> December 2010
27 Steve Nash clubs
Club business
32 Life Fitness redux
45 LifeStarts at 30
InternatIonal 53 Fitness Accessories
60 big core business ®
Healthy
Business
Keynoter PatricK Lencioni
defines fit comPanies
at iHrsa 2011
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| Editor’s Welcome |
The mission of IHRSA is to grow, protect,
and promote the industry, and to provide its
members with benefits that will help them
Each year, at about this time, Hollywood releases be more successful.
its holiday blockbusters. This year’s lineup Publishing
Editor-In-Chief: Craig R. Waters
includes The Tempest, with Helen Mirren, Publisher: Jay M. Ablondi
Managing Editor: Rebecca K. Maverick
another installment of The Chronicles of Narnia, Editor: Jennifer H. McInerney
Associate Editor: Patricia Glynn
and The Tourist, a thriller featuring Johnny Depp Associate Editor: Mia Coen
Contributing Editors:
and Angelina Jolie. But this holiday production Dawn Allcot, Patricia Amend, Phoebe Anderson,
Jon Feld, Julie M. King, Catherine Larner,
of CBI boasts a few stars of its own. Lesley Mahoney, Jean Suffin, Stephen Wallenfels,
Kristen A. Walsh
Advertising, www.cbimediakit.com
They may not live in Bel Air, or pick up million-dollar paychecks, Vice President of Advertising & Membership Sales:
Michele Eynon
or trade late-night quips with David Letterman, but, within the
Senior Account Manager:
fitness industry, these are the some of the people who are deliver- Jessica Gutstein
ing impressive performances, engaging their respective audiences, Advertising Sales Executive:
and, most importantly, making a positive difference. Donna Garrity
Business Development Publications:
Take, for instance, Patrick Lencioni, the charismatic character Will Finn
on the cover of this issue of CBI. A management consultant and Publications & Associate Coordinator:
best-selling author, Lencioni is one of the keynote speakers who will Meghan Burnham
command the spotlight during IHRSA’s 30th Anniversary Interna- Art Direction, Design, Production:
Holland-Mark, Boston, MA
tional Convention and Trade Show, March 16-19, in San Francisco.
Lencioni’s core message is simple, bold, iconoclastic, but, at the internAtiOnAl heAlth, rACQuet
& sPOrtsClub AssOCiAtiOn
same time, quite intuitive. Traditional management
Kerry brett
President & CEO: Joe Moore
principles, he says, simply don’t do the job well Chief Operating Officer: Anita Lawlor
enough and, in many cases, actually sabotage Executive Vice President of Public Policy:
efficiency. As proof, he points to high, and rising, Helen Durkin
levels of employee dissatisfaction. “Organizations Executive Vice President of Global Products:
Jay Ablondi
generally don’t operate in a way that makes it
Club business internAtiOnAl
possible for people to like their jobs,” he reports. editOriAl & Advertising OffiCes:
That, in turn, has a negative impact on every- c/o ihrsA
thing from employee attendance, to productivity, seaport Center
70 fargo street, boston, MA 02210 usA
to profitability. 800-228-4772 usA & Canada
Lencioni will describe, in detail, how businesses 617-951-0055 | 617-951-0056 fAX
can remedy such managerial failures in his conven- e-mail: cbi@ihrsa.org
www.ihrsa.org
tion presentation, “The Four Disciplines of a Healthy
Organization,” which is sponsored by Precor. to order reprints of articles,
call 800-228-4772 ext. 192 or
Then we have Steve Nash, the talented point guard of the NBA’s visit www.ihrsa.org/cbi
Phoenix Suns and the subject of this month’s “First Person” inter-
view. Nash is also a filmmaker, philanthropist, and soccer promoter
and team owner, who, since 2003—with a little help from Canadian
club owner Leonard Schlemm and venture capitalist Mark
Mastrov—has launched 16 Steve Nash Fitness World and Sports ®
Clubs in the Vancouver, British Columbia, area.
Industry veteran Chris Clawson also plays a prominent role in Club business international (issn 1043-9692,
usPs 766-570) is published monthly ©2010
our December issue. Having served in executive-level capacities by the international health, racquet & sportsclub
with several major fitness-equipment companies, including Association, seaport Center 70 fargo street,
boston, MA 02210. All rights reserved. Periodicals
Stamina Products and Johnson Health Tech/North America, and, postage paid at boston, Massachusetts, and
recently, as the president of Life Fitness, he brings a rich and additional mailing offices. Canadian sales
perceptive intelligence to bear on the sector’s current situation. Agreement #40767601.
subscription rate for members is $48 per year,
Though manufacturers have been particularly hard hit by the which is included in the dues. Additional subscrip-
recent recession, Clawson provides some clear-headed objectivity tions $24.95 per year (usA) and $75 (international).
and welcome balance in our feature Q&A, endorsing a sensible, if POstMAster: Please send change of address
to Club business international, c/o ihrsA,
sober, optimism. seaport Center 70 fargo street, boston,
… and we haven’t even begun to mention our talented cast of Massachusetts 02210
supporting players. —| Volume 30, Issue 12
4 Club Business International | DECEMBER 2010 | www.ihrsa.org
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InTERnATIOnAL COnTEnTS | DecembeR 2010
Patrick Lencioni
offers business insights Chris Clawson has ‘come
at IHRSA 2011 home’ to manage Life Fitness
40 32
Features
40 Quantum Insights 32 Life Fitness Redux
Chris Clawson ‘comes home’ to Life Fitness
Patrick Lencioni, a featured speaker at IHRSA’s
30th Anniversary International Convention and 45 LifeStarts at 30
One of IHRSA’s first is still going strong
Trade Show in San Francisco next March, has an
eye-opening message: many employees don’t like 48 Exercise is Medicine
their jobs, and, as a result, many companies aren’t U.S. Surgeon General endorses initiative
as productive or profitable as they should be. A
53 Attractive Accessories
best-selling author and management consultant, Trainers leverage old and new favorites
Lencioni will explain what needs to change in
“The Four Disciplines of a Healthy Organization.” 60 Core Business Boom
Exciting new programs keeping clubs busy
Above (right): steve Mchugh, Mchugh ltd.
6 Club Business International | DECEMBER 2010 | www.ihrsa.org
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CLuB BuSInESS
InTERnATIOnAL COnTEnTS | DecembeR 2010
Tim Wilkes
95
World Class pool A clever Indo Board The sun shines brightly
for Russian club
29 Balancing act
70 on TCA Holdings
Departments
News & Know How IHRSA Report
15 news 89 First Set
Disco Health Club; governor ‘Hoists’ Don’t be a Scrooge when it comes to
Medvedev; 24 Hour gym app; 883 Star Trac support of IHRSA’s public-policy efforts,
miles; Anytime redesigns clubs; Expresso suggests Chairperson Art Curtis
riders network; Believe It or not; IHRSA/
Fitness Brasil breaks record; CBI’s Eye 90 In Brief
on the Economy The new Medicare law opens the door to
expanded services for seniors, but clubs
27 First Person need to extend an appealing invitation
nBA star Steve nash is now scoring
on behalf of a 16-club Canadian chain 93 Club Advisor
Former club members are the best Reps
29 On the Move prospects, and, if you want to win them
Girl Scouts get ‘Fun and Fit;’ new World back, here’s what you need to know 4 Editor’s
Class facility; ACAC adds to portfolio; Welcome
Fitworks an exercise Mentor; Anytime 94 Success by Association
arrives in Mexico and Poland The father-and-son team of Alan and 10 Ihrsa.org
Steven Schwartz has bolstered TCA
Holdings, LLC, as well as IHRSA 12 Letters
Innovations 96 Ask the Entrepreneurs 105 Marketplace
Special fitness challenges and Breakfasts
69 What’s new with Santa keep members engaged over 107 Ad Index
neat new things from ACE, Life Fitness, the holidays
Perform Better, Fitness Anywhere, 108 Last Rep
Indo Board Balance Trainer, and others 98 Member news The IHRSA 2010
nFPT’s unique ‘Value Proposition;’ plus Health Club
73 F.I.T. Extra news from Precor, Life Fitness, Octane Consumer Report
The new generation of elliptical trainers Fitness, Johnson Health Tech, and more is “must reading”
produces impressive qualitative and says Joe Moore,
quantitative results 104 Calendar IHRSA’s president
and CEO
8 Club Business International | DECEMBER 2010 | www.ihrsa.org
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ihrsa.org A PREVIEW OF WHAT’S nEW THIS MOnTH On WWW.IHRSA.ORG
2011 Passport materials
Are coming Soon…
> www.ihrsa.org/passport
Health clubs that participate in the IHRSA Passport Program
provide their members with worldwide guest privileges
when they travel—at a savings of at least 50% off guest fees.
Materials for the 2011 program will soon be available
online. This information will include not only an updated
look, but also some new ways to help participating clubs
promote this tremendous benefit of membership at their
club. Check www.healthclubs.com/passport to be sure that
your club is enrolled in the IHRSA Passport Program. —|
For more information or to enroll (it’s free!),
visit www.ihrsa.org/passport today.
Be the Cleanest Club in Town—Hands Down!
> www.ihrsa.org/store
December 5-11 is national
Handwashing Awareness Week.
Reminding members and guests—
and of course, employees—to
wash or sanitize their hands
frequently while using your facility
is just one of the many ways to
ensure their health and keep them
coming back time and time again. Flaunt Your
A few years ago, IHRSA launched IHRSA Membership
a research program to explore
Proudly
the ways in which perceptions
of health club cleanliness have > www.ihrsa.org/certificate
become an important factor in The 2011 IHRSA membership decals
retaining members. Specifically, are expected to arrive in clubs this
the association wanted to under- month. In addition, IHRSA membership
stand how club cleanliness affects certificates will, once again, be available
member usage, retention, and in-center spending. This research project, as a PDF for clubs to download and
which included an online survey of health club members and health club print. The association appreciates
staff, along with a series of interviews from club operators, found that the support of its member clubs and
members are indeed more likely to renew, recommend, and increase the encourages them to demonstrate and
use of fee-based services and programs when they perceive the club to publicize their commitment to growing,
be clean. The complete results of this research program are compiled in protecting, and promoting the industry
IHRSA’s Guide to Health Club Cleanliness, which is sponsored by GOJO. —| by proudly displaying both the decal
Log on to www.ihrsa.org/store to purchase this important publication. and the certificate. —|
Look for details in the decal mailing,
or visit www.ihrsa.org/certificate.
10 Club Business International | DECEMBER 2010 | www.ihrsa.org
Replacing old dumbbells and
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| Letters |
Letter from a Legend
I just read today’s blog post on CBI Unbound.
Grrrrrrreat article! Thanks so much! Keep on
keeping on. —|
Jack and elaine LaLanne | BeFit Enterprises | Morro Bay, CA
Editor’s Note: The LaLannes are referring to the CBI Unbound post that appeared
on Monday, September 27, the day after Jack’s 96th birthday. To read this post and others,
please log on to http://cbiunbound.ihrsa.org.
Rx for Physicians Congressional Success
> The role of physicians in promoting healthy lifestyles—both
as role models and as caregivers—is incredibly important,
and, unfortunately, all too often ignored. (See “U.S. Surgeon
General Promotes ‘Exercise is Medicine,’” pg. 44.)
When it comes to doctors, I frequently go crazy about the out-
of-shape staff I see in hospitals, and the fact that the national
Health Service (nHS) here in England doesn’t look after them.
On one occasion, I refused to talk to a doctor in a hospital, and
asked to speak to someone else. Why? The guy was seriously
obese, so either he hadn’t paid attention in med school or simply
wasn’t too bright. How can such people expect to be taken seri-
ously, prescribing care for us when they’re incapable of taking
care of themselves?
not only does it set a bad example, but it’s estimated that the
cost of hospital staff being absent from work—part of which can
be attributed to unhealthy lifestyles—could finance three new
hospitals a year!
Many doctors, who are used to treating the ill and out-of-
shape, also find it hard to work with patients who, while they
have a medical problem, are otherwise very fit. Once, when I was > This year, I couldn’t find a single critical thing to say about
in a hospital following a brain hemorrhage, it quickly became the IHRSA European Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The speak-
apparent that no one had any idea how to deal with someone ers were absolutely super. I’ve attended the Congress for the
who was fit. I couldn’t get anyone—doctors, nurses, or physical past five years, and this year’s was the best one ever. —|
therapists—to talk to me about rehab protocols. When I finally Franck Gueguen | President, General Director | Club Med Gym |
nailed down a therapist, he simply said, “We don’t have rehab Paris, France
for people like you. We’ve never had anyone who wants to do the
sort of things you do. In fact, we think you’d have a better idea For the Cause
about how to design your rehab program.”
… Which I did, but I found the situation a little bit unnerving, > I just wanted to let IHRSA know that we will be raising our
psychologically. —| pledge to the Industry Defense Fund for 2011. We’re very
thankful and satisfied with the work that’s being done. Most
Neil Rhodes | Personal Trainer | Yeovil, Somerset, England of these problems haven’t occurred here in Alaska, but I know
that, if states and other entities are successful somewhere
Editor’s note: Neil Rhodes is also an ultra-athlete who has set numerous else, the local hazard-makers will be emboldened. —|
world records. He competed most recently in the TransAlpine Run, a
195-mile contest that involves a 54,000-foot ascent. Robert brewster | President | The Alaska Club | Anchorage, AK
12 Club Business International | DECEMBER 2010 | www.ihrsa.org
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News & Know How news 15 | First Person 27 | On the Move 29
The Disco Health club, launched in London early this year, each week
transforms an East End nightclub into a ’70s-era aerobics experience,
attracting hundreds of enthusiastic participants in retro-style outfits.
Instructor Lindsay Jay leads her spirited students in a series of disco-
inspired aerobics moves and dance combinations. —|
www.ihrsa.org | DECEMBER 2010 | Club Business International 15
>
| News & Know How | news
New Gym App
for Phones and
devices
24 Hour Fitness offering
keeps members connected
to fitness 24/7
> 24 Hour Fitness International, Inc.,
the largest privately owned U.S. club
chain, based in San Ramon, California,
has introduced My24, a free applica-
tion designed for Androids, iPhones,
and other mobile operating