Club Solutions Magazine

Chris Smith, the CEO and president of Fitness World, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Chonko to discuss current global fitness industry trends. Smith highlights the industry's resilience during economic uncertainty, the potential for expansion across different market segments and the need to serve diverse demographics, including seniors and youth. He also shares insights on political advocacy, the potential role of GLP-1s and the significance of creating meaningful community connections in fitness centers. If you want to better understand what's really happening on a global scale — this is the conversation for you, as Smith is a board member at IHRSA and the Fitness Industry Council of Canada. Listen to the full discussion here.

A growing demand in the fitness industry from younger generations is access to environmentally responsible fitness solutions. To meet this trend, the energy-generating equipment at SportsArt can help clubs become carbon neutral through the company's innovative technology. Taylor Gabhart, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Rueben Mejia, the executive vice president of SportsArt, to talk all things sustainable fitness. Mejia shares how the company helps clubs meet their sustainability goals while enhancing the member experience. Whether your club operator or just curious about the future of green fitness, this is a can't-miss conversation. Listen to the conversation here.

Derek Riley, the COO and president of Zoo Health Club, sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Chonko to discuss the unique franchise model of Zoo Health Club that emphasizes customization and community-focused fitness centers. Riley also highlights the trend of integrating holistic wellness services like hormone replacement therapy and IV therapy into gym operations, moving beyond traditional workout experiences. He also emphasizes the importance of consistency, building solid systems and tailoring gym offerings to specific local communities, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. If you're interested in how to differentiate your club from others by providing franchisees with flexibility, comprehensive support and the ability to create gyms that serve local markets, then this is an ideal conversation for you. Listen to the full discussion here.

Alyssa D'Aquino, the vice president of fitness at CR Fitness Holdings, sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Chonko to discuss hot Pilates, strength training trends, what people are really looking for in group fitness and much more. If you're interested in how to best capitalize on a few of the biggest current trends in the industry, then this is an ideal conversation for you to hear. Listen to the full discussion here.

A hot topic in the fitness industry is how can traditional health clubs bring the boutique experience into their own four walls? With boutique concepts like Pilates, recovery and strength training shaping consumer expectations, operators are looking for ways to integrate these high-value experiences while maintaining accessibility and affordability. Taylor Gabhart, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Justin Fouse, the president of Elevate Fitness Coaching, to talk all things boutique fitness. They also touch on the role technology plays in making these offerings successful, including how platforms like ClubReady can help clubs streamline operations, enhance the member experience and maximize revenue. Listen to the conversation here.

In today's fast-paced fitness industry, providing quality education and training for club operators and staff is crucial to long-term success. Ralph Rajs, the vice president of education for Club Solutions Institute, sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Chonko to discuss the launch of the Club Solutions Institute, a new online education platform designed to bridge the knowledge gap in the industry. The platform will allow health club operators to provide certification and ongoing continuing education opportunities to club staff. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their club's training programs, develop future leaders and keep their team engaged with cost-effective education solutions. Having a structured learning system in place can elevate your club's operations and help retain top talent. Listen to the conversation here.

Ensuring your club is prepared to face a range of emergencies and situations is crucial in providing an environment where members can feel truly safe. That's where Focus Health, a national leader in providing emergency preparedness products and solutions, can step in. In this edition of the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, Bryan Wiedenheft, the CEO and co-founder of Focus Health sat down with Taylor Gabhart, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, to discuss how Focus Health helps fitness facilities certify staff and creates community programs that drive engagement and revenue. This episode is ideal for any health and fitness professional looking to enhance safety, build trust and add value to your club. Listen to the conversation here.

In today's online-crazed culture, promoting your club and getting your name in front of as many potential members as possible is essential to the livelihood of your business. Allison Rand, the vice president of marketing at YouFit Gyms, sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Chonko to discuss the recent limitations on TikTok, the possibility of AI cannibalizing search optimization and more. This is a great conversation for anyone interested in the biggest marketing trends of 2025 and how they can grow their club's reach in their area. Listen to the conversation here.

For the last few years, pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in the U.S., and there are no signs of it slowing down. The activity not only serves as an easy point of entry for those wanting a fun way to exercise and compete with friends, but also as a possible avenue for club operators to grow their businesses. Eric O'Connor, the vice president of franchise development at PickleRage, sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Chonko to discuss the booming pickleball industry and the rise in pickleball franchising. The two also discuss the ripple effects this trend can have on the health club space and why gym owners should be paying attention. Listen to the conversation here.

One common issue for club leaders is they sometimes struggle to identify the correct problems to solve in the industry. Luckily, one resource helping to solve this is Fitness Revolution, a business coaching firm providing business coaching programs and curriculum for club owners. Taylor Gabhart, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Justin Hanover, the president of Fitness Revolution. Hanover and Gabhart dive into the biggest pain points and challenges are for fitness business owners, actionable steps to navigate those problems, and how to best serve your team and members. Listen to the conversation here.

2024 was another year of advancement and success for the fitness industry. While there were still some growing pains in the continued rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, many clubs saw a surge in sales and member interest in new programs. Scott Gillespie, the founder and owner of Saco Sport & Fitness, sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Chonko to recap the biggest business challenges of 2024 and what opportunities to keep an eye on for 2025. The two cover a host of topics including nutrition and GLP-1s, end-of-the-year planning, and strength training trends. Listen to the conversation here.

Jon Brady, the president of Midtown Athletic Clubs, has been working tirelessly to further enhance the culture of his team at his club. As a result, he's seen very positive results in his efforts. In this edition of the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, Brady sat down with Ralph Rajs, the practitioner of The Table Group, to discuss how Midtown Athletic Clubs has thrived post-pandemic and how they've harnessed the power of technology through AI and machine learning. Brady also shares his personal leadership journey along with new key strategies he's implemented. Listen to the conversation here.

From assisting personal training to easy membership check ins, having reliable software is essential for thriving in the fitness industry. One such provider of dependable club management software is ClubReady. Taylor Gabhart, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Charlie Lindsey and Jeremy Blowers, the CEO and COO of Max Fitness. As ClubReady customers, Lindsey and Blowers detail how the software is powering their clubs, share aspects of their journey in the industry, partnerships they've formed and more. Listen to the conversation here.

For a long time now, hiring and staffing has been a large issue facing the fitness industry. However, this ongoing problem isn't due to a lack of qualified available candidates. Taylor Gabhart, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with fibr's William Coker, the co-founder and president of the company. Coker details for listeners why hiring is currently difficult for the industry, shares why fibr is an ideal solution to the issue and more. Listen to the conversation here.

Will Bartholomew, the CEO of D1 Training, first founded the company in 2001 in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. While starting a business in the fitness industry is never easy, D1 Training now boasts over 100 locations across the U.S., with even more growth on the horizon. Bartholomew sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Chonko to discuss leadership learning lessons, the keys to D1's growth, what makes the brand unique in terms of its mission and why, and more. Listen to the conversation here.

Group training of all sizes has seen several advancements over time. TRIBE Team Training is one organization that's embraced these evolutions and is providing modern, holistic Group X offerings for club owners and operators. Taylor Gabhart, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with TRIBE Team Training's Sue Richard, the co-founder and international coaching director, and Jeffrey Kline, the social media and marketing manager. They discuss the “why” behind TRIBE, how the company started, the organization's impact and more. Listen to the conversation here.

Crunch Fitness first began as one small gym in a basement studio in New York City's Greenwich Village in 1989. Now, there are over 500 Crunch locations, and the company is now heading into its newest iteration: Crunch 3.0. which will feature a completely modernized version of the gym. Tony Scrimale, the CEO of Crunch Fitness CR Fitness Holdings, sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko top discuss Crunch 3.0, leadership tactics, entrepreneurial advice and more. Listen to the conversation here.

Fitness instructors are an essential aspect of the club industry. As such, it's imperative for trainers to be fully certified so they have the trust of current and potential members. Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Carter Collins, the owner and operator of International Fitness Trainers Association (IFTA). They discuss how Collins went from nursing school to IFTA, challenges facing the fitness industry concerning certifications, how the company stands out and more. Listen to the conversation here.

Club leaders are figureheads for all staff and members. This means values such as inclusive leadership are important to have and put into practice to ensure everyone who steps into your club feels comfortable and appreciated. Michaela Brown, a general manager at VIDA Fitness and Aura Spa and chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Board for Urban Adventures Companies, sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss the subject of inclusive leadership. Their conversation covers a lot of ground including group fitness trends, DEI initiatives and what it means to be an inclusive leader, emotional intelligence, how to take care of yourself and your team, and much more. It's a great episode for anyone looking for insights into what it takes to lead in the fitness industry. Listen to the full discussion here.

There possibly isn't a hotter topic in the world of health and fitness right now than GLP-1s, or weight loss drugs such as Ozempic. These drugs are one of the more fascinating opportunities the industry has right now, and there are many different opinions on the subject. Eric Durak, the president and founder of Medhealthfit, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss the subject of GLP-1s. Their conversation looks at some of the muscle-wasting side effects that can occur from taking these drugs, how clubs can play a role in overcoming that and more. Listen to the full conversation here.

While personal training remains a core focus for many facilities, TrainPMT in Southlake, Texas, is pioneering a unique approach by integrating advanced assessments, movement screenings, and personalized outcome-based methodologies. In this episode of the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, host Rachel Chonko chats with Jarrett Phillips, the founder of TrainPMT, about how his facility leverages technology to provide tailored fitness solutions for its clients. Phillips shares the inspiration behind his business model and the significant impacts of data-driven plans on client progress.

While improving the physical fitness of members is still a top focus for clubs, the industry is seeing a shift toward more approaches utilizing both fitness and wellness. Karah Ehrhardt, the head of wellness at Active Wellness, and Mark Koester, the head of fitness at Active Wellness, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss the future of fitness and wellness, how both areas can be integrated, and ways to utilize digital tools and technology. They also chat about how their company is using science and data tracking to help inform decisions, new initiatives in the pipeline, and top trends they are seeing. Listen to the full conversation here.

Managing and growing a successful personal training business in today's economy is no easy task. However, FlexWerk is providing fitness professionals with everything they need to succeed like premium private spaces, equipment and the tools necessary to excel in the industry. Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Steve Pirt, the founder and CEO of FlexWerk. They discuss how his company is the “Airbnb of fitness,” specific benefits to personal trainers, plans for future growth and more. Listen to the conversation here.

With election season ramping up, how do clubs break through the noise and identify a clear message that aligns with their brand and their target consumer? How will you know if that message is getting through and hitting your desired mark? Chad Waetzig, the chief marketing officer of Crunch Fitness, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss how to have success with AI and marketing, Crunch's new partnership with Amazon technology, and more. Listen to the full conversation below.

Thanks to continued advancements in technology, consumers are embracing virtual fitness offerings more than ever. The company Fitness On Demand has embraced this shift and is delivering premium digital fitness classes and content to club members or residents anytime, anywhere. Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Andy Peat, the CEO of Fitness On Demand. They discuss the state of the fitness industry and where it can further evolve, what's in the pipeline for Fitness On Demand and more. Listen to the conversation here.

It can be lonely at the top as a leader of your club. However, it's imperative your organization has successful governance from the top-down to provide an ideal environment for members. Without strong leadership, your team will be running at high risk of falling apart. Amber Martinez, the operating partner of JEM Brands, which owns and operates several Crunch locations across the U.S., recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss all things leadership, from being accountable to holding your team accountable, having tough conversations and more. Listen to the full conversation below.

The ebbs and flows of the fitness industry remain ever changing. Nevertheless, clubs are still rebounding strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent inflation spike. Chris Craytor, the CEO of ACAC Fitness & Wellness, CEO of Welld Health and Chair of the IHRSA Board of Directors, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss industry trends, including the popularity of strength training and recovery. They also chat about industry challenges such as the rising costs of real estate/construction and hiring and retaining great staff. Craytor then shares his advice for other business leaders and provides an update on advocacy in Washington. Listen to the full conversation here.

In the climate of today's economy, hiring can be a difficult process for small businesses commonly found in the fitness industry. However, the company Wizehire has all the resources on hand to help ensure your organization effectively employs the best possible candidates for open positions. Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Sid Upadhyay, the co-founder and CEO of Wizehire. They discuss why the company was created, the fundamentals of Wizehire, how the service can grow in the future and more. Listen to the conversation below.

The connection between fitness and technology continues to grow as advancements enable clubs to better connect with members. One such company that's atop of this growing trend is Freemotion Fitness. Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Mark Watterson, the CEO of iFIT Commercial. They discuss Watterson's role in his company, what led him to Freemotion and iFIT, how his passion for technology and fitness merged, and more. Listen to the conversation here.

With the new year underway, one extremely popular industry trend from 2023 is still gaining more steam and traction — pickleball. The game is still the most popular sport in the U.S. with more clubs joining the craze and adding it to their offerings. Frank Lawrence, the CEO of Little Rock Athletic Centers, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss the ongoing trend. Lawrence is currently in the process of opening a new, expansive pickleball complex. He discusses why he's excited about this new opportunity, what you need to know if you want to open a similar space and more. Listen to the conversation below.

Club Solutions Magazine is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month after two decades of serving the fitness industry. Shawn McDonald and Rico Francis, the co-founders of Club Solutions, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss the brand's history, culture and what lies ahead for the company in the near future. The duo provides a genuine look into the brand they first started in 2003. Listen to the conversation here.

Recovery is still a growing trend in the industry and clubs are finding new ways to capitalize on interest from members. In fact, the modality was the focus of the recovery and wellness panel at the 2023 Club Solutions Leadership Retreat. Ani Oksayan, the vice president of fitness for Chuze Fitness, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss Oksayan's time as one of the featured panelists. Oksayan recaps what was discussed during the panel, key takeaways and learnings, and best practices for incorporating recovery into a fitness environment. Listen to the conversation below.

The fitness industry is currently ripe with franchise opportunities, ranging from big-box clubs to boutique concepts. One such company seeing sizable success across a variety of verticals in the boutique space is Xponential Fitness. Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, recently sat down with Lance Freeman, the president of franchise development of Xponential brands. They discuss Freeman's 25 years in the industry, how he ended up with Xponential and what sets the company apart from other franchisee options. Listen to the conversation here.

You will learn: – How gyms can effectively leverage technology, such as fitness apps and wearables, to enhance the overall member experience and encourage long-term engagement. -How to balance offering of incentives without compromising the financial sustainability of the business. -Additional services or amenities can gyms offer to add value and encourage long-term commitment from members. - And more.

Once the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, clubs across the U.S. were put in a perilous position. Many were shut down for extended periods of time. The situation created a need for club leaders to have their voices heard through political advocacy. Liz Clark, the CEO and president of IHRSA, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to talk about the work Clark and her organization are doing to boost the industry's voice in Washington D.C. and at the state and local levels. Listen to the conversation here.

As technology continues to take center stage in everyday life, more clubs are investing in software offerings to improve operations and member relations. One tech option built specifically to assist clubs in these endeavors is GymStudio. Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, sat down with Hewitt Tomlin, the CEO and founder of GymStudio, to discuss what sets GymStudio apart from other software options in the industry and why club operators should consider working with Tomlin's company. Listen to the conversation here.

Marketing has perhaps never been more important in the industry as it is now. Simply put, failure to accurately showcase your club to the public could result in a failure of member sales. Alex Schwartz, the director of marketing at Midtown Athletic Clubs, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss a unique case study his club experienced surrounding a sales and marketing challenge. The conversation centers on why Schwartz's club switched from a fitness-industry CRM system to HubSpot to connect the customer's online journey with their first in-person sales experience at the club. Their discussion is full of sales, marketing and even customer experience insights many operators can benefit from. Listen to the conversation here.

One of the more popular trends occurring in the industry right now is a focus on medical body composition analysis. Success in fitness is now being measured by members not only through results on the gym floor, but by their health outcomes showcased on body scans. Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, sat down with Christian Dietrich, the global division manager of body composition at seca TRU, to discuss the background of the company, what sets seca TRU apart from other medical body composition analysis tools and why it's essential to have in the industry's current landscape. Listen to the conversation here.

Thought Leaders Roundtable: The Fitness Industry's Role in Mental Health. You will learn: - Best practices for providing mental health support for members and employees. - How to better promote programming and services to aid in mental health. - Specific programs clubs are implementing that focus more on mental health. - And more. Panelists include: - Mary Frank, VP Sales & Marketing, Cincinnati Sports Club - Jacqueline Buchanan, Director of Communications & Wellness Experience, In-Shape Health Clubs - Erin Lotta, Certified Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach - Laura Newman, Mental Health Coach, Wisconsin Athletic Club - Wauwatosa - Elise Stolzle, Fitness Director, Stone Creek Club and Spa

After 30 years as a member of 24 Hour Fitness, CEO Karl Sanft has seen the club grow and change a lot over time. Fast forward to 2023, and Sanft is now looking back at all the lessons learned during his first full year as CEO of the company. Sanft recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko for a conversation on his brand's 40-year anniversary and what's been key to the longevity of the company. They also discuss industry trends and topics such as mental health, recovery and much more. Listen to the full conversation here.

Cardiac arrest is very prevalent as it happens to over 350,000 people every year in the U.S. Even worse, survival rates today are 10% or less in communities. That number has not changed mostly due to a lack of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, sat down with Sameer Jafri, the CEO and co-founder of Avive Solutions, a company that's empowering the health and fitness industry to save lives and protect the hearts of their communities with an all-new AED management software. Listen to the conversation here.

On July 19, four thought leaders from a cross-section of the industry gathered to discuss the trends in recovery offerings and amenities. Sponsored by WellnessSpace Brands. Topics of discussion: What types of recovery products, amenities and services clubs are offering. Best practices for offering these services to members. Tips for monetizing/packaging these offerings. Where recovery is headed/growth opportunities in this space. Panelists include: EK Navan, CEO & Founder, The Covery and REGYMEN Fitness Kevin Yanuskavich, President and CEO, Fit Athletic Therapy Gini Grimsley, Director of Fitness Product, VASA Mary Thomas, Owner and General Manager, Western Racquet and Fitness Club

Being a leader of an organization in an ever-changing industry can present an array of successes and difficulties. While learning how it display effective leadership takes time, it's absolutely necessary to operate a club. Carol Nalevanko, the president of Village Health Clubs & Spas, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko for a frank conversation on leadership in the current industry climate. They discuss everything from the pickleball boom, hiring challenges, AI, the biggest trends and much more. Listen to the full conversation here.

One of the most recent trends in the fitness industry is the rise in interest surrounding body composition scans for member health data and analysis. Taylor Brown, the editor of Club Solutions Magazine, sat down with Dipra Ray, the CEO and co-founder of Bodymapp, an accessible and affordable 3D body scanning app, available on iPhone or iPad. They discuss all the app's features and how it stands out from similar tech offerings. Listen to the conversation here.

The 2023 Club Solutions Leadership Summit brought together top industry leaders to discuss a series of innovative ideas and pressing topics through roundtables and a panel discussion. In this virtual discussion, sponsored by ISSA, attendees from the Leadership Summit highlight the big ideas and top takeaways discussed during the event. These include: - How to navigate a culture change with Gen Z employees. - Best practices for driving profit and increasing ROI. - What technology is essential for clubs. - The role AI will play in the industry. - What your brand actually means to your members and how to improve it.

With 2022 being a transformational year in the world of technology, businesses around the world are trying to find new ways to use the most recent tech developments to their advantage. Mike Rucker, the chief digital officer for Active Wellness, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss the future of technology in the fitness industry. They discuss everything from AI to webhooks, what excites and scares Rucker when it comes to technological advancements, and much more. Listen to the full conversation here.

Thought leaders from a cross-section of the industry discuss the strength fitness trend. Sponsored by SportsArt. Topics of discussion: - Trends in strength equipment and functional fitness. - What members are gravitating towards, and what clubs are buying. - Fitness floor and functional fitness layout advice. - What to look for in equipment partnerships. - Advice for other operators. Panelists include: - Andrea Ausmus, Director of Fitness, Gold's Gym SoCal - Greg Maurer, Vice President of Fitness and Education, Workout Anytime - Jon Baraglia, Regional Director Of Club Operations And Fitness, Fitness Formula Clubs Corporate - Mary Edwards, Director of Fitness, Cooper Aerobics - Elise Stolzle, Fitness Director, Stone Creek Club & Spa

In the continued aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses around the world are still facing numerous staffing challenges. While there may not be immediate answers to some of these struggles, clubs can still employ several beneficial strategies. Joe Cirulli, the owner of Gainesville Health & Fitness, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to detail how the fitness industry can overcome hiring and staffing challenges. Cirulli and Zabonick-Chonko talk about how to build a great reputation in a community, how to maximize your team to do more with less, tips for hiring Gen Z and more. Listen to the full conversation here.

Thought Leaders Series: Answering Your Most Pressing Questions by Club Solutions Magazine

Clubs continue to look for new, beneficial avenues to increase membership and support retention. While not every strategy is a sure home run, eco-friendly fitness equipment is one approach companies like SportsArt are finding success with offering. Rico Francis, the president of Club Solutions and Peake Media and special guest, recently sat down with Ruben Mejia, the executive vice president of SportsArt America, to discuss how the company is different from other manufacturers, sustainable fitness options and more. Listen to the conversation here.

Now more than ever, current and potential employees are looking for positive working environments to continue their careers in. Ideal job titles and salaries are often not enough to retain talent with job morale becoming more important for personnel. Nate Welch, the vice president of operations for Cross Gates Family Fitness, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss the different aspects of creating culture in the workplace. Welch and Zabonick-Chonko talk about why Nate was drawn to Cross Gates due its positive culture, the importance of core values to a brand's success, ways to reinforce culture through hiring and training, and much more. Listen to the full conversation here.