Mr. Green

Spas, Health & Fitness

Fitness Matters: “Balance is Critical to Success”

By Bryan Green, President & CEO, Advantage Fitness Products

Undoubtedly fitness, and the naturally positive energy created by an effectively planned and well-operated fitness amenity has proven to be a successful means of creating happy, satisfied guests. Unfortunately, the negative repercussions arising from poor and incomplete planning seem to be an all- too-common dilemma in the hotel business environment. Typically, the error resides in the failure to account for the “evolving” and “living” nature of every fitness facility due to daily use and resulting wear and tear, and the continually changing trends in fitness. There’s no exception. Every successful fitness amenity must include an ongoing facility management component that consistently revisits, refreshes and rebalances the offering; ensuring that it’s well prepared to meet the daily needs and ever-changing expectations of guests.

Part and parcel to capturing the attention and satisfaction of guests is also a mandatory daily level of attention. Often the importance of maintaining a safe, clean, and current fitness center is underestimated. Here are several considerations to keep your facility up to speed:

Equipment – Err on the Side of Cardio

In general, “the more cardio, the better” is a rule to live by for fitness facility operators. The most common complaint by guests is that when they go to use the hotel fitness facility at peak times, they are left waiting because all of the machines are in use. This pertains most often to cardio equipment. Not only is it the most commonly used equipment, but it also commonly monopolized by users for anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. While strength, stretching and abdominal training areas are equally important to cardio from an exercise balance perspective, they are occupied in intervals of merely 30-45 seconds necessary to perform a set, versus the more lengthy “sessions” required with cardio equipment. So make sure you beef up the cardio to accommodate this need and avoid guest complaints.

Within the cardio offering, maintain a balance that’s equal parts treadmills and ellipticals as your primary offering, in addition to a healthy dose of recumbent bikes. You’ll want to consider leaving room to compliment these pieces with one or more upright cycles, stair or step climbers or perhaps an upper-body ergometer or another engaging exercise alternative for variety sake. These are the basics. With the increased focus on core training and flexibility thanks to the popularity of yoga, pilates and other contemporary exercise trends, today’s guests will expect ample room for stretching, as well as space and equipment necessary for an effective abdominal and core training regimen. Finally, a modest free weight offering should be available.

And when it’s all said and done, all of this must be executed in a footprint that allows ample room to move safely and freely so that guests aren’t on top of, or tripping over, each other.

The Intangibles – Sight and sound

With fitness environments typically garnering extensive daily use, equipment and layout balance are certainly not the only areas to pay attention to. The elusive elements of noise, airflow and entertainment all rank highly as priorities to focus on.

Consider ways to minimize noise and create a more relaxed and controlled environment that’s conducive to an effective and desirable workout experience for your guests. For example, utilize rubber or urethane weights and dumbbells to reduce the clanking sounds that occur as user’s bang them together or re-rack (and unfortunately drop them from time to time) them when a set is complete. Another smart move is to feature cardio machines equipped with personal viewing screens or 900mhz systems that pick up the audio on the user’s headset. These measures will go far in reducing the din that’s common when entertainment features are public and competing TVs are blaring in a fitness center. If you have invested in entertainment systems designed for one-to-one personal use, make sure that your remaining ambient sound system volume is set at a level that exceeds the standard noise level of operating equipment (e.g., cardio machines, etc.), while still allowing for conversation amongst guests using the facility.

Airflow and temperature are also key considerations. In terms of temperature, it’s important to keep things cool and avoid a warmer, clammy or stuffy environment. To this point, pay close attention to ventilation – the most critical atmospheric parameter affecting the climate and comfort of the facility. Make sure the room can “breathe” so that your guests can as well. Always keep in mind; a fitness center isn’t a static environment. It’s not the spa amenity. Rather it’s a dynamic, high-energy environment with lots of moving parts, including the guests. Therefore, it requires its own set of parameters when it comes to lighting, ventilation/air conditioning and sound.

All Things Equal for Guys and Gals

Another aspect of “balance” that is often ignored is how the facility and its equipment appeal to men versus women. The look or functionality of a piece of equipment can skew its appeal more heavily toward men or women. This consideration relates most significantly to strength training equipment, as cardiovascular products rarely offer color or user defined options. There are many flavors to strength equipment and far more diversity in functional and biomechanical considerations. Seek the advice of a knowledgeable fitness business consultant who can help illuminate the nuances of various equipment alternatives that may best support your demographic targets. Typically, you’ll still want to strive for pieces that are balanced in their appeal and function. However, this is also an area that you may seize to further define the aesthetic appeal of the facility. So know your options.

Sweat the Small Stuff

In addition to these larger areas of planning and ongoing management, there are a variety of small details that guests will appreciate and should not be overlooked. Towel service is a measure that makes a statement about not only hygiene, but a heightened level of guest service. Make it convenient to be clean by posting ample garbage dispensers, bins for soiled towels and disinfectant wipes for guests to use when they’re done with equipment. Make chilled water available either by the bottle or via water coolers. A wall clock located conveniently in view will be important for the many guests trying to get their workout completed in a timely manner. In short, you need common sense just as much as qualified fitness consultants onboard to insure you don’t overlook the basic nuances that will enhance the experience of your guests.

All of these recommendations will help in making your fitness facility a success and keeping your guests coming back for more. A qualified fitness facility consultant can save you money on the front end and assist in making the best decisions on electrical and lighting, equipment, entertainment, and layout. A relationship such as this will also serve you well over the long haul as you maintain a continued focus on what you do best, and bring in just enough support for this unique amenity to insure it remains a valued and safe offering for your important guests.

Summary

With exercise, balance is an all-important factor to getting the results you seek. This is also the case with managing a successful fitness facility. A well-balanced fitness amenity is critical to keeping your guests happy and realizing your property’s business goals. Too much strength equipment and not enough cardio? Too much noise or too little breathing room? These areas and more are things that must be considered and addressed to create and maintain balance in your facility. To find your own sense of balance, read my article on “Balance is Critical to Success” and learn about the factors most-critical to a well-balanced fitness amenity.

Bryan Green is a fitness expert and advisor to core & non-traditional businesses alike in industries including hospitality, multi-family housing, corporations, and Academic institutions. Mr. Green serves as President and CEO of Advantage Fitness Products (AFP), a leading provider of innovative fitness and wellness-based solutions for commercial facilities worldwide and specialized residential environments. AFP offers expertise across multiple facets of the health & fitness industry, including facility design, equipment supply, and ongoing support. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with additional offices in Miami, New York, San Francisco, Phoenix, & Las Vegas. Mr. Green also serves on the Editorial Board for Fitness On-Site Magazine, and advisory boards for leading industry equipment and content providers TechnoGym, Star Trac, & Netpulse. Mr. Green can be contacted at 310-559-9949 Ext: 110 or bgreen@afproducts.com Extended Bio...

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