Best Practices for Fitness Center Business Sustainability: A Qualitative Vision

The fitness sector has always been linked to the analysis of the loyalty of its consumers. Different studies have shown the importance of sports service and human resources for greater customer loyalty. However, few works have studied how the physical environment or servicescape influences the behavior of consumers in fitness centers based on gender and age. Therefore, the objective of the study was to analyze the relationship between servicescape and the loyalty of fitness center consumers, analyzing through the Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis (IPMA) what the aspects to improve according to gender and age are. The sample was 10,368 fitness center customers (5864 women and 4504 men). After the IPMA, it was concluded that the main improvement margins in general in fitness centers were the equipment and the facility condition, and the facility layout. In turn, in relation to gender and age, the aspects with room for improvement were to a greater extent for equipment and facility condition in women over 21 years of age, and in facility layout for women between 21 and 40 years old and 51–60 years old. Regarding men, the aspects with the highest performance margins were the equipment and facility condition in all the age groups, the facility layout in men up to 50 years old, and the signage in men up to 40 years old and from 51 to 60 years old.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis (IPMA) to Evaluate Servicescape Fitness Consumer by Gender and Age

Fernández

Gavira

Sánchez-Oliver

et al. 2020

“…Some studies have focused on studying the impact of the shape and technical characteristics of sports materials on physical performance [ 46 , 47 ], with a focus on the efficiency of motor and technical capacities [ 48 , 49 ]. The specialists in prophylaxis and physiotherapy focused on adapting the use of materials in the process of motor recovery and functional rehabilitation, depending on the technical characteristics and the individual and pathological particularities of the subjects [ 50 , 51 , 52 ]. The trend of using different sports and fitness materials is becoming increasingly obvious, and their area of use is increasingly extensive, including fitness centers and sport activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Motor Impact of the Static Balance in the Up Plank Position on Three Different Balls in Physical Activities of Physical Education Students

Bădău

Manolache

et al. 2021

The present study aimed to assess the capacity of stability and motor impact in the development of the balance of student athletes by reducing the support surface on the ball in the up plank position, by using three categories of balls of equal size, but with different elasticity and weight. In this study, the second aim was to investigate the differences in maintaining static balance, on different balls, between those who are practicing individual sports or team sports. The total study sample include 48 students, active athletes (45.8% of individual sports and 54.2% of team sports), age X ± SD 18.74 ± 1.94 years. The research included two test sessions (initial and final) applied in two stages. The static balance tests were performed by measuring the time maintaining the up plank position with two and three points of support on the three balls, with different characteristics of elasticity and ranges of deformation: medical ball, handball ball and fitness ball. The results of the study showed that the superior initial and final results were recorded on the fitness ball, and the inferior results on the medicine ball. The upper difference was recorded at the up plank position with two support points (arms, legs) on the fitness ball, at 4980 sec., and the lowest in the same test on the medical ball, at 3420 sec. The largest difference was recorded at the up plank position with three support points on the handball ball, at 7.082 sec., and the lowest in the same test on the medical ball, at 3.093 sec. The subjects of the study perceived that the most difficult position to execute was the up plank position on the medical ball with two support points, with 43.8%, and the easiest stability was registered in the up plank position on the fitness ball with three points of support, of 37.5%. The relevance of the research results from the possibility of using different balls in conditions of positioning and body posture with a diminished support base in order to improve physical fitness.

“…There is no direct correlation between fitness centers with a higher Walk Score ® and wider opening hours. Good management practices encourage sport facilities managers to reinforce their company strengths [32]. Therefore, for fitness centers whose location is considered a strength, maximizing and enlarging opening hours contributes to maximizing this strength.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this vein, several authors have raised the importance of the evaluation of fitness services, meaning a detailed analysis of the provided service that contributes to making managerial actions more precise. Additionally, authors have examined specific business models based on price [31] or the analysis of the importance and performance of different services and management decisions [32]. For this purpose, after the literature review, a possible relationship between the Walk Score ® and different variables such as prices, opening hours, and specific services at fitness centers is considered, depending on the city district and its walkability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this purpose, after the literature review, a possible relationship between the Walk Score ® and different variables such as prices, opening hours, and specific services at fitness centers is considered, depending on the city district and its walkability. Traditionally, price has been identified as one of the main reasons to enroll in a fitness center [32]. Moreover, opening hours are crucial, even more so in a big urban area such as a capital city.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Walkability and Fitness Center Prices, Opening Hours, and Extra Services: The Case of Madrid, Spain

León-Quismondo

Bonal

Burillo

et al. 2020

Self Cite

Walkability has been associated with urban development and political plans, contributing to more connected cities with improvements in communication, shopping, and pedestrian base. Among these services, fitness centers are becoming important elements for communities due to their impact on the health and welfare of citizens. The present study aims to examine how an area’s Walk Score® affects fitness center services, specifically membership costs, opening hours, and aquatic services. Data from 193 fitness centers were retrieved, representing all the areas of the municipality of Madrid, Spain, including fitness centers in the 21 city districts. A nonlinear relationship between an area’s Walk Score® and fitness centers’ monthly fees is observed. Only in premium fitness centers, a weak curvilinear model is observed, following a quadratic equation, showing that fitness centers with higher prices are in less walkable areas. Additionally, the association between Walk Score® and a fitness center’s opening hours reveals that fitness centers with wider hours of operation tend to be in moderately to highly walkable locations. Lastly, the existence of a swimming pool is related to a lower Walk Score®. Thus, fitness centers in less walkable areas try to offer additional services as differentiation from competitors, whereas centers in walkable locations use this advantage as a strength.