If anybody is wondering why the indoor cycling phenomenon continues to grow at a seemingly non-stop pace, they need look no farther than the numbers.
Based on research from the Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) 2016 Marketing Best Practices Research Report, indoor cycling studios generate 55% more revenue than other types of fitness studios.
For the last 10 years as technology has expanded into and taken over other industries our industry has seen its share come and go.
There have been some solutions we expected to change the industry, others that were the next big thing, and so many that have saturated the market without much positive impact anywhere near the scale we need it to be.
Let’s face it, this is a fun industry. A lot of us get into it because it beats sitting at a desk all day, but quickly realize that it’s a heck of a lot harder than we may had previously thought.
That being said, I think it’s imperative that we first outline the business that we’re in (the fitness industry) and more importantly, how it makes money.
Market research offers studio operators valuable information that can change the trajectory of their business.
Research can provide thoughtful and impactful insights into a multitude of critical elements that influence how a studio performs.
Having just returned from the IDEA World Convention in Los Angeles, I couldn't be more excited about the future of this industry.
The energy was off the charts and the education was spot on. Growing up in the fitness industry (specifically on the association side) I know how much dedication, hard work, and perseverance it takes to develop an association. I have the utmost respect for what Peter and Kathie Davis have been able to accomplish.
The competition between Boston Market and Chick-fil-A heated up in the 90s.
In a famous Chick-fil-A leadership meeting, executives discussed a variety of strategies to grow bigger and faster to overtake the market. Truett Cathy, founder and former CEO of Chick-fil-A, sat back quietly and listened to the entire team build their case to grow bigger to reach the billion dollar mark by 2000.
Once upon a time, you could be a generalist trainer. All you needed was a general knowledge of physical health to run classes and train people. It’s been this way since the beginning of the industry. But that’s all gone.
Take a look at some of the fads from decades past and you’ll easily see how far we’ve come in our knowledge and expectation from our trainers.
I'm extremely excited to announce that coming soon is your opportunity to participate in the 2nd Annual Fitness Studio Operating & Financial Benchmarking Study!
Those taking part in the survey will help identify and better understand the key benchmarking data and financial performance metrics of fitness studios. To bring this study to life, AFS has partnered with ClubIntel, a brand insights and research firm that specializes in the health and fitness industry.
Having a strong digital presence is critical to the success of any brand, and that’s even more true in the incredibly competitive fitness industry. The biggest fitness brands not only have polished and professional websites, they also use social platforms to engage with customers to build their digital brands.
One of the key elements to maintaining a strong digital brand is the ability to run effective online promotions. The beauty of the digital age is that you can target and communicate with your core customer base with incredible ease.
AFS partner Schwinn recently sat down with Jeffrey to gain insight on the indoor cycling community, talk about current trends and the future.
You have been in the industry over 20 years now, how has it changed since you got your start?
Jeffrey: The cycling category has changed a great deal over the last 20 years. Much like Step, it started out very conservative and then progressively got faster and more complicated. Choreography and experimental techniques were created to keep riders engaged, but over time, people came back to the fundamentals because of the experience and rewards.
• Trainer, Manager or Owner • Beginner or Veteran • 500-10,000 sq.ft.