FITNESS MATTERS: Balance is Critical to Success

Undoubtedly fitness, and the naturally positive energy created by an effectively planned and well-managed fitness amenity, has proven to be a successful means of creating happy, satisfied guests. The negative repercussions arising from poor and incomplete planning seem to be a 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 business strategy should include an ongoing facility management component that consistently revisits, refreshes and rebalances the amenity, 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 and meeting their expectations, is a mandatory level of upkeep. Too often, the importance of maintaining a safe, clean, current and relevant fitness offering 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 a balance perspective, they are occupied in intervals of merely the 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.

With the increased focus on core training and flexibility thanks to the popularity of yoga, pilates and contemporary other 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.

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 intangible 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 workout for your guests. For example, utilize rubber or urethane weights and dumbbells to reduce the annoying clanking sounds that occur as user’s clank them together or re-rack them (or unfortunately drop them from time to time) 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 amenities are public and competing TVs are blaring in a fitness center.  If you are featuring entertainment amenities designed for one-to-one personal use, make sure that your ambient sound system volume is set at a level that exceeds the noise level of the operational 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. Keep in mind, he fitness center isn’t a static environment. It’s not the lobby. 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. You would be surprised to learn how much the look or functionality of a piece of equipment can skew its appeal more heavily toward men or women. This consideration relates mostly to strength training equipment, as most cardio equipment is universal.  But for some reason, when it comes to pushing weight or pumping the iron, suddenly this element of “sex appeal” becomes an issue. This is typically something that may not be so evident to your naked eye, and for this reason, I highly recommend seeking the advice of an expert fitness business consultant or purchasing agent who can help illuminate the nuances of various equipment alternatives that may or may not appeal more heavily to men or women. Typically, you’ll want to strive for pieces that are balanced in their appeal. However, in the event you have a need to serve one sex more predominantly than the other, this expertise will come in handy.

Sweat the Small Stuff
Finally, in addition to these larger areas of evaluation and management, there are a variety of small details that guests will appreciate and simply can’t be overlooked. A towel service is a simple 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 done with equipment. Make chilled water available either by the bottle or via water coolers. Even something as simple as wall clocks located conveniently in view will be important for the many guests trying to get their workout completed in a timely manner.

All of these recommendations will go far in making your fitness facility a success and keeping your guests coming back for more. However, as a general rule, the value of a fitness consultant with unique expertise in all facets of facility development, management and maintenance could prove the most cost-effective amenity you provide to yourself, and ultimately your guests. A qualified consultant will save you money on the front end, when making the best decisions on everything from electrical and lighting, to equipment, entertainment and layout. Furthermore, a consultant will serve you well over the long haul as you maintain a continued focus on the elements we’ve discussed here to keeping your fitness amenity current, relevant and most importantly, well balanced.