CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (December 18, 2015) – Responding to the needs of its studio, fitness professional, and vendor members, the Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today announced three major, integrated initiatives designed to better serve the fitness studio market: a brand new website, an enhanced membership structure, and an advanced vendor lead generation program.
Release of AFS’ New Website (www.afsfitness.com)
Central to the program is the new, completely overhauled website that provides a clear understanding of who AFS is and the value it delivers. With that comes a more intuitive process focused on segmentation of the AFS constituencies by studio discipline as well as business discipline, and serving as a “home” for all types of members - all while keeping in mind their needs and desires at it relates to industry suppliers. The core of the site is its ability to quickly and concisely help visitors identify their needs and direct them to the site section that can be most helpful to satisfy those needs.
“We’re very excited about everything the site brings,” said Josh Leve, AFS founder and CEO. “We took a significant amount of time doing research and listening to the needs of our members to create an experience that helps deliver the answers they seek in simple and direct ways.”
Membership Structure Enhancement
The new website is also at the heart of AFS new membership structure, which now will highlight two distinct segments of studio and fitness professional members: Basic and Premier. Premier members will continue to enjoy all the benefits, products, and services that members have as well as those that are continually developed, including several major new initiatives planned for 2016. The membership fee remains at $149 annually.
Basic members, many converted from AFS’ 11,500 opt-in database, will pay no fee while still having access to an abundance of products and services that will help them develop their studio or improve the business of the studio they already run.
“Because we serve all types of studios as well as fitness professionals trying to get into the business, the membership needs vary widely” said Leve, “Given the segmentation within our Community we’ve restructured to provide maximum benefit to the largest number of our constituents.”
Supplier Lead Generation
AFS’ new website will also address the needs of industry suppliers. The convergence of technology and exercise in boutique studio has created a wide variety of vendors providing everything from heavy-duty gym equipment to nearly invisible apps.
“We understand the past difficulties suppliers have had reaching our diverse market,” said Leve. “The new website will voluntarily collect areas of business interest from each member who joins. That data will be tabulated and sent to AFS sponsors and associate members.”
Created in late 2013, AFS has become the fastest-growing fitness trade association, no surprise, given fitness studios are the fastest growing industry facility segment, far outpacing “big box” health clubs and discount-driven gyms.
About AFS
The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) is the only membership community dedicated solely to the business of fitness studios. AFS provides studio owners and developers a wide array of business-specific products, services, and benefits that enable them to more effectively manage and grow their businesses, building on the passion, compassion and courage they’ve already shown. www.afsfitness.com
For more information contact Josh Leve: jleve@afsfitness.com 773-771-9990
