Business

As client-facing businesses around the world are preparing to re-open, they will be faced with new difficult challenges they have never experienced before. They will need to adopt unprecedented regulations that prioritize public safety above all else. 

For gyms especially, new public health regulations are likely to impact every aspect of their businesses.

The harsh reality is, when gyms and fitness facilities are permitted to open, they will have more responsibilities and pressure than ever before. 

International lockdowns have pushed all types of businesses to go digital and fast. For gyms, this meant finding ways to still deliver fitness content and value to their members directly to their homes. 

The result: fitness brands of all types rushed to create and distribute as much streaming exercise content to their customers as quickly as possible. This quick transition became the industry norm, resulting in a surplus of fitness content across the internet.

As an active gym attendee and weight lifter, I can personally verify the massive impact that gym closures have had on my own fitness habits. 

I experienced the common cycle of “no gym” emotions: panic I could not access a squat rack, mounting fear I would lose all my progress (gains), and disbelief that any at-home or online fitness video could actually be a suitable workout. 

After about a week of wishful hoping that my gym would magically re-open, I caved and tried out a series of recommended exercise routines on Youtube and Instagram. 

Due to the unfortunate recent circumstances, companies around the world have been forced to make rapid adjustments to their business models. As social distancing measures became widely adopted, fitness businesses are among the heart of industries most affected.

As a result of public safety concerns, many gyms and fitness facilities have been forced to close their doors indefinitely.

Branding is crucial in the modern business world – consumers want to support companies they personally identify with or can integrate into their everyday lives.

The ultimate branding for most companies is evidenced when they are able to “verbify” themselves, where their company name replaces a given verb. Most famously, the terms “google this” or “I’m ubering there” to replace the common actions of searching the internet or ridesharing services.

During the COVID-19 crisis, fitness clubs across the globe have been forced to close. With these closures, the majority of clubs have frozen their memberships as to not charge members when they can’t access the gym. 

However, many clubs are still finding ways to provide value to their members outside of the club with streaming classes, nutritional recipe recommendations, and different ways to achieve wellness at home. 

As the world becomes more digitally connected, it’s important for fitness facilities to become brands outside of the facility. 

To help our clients accomplish this, PerfectGym is happy to roll-out its new Live Streaming feature for classes! The new feature will allow fitness clubs to post links to live streamed classes within the Client Portal and Mobile App. 

Recent events have brought to light some crucial elements of gym and fitness facility management that are often taken for granted. While business strategy, facility services, and management procedures tend to be the most commonly discussed aspects of gym management, ultimately, nothing is more important than the health and safety of your members and staff. 

Gym owners must hold themselves to the highest standard when it comes to:

The landscape of fitness facility industry has segmented into three leading categories:

• Budget Clubs
• High-end clubs
• Boutique clubs

With consumer preferences leaning towards these three extremely diverse offerings, most fitness clubs have had to adapt their business model to align with one of the three to stay in business.

However, one brand of facility has been able to retain its unique identity: leisure centers. 

Around the world, learning to swim is no less of a milestone than learning to ride a bike or tying your shoes. Accordingly, swim schools benefit from a steady pool ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) of interested consumers turned new clients. This has led many fitness-based centers to make the most of their facilities by venturing into offering swim lessons as a source of additional revenue.