The manager of fitness centers

By Dr. Andrea Bondanini

It is known that the type of fitness centers existing on the whole national territory is very vast, since it goes from the small fitness center or gym, where the owners are also instructors or Personal Trainers and make use of one or two technical collaborators, to the great Center or chain, where the property exclusively plays the role of entrepreneur and is surrounded by more professional figures for the various disciplines.

Between these two extremes there are various situations, of small and medium-sized centers, on which the article is centered. Here the manager of the gym, owner, manager or manager, depending on the case, assumes an important role, since he finds himself working with a fairly limited number of collaborators, from 2 to a maximum of 6 or 7. Interpersonal relationships are very important, and the manager cannot be limited to the sole role of owner and "head" of the gym but must actively contribute to the good performance of the center, intervene often in case of need, replace if necessary some of his collaborator (always if enabled), enforce the various roles.

We need seriousness and serenity, and always have a positive attitude.

It is necessary that he periodically hold formal meetings with all the staff (therefore also cleaners, receptionists, instructors, personal trainers) so that all share the same mission and know in which direction the center wants to go. A meeting, however, must not only be this: it must also be a reciprocal exchange of ideas and not a unilateral communication, only in this way is it possible to progress.

But even more important, perhaps, are the "informal" meetings, in which the manager meets one of his collaborators during a break, at the bar, talks with the staff in an informal meeting, at a Christmas meeting, or in any other place at outside the gym. In these cases the manager can understand something more about his staff, get to know him better, find out if there is any dissatisfaction or other problems within the staff, etc. ....

He must know and be able to listen to the different needs of the user, in order to solve the various problems; to do this he must be very present in the gym, go around the halls, talk to the members, listen to their problems, thus preventing them from having to ask for an interview with the director if there is a problem.

He must always review and update his technical and scientific knowledge, take part in refresher or training courses in all the disciplines activated in the center, because in order to lead a sports company well, it is necessary to know well what is done inside; in order to correct an instructor he must know and know how to do himself.

In essence, the functions of the work of a fitness center manager can be summarized as follows:

1	Setting goals (Mission)
2	Organize the club
3	Motivate staff and all employees
4	Make people grow and progress
5	Communicate effectively with staff and members
6	Measure and analyze through assessments

Therefore, the figure of the fitness center manager assumes a fundamental importance for a small-medium sized club, which as a whole will feel protected by a positive, credible person, who organizes, communicates, motivates and evaluates with the consent of the collaborators, which in this way feel encouraged to pursue an activity that, thus conducted, will surely bear fruit, even in the eyes of customers.