Facilities: Page 615

Swimsuit Issues

Drag, buoyancy, water-repellence -- they all affect how an athlete moves through water, but money too influences what the world's top swimmers choose to wear in competition.

USA's 2004 Summer Olympic swimmers outfitted in Speedo suits

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Why Sprung's Athletic Facilities Are in a League of Their Own

Sprung Structures

The cost and timelines associated with conventional concrete, tilt-up and steel buildings are excessive, and that’s where we come in. Sprung structures are particularly popular for housing gymnasiums, swimming pools, ice rinks and pickleball courts.

Why Sprung's Athletic Facilities Are in a League of Their Own

Media & Technology

Equipment Advances Can Advance Sport And Irrevocably Alter It

New technology touches everything -- balls, bats, racquets, skates, even wheelchairs -- and can both advance sport and irrevocably alter it.

Swiss curling team at the 2002 Winter Olympics

Move That Body

Offering everything from salsa to striptease, the fitness industry catches a case of dance fever.

A dance fitness class

Healthy Choice

Savvy administrators in state-of-the-art facilities are turning campus rec into a wellness exercise.

Oregon State University's Health/Fitness Connection

Ill Repute

A world-class swimmer, a court rules, is no different from any other athlete.

Website Design

Leading interactive design agencies reveal what makes a website successful. What Web Companies Can DoSome fitness centers look to take advantage of template website design options. HealthClubSites (www.healthclubsites.com) is a turnkey website solution for health and fitness business owners. "We have created a web-based system that allows the club owner the ability to create a full featured website, complete with content, in less than 10 minutes," says Glenn Steers, president of HealthClubSites. After the set-up process is completed, the facility can edit text, upload photos and add class schedules. The HealthClubSites website management system also includes an email management module, lead collection tool, online calendar, schedules, and a host of other website and marketing tools.Steers says the company offers unlimited free website consultation to its clients. "Our system is ... easily managed, so we have a very low incident of customer support inquiries," he says. HealthClubSites also offers free marketing and usage consultation to customers.The first step at MembersFirst, provider of interactive websites, Member Relationship Management (MRM) software and outsourced Communication Management Services, is the discovery meeting to identify a fitness center's needs, which it has done for its more than 500 clients throughout the United States. The company's flagship MRM software product is an integrated application comprised of a suite of tools that enable the development and management of interactive websites and online communications.Determining ObjectivesIntrannuity typically advises its clients to be aware of three main objectives: new member sales, providing information to existing customers and providing services that allow customers to perform certain tasks. Trawick says each objective entails different information needs. For instance, the website should lead prospects through a tour -- designed to motivate a prospect to action -- while existing members need quick access to information like hours, phone numbers and class schedules. "Historically, the missing part has been the ability to provide tools that actually allow members to 'self-service' in real time," Trawick says. Self-service is critical for things like reviewing account balances/making payments, purchasing additional services or reviewing usage history. "Customers are now demanding 24/7 access to information, and clubs should do a much better job at meeting these requirements," says Trawick.Trawick also recommends that fitness centers be cognizant of their overall marketing strategy when developing their websites: "A web presence must support and reinforce the larger marketing effort." He adds that this is especially the case in small or secondary markets, where a web-only effort cannot be relied on to drum up sufficient business.Common Features"The most important page on any website is the contact information page," says Steers. The next most sought-after pages on a fitness center's website are those giving information about programs, services, facilities and schedules. He says it is also recommended to outline your staff's qualifications and show pictures of the facility. Daily class schedules and monthly calendars merit inclusion, and they provide an added benefit of reducing the burden for staff of having to handle phone calls. Steers says many fitness centers also offer fit tips and healthy recipes as a service to their members."Probably the best way to get members to visit your site often is to implement a 'Member of the Month' page," says Steers. Many fitness centers also offer a monthly contest, and the winner receives a page on the website with their bio and picture, plus free dinner passes (due to a partnership with a local restaurant), or other free products, possibly a free month of membership, a free personal training session (which could lead them to buy a package) or a free group exercise class (if you charge).Sales WorkhorseHealthClubSites offers a "prospect pop-up" that collects prospects' full name, email and phone number on their first visit to the website. If they have pop-ups blocked, the contact page gives them an opportunity to inquire about the fitness center's services. Either of these tools records the information to the facility's contact database, and sends pre-programmed email "auto-responders" to the client and to the fitness center manager. Within the site's administration area, fitness staff can manage leads and send email blasts. A "free trial coupon" builder is also included.At www.curves.com, the public website, sales leads are driven by encouraging users to find the Curves closest to them. There is an extensive franchisee database that provides phone numbers and addresses for each location. Searches and phone calls are tracked. At www.curvesinformation.com, the site serves as the "hard-core" lead acquisition micro site, and is tied into online advertising efforts. Also, banner ads drive users to the lead micro site, which is optimized to encourage users to fill out a form for a "free tour" or "complimentary fitness plan." Then, Curves' online advertising efforts are measured on a cost-per-acquisition goal.Web StatsHealthClubSites' administrative area has a website statistics counter that allows you to measure traffic to your website, says Steers. This is especially helpful to determine the success of an advertising campaign. So, if coupons are used on your website, you will see if they work because they will be brought in for redemption. Likewise, if your website collects sales leads, you should be seeing new inquiries every day, says Steers. Make sure your sales force gets these leads quickly, and then hold them accountable for contacting these prospects and following through the same day.Fitness center management can expect their gathered website intelligence to aid in the development of marketing strategies. "If properly done, a club should be able to understand the ratio of prospects versus existing members that are using the site," says Trawick. Management should understand how users move through the site, and what areas draw the most interest. They should also know the full range of technical options used, such as browsers and operating systems. This is critical, as many new web features do not work for older browsers. He adds that a fitness center should also have the ability to get feedback on their facilities and programs.Content ResponsibilitiesThe role of the fitness center in managing and updating website content depends on the site's complexity, says Trawick. For example, Intrannuity provides real-time management capabilities for things like updating class schedules, facility information and event registration. Sophisticated fitness centers use these features so that updates do not require changes in programming and/or design. For more simple sites, information is usually updated through the design company on an as-needed basis. "Maintenance is the true 'hidden' cost of having a web presence," Trawick says.HealthClubSites' website management system is geared toward simplicity so that fitness centers can manage and update their websites themselves, at any time, without any prior programming experience. In addition, Steers says that a good communication system is needed. Someone needs to be responsive to emails or submission forms that are being sent daily. Your email auto-responders and online coupons need to be kept current so that the specials they advertise are still in effect. It's also advised to include a current and functional class schedule and calendar of events.Communicating BrandSteers emphasizes the importance of branding: "It's important to have strong corporate branding, even if you just have one club." A strong, effective logo says that you're successful and projects your corporate confidence. Look at large corporations such as IBM, Microsoft and AOL. "The larger the company, the simpler and cleaner the corporate branding is," says Steers. Your company's branding should feature prominently on your facility, your website, your stationery, your staff's attire, etc.Brand also comes through the choice of advertising used on the site. At the beginning of September, the NYHRC website homepage posted an advertisement called "Make a Splash!" introducing a special offer for the chain's new East Village facility. Site visitors could click on the ad and then submit their details.Presentation"The best advice I can give is to use the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Simple, Sweetheart," says Steers. The biggest mistake made today in many websites is that they try to do too much. The more "junk" you put on your website, the less likely the information of value to a particular customer will be found. Make sure you are clear in your communications. Ask a friend or colleague to proofread your work, and see if they can understand what you're trying to say.The initial draft of text for the website should be written by facility management to capture the spirit of the brand and marketing. Trawick recommends that a professional copyeditor review all text, and make grammar corrections. He also urges people to check that all images used on the website are fully licensed and not just copied from other places. He further warns fitness centers to avoid websites that are created using "cookie-cutter templates; a club loses a lot if their site looks and feels just like their competitor's site," he says.* Ability to collect, analyze and determine the effectiveness of membership campaigns and other initiatives

Older Adult Fitness: Understand the basics

Your facility can benefit from offering exercise programs to older adults, but only if you know the basics about the body and aging. The phenomenon of aging Atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis progressively decrease oxygen supply to body tissue. Other tissues change, as well. For example, cross-linkages develop between adjacent collagen fibrils, decreasing their elasticity and facilitating mechanical injury. Keeping these and other factors of aging in mind will allow for the safe development of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal strengthening programs.YOUNG ADULTHOOD. This typically covers the period from 20 to 35 years of age, when both biological function and physical performance reach their peak.LATER MIDDLE AGE. During later middle age (45 to 65 years), women reach menopause and men substantially reduce their output of sex hormones. This gives rise to the potential onset of osteoporosis or osteopenia. One in eight men over age 50 has osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises are critical for this age group and beyond. The good news is that career opportunities have commonly peaked, and a larger disposable income often allows energy and time for recreation and fitness-related activities.MIDDLE OLD AGE. During middle old age (75 to 85 years), many people have developed some physical disability, and need additional assistance and expertise in the health club setting.Aging and energy consumptionAging and aerobic performanceHeart rateMusclesLoss of strength progressively impedes everyday living, and women are limited by a loss of strength at an earlier age than men. However, muscle strength can be greatly improved by as little as eight weeks of resistance training, even in 90-year-old subjects. Stronger muscles further enhance function by stabilizing osteoarthritic joints, reducing risk of falls and lessening the extent of dyspnea.FlexibilityBone structureRisks of exerciseThe person who begins an exercise program is at a lower overall risk of sudden death than a sedentary peer, and, perhaps because of a less ambitious attitude toward exercise, the relative risks of physical activity (death when exercising vs. deaths when sedentary) decrease rather than increase as a person becomes older.Vision, hearing and balance are all poorer in older adults. The aged person should thus avoid sports where there is a risk of collision with opponents or stationary objects. If there is a history of falls, special care is needed in pursuing activities that require a good sense of balance. Including balance and stability exercises are essential for older adults.Benefits of exerciseREFERENCESDeschenes, M.R. Effects of aging on muscle fiber type and size. Sports Medicine 34(12): 809-824, 2004.* Have clients complete a 10-minute cool-down at 20 beats below AT.

Fitness Center Spas as Wellness Resources

Your fitness center's spa has the potential to be a wellness vehicle. Recent research on the spa industry by the International Spa Association and others points the way toward a new and significant role for a spa in the life and mission of fitness centers. Some highlights include the following:2. Spa users now see spa treatments as an integral part of their efforts to achieve both long- and short-term well-being, instead of just a deserved perk.What to offerSeries treatments.Series treatments are often anti-aging skincare or microdermabrasion treatments that are designed to bring results over several sessions during a two- to four-week period. Another example is anti-cellulite treatments that offer temporary results. Like skincare treatments, several sessions are given to achieve the desired result.Multiple service gift certificates.Spa gift certificates might include sampler packages designed to introduce the recipient to a full range of services the spa has to offer. Another example is a "six pack" of massages sold at a discount, which will give the recipient an experience of massage as a habitual activity.

Promises, Claims and Rules Can Increase Liability

Care must be taken in the wording of promises and claims, and in the selection of operational rules and regulations included in a personnel handbook. MOST BUSINESSES AND organizations make promises and claims to their clients and potential clients, as well as establish rules for their personnel. Promises and claims are frequently made in advertisements, flyers and promotional materials. Rules or regulations are found in personnel handbooks and signage.GuidelinesMake certain that the claims and promises in your promotional materials can be achieved. Promises such as "Your child will be supervised at all times," can be interpreted as part of a contract. It would be much safer to say, "Our supervisors are well-trained and qualified." Then be certain that they are. Claims such as "All clients will increase their strength by 50 percent within three months" or, "We guarantee that you will lose weight," may leave you open to litigation. Much safer claims would be, "Many of our clients increase their fitness and lose weight" or, "Lose weight and get fit exercising on modern equipment and in pleasant surroundings."

Safety Guidelines for Racquetball

Keep racquetball players at your fitness center safe by following and enforcing safety rules and guidelines.Having players sign a waiver will help prevent lawsuits; however, fewer injuries will also lessen the chance of a lawsuit. Read on to find out how to keep your players safe and your facility out of court (the court of law, that is).It is estimated that 2.4 million Americans sustain eye injuries each year. About one-third of these injuries result from sports. In fact, eye injuries are the most prevalent and serious problems resulting from racquetball mishaps -- even a beginner can hit a racquetball in excess of 60 miles per hour. Requiring protective eye guards (polycarbonate lenses certified by ASTM or CSA) can greatly lower this problem. Do not allow players to wear old rubber lens-less eye guards.Collisions with opponents and the wall are another common problem. Collisions often occur at the beginner level, and when a beginner plays an experienced player. To avoid these kinds of injuries, beginners should practice alone in the court and take lessons.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION American Amateur Racquetball Association: 1685 W. Uintah, Colorado Springs, CO 80904-2921; 719 635-5396. Borkowski, R. The School Safety Handbook. LRP Publications: Horsham, Pa., 1998. Dougherty, N. (ed.). Principles of Safety in Physical Education and Sport. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance: Reston,Va., 1993. Tharrett, S.J., and J.A. Peterson (eds.). ACSM's Health/Fitness Facility Standards and Guidelines (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics: Champaign, Ill., 1997.

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No matter how great you think you are as a manager, it may be time for a reality check.

Fueling Endurance Activity

An optimal intake of carbohydrates helps to ensure optimal glycogen stores and blood sugar levels but for high-volume endurance training. After digestion, glucose circulates in the bloodstream and is known as "blood sugar" or "blood glucose." Both your liver and your muscles take glucose from the blood and make glycogen. (The other cells in your body take sugar from the blood for energy, too.) When energy is needed, both the liver and muscles can quickly convert the glycogen back into glucose.Maximizing glycogen storesThe second step is to consume plenty of nutritious carbohydrate foods on a regular basis. Optimal glycogen stores are essential to support heavy-duty training. Plus, part of training is learning what foods work for your clients. Runners often encounter gastric distress. Abdominal cramps and diarrhea definitely cut into their performance!Is carbohydrate loading less effective for women?REFERENCESAndrews, J.L., D.A. Sedlock, M.G. Flynn, et al. Carbohydrate loading and supplementation in endurance-trained women runners. Journal of Applied Physiology 95: 584-590, 2003.Clark, N. Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook. Human Kinetics: Champaign, Ill., 2003.Tarnopolsky, M.A., C. Zawada, L.B. Richmond, et al. Gender differences in carbohydrate loading are related to energy intake. Journal of Applied Physiology 91: 225-230, 2001.

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AB Show 2025 in San Diego

AB Show is a solution-focused event for athletics, fitness, recreation and military professionals.

Nov. 5-8, 2025