Active Management

Tag: AUSactive

  • AUSactive announces Supplier Advisory Group founding members

    AUSactive announces Supplier Advisory Group founding members

    Following the launch of the AUSactive Modalities Advisory Group (AMAG) late last year, AUSactive has announced the founding members of the Supplier Advisory Group (ASAG) to increase strategic collaboration between the active health and exercise industry and suppliers who play a pivotal role in its growth and success.
    AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish said the Supplier Advisory Group has representation from all facets including marketing, accounting, education and equipment and the focus was on providing strategic input, feedback, advocacy and support of AUSactive’s purpose and responsibilities relevant to the group’s representative base.
    “Following the launch of our first Advisory Group last year – the Modalities Advisory Group – we are thrilled to announce the founding members of our Supplier Advisory Group who will help AUSactive improve representation of the various businesses and organisations that work with our industry,” Mr Elvish said.
    “We have done a lot of preparation work prior to implementing each Advisory Group. Each AG has Terms of Reference as well as their own systems and processes for functions, specific processes for board reviews and reporting, and much more.”
    Inaugural Chair of the ASAG and AUSactive Director Emmett Williams said the ASAG has a particular focus and function so they can really hone in on the needs and support of the sector, and provide effective feedback and input to the board and management.
    “Our ASAG members represent a dynamic cross-section of the businesses and organisations that drive our industry forward.” Mr Williams said.
    “Suppliers play a crucial role in bringing product innovation, global perspectives and essential capabilities to the table. Their inclusion is not just valuable—it’s essential for fostering growth, and their seat at the table will help AUSactive drive ahead with the mission.”
    The AUSactive Supplier Advisory Group founding members are:
    • Andrew Pettet, DRAX Fitness
    • Barry Mcdonald, Novofit
    • Daniel Moy, Ezypay
    • Darren Elkin, Technogym
    • Darren McMurtie, Hapana
    • Ed Zouroudis, Evolt
    • Greg Will, SW Accountants
    • Michelle Furniss, Xplor
    • Mish Wright, Women’s Fitness Education
    • Cam Prosser, BF Brokers
    • Shaun Krenz, AusFitness Expo
    • Richard Toutounji, COM Marketing
    • Matt Inglis, Perfect Gym
    • Rhys Davies, International Fitness Academy
    Mr Elvish said one further initial Advisory Group – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ADEIAG) – will be launched in the coming months.
    “We now have two strategic Advisory Groups and we plan to add one more this year as part of the Board’s initial plan,” Mr Elvish said.
    “The upcoming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Group will play an important role in our strategic commitment to greater diversity, equity and inclusion in the Australia active health and exercise industry.
    “The Advisory Group structure provides focused support and representation, ensuring a diversity of expertise and perspectives.”
    For more information about the AUSactive Advisory Groups visit ausactive.org.au.
  • Aquamoves Shepparton kicks off 2025 with continued Quality Accreditation from AUSactive

    Aquamoves Shepparton kicks off 2025 with continued Quality Accreditation from AUSactive

    Service excellence, and consistently delivering exceptional programs, has continued to pay off for Aquamoves in Shepparton, who have maintained their Quality Business Accreditation with AUSactive.

    AUSactive’s Quality Business Accreditation is a formal recognition process in which a business meets predefined criteria and quality standards, assessed by an independent accreditation body.

    Aquamoves Centre Manager, Steve Wilson, said the team was proud to maintain Quality Business Accreditation status, reaffirming their commitment to excellence in service delivery, consumer safety, and operational standards.

    “It’s important for Aquamoves to be recognised by AUSactive, the peak body for the exercise and active health industry in Australia, as it demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest standards of professionalism, safety and customer care,” Mr Wilson said.

    “It also reflects our continuous improvement, ensuring Aquamoves remains a trusted and respected leader in the health and fitness industry.

    “AUSactive accreditation enhances our credibility in the health and fitness space and positions Aquamoves as a standout choice for individuals seeking a reputable fitness centre.”

    Mr Wilson said Aquamoves team prides itself on connecting the community through physical activity, health and enjoyment.

    “For our team, maintaining Quality Business Accreditation status with AUSactive is something for our entire team to be proud of. We focus on rigorous staff training programs and constantly innovating to meet and exceed the needs of our community. Offering a diverse range of classes and facilities including indoor and outdoor pools means we have something for everyone no matter their age or ability,” Mr Wilson said.

    “We are committed to delivering customer service excellence, even in the tiniest details, to empower and assist our members and guests in maximising their experience during each visit to our facility.

    “Our team is always looking for ways to improve the health and wellbeing of the community by attending seminars and training sessions. This empowers our team to deliver new software, promotions, challenges and programs to the highest standard.

    AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish commended Aquamoves on their continued Accreditation and commitment to setting high standards of service excellence for the Shepparton community.

    “Congratulations to Aquamoves on their continued Quality Business Accreditation with AUSactive! Striving for excellence and continuing to set the bar high is something the whole Aquamoves team should celebrate,” Mr Elvish said.

    “As we continue our focus on activating the nation to be more active, more often, it’s fantastic to see regional facilities such as Aquamoves striving to exceed the expectation of their local community. Ensuring a high standard of service, member safety, and delivering a range of programs provides a greater opportunity for people to get active.

    “From an industry association perspective, I believe our Business Accreditation is an essential part of enhancing the credibility of our industry and the hundreds of facilities that operate day in day out to give people more options to get physically active in safe environments.”

    For more information about AUSactive’s Quality Business Accreditation visit https://ausactive.org.au/service-excellence/business-accreditation/

  • Pilates & Yoga Now OSCA Recognised

    Pilates & Yoga Now OSCA Recognised

    Australia Bureau of Statistics broadens Occupation Standard Classification for Australia to include Pilates and Yoga Instructors

    AUSactive is pleased to announce Australian Bureau of Statistics’ recent revision of the Occupational Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) includes Pilates and Yoga Instructor’s occupations for the first time.

    The inclusion of Pilates and Yoga Instructors as separate subcategories under the Sports and Fitness Workers OSCA (formerly ANZSCO) follows advocacy work by AUSactive to have further recognition of this growing modality within the active health and fitness industry.

    AUSactive General Manager – Industry Standards and Development, Chris Alexander said the inclusion was an important step forward for those who work as Pilates and Yoga Instructors and ensured accurate data for vital decision making.

    “AUSactive has been working with the ABS during their latest review of the OSCA framework for occupation-related information to have Pilates and Yoga Instructors recognised individually. Previously instructors could only be classified under the Fitness Instructors (General),” Mr Alexander said.

    “As a result of multiple submissions and consultation, this outcome ensures the impactful contributions of our professionals are accurately acknowledged. It also will ensure in the future we’ll have accurate workforce data for these modalities.

    “We encourage all industry professionals to familiarise themselves with their occupation codes and to utilise them in the census to accurately capture the true impact of Pilates and yoga professions.”

    Francses Cahill, Pilates Fitness Institute & Pilates ITC CEO said the industry welcomed the inclusion given the growth of Pilates in the community.

    “This is a significant achievement for the Pilates industry, recognising the substantial growth of Pilates and identifying the valuable contribution to the community’s health and wellbeing,” Ms Cahill said.

    Meanwhile Ellen Nash, Principal Therapist for Yoga & Wellness For All said the Yoga inclusion emphasised the import role Yoga plays in overall health.

    “Yoga professionals can be proud of this inclusion as a recognition of the significant benefits that yoga brings to the health and wellbeing of the participants,” Ms Nash said.

    “It comes at a time when referrals to yoga by the medical profession and allied health sector increase readily and the evidence-based practice is acknowledged as effective as well as value for money.”

    The 462 Sports and Fitness Workers classification now covers:

    • 462231 Pilates Instructor | Teacher
    • 462232 Yoga Instructor | Teacher

    The Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) is a standardised framework for storing, organising and reporting occupation-related information.

    It has been established by the ABS through a comprehensive review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) conducted between July 2022 and December 2024. OSCA replaces ANZSCO in Australia.

    OSCA informs Australia’s important decisions involving statistical outputs and labour market analysis. The ABS uses OSCA to describe occupations in its statistical output from collections such as the Census of Population and Housing and Labour Force Survey, and administrative data such as the Linked Employer-Employee Dataset.

    OSCA can also be used to measure and understand the labour market. Examples include developing workforce strategies to support industry and establishing mechanisms to ensure the availability of skilled job holders via skilled migration and educational pathways.

    For more information about the Pilates and Yoga Instructors OSCA visit 4622 Pilates and Yoga Instructors

    For more information about AUSactive visit ausactive.org.au

  • AUSactive gains endorsement from ASAPD

    AUSactive gains endorsement from ASAPD

    AUSactive broadens its commitment to diversity and inclusion with endorsement  from ASAPD 

    With a focus on inclusive exercise and physical activity for everyone, AUSactive has taken a step forward by being recognised by the Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) through their Sector Partner Endorsement Program.

    ASAPD is a collaboration between the National Sporting Organisations for People with a Disability (NSOD’s) that has been established with the support of the Australian Sports Commission. 

    ASAPD represents nine member organisations comprising: Boccia Australia, Blind Sports Australia, Deaf  Sports Australia, Disability Sport Australia, Disabled Wintersport Australia, Riding for the Disabled, Sport  Inclusion Australia, Special Olympics Australia and Transplant Australia.  

    AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish said the ASAPD recognition was an important alignment and was part of the association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy to make exercise and physical activity more access for all corners of the Australian community. 

    “AUSactive is passionate about inclusive exercise and physical activity and through our DEI Strategy we are making concerted efforts to broaden our scope to reach and inspire all Australians to be more active,” Mr  Elvish said. 

    “By breaking down barriers to fitness, our vision is a future where all members of the community can exercise side by side. The ASAPD partnership is one part of our DEI Strategic commitment and as a leading  alliance within the disability sector representing eight member organisations, we are extremely honoured by the recognition.” 

    ASAPD CEO Dr Phil Hamdorf said the partnership with AUSactive highlighted the valuable contribution the exercise and active health sector can make to enhance access and participation for individuals living with a  disability. 

    “As an alliance of passionate advocates and organisations, we collaborate to break down barriers and ensure equal access for people of all abilities,” Dr Hamdorf said. 

    “We welcome the partnership with AUSactive as it will help increase sector engagement at a grassroots level and reach more people within our community. 

    “Ultimately the goal is to foster a positive and inclusive culture within the community and we know by working with organisations, such as AUSactive, this can be achieved.” 

    As part of the DEI Strategy, AUSactive is also in the process of becoming a registered NDIS provider to ensure it can fully support its members to work with people with a disability and deliver Personal Training services.  

    “By offering comprehensive training modules and supporting our members’ future work under the NDIS, we are deepening our commitment to inclusivity and helping participants to improve their health and wellbeing,” Mr Elvish said.

    AUSactive is embarking on this NDIS provider journey because inclusivity lies at the heart of our mission. We firmly believe that everyone should have equal access to exercise opportunities, empowering them to lead active, fulfilling lives.  

    “Regular physical activity has profound benefits to our physical and mental health, particularly as people with a disability often face barriers to exercise, leading to lower fitness levels, higher rates of overweight and obesity, and increased likelihood of experiencing mental health challenges compared to their peers.” 

    In the past 24 months, AUSactive members have been critical in the delivery of various programs in the promotion of diversity and inclusion. These programs, including All ABILITIES and VicHealth JumpStart, have provided opportunities for individuals with a disability to develop physical skills, social connections and  confidence. 

    Through education and partnerships between disability service providers and AUSactive registered businesses, under both All ABILITIES and JumpStart, there have been significant opportunities to promote safe and effective group exercise participation for people with a disability. 

    For more information about AUSactive visit ausactive.org.au 

  • AUSactive Keeps Finger On The Pulse With New Chair Appointment

    AUSactive Keeps Finger On The Pulse With New Chair Appointment

    AUSactive has future-proofed its Board with the early appointment of current Director and Managing Director of Myzone Australia Emmett Williams to Chair, ahead of Jayne Blake’s term end in July 2025. The interim appointment will ensure business continuity at a time of considerable strategic momentum for AUSactive.

    Having reached the maximum term under rules of the Constitution, Jayne Blake’s term as AUSactive Chair must end by the 25th of July 2025 and following an internal nomination process, the Board unanimously voted to appoint existing Director, Emmett Williams, as the next Chair of AUSactive after Jayne Blake exits the role in early 2025.

    To ensure an orderly transition of Chair, a Deputy Chair role has been created as a new governance support for the Board. Mr Williams will assume the new Deputy Chair role effective from the 2024 AGM and will commence as AUSactive Chair in early 2025 with Jayne Blake stepping down to Deputy Chair to continue to support the transition until her maximum term on the Board is reached.

    AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish said the Board and Executive were thrilled to confirm the appointment of Mr Williams to spearhead the association from 2025.

    “Mr Williams brings many years of deep industry experience, both in Australia and globally, and is exceptionally well connected and respected across the industry and we are thrilled he has accepted the Chair position from 2025,” Mr Elvish said.

    “We are very confident Mr Williams will be an excellent choice to take over from Jayne, leading the Board in the next phase of delivering on the strategic objectives.

    “Mr Williams has been an extremely engaged and active AUSactive Board Members since 2022, also serving on two Board Committees.”

    Mr Williams said he was honoured to be offered the opportunity to chair the AUSactive Board and looked forward to playing a key role in improving the health and wellbeing of all Australians.

    “The AUSactive Board and the Senior Management Team led by Barrie Elvish are built on incredible talent, so I very much look forward to pursuing the vision of activating everybody, every way, every day. Given the concerning state of the nation’s health, our purpose of supporting the industry to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians has never been more critical,” Mr Williams said.

    “I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jayne Blake, who not only managed the CEO seat during a transition but was Chair during both the critical rebranding and the turbulent days of COVID-19. Jayne’s professionalism, governance capability, and broad experience were exactly what our peak body needed at that time, and we will forever be grateful to her.”

    As a result of the launch of the 2023 Fit for Office campaign, Mr Williams has been working hard with AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish to drive the Advocacy agenda and has become an instrumental part of the Government Advocacy efforts that have recently become incredibly successful.

    Mr Williams is a graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors and takes his AUSactive governance obligations extremely seriously, including meticulously managing any real, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.

    Mr Williams is currently in the process of establishing an AUSactive Supplier Advisory Group (ASAG), to ensure a range of industry suppliers have a strong voice into AUSactive. Mr Williams will Chair this Advisory Group and during Q1 2025, will identify a replacement Chair of that Group.

    Once Mr Williams has handed over the Chair ASAG role, he will step into the Board Chair role and Ms Blake will step down into the Deputy Chair role to continue to support the transition until her maximum term on the Board is reached.

    The new Deputy Chair roll will provide governance support for the Board with the specific purpose of:

    • Supporting the Chair in fulfilling their responsibilities
    • Serving as the Chair when the Chair is unavailable, due to absence or for matters where the Chair has a real, potential or perceived Conflict of Interest
    • Assisting the Chair in leading the Board of Directors and ensuring effective governance and strategic oversight of AUSactive.

    For more information about AUSactive visit ausactive.org.au

  • Fitness Business Podcast’s Interview With Liz Clark, Barrie Elvish & Richard Beddie

    Fitness Business Podcast’s Interview With Liz Clark, Barrie Elvish & Richard Beddie

    Click to listen to the podcast here & get all the links

     

    Episode 2 of Season 1 dropped a couple of weeks ago and it was a fantastic chat with 3 of the busiest people in the world as they represent our industry. If you don’t want to listen to the episode, you can read the questions I ask here . . .

    “Hey JT, you know the folks running the fitness association are all volunteers, right? If you think you can do better, why not step up and join them?”

    I took that challenge head-on! I stopped my whinging and bitching over the water cooler – because we didn’t have key board warriors back then!

    I joined the executive team of my State Association and eventually the national body here in Australia. It wasn’t until I was on the inside that I truly understood just how hard these people—both paid staff and volunteers—work behind the scenes to support our incredible industry!

    The moving parts are almost impossible to grasp until you’re immersed in that world—trust me, it’s mind-blowing! So, before you start typing away as that keyboard warrior, remember that there are 100’s of volunteers all over the world giving their all for the betterment of our industry.

    Today, we’re thrilled to have Barrie Elvish from AUSActive, Richard Beddie from ExerciseNZ and Liz Clark from the Health & Fitness Association. They’ll be sharing the lobbying efforts they’re driving in their countries, how their associations are elevating our industry, and what you can do to make our industry even more extraordinary!

    We have a heavy hitters panel for you this episode! So by the end of the next 30 minutes, I guarantee you’ll be ready to wave the fitness industry flag in the faces of decision-makers in your community!

    Welcome to Episode 2 and before we get the panel on, let’s hear 3 minutes of Wise Words from our expert: Lindsay Vastola from Vast Potential.

    Click Here To Listen To Lindsay’s Wise Words

    The Questions The Panel Were Asked

    • As Association leaders how do you define the fitness industry and why should people join your association?
    • There is no question, that the fitness industry was screwed by governments around the world in 2020 (if not before and perhaps even still now), so why is the relationship with Governments so important now, perhaps more than ever?
    • In March we saw IHRSA change their name to Health & Fitness Association, which I am sure helps in the corridors of Washington. What is at the top of the lobbying efforts in the US?
    • What is at the top of the lobbying efforts in Australia?
    • What are you seeing around the world as lobbying efforts?
    • In the US we’ve also seen one click to cancel and the right to be forgotten laws.  I know many of this is state legislation but both ‘laws’ have a significant impact on our industry.  Are you lobbying for anything in these spaces?
    • Barrie, I have just started to see the Australian media picking up on how difficult ‘subscription businesses’ are making it difficult to cancel. Will similar to the US laws come to Australia?
    • Are there any other laws or policies you see on the horizon that might impact our industry?
    • This is not a political podcast but it would be remiss of us not to mention the upcoming election in the US.  Do you see any impact on the industry based on the result of your federal election that owners need to get ready for?
    • Barrie, Australia has an election in March 2025, can the fitness industry expect to play a part?
    • I guess one of the problems when working so hard on lobbying is there is a very slow ROI of your time, what do you say to the industry about patience?
    • What is happening with your membership numbers and how do they compare with new players in the market place – ie are you increasing your penetration and by what numbers?
    • How is your association ‘attractive’ to the smaller gyms that are now commonplace?
    • If you had 30 seconds to speak to the entire industry in your country or globally, what would you say to them.
    • What is your 90 day challenge for the FBP Community in your country?

    Suppliers Pitch – Listen To Dana Milkie from EGym Here

    Here are 4 REX Roundtables Trusted Suppliers you should check out:

    Let’s keep the conversation going. Join our thriving LinkedIn Community, where REX guests will be to answer any follow-up questions you may have.

    I really hope you have a new appreciation of the effort, hard work and strategy that your national associations are doing for the industry. I want to encourage you to visit their websites and if you are like I was, unhappy or unimpressed then doing shout from the sidelines, get into the game and help your industry.

    You’ve got actionable steps from today’s episode to enhance your leadership, drive innovation, and boost profits. I’m eager to hear about your wins, so is everyone! So please share your wins in our LinkedIn community! Click here to join our community.

    Next episode, I’ll be chatting with Jamie Kennedy from Brave Moon Podcasts. We are going to be delving into why & how to make podcasting part of your marketing arsenal!  And she’d know because she’s now producing this podcast!

    “What we leave behind is not set in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others.”

    Catch you in 2 weeks!

  • 5 Strategies To Improve Fitness Business Profitability, Lead Generation And Retention

    5 Strategies To Improve Fitness Business Profitability, Lead Generation And Retention

    Click to listen to the podcast here & get all the links

    Episode 1 of Season 1 dropped a couple of weeks ago and I did it as a solocast. If you don’t want to listen to the episode, you can read it all here . . .

    I have the best job in the industry – well I think so – as I get to visit gyms, studios and facilities across the globe. I have the pleasure of speaking with owners, managers and team members from every type of fitness business on the planet. Could there be a better job?

    Oh yeah there can be . . . hosting YOUR Fitness Business Podcast!

    Through all my experiences, I hear best practices for leading, managing & running fitness businesses of all sizes. Especially, from my REX members who are amazing business leaders and I have a ring side seat to see what they do!

    I told you I have a cracking job!

    In the next 20 minutes I am going to share FIVE opportunities in your business that you may have forgotten about!

    In fact, you better make sure nobody is around when you’re listening to today’s episode because I bet at some stage during this episode, you’ll slap your forehead and shout “Shhhhhiiiiiiittttttttt” . . . that’s what I guarantee in the first episode of season 1 of V3.0 of Fitness Business Podcast: “oh shhhhhhiiiiiiiitttttttt” moments.

    Strap in because we are starting episode 1 of season 1 in version 3.0 of YOUR Fitness Business Podcast!

    We have a brand new segment called 3 Minutes of Wise Words.  This segment is an expert sharing their wisdom. We’ll change up the theme from business operations/strategy to personal well-being/productivity.  And our first guest is Alan Leach the CEO from Westwood Clubs in Ireland.  I saw Alan present the best presentation I have ever seen at IHRSA on pricing. So I could not think of any one better to share wise words with you.

    Wise Words – Listen to Alan Leach here

    I owned gyms in the 1990’s and I would more times than not forget all the good things we did – the stuff we did that worked!! I’d get bored of things that worked and go looking for the next bright shiny object. Quickly, I’d forget what worked well as I always looked for the next best thing! The reality in every business there are hidden treasures that we forget about and in this episode I know I am going to share 5 hidden treasure chests ladened with gold!

    After I’ve shared my 5 hidden treasures, hang around as we have a special guest: Taylor who will share with you how you can add serious income to your business through advertising local businesses in your club. The income is staggering!

    Oh and please do not let me to forget to tell you who is coming on episode 2 . . . you will not believe who we have lined up!

    One final plug – if you’re watching the video or see a social media I am wearing merch thanks REX Roundtables. REX are great supporters of the podcast, so check out REXRoundtables.com and if you’d like me to wear your merch during an interview, contact me and I will happily be your social influencer!

    Let’s not muck around . . . let’s rip into 5 hidden treasures in your fitness business. Where I guarantee when find the treasure, open the chest there will be gold a plenty and you’ll be saying “Argh” like all good pirates!

     

    Idea #1 – Audit Your Sales System

    I am going to go out on limb and say I bet you have enough leads to make the sales you need every month. I would at least bet you have more leads every day, week, month that you currently have recorded in whatever system you use.

    How can I be so definitive in this because we have tested this in the US and Australia.

    In fact, in July Keepme.ai published that they made 410 membership inquiries to North American Gym Operators.

    ? 58% didn’t reply to email inquiries.  Those that did took an average of 4hrs to reply.

    ? 61% did not respond to Facebook inquiries.  Those that did took >17hrs to reply

    ? 52% did not respond to Instagram inquiries.  Those that did took an average of 37hrs to reply

    You are getting leads and your system is letting you down.

    Before I help with a solution, I want to stick the knife in, twist it, add some salt and then wriggle it – ie create maximum pain for you so that you realise what happens when your sales processes are weak.

    Simple maths here – if based on your conversion rates you need 100 leads every week and you are only hitting 80 then you will up your marketing spend.  If your cost per lead is $20 then you’ll need to spend $400 extra to get the 100 leads you need.  That blows out to over $20K in a year – that’s a great holiday for you but instead you’re funding either Mark Zuckerberg’s next holiday or your marketing agency’s!

    For me there’s a 3 step process:

    1. Audit your own processes through mystery shopping. Just as Keepme have done and just as MysteryShoppingForFitnessBusinesses.com.au do in Australia. Have a mystery shopper enquire and see what happens in regard to what is said & what happens.
    2. Change the mindset of the staff and have them stop worrying about NOT getting an appointment. Have them excited we have a lead! Let’s know where it came from to provide real data on where to spend our next marketing dollar – not wasting a cent!
    3. Consistently train your team in personal sales skills and the in house sales processes. If you are mystery shopping your staff, the reports from the mystery shopping identify what staff do well and the areas of improvement.  This means they will no longer sit through generic training for hours and ‘think that’s not relevant to me.” Now the training can be uber-personalised with 45mins of targeted training.

    Never ever lose a lead again and you’ve found your hidden treasure!

    Idea #2 – refer friends give members what they want

    As a club owner, I ran promotion after promotion giving everything away from TV’s to BBQ’s to travel vouchers to in club merch and nothing worked as well as giving away free membership.  So if you want referrals, try giving away membership.

    Willie & Angel Banos from Gold’s So-Cal take this to the extreme with a click bait headline: Refer 3 friends and receive 3 years free! I saw this in their club when I visited and it certainly piqued my interest! I thought, every member would think 3 members is very achievable! And the reward is huge! I do love the fine print too – all 3 members must join within 90 days of each other. This means every time you refer a member the 90 days starts ticking!  You also don’t receive your ‘free membership’ until all 3 have paid for 90 days of membership.

    Of course you may not want to go this extreme, perhaps 1 referral is 1 month, 2 referrals is 3 months and 3 referrals in 1 year.  This could be just as effective for you.

    Or any variation of time or service.  The key is the ‘click bait’ headline and it’s subsequent WOW factor.

    An ongoing consistent referral program that you tell your members about regularly is hidden treasure.

    I think the gold in the hidden treasure is in the communication with the member who is referring. It’s calling/emailing/texting to say “John” has joined and 2 more and you’ll receive your free year of membership.  As an on-going referral strategy you permission to always go to your members with updates on their progress toward free membership and at least you’ll personally thank them: warm n fuzzy feeling for you and them!

    Idea #3 – Know your retention length & then work on making that longer

    At a recent US convention, I was speaking with an owner who told me he had 125% retention . . . I was like WOW! And asked how is that even possible and he said that’s what my software told me!

    Our first issue in the fitness industry is knowing the difference between retention and attrition – they are not opposites and each measures different data in your business.

    Dr Paul Bedford, the Retention Guru and future Wise Words expert that drops in episode 3, defines retention as how long people stay with us and is measured in months.

    Obviously, this number can be skewed if you’ve had a long standing business, so current members who have been with you since day dot impact any averages.

    I like to focus on the average length of your cancelled members and as Paul says this is measure in months.

    When I know how long a member stays with me before they cancel, I can then build strategies to try to have that member stay a little longer – imagine having 100 members every month stay one extra month where your dues are 50 bucks a month – that’s an extra $5K per month or $60K at the end of the year.

    Spend your energy not on saving members when they come into cancel but rather identifying when they hit friction in their usage habits, iron that out and start lengthening how long people stay.

    Does it work . . . YES! One of my clubs, had no contracts and our average length of a cancelled membership was 7 months. We called every member on their 5th month anniversary with the goal to get them in for a chat. After 3 months, we had increased the stay to 8 months. We shifted the call to the 6 month anniversary and the trend continued.

    If you want to improve retention – how long people stay – what are you doing to encourage usage because when people use your club they stay.  Don’t rely on their self-discipline, you have to be pro-active.

    Idea #4 – If You Give A Shit Then Really Give A Shit

    Post covid we told people they were ESSENTIAL to our success, productivity and indeed profitability. But did they/do they feel that are ESSENTIAL at your business?

    There is data that would suggest otherwise;

    • From August 2022 to August 23 there had been more strikes in the US than in the last 20 years.
    • A LinkedIn Workplace Study in 2023 found that the #1 reason on where to work was based on ‘job fulfillment’ and a very close second was having a manager who cares.

    The most coveted skills from leaders in the future will be making your team member feel seen, heard and valued.  Your actions will show if genuinely care.

    For a moment, self-reflect and imagine no-one is around as you listen. Raise your hand if in the last 30 days you have:

    • Cancelled a 1:1 with one of your team;
    • Showed up late or finished early that 1:1
    • Or even offered them a get out of the meeting card with the statement, “If you’ve got too much on we can push our meeting back to next week.”

    The reality is that roughly 2.5% of time at work is spent with the leader.  And 80%+ of that time is generally spent on “updates” or transactional topics. Not about “How are you doing?”

    And why does that happen . . . because we are hustling!

    Remember and tattoo this on your brain:

    #1 – Hurry & care cannot co-exist

    #2 – Time & attention are the currency of care

    If you want have a line of people wanting to work for you (including those who already do) then start caring about your team as humans first and team members second.  With this flip, watch your business exponentially grow!  The hidden treasure your care factor.

    Idea #5 – Don’t Waste The Opportunity To Build Wealth

    Mike Michalowicz in his book Profit First says the first person to be paid should be yourself.  You need to be an expense line on every P & L. Pay yourself first.

    By the way, Mike was interviewed by us back in show 24. And if you think we should get him back after 9 years, then let me know.

    Too many owners pay themselves last. Budget your salary first and then build in all the other expenses. You don’t live with ownership pressure not to be paid.

    The same concept works for team members to improve their savings.  Too many team members spend their salary and save only what is left. Teach them to change their thinking, put their savings away FIRST and then spend the balance.  For a 21 year old, saving $25 per week without interest a crews to $1300 by the end of the year – that’s a lot of money for a 21 year old!

    I also see many businesses carrying thousands of dollars in their everyday bank accounts.  Every day bank accounts that give you cents in interest.  No matter the size of the business, what is the minimum your working bank needs every day or week?  Whenever your account gets above that amount, sweep the account and put it in a high yield account. This could be for 30-60-90 days or it could be longer.

    Excess cash in your bank accounts – business or personal – reduces your opportunity to build wealth.  Take what you do not need and invest it appropriately and turn cents interest in dollars interest.  This is using hidden treasure to build wealth.

    At the end of every interview, I am going to ask our guest to give you a 90 day challenge.  The idea is to turn what you’ve just heard/learned into a meaningful step to enhancing your business or developing you.

    My 90 day challenge for you is pick one of the 5 hidden treasure – don’t pick all 5 because you’ll half bake them – and pick one that will have the greatest immediate on your business,

    Pick one hidden treasure and build a time line to research, plan, launch and execute in 90 days.  I bet if you spend 90mins a week working on one of these ideas then 18 hours or 90 days later you’ll have this nailed!

    Get after it FBP Community.

    Suppliers Pitch – Listen to Taylor Watkins from Digital Revenue Systems here

    Make sure to check out other Trusted Suppliers for REX Roundtables

    You can find all the contact details on this week’s episode notes at FitnessBusinessPodcast.com

    We are back with episode 1 now in your ears and I am keen to know what you think, please use our socials or website to send any feedback.  Our LinkedIn Community is also a great place to share your thoughts and tell us what you want from YOUR Fitness Business Podcast.

    Now episode 2 is a cracking show! I will be chatting with Barrie Elvish from AUSActive, Richard Beddie from Exercise NZ and Liz Clark from the Health & Fitness Association.  These 3 CEO’s and their respective boards are busting their humps to change government perception of our industry.  Liz will in fact share that thanks to lobbying, they have saved some clubs $60,000 in an annual salary for someone to just take cancellations in US gyms! You will not believe what the government wanted to do!  That show drops 3rd October!

    You’ve got actionable steps from today’s episode to enhance your leadership, drive innovation, and boost profits. I’m eager to hear about your wins, so is everyone! So please share your wins in our LinkedIn community!  Click here to join our community

    Before I wrap up . . . head to FitnessBusinessPodcast.com to subscribe to our exclusive episode notes.  I’ll be sharing tech platforms or apps to help your business – other than industry CRM’s – and also YouTube clips that I am watching. This is exclusive to the subscribers of our episode notes. Go to FitnessBusinessPodcast.com.

    Do you remember our sign off? If it’s your first time, you don’t have to join me but if you’ve heard or before, don’t just say it with me think about the deeper meaning:

    “What we leave behind is not set in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others.”

    Catch you in 2 weeks!

  • StretchLab joins AUSactive

    StretchLab joins AUSactive

    Newcomer to the Australian market now industry recognised

    One of the newest wellness concepts to open in Australia, StretchLab, has joined AUSactive as a group  business member to help elevate their presence and aid their expansion across the country.

    With a focus solely on stretches, StretchLab is not your regular high-intensity fitness studio but rather a  boutique studio offering customised assisted-stretch sessions in groups or one-on-one.

    StetchLab’s Brand Manager, Scott Suckling, said the brand might be new to the Australian market but it’s  backed by a huge and successful network of 500 studios across North America.

    “StretchLab is the first concept of its kind in the Australian market, but the brand has proven success with a  mature product having been supported and successful in the North America with more than 500 studios,”  Mr Suckling said.

    “StretchLab is owned by Xponential so we are also part of the world’s largest boutique fitness brand,  which gives our network and our franchisees access to a wide range of experts, innovations and global  insights.”

    Mr Suckling said joining AUSactive was part of the brand’s strategy to increase brand awareness and help  franchisees succeed as it expands across Australia.

    “Affiliation with a large well-respected group like AUSactive is about strengthening our position in the  industry as a relative newcomer. For our existing and new franchisees, access to the suite of services  AUSactive offers is important as it will help support their growing business and give added peace of mind to  their clients,” Mr Suckling said.

    “Working together will help strengthen our brand and empower our franchisees to succeed.

    “AUSactive provides valuable services, education, and advocacy for our industry and businesses. By  partnering with AUSactive, StretchLab aims to benefit from their expertise in driving the development of  best practices and industry standards, which is important for us being a new concept and brand in  Australia.”

    With a network of 18 franchisees, StretchLab is set to have 25 studios across Australia by the end of the  year but is focused on expanding on the east coast within the next 3 years.

    “Within the next three years, we would love to have 50+ studios open and successful operating. Growing  our network into Victoria and Queensland will be key to this plus key regional markets.”

    “We opened our first studio in Claremont, Western Australia in September 2021 and we have steadily  grown since then. There is strong interest from businesses owners in the StretchLab concept and this is  growing as more people experience the benefits of improved mobility that comes with proper stretching.”

    AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish said he was thrilled to welcome StretchLab and its franchisees as business  members.

    “By joining AUSactive, StrtetchLab and their franchisees are demonstrating their commitment to delivery  service excellent within our industry. As a new concept in the Australian market they also understand the  important of being part of an industry association that is not only focused on supporting businesses to  succeed but advocating for more people to be more active more often,” Mr Elvish said.

    “AUSactive is focused on raising the standards across the industry and the support we have received from  new and existing business members is fantastic. Industry recognised businesses and facilities put safely and  service excellence first and this gives greater confidence to their members who are choosing a studio  environment to get more active.”

    ABOUT STRETCHLAB

    No two bodies are the same and no two stretches at StretchLab are the same. One-on-one stretching is  about identifying tightness and imbalances in your body and customizing a stretch routine that is just for  you. Our clients may come in with pain, tightness or specific focus areas, but they keep coming back and  commit to their flexibility journey once they experience the freedom that comes with having a wider range  of motion and flexibility.

    Live long and set your body free, visit https://www.stretchlab.com.au/

  • New casual employment changes set to come into effect

    New casual employment changes set to come into effect

    AUSactive Webinar and Q&A on 30 August 2024 

    From 26 August 2024, the Fair Work Commission is introducing changes to casual employment as part of the Closing Loopholes reforms and AUSactive is urging its members to understand the changes to ensure they comply with the Fair Work Ombudsman. 

    The changes to be introduced by the Fair Work Commission include: 

    • A new definition for a casual employee
    • A new pathway for eligible employees to change to full-time or part-time (permanent) employment (casual conversion)
    • When an employer has to offer, and doesn’t have to offer, casual conversion
    • When a casual employee can request casual conversion
    • Casual conversion entitlements of casual employees employed by small business employers.

    AUSactive CEO Barrie Elvish said changes to the Fair Work Act must be understood to ensure all employees  and businesses are protected when it comes to hiring new team members. 

    “Many of the businesses in our network employ casual employees – they are vital to the ongoing growth  and success of our industry. However, changes to the Fair Work Act are everyone’s business and it’s important our members are aware of what the changes mean for their business and employees,” Mr Elvish  said. 

    AUSactive will be hosting a dedicated HR Recruitment webinar on Friday 30 August at 12.00pm, providing members with key legal do’s and don’t’s while offering the opportunity for a Q&As about the casual  employment changes. 

    Mr Elvish said AUSactive was committed to providing support to members as part of their membership to  ensure they had access to the information they require to run their business effectively. 

    “Our upcoming HR Recruitment Webinar will be focused on the casual employment changes set to be introduced from Monday 26th August. It will provide members the opportunity to ask questions and understand their legal requirements more thoroughly,” Mr Elvish said. 

    “As the peak association for the active health and fitness industry, we are committed to providing our members with resources and support to help them navigate employment requirements for their business.”

    HR Recruitment Webinar

    Date: Friday, 30 August 2024 

    Time: 12.00pm AEST 

    Registration: https://ausactive.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G2nOheSZSkuSz8DcpTXNBw#/registration 

    For more information about the casual employment changes go to https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about us/workplace-laws/legislation-changes/closing-loopholes/casual-employment-changes 

  • 3 Key Strategies to Strengthen Your Fitness Business Financially

    3 Key Strategies to Strengthen Your Fitness Business Financially

    Last month I chatted with Greg Will for AUSActive on what we need to do now to ensure our finances are healthy at the end of the next financial year. AUSactive members can access the full session on e-learning platform ‘iLearn’ by logging in here.

    As fitness business owners, it’s essential to consistently evaluate and improve our financial standing. Here are three actionable strategies to ensure your fitness business is in a stronger financial position in the next 12 months:

    1. Know Your Numbers

    Understanding your financials is fundamental. Whether you work with a bookkeeper or manage the numbers yourself, you must review your finances at the end of each month. Ask yourself:

    • How much income did we generate this month?
    • Did we meet our financial goals?
    • What were our expenses, and were they justified?

    Knowing your baseline and foundation is crucial. Just like in personal training, you need to know your starting point to make improvements. Regular financial check-ins will help you identify trends, pinpoint areas for improvement, and make informed decisions. 

    1. Create and Adhere to a Budget

    Every fitness business, whether a personal training service or a multimillion-dollar gym, should have a budget or forecast for the next 12 months. This forward plan acts as a roadmap for your financial goals. For instance, if your budget predicts $10,000 in revenue for a particular month, evaluate why you did or didn’t hit that target. Were there fewer clients? Did operational issues arise?

    Sticking to this plan helps you stay accountable and make necessary adjustments promptly. It’s not just about setting targets but actively working towards achieving them and understanding any deviations.

    1. Seek Professional Advice

    Don’t hesitate to seek advice if you need to make significant financial decisions, such as buying or selling parts of your business, or if you’re unsure about your financial strategies. Many experts are willing to offer their insights, often at no initial cost. Engaging in discussions with a financial advisor can provide valuable perspectives and strategies that you might not have considered.

    Implementing these three strategies can significantly enhance your financial stability and growth. Regularly monitoring your financial health, planning ahead, and seeking expert advice will ensure your fitness business thrives in the coming year.