The Future Health Club Industry - Club Industry 2012 Roundtable

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It was an honor to have three important health club industry leaders agree to participate in the Club Industry 2012 roundtable: The Influence of Technology - A Glimpse at Tomorrow's Health Club . As shown above (from left to right), Kevin Laferriere CEO of FitPro, Chuck Runyon CEO of Anytime Fitness and Graham Melstrand VP at ACE, contributed to a standing room only crowd as they addressed 9 key questions about technology and the future of health clubs. Both FitPro and ACE are founding members of the Fitness Industry Technology Council as well.

There were many interesting and compelling responses to the 9 questions I presented to the panel  for their views. You can see a complete recap of the content with videos and a synopsis of the presentation and answers here (its embedded down below as well).

Let me know what you think about the presentation and content. I want to thank the leaders of Club Industry for including this important topic in the 2012 Club Industry Show. I also want to express my sincere gratitude for the panelist who went out of their way to share very important thoughts.

So what do you think about technology and the health club industry ? Do you agree or disagree about some of the answers to the 9 questions included in the content below ? I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'm asking leaders in the health club and fitness industry to join the Fitness Industry Technology Council to help shape this promising future. The future is here and we need interoperability standards to enable our industry to reach its promise. Will you please join me ?

 

About the author:

Bryan O’Rourke is a health club industry expert, technologist, financier, and shareholder and executive in several fitness companies. He advises several successful global brands, serves as a member of the GGFA Think Tank and serves as CEO of the Fitness Industry Technology Council. To learn more contact Bryan here today .

What Will 2012 Bring ? Its Up To All Of Us [WATCH]

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"Sooner or later I swear we're going to make it" as Mat Kearny sings in his recent hit song. I'd like to believe him. Our culture is becoming increasingly digital, interconnected, and global. A revolution is underway and it is providing great opportunity for the human race amid tremendous risk. As we look back at 2011 I'll tell you this about 2012 and beyond; it will be a direct reflection of how much and how well we embrace the future a future full of incredible change.

Watch Google's Zeitgiest 2011: Year In Review video below and tell me Bryan O'Rourke, what do you see in 2012 and why ?

About the author:

Bryan O’Rourke is a health club industry expert, technologist, financier, and shareholder and executive in several fitness and health club companies. He consults with numerous global brands, serves as a member of the GGFA Think Tank is Chair of the Medical Fitness Association’s Education Committee and a partner in the Flywheel Group. To learn more contact Bryan here today .

To The Fitness Industry - Technology Is What You Make It

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I'm lucky. I've have 3 very unique wonderful children who've taught me great lessons.

My friend Jim McPartland commented during our recent interview on his "Unopened Gifts" show something to the effect of, "you take the exam before getting the text book." He was referring to life in general and its also true of being a parent. You are not always sure of what to do but you do your best and if you're lucky and keep an optimistic open mind to the future, things might turn out ok.

Working in an industry like fitness and wellness, a young industry with a lot of promise and a long way to go to reach it, I think about how we get there. That is where my kids come to mind along with Jim's quote and a recent commerical.

The future for health clubs, and fitness and wellness in general will entail a lot of change and technology will be a big part of it. It has for every industry. While we can't know the outcome for sure, I think its important we as an industry become more open to what technology represents, for both its great potential and sometimes problematic consequences. We must embrace change to reach our promise. This is even more important because of the relatively young stage the fitness industry is in.

In light of this I wanted to share Google's most recent Chrome commercial about a father and his daughter (see below) and technology. Tell me, Bryan O'Rourke, what do you think about technology in light of this commercial and in light of your life ? Is Technology, like your life, what you make it ? Should the fitness industry be more open to the future and technology that will be a big part of its development ? I think so.

Bobby Cappuccio Interview - Key Fitness Trends In 2011 - One Is Group Fitness

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While attending IHRSA 2011 last week, by the way thanks to all who attended my two presentations, I got to interview Robert Cappuccio, one of the founders of PTA Global and collaborator with PT on the Net, Fitpro and others. I asked Bobby, what does he see as 2 key fitness trends for the future of the industry. Guess what, group fitness is one of them. Watch for his answers and share with me, Bryan O'Rourke, what do you think are the key trends in the fitness industry to keep an eye on ?

5 Important Technology Trends For 2011

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5 Important Technology Trends For 2011
View more presentations from Bryan ORourke

 

During my upcoming IHRSA presentation on using technology to improve member sales and retention I'll touch on 5 key technology trends. I'll also be sharing some of these concepts and more during the FILEX presentation in April on the future of the fitness industry.

Let me know what you think. How are these trends impacting your fitness or wellness business ? Contact me Bryan O'Rourke and please share your thoughts.