Sustaining Tech Innovation & Winning Personalization With Hugo Braam

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes friend and colleague Hans Muench, principal of Muench Solutions Consulting, live from Amsterdam. Hans has served in a variety of executive roles including the Director of Europe for IHRSA, Chief Development Officer for Elixia Clubs, and currently serves as an advisor for VirtuaGym and Urban Sport Clubs. He is an ambassador for Gym Factory and acts as a consultant for suppliers and club operators. As one of the leading, trusted advisors in the European health club market, listeners will enjoy Hans's advice as he and Bryan discuss the overall shape of the marketplace and recap VirtuaGym's FitNation 2019. One Powerful Quote: 4:31: "There is much of a danger [technology] to be too early as too late…You can only really effectively do as much innovation as you can integrate and implement in your organization." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:26: Hans shares his perspective on the European marketplace and the misconception of "one size fits all" approach. He mentions how innovators are adapting in countries with low penetration rates and understanding the implications of political events such as BreExit in the UK. 6:26: Bryan asks Hans his opinion on the budget model in Europe and the focus on high volume, low cost sector of the industry. Hans says this strategy may succeed if clubs raise prices and build their presence to be dominant in the market. 9:21: Hans discusses how innovation and technology must be integrated into an organization at the right time. He warns, though, that there is a limit to how that can be implemented. He and Bryan also discuss how this is a competitive advantage and the opportunity it gives owners for scalability and value to their customers. 11:58: Bryan asks Hans about the idea behind VirtuaGym's FitNation 2019 Conference and the importance to its attendees showcasing keynote speakers, location, and topics discussed. 15:00: Hans encourages listeners to visit Europe to learn and understand from savvy operators and their innovation adoptions compared to the U.S. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.hans-muench.com https://fitnation.co Guest Contact Information: https://www.hans-muench.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/hans-muench-653346a/ https://twitter.com/Lazarusmunich https://www.facebook.com/hans.muench1

17 Loka 201917min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes friend and colleague Sean Maguire, MD and founder of Legend Club Management Systems. As one of the leading technologists in the fitness facility industry, Sean founded Legend in 2002 as a software solution provider for fitness club operators in the UK. Legend now provides leisure management software and outsourced services to hundreds of fitness facility operators in the public, private, and educational sectors. Listeners will appreciate Sean's advice as he and Bryan discuss the future of technology and consumer trends in the market along with business philosophies and insights. Legend will be hosting its annual conference October 10th in Birmingham, UK. To learn more, click here. Bryan O'Rourke will keynote the event. One Powerful Quote: 4:50: The consumer has somehow overtaken us, but certainly, has stepped off our path, and we're trying to understand where that consumer is going to be. 4-10 Bullet Points (w/timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:58: Sean shares his perspective on the highly competitive marketplace of the UK from the consumer of today to the challenges of continuously developing and innovating Legend. 9:14: Sticking with theme of consumer power, Bryan asks Sean the importance of having a leading, enterprise platform system for servicing the consumer. Sean says owners must align the "how" and "why" of supplying technology for operations without sacrificing the future. 12:54: Sean discusses the differing outcomes in the public and private sector of lifestyle modification in the healthcare system. He and Bryan also discuss the importance of integrating customer support and frictionless service for the user experience. 20:10: Bryan asks Sean about the 2019 Legends Conference and the importance to its customers showcasing latest software, plans for the future, and the opportunity to meet with fellow operators. 23:12: Sean offers some pearls of wisdom for his listeners including the importance of listening to customers and stakeholders. 33:23: Bryan and Sean address the outreach and monetization opportunity for the inactive, mass population as the biggest problem of the public health sector. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.legendware.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/LegendWare/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-RWLcqGHnk Guest Contact information: https://www.legendware.co.uk/our-people https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-maguire-88b0511/

9 Syys 201941min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes longtime friend Rick Mayo, founder and CEO of Alloy Personal Training Center. Initially started in 1992, Rick created Alloy in 2010, a consulting and licensing company as a platform for the Alloy personal training systems, with over 1000 clubs licensed worldwide. Rick shares his thoughts on how to effectively implement technology in the fitness realm, as well as the launch of Alloy's new franchise model. Listeners will appreciate Rick's whip-smart sense of humor and he and Bryan's rapport as they discuss the state of the industry today. One Powerful Quote: 6:00 In this day and age, you can't ignore [tech]. It's the big disruptor for everyone. You can say what you want about it, but if you talk negatively about it, it's just because you're scared of it. 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:10: Rick shares his journey, from working as a personal trainer to pay his way through college, to growth in the 90s to his current status as an icon in the fitness industry. 5:59: Rick shares how he has used tech to grow and advance his business over the years and how tech can be a vehicle to enhance human-centric activities like coaching. 8:50: Sticking with the theme of tech, Bryan asks Rick why some people seem to get lost when it comes to technology implementation, and how do to so effectively. Rick says most people see it as a way to leverage time and effort, but stresses how it can't be used as a way to replace human beings but a way to scale or enhance services, not an end in and of itself. 17:15: Rick discusses his company's plans to launch as a franchise, how he came to that decision and how it will benefit both the brand and consumers. 19:15 Rick offers some pearls of wisdom for his listeners from his 30+ years in the industry, including the importance of trust. Bullet List of Resources: http://www.alloypersonaltrainingcenter.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AlloyPersonalTrainingCenter/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj2LnSyAUT8F9GPoXrCB8Pg Guest Contact information: http://rickmayo.com/#!/home https://twitter.com/CoachRMayo

23 Heinä 201922min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Matt Wright, vice president of personal training and programming at City Fitness in Philadelphia, PA. Matt is a well-known trainer and at the cutting edge of programming, training and technology. Powerful Quote: 23:03 "I think it's important that every single member we can direct them towards what's going to be most accessible to them to build an exercise and healthy lifestyle as a behavior and habits and who they are as a person." Key topics discussed: 6:29 Bryan asks Matt's perspective on what technology brings to the table in terms of the relationship between clubs and trainers, and Matt defines service vs. experience and the role they play in that relationship. 11:22 Brian asks Matt if he sees fitness club orientation shifting from sales to hospitality, and Matt asks Brian how he has viewed fitness club orientation in terms of what fitness professionals are doing from an experience standpoint. 15:00 Matt comments on how he sees the fitness industry beginning to focus more on peoples behaviors and using technology integration to enhance members experiences with their instructors. 18:55 Matt discusses the importance of mastering a few technologies rather than being mediocre at many and shares the three focus points that his organization concentrates on. 23:40 Matt harps on the significance of getting people outside of their comfort zone and his belief in following the SEE method. 25:14 Matt shares a valuable piece of advice for fitness professionals and entrepreneurs on what they should focus on and remember throughout their career. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.cityfitnessphilly.com/ https://www.facebook.com/cityfitnessphilly/

2 Heinä 201927min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan welcomes Craig Miller, Chief Digital & Information Officer for Planet Fitness, the largest health club chain in the world, with 13 million members across 1800 clubs. Miller came to Planet Fitness via Sonic Drive-In, and he shares with F+T listeners his wealth of experience in the digital sphere and how data can be used to provide a competitive advantage in the fitness field. One Powerful Quote: 8:00 What I found is that probably 70, 75% of a digital strategy is really very consistent [across industry]. It isn't until the go-to-market or consumer-facing aspect of your business is when it really begins to change. OR 12:35: The foundation of all digital strategies is data. 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:45 Guest Craig Miller talks about his first 18 months at Planet Fitness and how he ended up working at the world's largest health club chain. 4:40 Bryan asks Craig to talk about the Planet Fitness brand and its incredible growth and trajectory, which he attributes to strong fundamentals as well as a deliberate marketing campaign to recruit not the 20% of Americans who regularly go to the gym, but the 80% who do not. 7:40 Craig talks about what he sees as digital trends in the fitness industry, and how his experience working in other industries helps to inform and shape that view. 10:50: Craig shares the five objectives Planet Fitness uses to leverage the benefits of technology. 12:30: Bryan asks Craig to share his thoughts on the role data plays in Planet Fitness's digital strategy and how to use this volume of information in a meaningful way. 16:50 Craig shares his view of the at-home market, whether it is poised for continued growth, and what is holding this market back. 20:40 Craig reiterates to listeners the importance of staying true to a company's core values, and at 22:45, shares how thoughts on this year's IHRSA conference. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.planetfitness.com/ Guest Contact information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigj91

25 Kesä 201925min

On this week's Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes, from beautiful Copenhagen, Denmark, Kenn Gudbergsen, co-founder of TrainAway. TrainAway is a mobile app that provides users, especially travelers, access to gyms directly on their phone. Recently, TrainAway partnered with IHRSA to offer a passport program that provides IHRSA member with a 25% discount and participating clubs while they travel. Listen in as Kenn and Bryan discuss industry trends including the upswing in travelers, especially millennials, who still work out while they travel. One Powerful Quote: 22:22: "It's all about learning. We need to learn from our users, and we need to learn from the gyms. It's the fundamental feedback loop we need to succeed at...being able to learn from your users is so important." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:05: Kenn gives us a quick rundown of his business philosophy, as fully articulated in a recent article published in LinkedIn, and how this serves as the basis for TrainAway. 6:25: Bryan asks about the notion of convenience. How big is the marketplace for young, itinerant people like the ones TrainAway attracts? Kenn believes that the growth of people who describe themselves as fit and active is a huge factor. 8:35: Kenn shares the three main value propositions he hears from club owners who work with TrainAway to attract travelers. 11:25: Kenn talks about the partnership between IHRSA and TrainAway, which includes a passport program that provides IHRSA members with discounted access to clubs when they travel. 19:50: Bryan asks Kenn what inspired him to start Trainaway. 18:40: Kenn talks about what it's like to be an entrepreneur in the nordic region. 21:20: Kenn shares a few pieces of important information he has learned along the path of being an entrepreneur, including the importance of finishing work. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.trainaway.fit/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-fitness-industry-loses-out-potential-revenue-world-gudbergsen https://www.ihrsa.org/ https://www.ihrsa.org/improve-your-club/programs-for-members/passport/ Guest Contact information: https://twitter.com/kegu10ab?lang=en https://dk.linkedin.com/in/kenn-hougaard-gudbergsen-5b66a044

4 Kesä 201925min

On this week's Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan joins us direct from the 2019 IHRSA Conference for a member roundtable entitled "Club Technology: Trends, Opportunities & Threats." IHRSA is a global community of health and fitness professionals representing 8,000 member clubs in over 70 countries, whose goal is to grow, protect, and promote the health and fitness industry. This year, IHRSA members flocked to San Diego to learn from and network with the best and brightest in the industry, and Bryan, after a brief presentation, takes questions from club owners and operators in the audience, while other participants and audience members chime in with their own experience as club owners and operators.

28 Touko 20191h 2min

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Cory Brightwell, co-founder and CEO of Chuze Fitness, a low cost – high value business model that started in California and has expanded into multiple states. Cory has been in the company for over a decade, and he talks with us about hospitality and the challenges of technology adoption.

11 Huhti 201926min