Often, being unusual gets you noticed. And, in a time when economic circumstances are causing people to cancel their gym memberships, facility owners need to get creative to ensure a constant cash flow. Take, for instance, The Marsh, “a center for balance and fitness” in Minnetonka, Minn. This 67,000-square-foot facility not only offers a fitness center, café, salon and massage services, it also offers its own hotel.
Called the Inn at The Marsh, the Inn has six rooms plus a lounge and conference room, and prices are quite reasonable for a high-end facility. (Marsh members pay $95 per night.) While a hotel may seem extreme, remember that YMCAs have been doing this for years.
Of course, most fitness centers can’t offer a hotel. There are countless variables that go into such a venture, including staff time, laundry facilities and a reservation system. But The Marsh makes it work since it is a large facility with other amenities already in place, such as conference rooms and a restaurant.
However, you could offer other unusual services and amenities that make your fitness center stand out. What about a car wash in your parking lot? Dry cleaning delivery? Dog walking while members work out? A fitness library? If you want to make your fitness center a hub for your members, one way to do that is to offer convenience — a place where they can not only get a great workout, but maybe where their in-laws can stay during the holidays, or where they can drop off their dry cleaning so they don’t have to make that extra trip.
Do you offer unusual services or amenities? Post your ideas!
2 comments:
We offer pick-up after school for some of our children's programming. We also offer coffee and tea after our morning classes for older adults. They stay and socialize, and are a real committed group.
These are a couple of great ideas -- it doesn't take much! During the holidays, what about offering gift wrapping -- the charge can even go to charity.
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