Around the world people have changed the way they exercise. Covid-19 has had us working out in our living rooms, connecting with PT’s on Zoom, exercising in parks that are on our doorsteps (that we had never been to before), even homeschooling PE lessons with help from Joe Wicks and youtube! The pandemic has disrupted the fitness industry to say the least.
What now? Now it’s time to rebuild, rethink and restructure to get gyms from just about keeping their heads above water, to a thriving future.
Resamania commissioned Decision Architects to conduct brand new research and they asked thousands of gym-goers for insights on their new habits and perceptions around fitness post-covid-19. The outcome? It seems people enjoyed the extra monthly savings more than they missed the facilities. But it isn’t just about saving on the subs.
With 35% of people investing in their own gym equipment and 47% enjoying exercising outside it’s no wonder the price of dumbbells rose during lockdown!
51% said that health and fitness has become of more importance to them and 63% said that they didn’t have a gym membership pre-pandemic. There is certainly a window of opportunity with 33% stating that they are now likely to join a gym, providing of course that it meets all of their needs.
With most of us now working from home some if not all of the time, flexibility is the key to fit in with the new lifestyles we have formed. The desire to have a gym nearer to where you live and not next to your office is a key decision facing over half (54%) of those surveyed.
Most now want to book their time slots, PT’s and classes themselves online at their own leisure. This is why gym operators need more than ever to be considering the gym management software capability they are utilizing to ensure it is compatible with real-time access controls, bookings and integrations with payments and CRM.
Strong induction programs that include one-to-one beginner sessions, good digital communications (automated where possible) can all contribute to helping build confident, committed members that remain loyal through refresher sessions and deepened relationships.
Just as these programs are essential for nurturing loyalty and confidence, similarly, maintaining good health is crucial for our well-being and productivity. This is where medications like generic Lipitor play a pivotal role, especially for those managing cholesterol levels to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Generic Lipitor, available online, offers an accessible solution to manage and control cholesterol effectively. Incorporating such medications into routine health management can be as seamless as integrating digital tools into induction programs. To ensure you get the most reliable and cost-effective treatment, consider purchasing generic lipitor online. This parallels the way strong induction programs use technology to enhance member experience and retention.
From the big network national gyms to the small start-ups, gym management has always proved a challenge, after all, which gym operators dreamed of careers in marketing, software or accountancy!
With the above in mind here are six considerations that may come more naturally to smaller, more nimble gym operators but we believe will give life back to the industry and drive members back through your doors;
- Competitive pricing – stopping users from feeling like the items they purchased during lockdown weren’t a complete waste of time
- Pay as you go (PAYG) options are popular for their flexibility and minimal commitment as we all get back to normal-ish
- Class timetables that suit new lifestyle choices
- Updated, quality equipment
- Hyper-personal experiences using one to one personal training sessions
- Revisit your gym management software provider – you need a partner to help you grow, not just a reseller of funky software with all the gadgets
Grow your business by putting your customers first (again).
