IHRSA conducts Asia-Pacific fitness club survey

The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is currently conducting a survey of its fitness club members in the Asia-Pacific region, to learn more about fitness club management practices.

The short inquiry, with five questions, will be used for a report presented at the ChinaFit/IHRSA China Management Forum being held in Nanjing, China, in November, as well as in other IHRSA trend reports.

IHRSA Asia-Pacific Director John Holsinger explains that the "survey intends to draw out some of the more polarisng issues for some countries, as there are still a wide variety of business models being promoted in the Asia-Pacific region, some of which will not have much longevity either due to unsupportable business practices - lifetime memberships, cash flows built on joining fees rather than monthly memberships, etc. - or lack of professional management."

All IHRSA members in the Asia-Pacific Region are invited to answer the questions by 3qst August.

The questions look at the issues and challenges the region face, including detrimental practices, express/24-hour clubs and how to reach the '97%' of the regional population who are not fitness club members (the average Asian membership penetration rate is 3.11%).

Holsinger adds "most of the recent trends (in the Asia Pacific Region) have matched those found in other regions, including group exercise growth, body weight programming and classes outside clubs.

"But, with the Asia Pacific region being so big and a mix of perhaps four different sub-markets within the region, having their own competitively-created trends, there are always some things which are unexpected."

The questions.

1. List the top three biggest challenges to your business today, in order of importance.

2. In your opinion, what must the commercial fitness industry do to reach and involve the 'other 97%' (the average Asian membership penetration rate is 3.11%) of non-members in our clubs (consider programs, products, business models, marketing messages, etc.)?

3. What are the hottest positive trends you see in the fitness industry today (consider media, products, programs, business models, communication techniques, etc.)?

4. Describe what, if any, impact that express & 24-hour clubs have had in your country.

5. In your opinion, what is the most detrimental business practice currently in use in the fitness industry and what should the industry do about it?

The 3rd ChinaFit/IHRSA China Management Forum is being held in Nanjing, China from 12th to 15th November. The event is backed by a range of international fitness organisations including the Australian Fitness Network.

Replies to the survey should be sent, by 31st August, listing your name, club name, city and country, and e-mail address to to John Holsinger at jwh@ihrsa.org or via www.ihrsa.org 

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