have entered a new era, one of empowered customer choices and complete consumer disruption resulting in customer control.

I love disruption!

Maybe it's hardwired into me to ask many question and get to the truth before I buy in, but I am noticing that I am not the only one taking my business to the company’s that might be less popular but really, give the consumer what they want and keep caring after the sale.

This past weekend I experienced this very circumstance with my cell phone provider.

I stopped into a retail store to make a simple change to my account and inquire about an upcoming upgrade that I was eligible for.  I would have loved to handle this over the phone, but the customer service experience varies from phone to in person, so I decided to go to source vs. wasting my time on the phone (experience teaches).

 An hour later I ended up leaving the store irritated, frustrated and ready to take action.  I went up the street to a neighboring service provider to see if maybe there was a chance I could get what I wanted with the “little guy”.

Thirty minutes later I left that store with not only what I wanted in my hand, but more than I had expected.  My loyalty to the brand that I had been with for 10 years went out the window in 30 minutes because I was in control and took my business to a company that aligned with what I most wanted. Did I mention they were super nice and got to know me personally?

So the question: why do big companies still think they are in charge?

Haven’t they gotten the message yet that they work for US, the consumer?

Regardless of what industry, consumer choices create your reality.

Where I choose to spend my money creates the business's success, so the notion that CEO’s or owners are in charge, well that’s just not true.  The Customer controls the market and the success of the company.

I believe disruptive consumer momentum is radically exciting, giving the opportunity for the consumer to take 100% responsibility for what they really want and change the face of companies all over the world.

What do you think, exciting or terrifying? 

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