Watch my Kids While I Work Out: Consumers Report That Fitness Membership Decisions Increasingly Driven By Childcare Options
Perrysburg, OH (PRWEB) October 2, 2006 -- In a recent survey of 974 U.S. health club members, more than 10% reported that safe, onsite childcare options were the #1 factor in their decision to join that particular location.
“As in many sectors that we measure, when it comes to health clubs, consumers are looking for options to make their lives easier. People are busier than ever, and specifically in the fitness industry, consumers have said loud and clear that they want to work out, and they need help from their clubs to provide safe options for childcare while they do so”, according to Ron Welty, CEO of IntelliShop, whose company conducted the study using their web-based panel of consumers. IntelliShop provides mystery shopping, customer satisfaction surveys, and other customer experience improvement solutions to clients in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the U.K.
The study found that 31% of consumers still rank cost of membership as the #1 factor when deciding which club to join. “As with many consumer decisions these days, people are voting with their wallets. While they are willing to pay for conveniences and amenities, if a club cannot distinguish itself from its competitors, it still comes down to price. Consumers are increasingly demanding greater value for their dollars spent on health club membership”, Welty said.
Other factors in the buying decision included location (25%); club amenities (14%); membership-type options (8%); and hours of operation (7%).
“The amenities that consumers want from their clubs include onsite, safe childcare; a variety of workout equipment to help them vary their routine and keep them interested; expert trainers to assist them with designing goal-specific workouts; and conveniences such as refreshment bars and flexible hours of operation”, Welty added. “Another trend we see continuing to grow is the desire among females to have workout facilities dedicated only for them, no men allowed. Those companies who are filling that need are seeing tremendous growth”.
The study was conducted using IntelliShop’s online panel of more than 130,000 available consumers. Only those who had active memberships in health clubs, purchased within the past twelve months, were invited to take the study.
About IntelliShop
Based in Perrysburg, Ohio, IntelliShop helps companies measure and improve their total customer experience, and thereby their bottom line, by conducting mystery shopping studies, customer satisfaction surveys, revealed location audits, training program verifications, brand protection evaluations, and related consultative services. IntelliShop has more than seven years of experience developing customized service measurement programs for companies in the health and fitness industry. IntelliShop was founded by its current CEO, Ron Welty, in 1999; it has 61 employees and offices in Perrysburg, Ohio, Chicago, and Frederick, Maryland. www.intelli-shop.com
If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Ron Welty, please contact Courtney Levinson at IntelliShop’s corporate office, 419-872-5103
###
Related Articles:
Fitness Program Produces Results for Chair-Bound Population
Renee Wiggins' new health & fitness book "Can I Exercise Sitting Down?" offers a unique workout program designed for individuals that are chair bound due to physical challenge or desk occupation.
StarTrac Treadmills Aim To Please the Physical Fitness Guru
One of the leading and most acknowledged brands in the fitness market, StarTrac treadmills are extremely popular in health clubs and gyms across the world. First introduced in 1974, the StarTrac company was created by the makers of the LifeCycle stationary bicycle.
Steps For Good Physical Fitness
Have you ever wondered why some people can?t get enough physical fitness while others couldn?t be bothered to get off the couch? Physical fitness is the performance of some activity that helps keep you fit and overall healthy.
Home Fitness Treadmills
A home fitness treadmill is often one of the first pieces of exercise equipment that people buy. This makes it practically a must-have among health buffs. A lot of people are attracted by the advantages of this home exercise machine. They are encouraged by the growing number of people who buy home fitness treadmills and who tell of the great experiences that they have had.
Free Workout Plans-achieving Great Fitness With Body Core Condition
There are few better free workout plans than body core conditioning. Quite simply, this is one of the best workouts to achieve your fitness goals now.
Women Find Weight Loss Solution with Outdoor Fitness Boot Camp
The 6 week program has allowed women to lose weight and keep it off. The average weight loss is about 10-15 lbs. during the six-week program. Women in past boot camps have seen some great results.
Smooth Fitness Extends Customer Service Hours
Morning to midnight hours surpass competition.
Fitness Ridge Resort & Spa Joins Destination Spa Group®
Destination Spa Group (DSG) is pleased to announce that Fitness Ridge Resort & Spa has recently been accepted as a new member. Adding the spa to its collection of 25 spas worldwide, Destination Spa Group now offers three unique Utah spa vacations for spa-goers.
Fitness Fun
If you'd rather have teeth pulled than hop on an exercise bike, you're not alone.Finding the motivation to squeeze your bottom into a pair of Lycra shorts is just too much to bear after a exhausting day at the office.
An Important Message About Fitness & Exercise
Nowadays, many people, particularly those that have certain kinds of diseases, start exercising for the sole purpose of losing weight. When the pounds do not drop as quickly or as completely as they would like, they get discouraged and give up.
2-Minute Fitness
Why would I want to write about yet another fitness program? There are so many out there. There is no escape from fitness programs whether you watch TV or read a magazine or newspaper.
A Fitness Mothers Time
So you've been a mother for a while. Good for you, mothers are important.
Fitness Guru David Berger Unveils 'New' Weight-Loss Alternative to Alli and Other Drug Treatments
Intense research led fitness expert David Berger to a revolutionary new health and fitness solution, which enables people to lose weight without taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
Choosing Between Fitness Gyms
All fitness gyms are not created equal and so how do you decide which one to join? Only a quality fitness gym can give you what you need to stay with a life long exercise program. Here?s the checklist to decide which fitness gym is right for you.
Diet Fitness Health ? What?s It All About?
When it comes to diet fitness health these three have plenty in common because when you combine good diet with fitness you get good health.