Mastering Content Production & Other Key Strategies With Bogdan Predusca

Across our industry space, we're well aware that new technologies including wearables, SaaS platforms, and connected fitness devices found across the world are collecting billions of data points. But the real question that is top of mind for operators, owners, and the industry as a whole, is what we do with all this data? Specifically, how do we plug-in actionable coaching, marketing, and touch points to millions of health club members across the globe that will actually elicit sustainable behavior change? This is one of my favorite episodes we've had on the podcast, and I know you're going to love the insight and expertise of today's guest Jan Middelkamp from Europe Active. If you've been curious or hungry for the information that's going to impact your fitness business from a virtual or face-to-face coaching standpoint, this is going to be a powerful episode for you because were diving into the topics and coaching models that will impact both your ROI and club operations. Jan Middelkamp is Development Director at HDD Group and the CEO of BlackBoxPublishers. With over 35 years of high level experience in the fitness industry, Jan is now working on a PhD in exercise behavior of members in fitness clubs at the Behavioral Science Institute of the Radboud University in the Netherlands. He also is a board member of EuropeActive in Brussels and the author of over 10 books, including The state of research in the global fitness industry (2012); Member retention in fitness clubs (2013); EuropeActive retention reports (2013, 2014, and 2015); Essentials of motivation and behavior change (2015). Listen To Episode 023 As Jan Uncovers Understanding "The Essentials of Motivation and Behavior Change" which Bryan O'Rourke was a key contributor to and why Jan spearhead this book to impact behavior change integrations in our space Understanding how behavior change can positively impact attrition rates in health clubs and boutiques Why Jan believes we are just in the "beginning stages" of how behavior change will apply to our fitness industry The landscape and the integration of behavior change models in the fitness industry in regards to clubs Understanding the transtheoretical behavior change model in fitness Uncovering the commonalities and pitfalls to why behavior change models do not come to completion for well-intentioned members in health clubs Why behavior change does not occur in a single stage; the 5 key stages within a successful program Why we need a "cocktail" of behavior change factors to really help people in a sustainable way Unpacking Jan's vantage point on the 3 types of behavior change in regards to habits: Big habit: Working with a trainer 2-3 times per week Medium habit: Easy to implement, walking at lunch, take the stairs, ect. Light habit: Tiny habits, 10 squats, take the stairs, stand up every 30 minutes Reductionism thinking and how it does not apply to the current member in our modern industrialized society How to make the health club technology a key ecosystem for the club member's fitness journey Why Jan believes that smart technology can be a window into the "missing piece" that will give our industry the insights and behaviors that are most pivotal for clients What are the major disruptions when we look at the crossroads of technology and behavior change Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Jan believes that as we move forward, the health club must be the "fitness technology hub" that pulls all the lifestyle information of the member together in one place. If you look at your member only through the attendance behavior lens, you may have some information but you're missing a lot of other important items you'll need if your clients will have long-term and sustainable results. For lifelong behavior change, you have to oversee the consumer's habits in total and that's where technology is important. If technology will be used to pull the right information together, we have to include customized solutions to see what members do in other settings outside the club. In the coaching base from the fitness center via personal trainers, we must make the right informational choices based on the data at hand. The current reality is that the researched and validated behavior change models are currently disconnected from the majority of health clubs in the industry. In other words, the application of identifying the specific needs, motives, and goals of the client simply aren't always there. Jan believes if we truly want to motivate someone, we have to understand their intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors and plug those into their journey. With the demands of our current society and deleterious health factors on the rise, sustainable behavior change models are the "secret sauce" that owners and operators must pay attention to when we look at this crossroad of technology and fitness. Power Quotes From Jan "Technology is great for measuring the base situation and in measuring a client's current status. However, I see a huge advantage of measuring something that is out of your sight as a coach. If you're a trainer working with the client a couple times a week and you also want to positively impact their other lifestyle factors, there are now many wearable technologies to monitor them which I strongly believe in." - Jan Middelkamp on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "People are not only going to a gym, so if you are a health club owner or operator, we believe at Europe Active that the health club should be the hub of fitness technology. From there, you can coach people in different settings which becomes pivotal. If you only want to pull members into the club you are missing a big part of the health and fitness picture." - Jan Middelkamp on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Jan Black Box Fitness Jan Middelkamp Website Jan Middelkamp on LinkedIn HDD Group Transtheoretical Behavior Change Model Decisional balance Self-efficacy & goal setting SMART goals Self-Determination Theory Dishman research: 66 factors that contribute to exercise adherence The Journal of Sport Science and Medicine Social support: the bigger picture of multiple support arms for behavior change Jan Middelkamp, Bryan O'Rourke: "The Essentials of Motivation and Behavior Change" YouTube Video: "Stop It" with Bob Newhart Reductionism thinking Pebble wearable technology Nudge Coach IHRSA - Behavior Change Europe Active Can Fit Pro Steven Covey: "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" Tiny habits: BJ Fogg at Stanford Nir Eyal on Wellness Force Radio YMCA behavior change integrations The 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

18 Apr 201742min

For the second half of our featured series "LIVE from IHRSA 2017," we're learning from two fitness technology professionals in different parts of our industry spectrum. In this doubleheader episode recorded live after the FIT-C roundtable session, we explore two important topics that make a direct impact to your fitness business. First up is Geoffrey Little, President of GSL Consulting, to learn about the fast growing segments in both group and boutique fitness operations; specifically the opportunities for monetization and service in the youth market and sports performance. Geoffrey worked at MINDBODY for 11 years, from early days through the 2015 IPO and is now a consultant to both vendors and operators in the fitness, wellness and education sectors and works with clients such as Virtuagym, who are exhibiting here at IHRSA. Prior to MINDBODY, he worked in television documentary and media, covering naGo eight sorting out 50ture, science and technology, working with Time magazine, National Geographic, IMAX, and public TV. Listen To Episode 022 As Geoffrey Uncovers What's next for the boutique or studio business What are the financial and service gaps to be found in the youth and sport performance markets The history of mind-body software from the beginning and what club operators can learn from their success What does the VirtuaGym technology do for the bottom line of the clubs and member experience How to identify new flourishing segments of the boutique and studio space changing over the next two years Why on the studio side, 20 to 30% year-over-year growth is continuing and what are the factors of how it may stall Exploring the youth sports market and sports performance markets for children and adolescents, and how the spending habits of parents correlate How Goeffrey used years of media experience to be a valued consultant to the fitness industry What needs to be top of mind in regards to technology for club owners Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Geoffrey reminds us that golden opportunities are still out there with many more to come when looking at the growing space of boutiques, studios, and specifically sports performance and youth market styled facilities. With the millions of parents across the country and even more globally, the opportunities that exist for new delivery models in fitness are reflected by the data from the spending habits of health minded and caring parents who are seeking both youth sports and athletic training experiences for their children and adolescents. Beyond yoga, cycling, and group fitness classes where the parents can get a dynamic experience enhanced through technology, that same construct can and will apply to the facilities in the future that serve both families as well as individuals. Power Quotes From Geoffrey "In the FIT-C Roundtable, I shared how I've been waiting for over a decade to see this growth. I've been anticipating some of the giants to come into the business, which is going to continue to grow in both the studio and boutique, and this has now picked up the attention of Google and other big players. They are going to make the ground shake." - Geoffrey Little on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "The youth market is almost completely separate from the health club market, however, health clubs could benefit with younger children as members. When we look across the data, a youth market that's really booming and getting the investment money right now is sports performance." - Geoffrey Little on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Geoffrey VirtuaGym IHRSA 2017 Geoffrey on LinkedIn Sebastian Thrun: Inventor of the Driverless Car Orange Theory Fitness Redline Youth Sports Gymboree Parisi Speed School Soccer Shots I9 Sports Zapier iClass Pro Todd Durkin Body Evolver Data Hub Parents spending habits for youth sports The 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Tune in at 16:05 to hear from our featured guest, Kalen Pino of VirtuaGym. With the mass of technology solutions now available for clubs, what customized software solutions will really help fitness facilities maximize the use of applications and mobile in both new member integration and in providing unforgettable member experiences? In supporting and servicing over 4000 facilities, Kalen Pino, the US Sales Manager of VirtuaGym, unpacks the common approaches, best practices, and experience from thousands of conversations with club owners about what's really working from a technology perspective. He also shares how to create the right ecosystem that incorporates both a real benefit for the club while taking into account the functionality that the member actually wants. Listen To Episode 022 As Kalen Uncovers What's the deeper impact of the IoT for clients, members and virtual fitness technology How to properly listen to your members to elicit better service with the use of technology Why VirtuaGym provides a truly different approach to club owners than other software solutions How to build the bridge between new technology implementation for a club owner from a mindset standpoint How to map out the customer journey and differentiate your club to establish "speciality" in your neighborhood How to address technology and change management with your staff The proper way to implement new technology systems into a busy health club What are the common roadblocks for new technology implementation Why there is "no sale without the story and no knockout without the set up" - Gary Vaynerchuck IHRSA keynote What a successful new member journey would look like when sourced digitally Using virtual coaching to establish greater client success rates when tied into a central hub system What to consider when looking at branded solutions: use a third party or deciphering when to build your own Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Kalen believes that to find balance between what the gym wants from a business and operational standpoint and what the member really wants in function and service essentially starts with smart surveys, not immediate technology. Part of a new member orientation that most clubs are used to is walking around the member to show off the equipment and services on the fitness floor, but Kalen reminds us to also "show off the technology" and demonstrate how from the minute a member walks in the club they will notice the club's progressive use of mobile technology. No matter what software solution you're tying in to club operations, having mobile technology for customers to pay membership dues and purchasing services like personal training and childcare are just the start. What separates the great clubs from the good are software systems that truly work with one another. As referenced from Gary Vaynerchuk's keynote at the 2014 IHRSA we need to create a story and an experience to draw the members in build trust and then make the sale because there is no sale without the story and no knockout without the set up. Implementing the jab-jab-jab right hook model with the use of technology is sure to benefit the club and the customer for the long-term. Power Quotes From Kalen "Business within the fitness space is and always has been all about the people. The secret sauce of an organization and what they've done in order to be successful must now understand what new technology can amplify where they have already done an incredible job." - Kalen Pino on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "It all comes down to creating the right ecosystem. Whatever it is that you choose as your technology strategy, you must make sure that it's part of who you are as an organization and part of your DNA." - Kalen Pino on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Kalen VirtuaGym VirtuaGym on facebook VirtuaGym on Twitter VirtuaGym on LinkedIn Gary Vaynerchuck Gary Vaynerchuk's keynote at the 2014 IHRSA FIT-C Roundtable Virtual Coaching VirtuaGym The 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

11 Apr 201735min

On episode 21 we're spotlighting a few exceptional conversations with some of the top influencers at the crossroads of fitness and technology, live after the FIT-C roundtable meeting during IHRSA 2017 in Los Angeles. With the options and choices of club software systems on the rise, how do APIs and the ability for cross communication between platforms benefit the health club? Be sure to stick around for our second half of the show with Josh Donovan from GIVE Fitness --> In this first segment, were talking with fitness technology expert, Karl Etzel, about APIs (application program interfaces) and how they can help in both monetization and in serving the customer. For health club executives and owners, API functionality is an important topic to consider when purchasing technology systems. Karl Etzel is a Transformation Catalyst, Strategic Decision-Maker, and Technical Expert in fitness technology known for his entrepreneurial drive in developing vision and setting strategic direction in the face of fast-changing technology and market dynamics through effectively aligning products/channels/end-users. With a deep background in health and fitness, cloud services / PaaS, online marketing, and SMB enablement, Karl brings a strong professional expertise to the industry space around program management and product management roles. Karl is talking with us on the show about API's, or application program interfaces. Simply put, an application programming interface allows software systems to talk to one another. When you as a human being sit down to use a piece of software you use a user interface (UI), and when one piece of software wants to use another piece of software, they use an (API). Listen To Episode 021 As Karl Uncovers How the open API can increase revenue for clubs through smart data sharing Why have APIs become so important in app and web service development Who should know about APIs in the club and how does that relate to their fitness business What are some common mistakes when planning APIs The growing segments of APIs being used to create further developments of niche markets Why "Agile Development" and live beta testing are now standard practices How API's enable better business model innovation, which is one of the most powerful and sustainable competitive advantages Why "owning the customer" looses in business vs. "serving the customer" Security threats and issues to watch for with APIs Using tethered CRM, POS, and ERP systems with APIs Understanding the best types of data sets that are commonly used with an API in clubs Karl's interest in the future of Cognitive Performance Top 3 Takeaways From The Show In the world of fitness tracking, we see many APIs, and there's now many different models emerging that will deliver even more value to the customer. The continued fracturing of the market and development of more niche models are exciting as the type of contextualized data that is being shared helps to monetize and serve customers in a progressive and powerful way. As the market grows and as customers and consumers expect faster innovation that APIs will enable, one of the reasons people are resistant to opening APIs is because they don't want to "lose the customer they own" but the reality is that you don't own the customer, you serve the customer. The people who resist this idea of opening up is born out of a mentality of scarcity. What most people don't realize is how much revenue they can drive with an open API and a new mindset. API's enable better business model innovation, which is one of the most powerful and sustainable competitive advantages in all industries. APIs make it really easy to innovate and build things quickly. The old-school engineering model of software development is gone and agile development, two week release cycles, live beta testing and rapid iteration are now the norm. For the club owner, karl believes that you don't necessarily want to share your data outward, but you do want to share it among your own systems until you get to a certain scale where population data could make things interesting. The real key with API integrations is to understand your segment in entirety and have a clear picture of what problem you're trying to solve. Power Quotes From Karl "For the club operator, the question you want to ask is, does your solution vendor have an API that makes it easier for me to integrate my system with other solutions? If you are a technology company executive, you should be thinking about how APIs plug into your business at the strategy level. APIs are not just a technical detail that you can leave to engineering." - Karl Etzel on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "APIs make it really easy to innovate and build things quickly. The old-school engineering model of software development is gone and agile development, two week release cycles, live beta testing and rapid iteration are now the norm. For the club owner, you don't necessarily want to share your data outward, but you do want to share it among your own systems until you get to a certain scale where population data could make things interesting. The real key with API integrations is to understand your segment in entirety and have a clear picture of what problem you're trying to solve." - Karl Etzel on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Karl Soul Cycle Fitbit Nudge Coach O-Auth Protocol Strava Validic Human API Exist.io Garmin Suunto Moves Oura Ring Inside Tracker uBiome Programmableweb.com - Directory of all API's Jeff Bezos "We will build everything as an API" Karl Etzel on LinkedIn The 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Josh Donovan: Using Fitness Technology To Give In this featured segment we're talking with the Owner of GIVE Fitness in Atascadero, CA Josh Donovan about technology focused member sales and engagement approaches that are changing the way for-profit and nonprofit businesses interact in health and fitness. Josh is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and 13-year fitness industry professional who years ago was looking for a way to use his experience and understanding of the fitness industry to "create a different type of fitness product" with a focus on using technology. After meeting Matt Holguin, the founder of Working to Give (WTG), a for-profit company with a singular purpose-driven business model, together, Donovan and Holguin created WTG's Fitness Division and in 2013, launched GIVE Fitness. With Working To Give, 50% of its profits are reinvested in the firm to sustain growth, and the other 50% is contributed to the local community. Since its opening, the GIVE Fitness club has acquired over 3,000 members and donated more than $50,000 to Atascadero-area initiatives. A member of the Fitness Industry Technology Council, Josh Donovan believes it's important for the industry to integrate technology into the prospect and member experience to truly connect with consumers to understand them at their deepest needs and desires. Listen To Episode 021 As Josh Uncovers What Josh has learned over the past three years when it comes to understanding what technologies help club operations the absolute most. Why GIVE Fitness is a "cashless environment" with no membership staff or sales team and why all sales are integrated through the website. How to use technology to change the way for-profit businesses and nonprofit businesses interact How to sustain nonprofit efforts combined with profitable health clubs in the fitness industry Why being fluid and flexible when creating a culture in your health club is paramount Why using social media in real time is a powerful tool for transparency and trust ability Understanding the GIVE Fitness mission: "To exceed member expectations at every opportunity with fitness facilities that are maintained, affordable, accessible and safe." Why giving members something they truly can belong to will increase revenue and lower attrition With the obesity epidemic in our country, why the GIVE Fitness ownership deemed it imperative to open up the market in order to make fitness more accessible and affordable to the community of Atascadero. On a larger scale, why GIVE Fitness has established a vision to "Transform the fitness industry by becoming pillars in the communities in which we conduct business. We will do this by generously donating 50% of our profits to programs that strengthen personal character, create value in people and provide opportunities for personal growth." Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Josh believes that you don't use people to get things, you use the things to help people. It's important to understand what your members want and what your members need. The first step when selecting and in using any piece of technology is to have a grasp on who you're serving and why they want you to serve them. Josh and his business partner Matt are demonstrating that it is possible and profitable to have both a non-profit and for-profit business model using technology to thrive in our ever-changing fitness space. By providing an accessible fitness center for real people to come in, and driving sales through a cashless environment, this outside the box thinking has produced great results for GIVE Fitness. With transparency in business for both nonprofits and for profit companies, in working together they must have a focus on communicating to staff that with all the technology devices out there, how do they use them to really help members? Because this entire process, in the end, is all about the member experience. Power Quotes From Josh "The heart of our business at GIVE Fitness is giving. We give 50% of our profits back to the community where we do business, so in order for that to happen we have to be a profitable fitness center first. Hitting member expectations and exceeding them becomes paramount because that has to happen before we have any funds to give. The obesity epidemic is real and it's something that I'm really passionate about. This is why I want to provide an accessible fitness center for people to better their lives, add years to their lives, and truly participate." - Josh Donovan on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "In using new technologies, we had the unique opportunity in starting from the ground up to be intentional around creating our culture and to have it be something very specific. We all live in a world that's real time, so if I post something on Facebook about the gym and then post something about my personal life, our members don't see any differentiation around that." - Josh Donovan on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Josh Josh Donovan "Rising Star" selection by IHRSA Working To Give Company - Matt Holguin GIVE Fitness - Atascadero, CA GIVE Fitness Three Year Anniversary - Atascadero, CA Fitness + Technology Podcast With Robert Dyer Fitness + Technology Podcast With Lindsey Rainwater ABC Financial The 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com 021 #IHRSA2017 LIVE: The Importance of APIs, Using Fitness Technology To Give

4 Apr 201727min

This legislation has the potential to transform our space and help put prevention in our healthcare system, because as you learn from Bryan, with as much as were doing in the fitness and wellness worlds to reach as many people we can, the reality is that our current healthcare model is broken. On episode 20 we're learning from the President of FIT-C, Bryan O'Rourke, about one of the most pivotal legislations pending in Congress that has a direct impact on the success and longevity of your fitness business. We're talking about the PHIT Act. What we have now isn't healthcare, it's sick care. Make sure to take action after listening to the show by clicking on this link and view the resources below where you can have your voice heard by writing your member of Congress to ensure that activity expenses are covered under pretax medical accounts. We'll also hear from Bryan about his recent webinar with Club Industry: "The Five Simple Ways To Use Technology To Increase Revenue" and why he believes that consumers have quickly shifted into becoming more digitally attuned now than ever before, and how smart club owners and operators that focus on omnipresence and various technologies can reach current and future members at their deepest needs. Bryan O'Rourke serves as president of the Fitness Industry Technology Council, a consortium of leading companies working on technology standards for health and wellness. These organizations collectively serve more than 1,000 fitness facilities, dozens of organizations and more than 5,000 instructor professionals. Bryan is an entrepreneur, investor and former club owner who has worked in the health club and fitness industry with his partners for 18 years. He has presented as a keynote speaker at industry and corporate conferences on four continents. He is widely published and quoted in periodicals such as Inc. Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, and was recently recognized as one of the top 17 most influential entrepreneurs on Twitter. IHRSA named him one of 13 to watch in 2013. Bryan has recently contributed to a newly released book with other European thought leaders titled "Essentials of Motivation and Behavior Change." Listen To Episode 020 As Bryan Uncovers The Personal Health Initiative Today Act: What the passage of the #PHITAct will mean for the fitness industry How this legislation incentives people to spend money on exercise and self care by making those expenses tax deductible When the legislation has been re-introduced and what we need to push it through congress Bryan's view on the major discussions in the USA about healthcare reform Why 3/4 of chronic illness comes about though lifestyle choices How you can make your voice heard by asking your congressional representative to pass #PHITAct How industry leaders like Meredith Poppler are championing this incredible legislation How this legislation will cost only one-one thousandths of 1% of the annual federal budget over 10 years What this means to families who need more fitness in their lives: Saving 20-30% on annual physical activity costs What are simple ways to use technology to increase revenue in your fitness business Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Right now in the United States, the "sick care" system is broken. Our current paradigm is focused on responding to disease and not preventing disease in the first place. Three quarters or more of chronic illness comes about through lifestyle choices, so when we look at how exercise can positively impact human health, getting people to participate in primary prevention for their own health strategy is smart. If we spend our efforts doing that, we can avoid spending billions of dollars on an unsustainable system. Currently, pre-tax medical accounts are primarily used for reimbursement of medical expenses once you become sick. With the #PHITAct, this will allow taxpayers to place up to $2,000 a year in existing pre-tax medical accounts for reimbursement of physical activity expenses. Lower costs will promote active lifestyles and improve the health of Americans. The #PHITAct will put prevention in our healthcare system. Bryan believes there are four key drivers that are impacting reinventions in our industry: changing consumers, advancing technologies, new economics, and globalism. The bottom line is moving more transactions for the health club online to make it both easy for more people to join clubs, and provide a seamless experience for marketing, selling, and servicing members in a truly personalized way, based on who they are. Power Quote From Bryan "As the technology goes to the trough of disillusionment and climbs the slope of enlightenment, we will see the market rush to adopt. All business models need to look at a strategic view of what they can do for the near-term around existing business models, and how they can apply technology in a way that can really help with their midterm and long-term strategies." - Bryan O'Rourke on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Right now in the United States, the "sick care" system is broken. Our current paradigm is focused on responding to disease and not preventing disease in the first place. Three quarters or more of chronic illness comes about through lifestyle choices, so when we look at how exercise can positively impact human health, getting people to participate in primary prevention for their own health strategy is smart. If we spend our efforts doing that, we can avoid spending billions of dollars on an unsustainable system." - Bryan O'Rourke on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Bryan Ask Congress To Pass #PHITAct PHITAmerica : Make Your Vote Count Bryan's Website Bryan on Twitter Bryan on facebook Meredith Poppler at IHRSA Ted Vickey & Graham Melstrand: ACE Webinar For IHRSA & Health Clubs The Opportunity Of An ERA Is Here With Passage of #PASSPHIT Bryan's SlideShare: The 5 Simple Ways To Use Technology To Increase Revenue The 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

28 Mars 201715min

Brian Hayden is the Cofounder and CEO at fitness technology startup, ShapeLog. ShapeLog is your new personal trainer - their patented data collection platform helps gyms and trainers make more money by delivering better client experiences. Brian previously founded and ran the education technology company, HeatSpring. He also teaches B2B sales at the University of Michigan's Center for Entrepreneurship. For episode 19 were growing stronger, and tracking while we do it. Discover how ShapeLog relates to your fitness business in the age of exponential technologies that are now affecting the new member orientation experience and strength tracking alike. Brian delivers a fresh perspective as a new business in our space, as well as the challenges and incredible opportunities that can exist when companies drop the walls and start sharing data and ideas for collaboration. If you are a club owner, operator or trainer interested in the next generation of strength tracking, or have been curious about how to use seamless technology to create a captivating first 30 days for a new club member, this is the show for you. Brian is sharing with us how forming a team of specialists from the Internet of things combined with an ethos to help transform the health of millions of lives through machine learning and artificial intelligence is now paving the way for what strength training will be in our industry. As we cycle down from IHRSA 2017 this month, a lot of club leaders are filled with new information. From this show, you'll gain a few key tactical steps to take inspired action from. Listen To Episode 019 As Brian Uncovers Why the IoT solution for strength tracking is changing our fitness space How approaching group strength training is inevitably different than normal group classes Understanding "The Death of The Leaderboard" Why strength tracking is more "vulnerable" data for clients and new members How machine learning and AI use data points collected from stand alone equipment sensors Why Brian chooses to teach B2B at the university to maintain his vantage point in our space What smart club owners, operators, and trainers can do with the IoT sensors like ShapeLog What the future of strength training, combined with wearables and IoT sensors like ShapeLog, will do to help maximize trainer time and reduce attrition in clubs. How to radically upgrade the new member experience using tailored programming with the IoT Top 3 Takeaways From The Show The way our industry strength trains and how we track it is changing. Personalized workout plans, automated tracking, accountability and motivation are all things that great trainers and coaches already do, but with these retrofitted sensors that use the IoT to automatically track strength training workouts, the trainers and coaches of today and in the future will have technology on their side. Strength training is the second most popular form of exercise with health benefits that surpass many other modalities. With the Internet of things and sensors like ShapeLog guiding new members into a dynamic and engaged initial 30 day experience will help club a operators bottom line. Not only reducing attrition, but through increasing the likelihood of member's results - which is why they came into the club in the first place. The personal training model in our space does not scale, and that's a problem for trainers, clients, and fitness clubs. However, group training that's data-driven is a perfect marriage with personal training when contextualizing the data and making complicated numbers easy for everyone to wrap their heads around and take inspired action from. This must be one of the missions for the greatest coaches and clubs in our space. Most people who start working out just want to know what to do Whether you're data-driven or you just want the right direction based on the data your body is creating, the Internet of things is showing us with companies like ShapeLog that we can provide a trusted On-Ramp solutions that will benefit the user and member for the long-term. Power Quotes From Brian "Strength training is the second most popular form of exercise - right behind walking. Strong is beautiful, measurable, and the best way to stay healthy at every stage of life. Understanding a few key metrics about yourself has the potential to change your life forever." - Brian Hayden on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Trainers don't 'scale', and that's a problem for trainers, clients, and fitness clubs alike. People in the U.S. spend more than $10B on personal trainers in the US. every year. Those 6.5 million people will use this information to have better conversations with their trainers. Good trainers have told us that they welcome those conversations – visibility of client data is a 'magical bridge' that keeps clients engaged and less likely to drop out of the program." - Brian Hayden on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Brian ShapeLog Report: How evidence based strength training builds communities ShapeLog on Twitter ShapeLog on facebook ShapeLog on LinkedIn ShapeLog and Inspire Fitness Deliver "Connected Strength" Experience at IHRSA 2017 IHRSA 2017 FIT-C Roundtable The 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

21 Mars 201732min

Mac Gambill is the co-founder and CEO of Nudge, LLC. As the CEO, Mac wears many hats, but his primary roles consist of business development, fundraising, and sales. In his time with Nudge, the company has been recognized as finalists in programs such as RVA Companies to Watch and the Chattanooga Technology Council's Early Innovator Award. Mac was recognized by CIT as being a GAP 50 Finalist, which identified Virginia entrepreneurs most likely to build the next generation of tech companies in the state. In Q1, 2015 Nudge launched a complementary platform for health coaches, called Nudge Coach, that leverages the Nudge technology to streamline the coaching process and help coaches better manage larger client populations. Nudge has also launched Nudge+Coach, introducing an on-demand coaching network to complement the mobile health ecosystem, allowing consumers to combine the benefits of their wearables data with a real-life health coach. Listen To Episode 018 As Mac Uncovers Why we are seeing that specific apps and devices are becoming critical tools in both client and patient healthcare management care models How to take these great devices out there and tie them into client care models so that we can increase revenue and also the health outcomes of individuals How Nudge Coach is supporting the disruption and transformation of the role of personal training into coaching for the fitness industry How digital health coaching and virtual health coaching models can help give trainers and club owners their time back while also serving more clients towards better health Understanding the 3 core issues for using wearables in the fitness industry: Data access Data intelligence Seamless virtual coaching Uncovering "collaborative care" and the convergence of fitness and health care, both in the private side of healthcare, whether it's concierge medical groups with membership models or fitness pros collaborating with healthcare professionals How wearables and virtual wellness services for healthcare and wellness providers complement the consumer UI/UX and deliver a better healthcare experience across the board How to use wearables, email marketing, and virtual coaching together in lead capture strategies Top 3 Takeaways From The Show What we can now do with digital offerings and digital models that a lot of businesses are interested in is tap into audiences that are outside driving distance from the club. With mobile health, clubs can not only extended their business reach outside the four walls, but also dramatically increase their target audience - which yields greater financial success while helping more people in their health and wellness. Mac believes that the data is showing the collaborative care model is growing, with the convergence of fitness and health care, both in the private side with concierge medical groups with membership models and also by fitness pros collaborating with healthcare professionals to create a new environment around the consumer and the client. Mobile health technology in and out of the fitness industry is already changing lives and poised for growth. Mac believes that mobile health is a large piece of the puzzle, but what needs to occur to use this technology for a healthier world is the rise of the tech enabled fitness professional who uses strategic communication with their clients. The data is great, but data without contextualized feedback is just not effective. Power Quotes From Mac "We are approaching the day and age where fitness pros realize it does not have to be either them or the device. I think in the past that professionals might've been skittish about digital health and seen it as competition, but what were seeing now is this marriage is coming together." - Mac Gambill on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Collaborative care is growing and were starting to see the convergence of fitness and health care, both in the private side of healthcare with concierge medical groups with membership models and also fitness professionals collaborating with healthcare professionals to create a new environment around the consumer and the client." - Mac Gambill on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Being the founder of a technology company, I know we build some really great things, but at the end of the day the value is really provided by the professional. In as much as I want to say our technology is going to change lives, I know we are just a part of the puzzle. What we now know needs to occur is the tech enabled professional who uses strategic communication. Data is great, but data without contextualized feedback is just not effective. - Mac Gambill on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Mac Mac Gambill on LinkedIn Nudge University Nudge Website Nudge on Twitter Nudge on facebook Nudge on Linkedin Delta Life Fitness Wellness Force Radio - Mac Gambill ScaleWell Podcast Rock Health Reports Mailchimp Nudge + Coach App Connects Health Data to a Real-Life Coach The 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

14 Mars 201740min

Bryan O'Rourke serves as president of the Fitness Industry Technology Council, a consortium of leading companies working on technology standards for health and wellness. These organizations collectively serve more than 1,000 fitness facilities, dozens of organizations and more than 5,000 instructor professionals. Bryan is an entrepreneur, investor and former club owner who has worked in the health club and fitness industry with his partners for 18 years. He has presented as a keynote speaker at industry and corporate conferences on four continents. He is widely published and quoted in periodicals such as Inc. Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, and was recently recognized as one of the top 17 most influential entrepreneurs on Twitter. IHRSA named him one of 13 to watch in 2013. Bryan has recently contributed to a newly released book with other European thought leaders titled "Essentials of Motivation and Behavior Change." He is a cancer survivor and underwrites a variety of causes pertaining to cancer prevention and those impacted by the disease. Listen To Episode 017 As Bryan Uncovers Attend Bryan's speaking events at IHRSA 2017: *Thursday 3/9, 11:30am PST - Technology Networking Roundtable *Thursday 3/9, 3:30pm PST - Multimedia Presentation: "Poised For Expansion" How the industry will grow 300% in the next decade *Friday 3/10, 7:40am PST20 Minute Presentation: Disruptive Innovation, Capitalizing on Wearables With so much change in our industry space, what is the optimal mindset for club owners and operators to best capitalize with new technologies? What smart club operators and owners can look forward to at the FIT-C roundtable at IHRSA Why it takes a lot of discipline for club owners and operators to step outside where they are and think strategically while keeping in mind what is possible in the near term and today What Bryan believes to be the best way to plan an effective and meaningful schedule at IHRSA Why the top brands will begin to morph into a dynamic of measuring receptors of data and cognition and intelligence Why 96% of the world's fortune 500 companies lost market share in 2016 and why this disruption is happening Top 3 Takeaways From The Show The term wearables is really just a misnomer as we move into the space of hearables, ingestables, seeables, injectables and more. Yet the value is not really about the sensor, which is just the receptor, the real value is how we use the platforms that take that data and create user experiences in new ways. The reinvention of the customer is proving that the greatest business models in the fitness and health club industry over the next 10 years haven't been invented yet. One way that many businesses and industries have traditionally measured success was by the number of users, members, and revenue per transaction. Bryan believes we are now going to see that space shift increasingly to the drivers of the most successful and fastest growing brands morphing into a dynamic of measuring both the receptors of data, and cognition and intelligence. Power Quotes From Bryan "Everyone has a voice for how they best connect with their communities. What's most important for all of us in the age of exponential technology is asking the right questions and understanding that we're all perpetual newbies in this world of interconnection." - Bryan O'Rourke on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "One way we used to measure success in our businesses and industries was around the number of users, members, and revenue per transaction. We are now going to see the space shift increasingly to the drivers of the most successful and fastest growing brands morphing into a dynamic of measuring both the receptors of data, and cognition and intelligence." - Bryan O'Rourke on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Bryan Bryan's Website Bryan on Twitter Bryan on facebook IHRSA trade show 2017 Los Angeles Use Twitter and Instagram #IHRSA2017 for event updates FIT-C Roundtable at IHRSA Kevin Kelly's Book "The Inevitable" For IHRSA & Health Clubs The Opportunity Of An ERA Is Here With Passage of #PASSPHIT 2017 Forbes Top Technology Trends The 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

7 Mars 201712min

Lindsey Rainwater is a sought after Business Consultant & Leadership Coach, Writer, and Presenter. Lindsey helps people and organizations enjoy transformational change with an enthusiasm for leadership, conscious living, and wellness amplified by technology. As a consultant and coach to the professionals supporting the fitness industry, she is well known for her work in business development, strategy, digital marketing, content creation and change management. Lindsey's entrepreneurial spirit and drive has produced a track record of consistent over-achievements throughout her career which has created her unique signature of being a conscious professional who leverages technology, to build deep, meaningful relationships while helping her colleagues do the same. Listen To Episode 016 As Lindsey Uncovers How to use simple yet effective techniques to enhance the Group X member experience How gamification and wearables can create return and new members Why over 90% of recurring members are group fitness members and what savvy club operators can to do help change this statistic How making simple changes in lighting and music can dramatically change the Group X member experience Understanding how technology can support filling classes in peak and off peak times How to lighten up the space of the Group X room and make it more fun for members Dialing up the live class experience: what works best for all sizes of clubs Why launch parties for Group X fitness can drive new memberships if strategically placed in a sales approach What virtual Group X means to supporting members who use the gym in twilight hours Exploring the impact of what virtual reality will bring to the Group X space in the next 3-5 years What Lindsey believes is the future of group fitness technology Top 3 Takeaways From The Show With so many moving pieces to manage in a successful Group X program, Lindsey urges club owners to focus on the cost of losing a loyal member who participates in Group X buffed up against the cost of a new member acquisition. A loyal Group X member stays for a number of reasons, but above all else, its the connection to a community and the personal relationships that are made inside the room. New advances in virtual and live streaming classes can help serve all club members at their deepest needs, and beyond the use of technology, Lindsey reminds club owners to not overlook the simple yet effective changes of class music and lighting which can prove a tremendous impact on the member experience and support retention. With the pace of change and technology options rising for Group X, Lindsey believes the most important thing is to slow down and begin evaluating what's currently working by surveying members on how you might improve. In club operations on and off the group X and fitness floor, Lindsey reminds us that there is power in the pause. Power Quotes From Lindsey "With so many moving pieces to manage in a successful Group X program, I urge club owners to focus on the cost of losing a loyal member who participates in Group X buffed up against the cost of a new member acquisition. A loyal Group X member stays for a number of reasons, but above all else, its the connection to a community and the personal relationships that are made inside the room." - Lindsey Rainwater on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Technology's ability to impact the Group X space happens with social media as instructors take the lead by posting pictures of classes and tagging happy members. Whether gamification was integrated inside the class or not, members can both compete and compare, which creates the base for them to return." - Lindsey Rainwater on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Lindsey Lindsey Rainwater's website Lindsey Rainwater on LinkedIn Lindsey Rainwater on Twitter Lindsey Rainwater on Slide Share Lindsey Rainwater on Instagram The Most Important Fact Every Organization Must Realize Group X: Boost Your Group Fitness in 2017 With These Tips How To Win Friends And Influence People Never Eat Alone Good To Great Apple News Tech Crunch App 2017 Forbes Top Technology Trends Lindsey's Contribution In the 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

6 Mars 201731min