Facilities: Page 625

Meal Plans on the Go

Help clients and members to design healthy meal plans using drinks and bars as supplements to their diets. Meal replacement specificsBreakfast bars, granola bars, fruit bars, etc., are not included in the "meal replacement" category. These products are often little more than a package of sugar, with minimal nutritional value. They may be inexpensive and taste good, but they will do little to help support optimal health if consumed on a regular basis. It is important that clients understand the distinction between these products and those discussed in this article.Approximate cost per serving: $1.25 to $1.75. Meal replacement powders are packaged either in single serving pouches or sold in multi-pound containers, in which two to three scoops is equal to one serving. These are generally added to water, milk, juice, etc., and mixed in either a shaker bottle or a blender. Each serving generally contains 250 to 300 calories, 40 to 45 grams of protein, 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrate, and 2 to 3 grams of fat. Some products are marketed as "lite," however, they are essentially the same product with less powder per packet. Other products have a low carbohydrate content for those individuals following a high-protein, low-carbohydrate plan. However, most of these products are simply protein powder with added vitamins and minerals. Clients would be better off just using a quality protein powder and a multivitamin/mineral (see Protein Powder).Powdered drinks can be purchased in awide variety of flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, mocha, peanut butter and fruit flavors. The flavors and tastes will vary based on the product, so discuss with clients the need to try different brands, as some are certainly much better than others. Many manufacturers include a recipe guide with the product, which will provide clients with a variety of mixing options. Recipes can also be found on the Internet under the supplement company's name.Approximate cost per serving: $2. Ready-to-drink meal replacement shakes are the ultimate in convenience, as they are pre-mixed and ready to consume. These are nutritionally similar to meal replacement powdersas far as the macronutrient breakdown and calories. These shakes offer a convenient tool clients can use to help make sure their bodies have the nutrients needed to maintain an active lifestyle.Class 3: Meal replacement barsThe use of meal replacements can offer a healthy alternative to the typical high-calorie, high-fat, high-sugar, low-nutrient fast foods commonly available today. They are nutritious, convenient and very often tasty. These products are a great alternative for people who find cooking to be a chore, who eat most meals away from home, or whochoose poor-quality processed meals and snacks to consume as their main nutritional intake.* 7:00 p.m. Dinner (8-ounce steak, baked potato, 1 to 2 cups vegetables, one piece of fruit)

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Reaching New Customers Online

Using the pay-per-click service on Internet sites can help you create marketing campaigns, and drive viewers to your website or business. Many local businesses are finding PPC to be an effective and economical way to reach local shoppers and receive the visibility that large businesses can afford. A variety of search engines and Internet Yellow Pages now offer a pay-per-click option, including Verizon SuperPages.com's online yellow pages, Google, Overture, CitySearch and FindWhat.Pay-per-click offers national chains the benefit of being able to tailor advertising campaigns to meet both national and local needs. These facility operators can promote national brand messaging and drive business to a website. At the same time, they can run local campaigns to promote seasonal specials on a city-by-city or state-by-state basis.When you sign up with a search engine for pay-per-click, using Verizon SuperPages.com as an example, you can do the following:* Select the categories, such as "gym" or "fitness center," that best describe your business.* Calculate the value of a single new customer and determine how much you are willing to pay for a qualified lead. For example, your bid may vary from a minimum of 20 cents up to several dollars per click.Most search engines typically provide broad and varied search results to a keyword search, returning hundreds of listings, including many that may be far removed from what the searcher had in mind. As the trend for localized searches catches on, some sites are coupling their service with a local search option.If you decide to investigate pay-per-click programs, be sure to find one that will give you the best return on investment and meet your objectives. Here are some good questions to ask a sales rep:* What determines the placement of my ad? Do searchers check dozens of listings before getting to mine, or is there a section reserved for local business ads?* What are the fees, and how am I charged? Do I pay every time a visitor clicks on a different one of my links, or only once per visitor?* What type of support is provided? Is a full-service option available if I want it?Power adsWhether you're Internet-savvy or tech-challenged, using pay-per-click advertising is simple and effective. Bianca Noble, product manager for Verizon SuperPages.com, recommends these step-by-step tips to get started, no matter what type of search engine you do business with:If you don't have the time or experience to manage your own campaigns, look for a search engine that provides expert advice and management services for a reasonable fee. This can include assistance with setting up the account; consultation on promotional text, categories, locations, bid amounts and overall budget; access to online results; and ongoing assistance for changes to ads, bids and campaigns. For example, Verizon charges a monthly full-service fee of $20, with a $15 minimum click spend, so even small businesses on tight budgets can afford this option. Advertisers can also sign up for self-service pay-per-click, and select their categories, update information and measure their online performance -- for a $15 monthly minimum spend that includes the cost of their clicks.This is a great opportunity for local and regional businesses to expand their customer base and compete with national chains, even with a limited advertising budget. You can select a city or choose a metro, state or national listing -- or decide to go for several. SuperPages.com search results for a given category and location feature three national and three local PPC results on each page. Some search engines don't target by geography or save specific space for local listings. Look for those that do.If you're going with a non-yellow-pages search engine, you'll need to select several key words that will bring up your business for the consumer, and possibly various spellings. If you're advertising on an Internet yellow page, you can simply designate "gym," "fitness center," "swim center," "yoga classes" or another classification.Remember that you can change your promotional text easily and, with selected programs, at no additional cost.Take advantage of the flexibility by trying out promotions in one location, or experimenting with taglines about a new class or service.First consider how many click-throughs it might take to gain a customer, and what your return would be. Set a maximum amount you are willing to pay for each click. Look for a provider that offers a way to set a monthly maximum, so you don't exceed your budget.Ask new customers where they heard about you, and promote special offers only online. Read the online reports that tell you the number of clicks you receive for each campaign. The beauty of pay-per-click advertising is the flexibility it allows you in stopping, starting and changing your ad campaigns. It's a low-risk advertising medium, since you are paying based on the leads generated.Both in print and online, fitness-related headings are some of the most popular yellow pages categories. Some companies now make it possible for you to reach consumers wherever and whenever they are looking for your services -- online, in print and via wireless telephone access.

Guidelines for a Fitness Center Spa

A basic list of often-forgotten, but critically important, guidelines to starting a spa. Provide a "protected" environmentConcentrate on basic spa servicesMake treatment rooms flexible and accessibleAlso, successful fitness center spas get only about half of their gross revenue from members. The balance comes from non-members. Those patrons need to feel that they are not invading an "off-limits" area to get to their appointment -- especially for their first two or three appointments. (After that, they're probably seriously considering membership in your fitness center.)Unlike fitness, spa is not a self-service experience for your members -- each service is given by a staff person. Spa services (especially massage) are strenuous for the "giver," so staff need a place where they can get off their feet to stay fresh and motivated.The greatest operational cost in spas is labor. You can keep your labor costs down during slow periods by adjusting your schedule, but you cannot pull additional treatment rooms out of thin air when you need them at peak demand times -- usually Thursday through Sunday.Each hour that a spa treatment room is in use will generate 10 to 12 pounds of soiled linen. Make sure you have enough linen (sheets, pillow cases, robes and towels) to keep the spa going, and that your laundry operation can keep up with it. Remember also that non-member traffic will need access to lockers and showers. You'll also need additional phone lines (virtually all spa services require an appointment), storage space (spa supplies and spa retail inventory) and a work room for therapists (a kitchen-like room for prep work and cleaning up).Too frequently, fitness center owners decide to contract with a few independent massage therapists and have them on call if members request services. They do this because they want to make money, but don't want the management headaches associated with hiring and managing spa employees. Predictably, such operations fall well short of their profit potential.

AEDs: The Time Is Now!

There is an undeniable effectiveness of AEDs for saving lives. Why don't all fitness centers keep one on site?

Creating Passion for Your Business

Want to think of some new programs and other innovative ideas to shake things up, but you just can't get started? Create meaning Have a mantraIt has become a business cliché in recent years to have a mission statement. Baloney. Most of them are too long and nothing more than a recitation of threadbare slogans and buzzwords ("best," "customer," "uncompromising" -- you get the idea). Instead, come up with a mantra -- a simple, bumper-sticker summary of what you are trying to do, such as "Prevent Preventable Disease"; "Curing Diabetes One Step (or Rep) at a Time"; "We Give Energy. You Decide How to Use It."Don't wait to start your new program until you've created the perfect plan on paper. Besides, some of the information you need can be learned only by making a few mistakes in the beginning. Flesh out the outline, provide for the essentials and get started.Think big. If you're going to change the world, think of something huge and unique enough to inspire passion and commitment.Find a few spiritual advisers. Draw inspiration from visionaries who have gone before. Urban legend has it that back in 1965, when Fred Smith submitted the business plan for what would become Federal Express to his Yale professor, he got a C. His professor thought it could never work. Smith doesn't remember if that was his actual grade, but the take-home message is still a good one: Don't give up on a good idea, even if it seems far out.Kawasaki, G. The Art of the Start. Portfolio Publishing: New York, N.Y, 2004.Who Made America? www.pbs.org/wgbh/ theymadeamerica/whomade/fsmith_hi.html.

Taking the Mystery Out of Marketing

Planning and budgeting for your marketing program. The most frequently used and most expensive method of marketing is print ads. They provide visibility, consistently get the business name in front of the public and provide a way to create urgency with an expiration date on an offer. The biggest challenge with print ads is that the return is not always measurable unless there is a "special," and even then people don't necessarily act immediately. Actual return on costly ads in the newspaper is low. If you are a big franchise, you may be able to afford the ongoing exposure. If you are small and privately owned, you may need to be more creative with your marketing menu.Set goals, then meet themMcMillan, author of The Successful Trainer's Guide to Marketing, emphasizes that planning your marketing strategy for the year is the foundation of success. Working backward from such a plan, programs need to be put into action six to eight weeks in advance. "It should be systematic, so that each day you're going into action," she says. That might mean setting dates, times and locations for a flyer advertising a workshop to be held six weeks from now on Monday. Tuesday, you choose a paper color and make copies. Wednesday you inform all staff of the program so they can answer questions, make announcements and handle registration. If it is a new program vs. a repeat, more lead time will be needed.Within each program, there are ways to push the marketing envelope. For example, with a small group running clinic, your marketing will likely include flyers posted within the fitness center, and announcements made to all trainers so they can tell their clients. Beyond that, you might offer personal training clients a reduced registration fee. You can also approach area sporting goods stores about offering the clinic to their customers for a percentage off in exchange for a coupon good for a store discount. You could offer every participant in the clinic a coupon good for four private sessions for the price of three. With every marketing tactic here, all parties win, and you are finding ways to get more mileage out of every program.One example of a marketing program is for a training program offered for an additional fee. For example, you could offer an eight-week First 10K Running Clinic that meets once-a-week. Offered for $89, with a minimum of 10 participants, potential revenue is $890. Expenses include some method of marketing. Print ads would take a large chunk of, if not the entire, revenue. Internal flyers, bulletin boards and announcements in other groups require minimal investments. The most effective method of internal marketing is the personal invitation by the trainer who will lead the session.

Inspecting for Safety and Retention

A regular, thorough inspection of your fitness center will improve safety, usability and member retention. New York Health & Racquet Club inspectionsNYHRC uses a 10-point checklist that covers all areas of the facility, from the exterior to the locker rooms, pool, equipment, cleanliness, and appearance and attitude of the staff. Jeff Bodnar, director of operations, says he also inspects for operational issues such as daily payroll completion, proper promotional signage hung, etc. Health department regulations are also tracked on a checklist (a list that highlights the major components of the Health Department's inspection to ensure safe operation of the establishment).Finally, the general manager inspects the facility again using the same walk-through checklist. The fitness center is also "walked" each hour by one of the MODs to ensure that everything is in order. If an incident/accident is reported, the checklists from these days are attached to the incident report.Stephen S. Roma, chief operating officer, WOW! Work Out World!, Brick, N.J.,says the chain has a set of inspections for every system in the facility.WOW! inspections focus on the following key aspects: cleanliness, maintenance, sales tours, member and prospect greetings, group fitness classes, fitness assessments and personal training appointments. Some inspections are carried out hourly, some daily, some weekly and some monthly.Objectives of inspectionsRoma adds that inspections are performed in an effort to compare against benchmarks and to give feedback to the appropriate staff person.A further benefit of a sound inspection system is that it can prolong the life of equipment. Any problems or maintenance needs can be spotted and dealt with early on before they have a chance to worsen. Early identification of a leak in a room, for instance, could save thousands of dollars worth of repairs, and forego extended downtime.Inspection tipsThe inspectors. Inspections can be conducted by personnel from different levels of the organization. A supervisor may carry out a facility-wide inspection, as can the general manager. Different people are likely to identify different issues, so your chances of catching all problems will increase with each different inspector.There are other important sources of information to ensure a facility is well-inspected. Fitness centers should always have an open line of communication between the members, staff and management. This occurs through casual conversations and management being present and available. Some form of suggestion box can also be effective for members who are reluctant to approach a manager with their concerns.Mystery shoppers can offer fresh insights from the user's perspective. "It's always great to have an inspection occurring when no one really knows about it," says Roma from WOW!. "This particular element of being inspected and not knowing it is the real value for us. It keeps everyone moving in the right direction, even when it appears as though a superior is not watching."Bodnar provides an example of how "familiarity blindness" can lead to management overlooking problems. "I had managed a mid-town club for a-year-and-a-half," he remembers. "One of the doors leading to our pool area had a 'push' sign on it. For 18 months, I had been pulling the door to open it.... I had never bothered to notice the sign that said 'push' until I received a note from my mystery shopper that the signs were reversed. I sheepishly changed the signs that day."Use your fitness center. There is no better way to identify problems than by using the facility yourself. Work out there, and encourage your staff members to do the same before or after their shifts. "You won't be able to tell that the window sill by the leg press is dusty unless you get on the leg press machine that is blocking the path to the window," says Bodnar. "You will be amazed at what you see and experience when you are on your equipment for 10 minutes rather than just quickly walking by it."Do not rely on memory. In a large fitness center on a thorough walk-through, you could easily identify 30 minor and major issues that need to be dealt with. Relying on memory, you may remember 20 to 25 of them. Those forgotten could be just the ones members stumble upon, opening the floodgates to dissatisfaction, injury and litigation.Inspection is only as useful as the action that follows. You can inspect continuously, but if no action results from your inspection, your efforts have been wasted. "I can ensure that the problems found on the checklist are dealt with in a timely fashion, because I personally walk each club, each week," says Bodnar. At NYHRC, part of each general manager's and assistant manager's compensation plan is a checklist bonus. "The managers will get a list from me of any deficiencies I find, and if these deficiencies are glaring, they will miss their checklist bonus that week," says Bodnar. "It is a very effective way to ensure that the managers have a stake in the cleanliness and smooth operation of the club on a daily basis," he says.Final tipsListen to members. Often, a user will be the first person to spot or experience a problem with your facility, so make sure you talk to them. When talking with members, besides asking how their workout is going, ask if everything is working fine on the equipment or in the locker room. It can be challenging to get bonafide feedback from customers because they feel uncomfortable. WOW! uses anonymous online surveys, which Roma says are revealing: "The key question on our survey that appears to correlate most with future business with that customer is, 'Would you recommend WOW! to a friend?'"Positives and negatives. Inspection, like all good forms of criticism, should identify both the positive and negative. Inspections can be used to identify positives -- for instance, happy members or great service from a staff member. Roma says inspections are what enable employees to grow and develop, as well as create opportunities for praise and correction. "Inspections combined with feedback are what all employees want, but would never actually admit to," he adds.

Exercise Aids Arthritis Pain Management

Appropriate physical activity often helps to reduce pain for people with arthritis. Other studies have found similar risks with related drugs, including celecoxib (Celebrex) and valdecoxib (Bextra). Like Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra were developed as painkillers for people who found that other drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, led to gastrointestinal side-effects, such as ulcers. Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra were marketed heavily to both doctors and consumers as safe alternatives to traditional pain medications. While Celebrex and Bextra remain on the market, their pharmaceutical companies have reduced their advertising, and physicians are urging their patients to take lower doses of these drugs, and to explore alternatives.Can physical activity reduce the need for pain medication?Learn about your client's arthritis. There are several different types of arthritis. A good source for learning about exercise and arthritis is the book by Nelson et al., listed at the end of this column. Another good source is the Arthritis Foundation's website, also listed in the references.Help clients feel safe. As always, your exercise recommendations must be tailored to each individual's ability. Discuss your exercise recommendations with your clients. Clients with arthritis often fear injury. They want to know they are safe. Emphasize safety, and reassure them with your knowledge. Start slowly and build gradually to avoid injury.REFERENCESBrosseau, L., L. Pelland, G. Wells, et al. Efficacy of aerobic exercise for osteoarthritis (part II): A meta-analysis. Physical Therapy Reviews9 (3): 125-146.Pelland, L., L. Brosseau, G. Wells, et al. Efficacy of strengthening exercises for osteoarthritis (part I): A meta-analysis. Physical Therapy Reviews 9 (2): 77-108.

Superbowl Party; Employee Rest and Relaxation Day; Orlando Fire FitKids

Innovative programming ideas aimed at motivating members to exercise with all featured programs submitted by readers.Each year, the Newtown Athletic Club is the site of the annual Superbowl Party hosted by former pro football player and Transcend Sports Training Director Vaughn Hebron. A television sports analyst for ESPN Sportsnet in Philadelphia, Vaughn's presence at the event attracts as many as 1,500 people. The goals of the event are to showcase and promote the fitness center, provide a special event for members to enjoy, raise funds for the United Way and gain new members. "Our goal is to provide a family event during what is traditionally an adult activity so that everyone in the family can be together and enjoy activities for all ages," says Linda Mitchell, director of marketing and public relations.The event begins at 2 p.m. with a Superbowl Experience set up in one of the two gymnasiums. It features inflatable rides, competitive tossing games, autographs with Hebron, contests and prizes. Kids can also swim in the indoor pools, play in the maze or watch videos in the nursery. Adults can enjoy the pre-game festivities and watch the game on a 20-by-20-foot screen with food vendors, DJ entertainment and easy chairs for rent. A donation of $25 per family or $10 per adult is requested at the door. All monies raised are donated to the United Way. "Come sail away ... Just for the day" massage and food-drive kick-off was part of the Verizon Wireless Health & Wellness Center's Employee Rest and Relaxation Day. Goals for the event were to increase awareness about the number of hungry and needy families in the community, to promote community giving among employees, to collect 500 food items for the local food bank, to decrease employee stress as they head into the holiday season, to increase employees' understanding of back and spinal health, and to increase employee morale.Seventy percent of employees who worked that day dressed in casual or Hawaiian dress, and donations exceeded 500 food articles (nearly 400 pounds). In addition, more than 150 back-health packets were picked up by employees, and 125 employees received massages. According to Monteyne, the employees loved the event. But, best of all, the goal to increase morale paid off. "Since our Employee Rest and Relaxation Day, we have seen a significant decrease in the number of employees missing work for things we call morale issues," explains Monteyne. "For the two months before the event, we averaged 88.73 hours per day of missed work time. Since the event, IMT (the Intra-day Management Team) reports we have averaged 48.92 hours per day of missed work time, a decrease of nearly 45 percent." When the city of Orlando, Fla., realized that 61 percent of all emergency calls were medical calls, it created Orlando Fire FitKids, a 12-hour, hands-on fitness and nutrition program, plus a four-week wellness challenge and award ceremony taught by firefighters that are ACE/IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) Certified Peer Fitness Trainers. The goal was to reduce obesity in elementary and middle school children by teaching them about nutrition, exercise and making healthy life choices.

Marines Enjoy New Facility

The Semper Fit Paige Fieldhouse is definitely a welcome addition to Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base.The facility is almost 60,000 square feet, and was designed to have easily supervised program space. "Staff members from the front desk can see the entire weight room, the entrances to the group exercise room, the multi-purpose room, all four racquetball courts and the two gymnasiums," Onthank explains.What is unique about this fitness center is that it is free to Marines and their families. Says Onthank, "The programs in this facility are entirely free -- no memberships, and no fees for any services or classes. Our program is one of the benefits active duty military enjoy, and it is mission-essential for Marines.""Something extra fun and unique," says Onthank, "are Special PTs, which happen when a Marine unit comes in for a group exercise class. There could be up to 300 Marines and sailors doing kickboxing in the gym." Or, she continues, "we'll have a group of instructors and break the group down into smaller sections and set up different stations and run drills with them. It offers the unit a different workout and develops unit cohesion."

Balanced Beams

Outdoor sports field lighting design must satisfy end-user safety requirements without sacrificing the quality of life of neighboring residents.

Size Wise

Choosing whether to construct a 25-, 35- or 50-meter pool raises a host of design, planning, construction and operational issues.

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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

Buyer's Guide

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