Health Spas and fitness centers have always been about one thing, their bottom line. From the controlled initial visit, to the "today only" special sales pitch you are forced to go through, it's a number's game from the moment a potential member enters the door. Many center's managers even listen in on the conversations of their sales staff and potential members for better sales control.

The object for the fitness center is to get the new guest signed up before they leave, hopefully on the very first visit. All or most of the so called trainers are working on commissions and the competition to get your business can get vicious behind the scenes.

Many facilities will offer you a special deal that's good only on your first visit. Sometimes these contracts are for more than a thousand dollars, for say a three year membership. The rates go up from there!

If you are in the center on a free promotional coupon or as a guest, their sales staff will stalk you like buzzards and hound you until you finally give in and join, or get annoyed and don't come back.

The sad thing is fitness centers can be like insurance companies in a sense. It's nearly a license to steal. They offer services based on the fact that you will plan on using or needing the services and they know the odds are that you will not. If the odds were not in their favor, they could not stay in business. Consider if everyone who ever joined the local gym showed up on the same day at the same time; that would probably make working out worse than a trip to the DMV.

Think about how many insurance policies are sold each year for automobiles alone. Many drivers go for years and never have an accident or claim. Add up that cumulative pool of funds and the collective interest, and one can see how the cash can get flowing quickly.

The point being, the odds of most people remaining disciplined and diligent through the duration of a fitness center membership are slim at best. The center makes the sale, the member's attendance usually tapers off, and the center makes out all the way around.

The truth is not really about the fitness centers when it comes to whether or not one gets their money out of a membership. The truth lies within our selves... So, before you run off with your girlfriend or buddy to the local fitness center as a guest, knowing that you will be approached about joining, ask yourself a question.

Ask yourself if you are currently dedicated to keeping fit at home or as a part of any other fitness program. If not, you probably will not be diligent about going to the gym either. Even the best deal on a membership is not a good value if not utilized. Statistically, membership attendance is on the fitness center's side. That is how they keep the operating cash flowing.

Fitness centers sell as many memberships as they can during peak times of the year. This is evident by the fact that after the holiday promotions or seasonal membership drives, many clubs have an annoying surge of new members who burn out after only a few visits. Dedicated members are often very frustrated by the social club or "meat-market" atmosphere that is crated by membership drives.

Some centers even offer free trips, cruises, and prizes for members who get the most guest to come in and sign up. You can even get free membership time for signing up enough people. No matter what the prize, rest assured that the truth is that fitness centers care about one thing, MAKING MONEY!

As author of this article, how do I know? I have worked at a fitness center and regretfully, I have also purchased a three year membership which I did not fully utilize

Learn more about this author, Donald Hatcher.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The truth about the fitness industry?
We want to hear your view. Write now!