Inside IHRSA

Planning to buy new fitness equipment?

> What kind of fitness equipment are clubs buying now? How much are they spending? How much space are they allocating for their new purchases? Find the answers in a new report designed to aid health club operators in benchmarking against their peers: the

2009 Health Club Equipment Bench- marking Report: Club Operator Edition.

The report, published by IHRSA in

partnership with Sports Marketing Surveys, benchmarks supplier compa- nies’ performance with both qualitative and quantitative measures. Metrics including brand confidence, share, strength, ratings, supplier ratings, overall brand strength, market strength forecast, and key insights are explored from in-depth interviews with IHRSA club personnel. The main focus of the

Research

Green survey results set

benchmark

> The results of IHRSA’s first-ever Green/Sustainability Survey indicate that, overall, health club operators have a positive perspective on integrating environmental- friendliness into their daily business practices and see “going green” as a way to have a positive impact on club performance. The purpose of the survey

was to gain insight into the opinions and practices of health, racquet, and sports club operators around envi- ronmental sustainability and its associated business implications. More than 130 participants provided the breadth of data for

original Equipment Benchmarking study was to provide partici- pating manufacturers with the tools and insight they need to understand the features and benefits IHRSA member clubs value in exercise equipment. The Club Operator Edition is designed with the health club owner in mind. Findings in the report, based on a

survey of 150 club operators repre- senting 400 facilities, indicate that the vast majority of clubs will order the same amount of new equipment or less in the next 12 month period;

the survey that has set a benchmark for measuring the industry’s green busi- ness practices. Among the findings:

• Over two-thirds (70.7%) of participants indicated senior management having a strongly positive perspec- tive on implementing green practices.

• Over half (54.7%) of par- ticipating clubs indicated that green practices have a moderate priority within their organisation. One- third (33.1%) indicated it had a high priority.

• Over six out of 10 (65%) surveyed club operators believe implementing green practices at their clubs would differentiate them from the competition.

• Over one-third (35%) indicated that senior management believes green practices would increase

membership growth.

• Nearly four out of 10 respondents (38.8%) responded that senior management believes green practices would increase membership retention.

• Nearly half of participating clubs (48.9%) responded that senior management believes that green practices would increase club profits.

Green business practices

include improvements as small as recycling and cleaning with non-toxic products, to larger construc- tion projects using building materials with low Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs), using post-consumer recycled materials, i.e. rubber flooring, and install- ing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified heating, air conditioning, and venti- lation systems in the club.

www.ihrsa.org n

45 percent plan to spend less and 36 percent plan

to remain at the same level for the period. Additionally, 34 percent of the clubs indicated they plan to buy an elliptical within the next year, with the average club planning

to purchase five units. The largest percentage of cardio equipment that clubs intend to purchase comes under the category

of Cross Trainer.

The 2009 Health Club Equipment Benchmarking Report: Club Operator

Edition may be purchased for US $29.95 (IHRSA members) or US $49.95 (Non- members) at www.ihrsastore.com. n

“‘Going Green’ is a hot

topic in business, and naturally, interest and awareness from the club industry is growing,” said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA EVP of Global Products. “Club operators are increasingly paying attention to member concerns regarding environmental issues, exploring green business opportunities, and implementing appropriate programmes: both formal and informal. IHRSA’s touchstone survey results provide a framework for the industry to understand its potential and identify cost. Full survey results with

extended analysis were officially released at the 2010 IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show in a panel presentation, “Sustainability and the Fitness Business—A Natural Partnership.” n

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