Club Industry Blog

Lately, Anytime Fitness Is Newsworthy All the Time

Stuart Goldman — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:30:04 +0000

Is there a club company out there generating more attention these days than Anytime Fitness?

It helps when the CEO of the company, in this case Chuck Runyon, is out front leading the charge. Not only is Runyon still busy promoting his new book “Working Out Sucks”—which we first told you about here—but in a few weeks, he’ll be a TV star for a day—which we also first told you about on this blog. (more…)

Reward Your Best Personal Trainers with Industry Recognition and Prizes

Pamela Kufahl — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:45:16 +0000

Even if you are a boss that is free with praise for your staff, few things perk up people more than winning an award. So why not reward your best personal trainers by nominating them for the PFP Trainer of the Year award? (more…)

Do You Want to Be a Public Company? (And Should You Be?)

Stuart Goldman — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:54:22 +0000

It’s time to go public about the recent rumblings in this industry about going public. (more…)

What Are You Doing to Help Your Community Fight Obesity?

Pamela Kufahl — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:22:14 +0000

No one in the fitness industry needs to be reminded that the country is in the midst of an obesity crisis. One-third of the country is overweight, and one-third is obese. (more…)

Where Have All the Towels Gone?

Pamela Kufahl — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:37:55 +0000

Towel theft got you down? If so, join the club. A Wall Street Journal article details the woes of YMCAs and commercial clubs that have been generous enough to offer towel service to members, only to have that generosity repaid with towel thefts. I’m not sure what surprised me more—that The Wall Street Journal would cover towel theft in gyms or that a Y in New Jersey reported losing an average of 50 towels per day at a cost of $50,000 per year, and that The Columbia Association, Columbia, MD, spends about $500,000 per year on towels. (more…)

Dan Block Remembered at Memorial

Pamela Kufahl — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:01:07 +0000

As we reported two weeks ago, Dan Block, former president of Flex Equipment Co. and Intek Strength, died in March. About 200 people attended his memorial service this past Sunday, according to Mark Nalley, former owner of Flex Equipment Co. and the organizer of the memorial. (more…)

Robert Kennedy Made a Name for Himself in the Fitness Industry

Stuart Goldman — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:08:24 +0000

Three years ago, when I received a copy of Jack LaLanne’s book, “Live Young Forever,” I noticed the foreword was written by a man named Robert Kennedy. This was not the former attorney general, brother of President John F. Kennedy and presidential candidate, mind you. This Robert Kennedy, a Canadian and native of Great Britain, was the publisher of what would be LaLanne’s final book. He also was one of the leading publishers of books and magazines in the fitness industry.

Sadly, Robert Kennedy passed away last Thursday, succumbing to cancer at the age of 73. He died at his home in Caledon Hills, Ontario, north of Toronto, surrounded by his wife, Tosca Reno, herself a best-selling author of fitness books, and his four daughters. Kennedy’s only son, Braden, died in March 2011 at the age of 23. (more…)

The 25 Healthiest Colleges Measured by More than Rec Centers

Brittany Keithley — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:00:49 +0000

Greatist.com released its 25 Healthiest Colleges in the United States list this month after a rigorous process that looked beyond the size of universities’ recreation centers, instead focusing more closely at their food, health services, health-programming and overall happiness of their students. (more…)

Some Lawyers Turn Up the Pressure with ADA Lawsuits

Pamela Kufahl — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:36:55 +0000

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has drawn a lot of attention lately, mostly due to new regulations that went into effect March 15, 2012. A New York Times article is adding to that attention by focusing on efforts by some lawyers to sue businesses that do not comply with the ADA. (more…)

Club Industry Accepting Applications for 10th Annual Best of the Best Contest

Brittany Keithley — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:26:32 +0000

It’s that time of year again. The Club Industry staff wants to know about the programs at your club. Here is your chance to tell us about your best programs and gain industry recognition for your achievements by entering Club Industry’s 10th Annual Best of the Best contest. (more…)