DECEMBER 2014 CLUB BUSINESS I NTERNATIONAL Success Redefined AUTHOR, PUNDIT, AND MEDIA DYNAMO ARIANNA HUFFINGTON TARGETS THE HIGH COST OF CORPORATE ACHIEVEMENT AT IHRSA 2015 ® FC_WOG_CBI_USA_2014-october.indd 1 28/10/14 12:00 AURA SERIES CYCLES MAGNUM SERIES ASCENT TRAINERS ULTRA SERIES Our goal is clear: to make commercial-grade equipment that stands out, rises above and sets new industry standards. It’s a vision that has led to some of our greatest innovations, ones that have improved – in some cases, even redefined – exercise. It’s a never-ending process, a constant pursuit of improvement. And it explains why our machines attract more attention and require less maintenance than anything else on the market. CLIMBMILLS VERSA SERIES TREADMILLS matrixfitness.com matrixfitness.com | Editor’s Welcome | The mission of IHRSA is to grow, protect, and promote the industry, and to provide its members with benefits that will help them be more successful. No, I’m sorry. I know that you’re busy. I know PUBLISHING Editor-In-Chief: Craig R. Waters you’re late for that meeting. And I know that Publisher: Jay Ablondi Managing Editor: Rebecca K. Maverick you’ve got two callers waiting on hold. But no Associate Publisher: Kristen Walsh Executive Editor: Patricia Amend excuses! It’s time to sit down to go over your Assistant Editor: Nancy Murray Young Contributing Editors: to-do list for 2015. Liane Cassavoy, Jon Feld, Patricia Glynn, Joe Halpern, Julie M. King, Lesley Mahoney, Jennifer H. McInerney, Lilly Prince, Melissa First, the business basics: Do you have a good, solid sense of Rodriguez, Jean Suffin where the industry stands right now? Do you know which areas ADVERTISING: ihrsa.org/cbi E-mail: [email protected] are weak, which areas are strong? Which trends are faltering, and which are rising in popularity? Do you have a clear sense of Vice President of Advertising & Membership Sales: Michele Eynon how your club fits into the big picture? Some understanding of Senior Account Executive: what the future holds? Donna Garrity You need to engage in some of what Joe Moore, the president Business Development Publications: and CEO of IHRSA, describes as “Happy New Year R&D.” In this Will Finn Advertising Sales Executive: month’s “Last Rep” column, he recommends two new research Mireille Rivara publications: IHRSA’s 2014 Profiles of Success and its Health Associate Service Manager: Club Consumer Report. An overview of the former (“Chart Your Meghan Burnham Course”) appears in this issue of CBI. Art Direction, Design, Production: Holland-Mark, Boston, MA Both of these are detailed, in-depth, and enlightening publica- INTERNATIONAL HEALTH, RACQUET tions. Read them; study them. ’Nuff said! & SPORTSCLUB ASSOCIATION Kerry Brett Kerry Second: You have to learn about the many President & CEO: Joe Moore things you can do to improve on what you do Chief Operating Officer: Anita Lawlor during the coming year. If you’re interested in Executive Vice President of Public Policy: “Making the Most of New Year’s” sales surges, Helen Durkin Executive Vice President of Global Products: Contributing Editor Jean Suffin has some valuable Jay Ablondi suggestions. To appreciate the growing role of CLUB BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL exercise that’s as entertaining as it is effective, EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES: you’ll need to read “The Fun Factor.” And to c/o IHRSA Seaport Center plumb the promising potential of a program that’s 70 Fargo Street, Boston, MA 02210 USA new to clubs—obstacle course competitions—flip 800-228-4772 USA & Canada back a few pages to “Mud, Sweat & Cheers.” 617-951-0055 | 617-951-0056 FAX Three IHRSA-member operations—the E-mail: [email protected] ihrsa.org Wisconsin Athletic Club, Fitness Formula Clubs, To order reprints of articles, and the Elmwood Fitness Center—share their thoughts on what call 800-228-4772 ext. 117 or it takes to become “The Best Club in …” your town, and describe visit ihrsa.org/cbi the benefits that distinction confers. And in his “First Set” col- umn, IHRSA chairperson Robert Brewster stresses the critical importance of “Remaining Relevant in 2015.” But when it comes to industry illumination, there’s no finer, fuller, or more formidable resource available than IHRSA’s 34th Annual ® International Convention and Trade Show, which will take place March 11–14 in Los Angeles. What’s state-of-the-art now? What’s Club Business International (ISSN 1043-9692, going to yield big dividends tomorrow? What do the newest equip- USPS 766-570) is published monthly ©2014 by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub ment and programs look like, feel like? How do they perform? Association, Seaport Center 70 Fargo Street, IHRSA 2015 knows … and shows. Boston, MA 02210. All rights reserved. Periodicals postage paid at Boston, Massachusetts, and To get a little idea of what you’re going to learn there, read the additional mailing offices. Canadian Sales “First Person” interview with keynote speaker Magnus Lindkvist, Agreement #40767601. an insightful author, consultant, and trendspotter; and the Subscription rate for members is $48 per year, which is included in the dues. Additional subscriptions engrossing Q&A with keynoter Arianna Huffington, a remarkable $24.95 per year (USA) and $99.95 per year, $149.95 Renaissance woman who, among other things, is the founder of per 2 years (International). The Huffington Post. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Club Business International, c/o IHRSA, Okay—got that? Now you can go back to work! —| Seaport Center 70 Fargo Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 – Craig R. Waters, [email protected] Volume 34, Issue 12 4 Club Business International | DECEMBER 2014 | ihrsa.org Download the Free IHRSA App: ihrsa.org/app Jonas club management software WORKS OUT for you. Our integrated software does the heavy • Get paid when your members pay lifting by managing your club’s operations • transparent pricing - no hidden costs or fees and finances...with powerful, flexible club • never lose control of your client base management solutions and payment • Increased employee productivity processing. • member & employee mobile interface • always count on billing accuracy - up to 99% let jonas fitness WORK OUT FOR YOU and be your trusted provider of “software for life”! free demo 16969 North Texas Avenue, Suite 500 more about jonas download Webster, Texas 77598 www.jonasfitness.com www.jonasfitness.com p. 800-324-9800 | [email protected] 7 Software | Payment Processing | Full Service Billing | Mobile Interface CLUB BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL CONTENTS | DECEMBER 2014 Arianna Huffington addresses the price of success at IHRSA 2015 34 Features 34 Success Redefined 38 ‘Power of A’ Gold IHRSA’s Quest leads to a major award Arianna Huffington, a Renaissance woman who’s prevailed in many fields—as author, 42 Mud, Sweat & Cheers Obstacle courses challenge club members actress, political candidate, talk-show celebrity, global pundit, and the founder of The Huffington 46 Chart Your Course! Post—understands better than most the personal Profiles of Success provides the roadmap price one pays for success. She thinks it’s too high! And she suggests a better way—the 50 The Fun Factor Tips on how to make exercise entertaining Third Metric—in her presentation at IHRSA’s 34th Annual International Convention and 54 Best Club in Town Trade Show, March 11-14, in Los Angeles. Award-winning clubs can strut their stuff 6 Club Business International | DECEMBER 2014 | ihrsa.org Download the Free IHRSA App: ihrsa.org/app ABC FINANCIAL • ABC FINANCIAL • ABC FINANCIAL MANAGING YOUR CLUB SHOULD NOT BE A WORKOUT. 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CLUB BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL CONTENTS | DECEMBER 2014 Athos fitness apparel tracks workouts Multisensory Fitness proves SMART An Octane Fitness 25 62 Zero Runner hero 93 Departments News & Know How IHRSA Report 15 News Master swimmers make a splash; 2014 85 First Set “Trainer to Watch”; Netpulse nets major Board chairperson Robert Brewster funding; Sport & Health offers USMS considers what the new year holds for programs; club revenues up for Q3; IHRSA and the industry and more 86 Ask an Industry Leader Keith Callahan and Bill McBride on the 29 First Person pros and cons of new fees for members Trendspotter and IHRSA 2015 keynote speaker Magnus Lindkvist on creativity 89 In Brief and opportunities Employee posts on social media create new challenges for club owners 31 On the Move Reps Jim Brown honored by World Gym; Genae 90 Member News expands in France; Planet Fitness and 4 Editor’s iGo Figure Software’s unique Value Welcome The Biggest Loser are together again; and Proposition; plus updates from ClubReady, Midtown Athletic Club makes a difference DISQ, Les Mills, Master Lock, Multisensory 10 Ihrsa.org Fitness, and other IHRSA associate members 12 Letters 96 Calendar Innovations 98 Marketplace 62 What’s New Octane Fitness introduces the Zero Runner; 99 Ad Index OPTP endorses the new Franklin Method; Rice Lake Weighing Systems unveils new 100 Last Rep body-composition analyzers; TRX launches IHRSA President the TRX CORE membership program.