A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that many gym “regulars” despise this time of year when newcomers invade their classes, leave behind sweaty machines and equipment, and encroach on their space, spots, and machines.

Like most clubs around the country, you’ve probably seen your new member numbers jump significantly this time of year when many people make the New Year’s resolution to finally get back in shape. Your “regulars” might not like the influx, most club owners and operators enjoy seeing the numbers this time of year.

But what happens in a few weeks and a few months from now? Are those new members still making regular trips to your club? Are your group fitness classes still packed with participants? Or are your newest members becoming part of the stats? How Many Courtney’s are at Your Club?

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that many gym “regulars” despise this time of year when newcomers invade their classes, leave behind sweaty machines and equipment, and encroach on their space, spots, and machines.

Like most clubs around the country, you’ve probably seen your new member numbers jump significantly this time of year when many people make the New Year’s resolution to finally get back in shape. Your “regulars” might not like the influx, most club owners and operators enjoy seeing the numbers this time of year.

But what happens in a few weeks and a few months from now? Are those new members still making regular trips to your club? Are your group fitness classes still packed with participants? Or are your newest members becoming part of the statistics? You’re probably very familiar with the statistics:

•    84 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions give up on them before January even ends, and

•    50 percent of people who start an exercise program quit within six months.

Are your new members like Courtney, who was featured in the Wall Street Journal article?:

One newcomer, Courtney Hopkins, doesn’t deny her limited fitness, which, of course, is why she’s at the gym in the first place. One day last week Ms. Hopkins began a spin class at an Arlington, Va., branch of Gold’s Gym—a chain that can see as much as a 100% increase in member sales in January. After 20 minutes on the stationary bike, “I was panting,” she says, and from then on “was pretty much coasting.”

Rather than just sit on her bike until the hour-long class ended, Ms. Hopkins summoned the courage to get off and walk out. “I tried not to make eye contact and just bee-lined to the door,” she says.

Ms. Hopkins says she often meanders the floor aimlessly in search of the right equipment, or “stands there for five minutes trying to figure out where my machines are.”

How many Courtney’s do you have in your club? Moreover, ask yourself, how many times do you think the Courtney’s of your club are going to come back again and again to experience this kind of failure and humiliation before they too give up on their resolutions?

There is another journey for your newest members. It’s the Members4Ever journey that leads to success, not failure. It’s a journey that provides your newest members with education, value, experience and results. It’s the journey that all of your Courtney’s should experience.

Contact Sharon today at 717.569.5396 for more information about implementing the Members4Ever program in your club.

Click here to read the rest of the Wall Street Journal article published on Saturday, January 15, 2011.
You’re probably very familiar with the statistics:

• 84 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions give up on them before January even ends, and
  
• 50 percent of people who start an exercise program quit within six months.
  

Are your new members like Courtney, who was featured in the Wall Street Journal article?:

One newcomer, Courtney Hopkins, doesn’t deny her limited fitness, which, of course, is why she’s at the gym in the first place. One day last week Ms. Hopkins began a spin class at an Arlington, Va., branch of Gold’s Gym—a chain that can see as much as a 100% increase in member sales in January. After 20 minutes on the stationary bike, “I was panting,” she says, and from then on “was pretty much coasting.”

Rather than just sit on her bike until the hour-long class ended, Ms. Hopkins summoned the courage to get off and walk out. “I tried not to make eye contact and just bee-lined to the door,” she says.

Ms. Hopkins says she often meanders the floor aimlessly in search of the right equipment, or “stands there for five minutes trying to figure out where my machines are.”

How many Courtney’s do you have in your club? Moreover, ask yourself, how many times do you think the Courtney’s of your club are going to come back again and again to experience this kind of failure and humiliation before they too give up on their resolutions?

There is another journey for your newest members. It’s the Members4Ever journey that leads to success, not failure. It’s a journey that provides your newest members with education, value, experience and results. It’s the journey that all of your Courtney’s should experience.

Contact Sharon today at 717.569.5396 for more information about implementing the Members4Ever program in your club.

Click here to read the rest of the Wall Street Journal article published on Saturday, January 15, 2011.