Profiles of Success

IHRSA has released its annual Profiles of Success report, which offers a detailed analysis of the performance of health clubs

In October, IHRSA released the latest edition of Profiles of Success. This annual report – now in its 33rd year – provides a detailed analysis of the annual performance of health clubs, including results in key metrics such as revenue and membership growth, payroll, member retention, non-dues revenue and EBITDA, with strong figures emerging this year.

“Leading clubs continue to record growth and improvements in revenue, membership and operational metrics,” says Jay Ablondi, IHRSA’s executive VP of global products.

Overall, clubs posted median net membership growth of 4 per cent and revenue growth of 5 per cent. Additional key findings include:
* Fitness-only clubs posted greater net membership growth (+6.2 per cent) than multi-purpose clubs (+0.8 per cent).
* Smaller clubs generated less revenue per individual member (US$630.80) in comparison with larger clubs (US$876.10).
* Total payroll claims a median 41.7 per cent of total revenue for all responding health and fitness clubs.
* Clubs reinvest nearly 2 per cent of total revenue into fitness equipment.

“This edition of Profiles of Success also contains a profit centre section that analyses revenue streams from personal and small group training, racquet sports, spas, pro shop/retail, food and beverage, children’s/youth programmes, and aquatics/pool,” says Melissa Rodriguez, IHRSA’s senior research manager. “Although all clubs offered a variety of ancillary services for additional fees, over 90 per cent of the responding clubs offer group exercise at no additional cost beyond membership dues. Recent research findings, as well as anecdotal data from club operators, support the important role group exercise plays in retaining members.”

Profiles of Success is based on 2013 and 2012 data, provided voluntarily by 186 club companies, representing 6,819 facilities. The report provides key performance indicators for several club types: fitness-only, multi-purpose, independent, and multi-chains. Performance is also analysed by club size. A snapshot of participation, demographics and psychographics is also included.

The Profiles of Success report may be purchased in full or in sections at www.ihrsa.org/profiles

The entire PDF can be purchased for US$499.95 (US$249.95 for IHRSA members). The three separate parts are available for US$159.95 each (US$89.95 for IHRSA members).

Profiles of Success

Over 90 per cent of responding clubs offer group exercise at no additional cost / photo: www.shutterstock.com/AntonioDiaz

Apply now for scholarship

IHRSA celebrates the legacy of past association president Julie Main, who passed away from breast cancer in 2009, by offering the Julie Main Woman Leader Scholarship to a female IHRSA member who exemplifies courage, perseverance, excellence and professionalism.

The scholarship includes a full four-day IHRSA 2015 registration, hotel accommodation, a US$500 travel stipend, and lunch with the judging committee and past recipients. Visit www.ihrsa.org/mainscholarship for details and to apply by the 14 November deadline.

The Julie Main scholarship is open to female IHRSA members

Award for Olav Thorstad

The 2014 European Club Leadership Award was awarded to Olav Thorstad last month, at the 14th Annual IHRSA European Congress.

Thorstad joined SATS in November of 2007 as country manager for Norway. Less than two years later, in June 2009, he was promoted to CEO for all activities in SATS Holding, which operates across the Nordics.

During 2013, a merger process between SATS and Elixia was initiated. This was finalised in June of 2014 and Thorstad was appointed CEO of the new joint company – named Health & Fitness Nordic – which now operates more than 200 clubs and caters for over 550,000 members. Not only has the company grown tremendously under Thorstad’s leadership, but all markets the health and fitness company is operating in have grown as well.

“Thorstad is a visionary and has a holistic view on the industry,” wrote Rasmus Ingerslev, CEO of low-cost operator Fresh Fitness – also part of Health & Fitness Nordic – in a letter to IHRSA nominating Thorstad for the award.

“Thanks to this holistic vision, he initiated operations in the low-cost segment, through Fresh Fitness, in 2010. This makes Health & Fitness Nordic one of the few cross-segment operators in Europe.

“In addition to the health clubs, Health & Fitness Nordic also owns SAFE, a company educating instructors for the fitness industry – another way of helping the industry grow.
“This complex operation requires great leadership, strong understanding of business cultures and the ability to attract and retain talent who share your vision. And that’s what Olav Thorstad is – a great leader.”

Olav Thorstad: “A visionary and a great leader”

More keynotes announced for IHRSA 2015

Three more keynote speakers have been announced for the 2015 IHRSA Annual Convention & Trade Show, which takes place in Los Angeles in March, joining futurologist Magnus Lindkvist (see HCM Oct 14, p29) in the line-up.

Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, will present ‘Redefining Success: The Third Metric That Can Benefit Your Bottom Line’. She has been named on Time magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people and the Forbes Most Powerful Women list.

Author and columnist Adam Bryant will present ‘Quick and Nimble: Lessons from Leading CEOs on How to Create a Culture of Innovation’. Bryant has over two decades’ experience as a reporter and editor at both Newsweek and The New York Times.

Author and Stanford University lecturer Kelly McGonigal will speak on ‘The Willpower Instinct’. In 2010, Forbes named McGonigal one of the 20 most inspiring women to follow on Twitter.

Kelly McGonigal

Arianna Huffington

Adam Bryant

IHRSA calendar 

18–21 November 2014
ChinaFit / IHRSA China
Management Forum
Guangzhou, China

4 December 2014
Increase club revenue and
member retention through effective fitness programming
(Webinar)

15 January 2015
Retention, Revenue & Results (Webinar)

11–14 March 2015
IHRSA 2015
Los Angeles, California, US

Visit www.ihrsa.org/meetings for details and to register for these events

About IHRSA

Founded in 1981, IHRSA – the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association – is the only global trade association, representing more than 10,000 health and fitness facilities and suppliers worldwide.

To learn how IHRSA can help your business thrive, visit www.ihrsa.org. Locate an IHRSA club at www.healthclubs.com