Hope everyone had a great holiday. I know some of you are still getting geared up for the party on New Years Eve however,  January is fast approaching  in the health club business. We all need a plan to cash in on some of the biggest  months in the fitness industry. Here's a checklist for you evaluate your preparedness. Is your 1st quarter gym marketing plan ready to execute? (Do you have a results-oriented message and gym promotio ...

Most of you probably have monthly goals for your club. At least I hope you do! It's hard to manage anything that you don't have benchmarks and expectations set, Right? We hold our staff and managers accountable for these numbers. The question is do we hold ourselves to the same standards? Maybe you are not an onsite club operator or maybe you are but, because you own the gym are not setting measurable goals for yourself. If that's the case how d ...

Used to be nothing polorized health club business owners  more than whether to push memberships for cash upfront or build the draft. Over the years we've come to our senses and acknowleged  big recievable bases are  key to long-term sustainability of  a gym. Regardless, of which camps theory you subscribed to, there are times we find ourselves wanting or needing to push some cash memberships. In these circumstances there is an alt ...

For those of you " in  the know" fitness business pros this is old news but, I still thought I'd make an announcement since some of you have obviously been living under a rock. J/K . SO... what is all the hubbub about? Well, only the biggest thing to happen to our industry since GymSuccess.com(shameless plug). Anywho, If you haven't heard the first show dedicated to today's Health Club Professional @  http://fitbiz.tv/ goes live tomorrow. ...

I'm sure you missed me. Or maybe you didn't even realize I was gone. Either way I'm back from a much needed 2 week vaca to Costa Rica. Needless to say I was too busy sunning and funning to keep up with the news  so when I get back.  Florida  Gators lost, Bobby Bowden to coach a final game and Tiger is out of golf. (Weird). I guess nothing is a sure thing and there a a few health club management lessons to take away. Don't get too comfo ...

It's a bittersweet day for those of us in the  Seminole Nation. Sources say FSU head coach for the last 34 years  Bobby Bowden and 2nd winningest coach all-time in College Football will announce his retirement later today.   Sorry, but we are passionate about football around here. Actually, this story also carries some weight in the club business arena as well. Many times club owners/ mangers are reluctant to make necessary changes bec ...

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.I finally recovered from my turkey hangover last night. Now it's time to get back to playing health club. I see a tendancy in gyms to sort of coast into the New Year. I don't know if there is a lingering tryptophan problem or if they listen to other people in gym industry who say "December is slow, it's the calm before the storm" . I won't dispute activity can be down a little. Heck, even regular ...

I bet the turkey's don't refer to it as their day. Anywho... Let's all have an attitude of gratitude. It not only rhymes it works.  From everyone at VMG we wish all our family, friends, clients, industry associates, and everyone else a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving have a  great day anyway. Hey, that rhymes too. Yours in Good Health, Frank Emanuel,THCP

There are few people in fitness industry whom I consider to be GO TO  authorities  and besides, this town ain't big enough for the both of us. Just kidding!   Even I give props when deserved. Beleive me, this Cat in one of those that deserves it. So I was blown away when I got a sneak peek at what my buddy Curtis Mock was working on now.(yeah, that Curtis Mock) As I said, Curtis is on a short list of Fitness Biz Gurus that are wort ...

I've said at certain times it's okay to let an irksome member go. I stand behind this statement and in rare cases the amount of trouble, time devoted, and pure frustration of dealing with an unjustifiably irrate member is just not worth it. NOW HOLD ON, CLUB OWNER TURNED DONALD!  before you go pulling cards from all your pain in the  A!$* members you must understand the consequences. TMV= Total Member Value What's this person actual wo ...