This week marks the annual fitness trade show here in Canada. It is the only show on a national scale and brings presenters and attendees from all over.
Every time I do a trade show, and I have done many over the years, it makes me think about implementation. More specifically, what can we learn or share that helps our team, and the people we serve be better. Implementation to me means strategies that take good ideas that get traction, allow for progress.
In the August issue of STAK Fitness’ emag, we had a theme focused around the Attention Age. Let’s get up to speed on the terminology, we have progressed from the Information Age to the Attention Age.
As it applies to our fitness offering, the business that keeps the attention of its target market wins.
Have you noticed who in your market is keeping the attention?
If you have not – I think worth a look. Here is who has the attention of your client’s and potential clients
We brought a team (myself, Robert Piaskowski – STAK’s Government Program Director, and Precor’s Todd Allison) to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to support the Grand Opening and launch of Everything Fitness as the preferred commercial fitness resource for Atlantic Canada.
We learned some pretty valuable lessons in 3 days, I thought you may enjoy 15 of them.
1. There are not many places as beautiful as Atlantic Canada on clear, sunny days.
2. The people of Atlantic Canada are as hospitable as you will ever find ( I knew that before last week, but it is always amazing to experience it).
Spending the last 3 weeks on the road, I made a number of notes from what I saw in local fitness offerings in the places I visited across country and into NW USA.
As I look back, many of the notes seem very similar. All rolled into one , they represent our industry’s biggest challenge.
The challenge is this – the business practices, specifically in sales, marketing and services offered are creating a bit of a monster in the market place. Have you noticed the low price special offers to join the local gym or fitness outlet lately? You know what I mean $10/month, or 2 for 1 special ? 50% off or something like that ?
Last week the fitness industry’s top conference (http://www.ihrsa.org) and trade show took place in LA. (first visit to LA – it sure is a busy place!).
As part of our work at STAK Fitness, and because we work with so many different folks offering fitness services , it is critical that we get a glimpse of how the industry is changing/not changing, and perhaps be able to transfer some best practices for the benefit of many.
Here are the top 8 takeaways from this conference.
1. Small group training will continue to evolve and grow as part of fitness offerings. More affordable with guaranteed results for paying customers is a great win win for a business offering fitness. Best practices are being developed, and companies like TRXTraining and Total Gym (more info at http://stakfitness.com) are leading the way.