Learning Center
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.
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?
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.
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.
The annual International Health, Racquet & SportsClub Association (IHRSA) International Convention & Trade Show took place March 7-10 in Los Angeles and, honestly, it was a exceptionally exciting time for AFS and the entire fitness studio community.
We had over 25 formal meetings and scores of informal conversations with industry leaders over the three-day period.
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.
As fitness professionals, we know consistency is key to lasting results. Honestly, most of our clients know that too. But there’s often a disconnect between understanding this at an intellectual level and implementing this knowledge for lasting change.
In order for our work to be meaningful, our mission achievable, our retention rates high and our businesses thriving, we must arm clients with the right tools for behavior change.
The other week, I had the honor and pleasure to present two seminars at the Empower! Fusion event in Chicago, and let me tell you – it was most definitely EMPOWERING!
Over a thousand attendees were on hand, with energy off the charts, with an amazing eagerness to learn, network, and workout. My two sessions - one on Studio Trends and the other How to Start your Own Fitness Business – were well attended and the interaction was incredible.
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.
When I started as a personal trainer, my club had a system where we gave each new member two “free” sessions. On the first session, we took them through a traditional exercise routine with the “boring blue card” where we marched them from one machine to the next, wrote down the seat adjustment, weight and suggested sets and reps.
Then, on our second session - which we called the “wow” session - we used non-traditional equipment, applied more “functional training” movements, and tried to impress the member with all the cool exercise combinations we knew.
Risk management for fitness studios speaks to creating, fostering and delivering a safe environment for clients and employees, while also protecting the assets of the business.
Learn what it takes to create, foster and deliver enriching and memorable experiences.
We can all agree that if an activity is fun, we’re more likely to do it, right? As trainers, we understand this and do our best to incorporate “play” or “fun” into our training.
We advise our clients to choose exercise modalities that they like to do, we select exercises that will not only improve our clients’ fitness levels, but also create an enjoyable experience, and some of us even develop creative incentive programs for our clients to reward them for their hard work.
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.
If it seems like everybody always wants a piece of the fitness studio trainers’ time, it’s probably because demands are high and ever-increasing.
Trainers are often called upon not only for one-on-one and group training, but also for scheduling, developing programming, monitoring safe exercise execution and countless other vital tasks.
Fitness is no different than many industries who are always looking to stay on top of trends. Fashion has its waves of top styles and colors, restaurants have the favorite dishes and flashy ingredients we all look to have on our plates.
Being in fitness for 12 years myself, I have seen my share of what has stayed mainstream and what has fallen to the wayside.
“We can’t escape fear. We can only transform it into a companion that accompanies us in all our exciting adventures; it is not an anchor holding us transfixed in one spot.” This quote from the book “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway” is a perfect example of what happens to most people in life and business.
Fear is our natural reaction to danger. But honestly, at this point in world history, how much physical danger are we actually in?
AFS and Intelivideo bring you this very important webinar showing you how it has never been easier to create a paid subscription video channel. Your customers are on Youtube and Vimeo, and they're buying fitness DVDs everyday.
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.
You are probably already full speed ahead in working toward your fitness goals – get it! Remember that you are in this for the long haul - your sustained effort over time is important - pace yourself and enjoy the ride.
As you probably know, memberships and physical activity levels tend to increase and peak during the first quarter of the year (January – March), and then drop off throughout the rest of the year.
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.
FBA is Right For Everybody
• Trainer, Manager or Owner • Beginner or Veteran • 500-10,000 sq.ft.