Group Fitness Classes Increase Club Attendance & Retention

Group fitness is the top service that interests fitness club members, according to new research findings in a member satisfaction survey from leading industry organisations â the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the HealthClub Development Company and Les Mills International.
The survey of more than 2,200 health club members in the United States and Canada in February/March 2009 showed that 60% of club members rate group fitness as a clubâs most important offering â higher than any other service or amenity.
'Multiple group fitness rooms with a range of classes' is the second most important factor in making a decision to join a health club - behind 'professional staff and knowledgeable trainers'.
The survey confirmed earlier research on the power of the Les Mills International brand by finding that, according to global data from IHRSA, Les Mills class participants attend their clubs twice as often as other members.
Other results from the member satisfaction survey showed:
* 71.8% of Les Mills class participants are âvery likelyâ or âextremely likelyâ to continue taking Les Mills classes during the next 12 months;
* 72.2% of Les Mills class participants intend to renew their health club membership; and
* 74.7% of Les Mills class participants are âvery likelyâ or âextremely likelyâ to recommend that a friend join their club.
As Phillip Mills, Founder of Les Mills International, explains âthe power of group exercise starts with its ability to motivate individuals and create a fun and motivating social atmosphere.
âThis survey shows how the positive impact on members translates into growth and financial strength for health clubs.
âTop-quality group fitness is a very cost-effective way to meet the fitness needs of large numbers of members. Those members repay the investment with unmatched loyalty, renewal rates and word-of-mouth advertising.�?
The HealthClub Development Company (HCD) is a US-based consultancy for fitness clubs. HCD is a leader in member surveys and interviews, as well as in planning and strategy of new clubs and other fitness development projects, branding, design, and sales and personal-training solutions for all club types.
Les Mills International is the worldâs largest creator and distributor of group exercise-to-music programs in the worldâs health clubs. Six million people a week participate in Les Mills programs in 12,800 clubs in more than 80 countries around the world.

http://www.lesmills.com