We’ve consolidated our videos, guides, webinars and more into the AFS Business Learning Center. Browse the resources, and use the concierge service if you need help with any topic.

AFS and Nudge Coach bring you this very exciting webinar related to the fitness app and wearable market.  Learn all about adoption stats and what they mean, plus what fitness consumers believe about apps/wearables and why it matters to you.

Video, Marketing, Client Resources, Training, Software & Technology, Webinar

AFS and FAI bring you this very important webinar related to engaging with the older population demographic. Understand the key differentiating factors that will magnetically attract the ideal older client to your fitness business.

Webinar, Marketing, Client Resources, Training, Video

My background in the martial arts and fitness is very deep and wide. I am of the full belief that there is an undeniable synergistic relationship between the martial arts and fitness. Ponder this thought, what is one without the other?

For example, if an individual is “buffed” and in great shape, but cannot execute a proper punch, how well will he or she be able to defend themselves or their family? Another example would be an overweight, unhealthy martial artist. What kind of example is this individual putting forth?

Blog, Training, Marketing, Client Resources

I've been incredibly fortunate over the past several years to share my knowledge of the fitness space with thousands of fitness professionals.  From trainers/instructors, to those aspiring to open their own gym or studio to incredibly successful operators - every opportunity provides me the platform to support our market - something I never take lightly. 

No matter what stage you're in, AFS stands for raising business standards, helping you manage your clients better and become savvier performers in a business setting. 

Blog, Video, Marketing, Quick Answers

Whether or not a client decides to become or continue to be your client depends on a few things.

1. You. Your personality, teaching style, knowledge and passion will always be the most influential component as to whether or not a client will remain a client. You are your brand and your brand is a powerful sales influencer. It draws people to you, it keeps people with you.

Blog, Equipment, Client Resources, Training, Marketing

AFS and MATRIX bring you this very important webinar related to social media!  Don’t let social media manage you. Make it work for you day in and day out.

Webinar, Video, Marketing

Online marketing trends can be difficult to keep up with.  The digital world changes so quickly and so often that unless you make a point to keep on top of it, you could find yourself falling behind without realizing it.

That’s why we want to share some of the online marketing trends we think will be the ones to follow in 2017, to help independent fitness studio owners stay in front of the curve.

Blog, Marketing, Website

Learn what it takes to create, foster and deliver enriching and memorable experiences.

Online Courses, customer service, Marketing, branding

To ensure a variety of perspectives the Association of Fitness Studios [AFS] canvassed it’s Advisory Council, vendor partners, and leading studio operators on trends they see growing or continuing in 2017.  Their responses were compiled and are presented in a 3-page document, attached. 

Research & Publications, Trends, Training, Marketing, Operations, medical, heart rate, sgt

Most studio owners have been affected by ClassPass in one way or another. There are those of you who have used it as a marketing tool to get an increasing number of bodies into your studios and classes. For others, you have been fighting against it as you watch some of your clients and members walk out the door.

In case you are not familiar, ClassPass is "a new kind of gym membership that grants you access to thousands of different classes at studios and gyms in your city and around the world,” per their website.

Blog, Marketing, Revenue producing programs

There are approximately 100 million baby boomers (aged 50 and over) in the United States making up 30% of the nation’s population and three-fourths of its wealth[i].  This group is expected to live longer than previous generations.  This is the largest population segment in our economy and they are seeking professional help for their aging bodies. 

As this group ages, we are seeing a significant increase in obesity, chronic disease and individuals with multiple medical conditions. 

Blog, Client Resources, Marketing

Get expert advice on how the best fitness studio owners have not only become successful but maintained that success.

Video, Marketing, Programming, Business Start-up, Operations, Strategy Articles, Quick Answers

Typically, marketing is impersonal.  It involves putting up a cleverly worded offer in a newspaper or online and then waiting for the clients that you’ve never met or spoken with to respond.  For many types of products and services across many industries this approach works.

However, when it comes to aging adults and fitness this approach is seldom fruitful.  Yet it is still the most common way for fitness professionals to try to get clients.  This leads to a vicious cycle of frustration.

Blog, Marketing, Client Resources, Operations

AFS and MATRIX Fitness are excited to bring you this very important webinar focused on crafting a plan for maximizing revenue per square foot. Learn the key components to distinguishing your studio in a noisy fitness world. Walk away with several activities to further clarify your brand and boost your bottom line with minimal effort.

Webinar, Video, Marketing, Operations

It’s the end of the year and things are wrapping up soon.  Clients are getting ready for the holidays and perhaps you, too, are looking forward to some time with family and friends and relaxing a bit before the New Year hits.

Between servicing current clients, marketing for new clients, standard business administrative work, family, holiday shopping, and other obligations, there seems to be not a single minute of time left to do anything…let alone catch up on some sleep. 

Blog, Operations, Marketing, Human Resources

We all have relationships of many different degrees and facets in our lives. We have our families, our friends, and those acquaintances and professional contacts we see monthly, weekly or even daily. I ask you all to take a step back and take stock in specifically those professional relationships you have and how long you have had them for.

If I think of my own, I have had the same hair stylist now 11 years, visit the same nail salon for 3 years, and even the same esthetician for almost 4 years.

Blog, Marketing, Operations

As holiday season rolls around, we’re all gearing up for a season of friends and family.  In our fitness lives, member and client travel and vacation plans at times seem to relegate fitness to the last thing on everyone’s mind.

While it may seem like a last ditch effort, running a holiday sale might be one of the most beneficial tactics your fitness business can engage in before the end of year.

Blog, Marketing

Did you know? More and more studios are moving away from the pay as you go models to membership models. Learn the different types of access offerings sold, including percentage distribution by type of package offered.

Plus Stephen Tharrett talks about why studio business models are so diverse and unique!

Video, Marketing, Operations, Business Start-up

Are you set up for success?  Stephen Tharret showcases the latest research including how planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.

What is your studio’s greatest challenge for attracting new clients?  This industry-leading research will get you on track!

Video, Marketing, Operations, Business Start-up

Differentiation is real and can make or break you.  Stephen Tharrett talks about “True differentiation, sustainable differentiation, is rarely a function of well-roundedness; it is typically a function of lopsidedness.”  

And how it’s about providing specialized, high touch, personalized, intuitive, fun experiences led by passionate professionals who are able to foster the creation of self-supporting tribes.

Video, Operations, Marketing, Business Start-up