Good News Abounds in the Fitness Industry

By Pamela Kufahl, Content Director May 26, 2020 10:58pm

I was asked recently what role Club Industry was playing in the industry and whether or not we felt we were an advocate for the industry.

The question came from a person who is an advocate for the industry and I know has the best of intentions. The question came after three difficult months where many people may feel the industry and the pain the people inside it have experienced have been ignored. The question came because the person was upset that Club Industry had published stories noting the difficulties the industry is experiencing and not enough good news stories to their liking, feeling like each negative story was a roadblock to efforts being undertaken to portray the industry in a positive light as health clubs reopen and try to bring back members.

I inferred from the question that the caller believed we should be an advocate for the industry. And even though I could hear the pain and the passion in the person's voice, I had to share that Club Industry’s role in the industry is not one of advocate or detractor. Club Industry is a recorder and reporter of news. It is a mirror held up to the industry so it can see the reflection it gives, and it shines a light where possible on where it can go. We are here to educate the industry and chronicle its history for future generations. Despite that goal, I know that in no way have we shared all of the news that happens in the industry, but we fall short not due to lack of desire but due to lack of resources.

I promised the caller that while I would not stop covering the bad news, I would strive harder to find the good news and share that as resources allow.

And that’s where you come in. Club Industry only knows the news when you let us know it. How do you do that? You can email me at [email protected]. If a private equity firm has invested in your business, let us know. If you opened a new location, email us. If you were given an award from your city for charitable efforts, share that with us. We’ve been running a Bright Spot series of articles sharing success stories during the shutdown. We would welcome more of those. You can find out how to submit your own bright spot by going here.

And if you just need to read some positive news because the negative news has gotten you down, I understand. To give you a boost, here is a recap of some of the positive news stories we’ve run showing the giving heart and resiliency of the industry since mid-March when shutdowns first began. If you missed these before, please enjoy them now.

Call To Arms: Fitness Industry Unites On 1st June

Bright Spot: Live Online Classes Give The LAB An Invitation Into People’s Homes During COVID-19 Shutdowns

Goodlife Fitness Thanks Frontline Healthcare Workers

Bright Spot: Online Offerings Open TruFusion To New Franchisees, Members

Equinox, SoulCycle, Life Time, Others Release Reopening Protocols

Mountainside Fitness Announces Re-Opening Of All Locations On Monday, May 18th With Enhanced Safety Protocols And Safety Measures

Responses To Your Questions About Allaying Member Fears With Cleaning Protocols

Nautilus Reports Strongest Quarter In 18 Months Due To Increase In Home Equipment Sales During COVID-19 Pandemic

Prior To COVID-19, Sports & Fitness Industry Showed Solid Growth

U.S. House Introduces Business Interruption Insurance Bills For Small Businesses

Some State Reopenings Include Health Clubs

IHRSA Urges A Four-Pronged Approach To Reopening, Urges Governors To Open Health Clubs When Safe