January is crunch time for most fitness centers, with membership sign-ups likely at their annual peak and enthusiasm for fitness running high among your existing members. Is your fitness center business in good shape to start the New Year? Here are some areas to check to ensure that your business gets the most out of this important season.

1) Policies and Procedures

Revisiting your policies and procedures is a great way to start the New Year. With a likely surge in new member sign-ups, it is important to ensure that your written policies are in good order. Does your new member welcome packet provide all the information incoming members really need? Is the packet merely a dry listing of legalities, or have you injected personality into it?

First impressions matter greatly, and your welcome packet materials need to reflect the club culture you wish to foster. Make welcome materials truly welcoming by including engaging information that members will return to time and again.

As for procedures, take some time to think about your business processes and procedures for the upcoming year. Were there areas where bottlenecks in your processes occurred last year? What can you do to smooth any trouble spots? Assess your procedures with a view to streamlining processes in the upcoming year.

ClubIndustry.com suggests having a written standard operating procedure for everything from how employees answer the phone to how to start a training session. In this way, you can ensure that every gym member receives the same experience when in your gym, which bolsters your brand and helps you maintain a high level of customer service.

2) Employee Check-Ins

Speaking of customer service, this is also a great time of year to sit down with each of your employees and map out a plan for improvement and advancement in the New Year. The idea here is to keep employees motivated to provide the best service possible to new and returning gym members.

January can be a stressful time for your staff since member activity typically surges at this time of year. So, help your staff cope with the increased workload by scheduling enough workers to handle the increased load.

Emphasize to your staff the importance of excellent customer service that leads to increased member retention. Some fitness center owners find it helpful to schedule some additional training in the form of practice scenarios, wherein staff members enact common situations that arise in customer service and role play how to handle them appropriately.


3) Premises and Equipment Inspection

The adage "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" is true. Take some time to inspect your fitness center. When did you last apply a fresh coat of paint or replace worn flooring? Are there areas in your gym that are beginning to show excessive wear? Is your fitness center scrupulously clean, or has your cleaning schedule started to slip a bit?

Sprucing up your gym will help provide new members with that all-important good first impression, and your existing gym members will also appreciate your efforts.

Another important assessment to get the New Year off to the right start is to look at your equipment needs. Are you providing the machines and other equipment that will help you attract and retain members? Investment in high-quality equipment is actually an investment in your future success.

AccuroFit club solutions are designed to provide an excellent member experience that leads to increased member engagement and retention. Download the catalog to see AccuroFit's full line of products for your gym today.