NIHCA Knows! is a new blog-based platform to keep you updated on what is working for other clubs/fitness facilities in the NIHCA network. Think of it as a library of resources for various questions like salaries, square footage, age requirements, policies and procedures, etc. We will address questions from our facilities and write a searchable blog for you to review, 24 hours a day. You will be able to search keywords to find the most recent and relevant content on a given subject.
We have had great success sharing information among our Networking Group and would like to offer that information to you, as a NIHCA member! If you have a topic you would like addressed, you can email your request to holly@NIHCA.org.
NIHCA is coming to Shakopee, MN to host a half-day networking workshop on Wednesday, November 18th from 12noon – 4:00 PM, and we’d love for you to join us. WHERE: Shakopee Community Center in Shakopee, MN WHEN: Wednesday, November 18th TIME: 12noon-4pm This will be a fun, interactive day focused on connecting with others in…
NIHCA recently was “on the road again” and hosted a 1/2 day workshop at GreatLIFE Golf in Sioux Falls, SD. During the workshop, clubs were sharing what they pay their front desk help. Most of our clubs that were present indicated that the front desk position is a PT postion paid hourly; very few had…
No-shows, not just annoying — but also costly. How do we confront our members, reduce loss/waste of resources, and increase accountability?
How do we combat pressure from credit card fees while maintaining a good reputation with our clients, customers, and members?
Everyone lies… but the stakes are different when you are an employer. How do we handle dishonest employees?
Security Cameras Cameras are everywhere now. Everyone carries one around with them, homes have them and we are hearing more about them at the club too. Does your facility have and utilize security cameras? Do you know your rights as a club when it comes to security cameras? There is a lot to consider when…
Corporate Memberships and Partnerships We want to remind you that offering a discount will affect your bottom line but if you do it thoughtfully you can take advantage of increased memberships and therefore increased revenue! Does your facility offer Corporate Memberships or do you work with local businesses to increase your memberships? When looking to…
Babies in the Workout Area Our NIHCA Networking Group was recently asked what policies are in place for babies/newborns in the gym and workout spaces. This is a great question and we hope all our clubs have a policy in place! Should babies be allowed in workout spaces? Please note, this question is regarding young…
Hiring Instructors Fitness instructors are a vital part of the fitness industry and finding the right fit for your facility may take some extra effort on your part. How do you recruit and find fitness instructors? The NIHCA Networking group discussed this topic recently. We found that there isn’t one right answer but some great…
Indoor Playgrounds Indoor playgrounds are popular across the country for a variety of reasons and purposes; keeping the kids safe should be the number one priority. If your facility is looking at adding an indoor playground, it is imperative to have your policies laid out before opening the gates to the new structure. We asked…
Onboarding Processes and Costs Onboarding processes and costs are a factor that you can address and decrease with an established policy. Are you familiar with what your “employee turnover rate” is and how to decrease it at your facility? Finding the right new hire isn’t as easy as hanging a sign on your door. You…
Cellphone Use and Recording in the Gym Cell phones are everywhere; almost every member has a cell phone. We use our cell phones to listen to music, watch movies, take videos, selfies, stay connected via phones calls and social media. We use our phones throughout the day, every day. When does cell phone use become…
Keyless Door Entry NIHCA facilities are always looking at changes with technology improvements and member requests. One hot topic is keyless entry for members. Keyless entry is a great way for members to utilize the facility when it is not staffed and for the facility to track who is using the facility and when. Smartphone…
Connecting with Staff We are often great at connecting with our staff over the holidays, when they first join us or if there is trouble in the air. What are you doing to stay connected with your staff and to keep them connected with each other? As Marcus Buckingam said, “People leave managers, not companies.”…
Attitude/Aptitude Tool for Difficult Staff Conversations By: Bob Wolf, The Retired Fitness and Strategy Dude Greetings NIHCA friends. It was great to see everyone at our Networking Day a couple weeks ago. It sounds like the breakout sessions were fantastic. One topic that came up during the Operations session related to dealing with employees who have…
Be The Accountability There is a common factor we hear from our clubs that are successful in retaining active memberships. We want to share that common factor with all of you! Personalized attention. What is personalized attention? It is important to have that front desk person there to greet everyone with a smile. It is…
Staff Dress Code Does your facility have a dress code policy for your staff? We have discussed a dress code policy for facility members but what about your staff? It has been observed that in the workplace we have become more casual especially in the last few years. We asked the NIHCA Networking group if…
Service Animals In The Fitness Facility The NIHCA Networking Group was asked about a policy for emotional support animals. Service animals are a lifeline for some members and we want to make sure all members know they are welcome at our facilities. This is a tough question as it isn’t just an opinion or a…
Group Class Participation Group classes are fun. They keep members motivated and they tend to keep their participants accountable to each other, but what happens when the class numbers are low? There are times when class numbers may be low due to vacations, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. What about when class numbers are low…
2023 Midwest Recreation-Aquatics-Fitness Conference August 21, 2023 Thank you to all who attended the 2023 Midwest Recreation-Aquatics-Fitness Conference! We had two full days of learning, networking, laughter and fun. The conference kicked off with a pre-conference “Customer Service Bootcamp” presented by our Executive Director, Holly Johnson. This session nearly doubled in size as word…
Software Pros and Cons In the fitness industry our focus may be on fitness and health, but in this industry comes with a great software responsibility. Our world today revolves on software and that can cause us to shy away from it and just deal with what we’ve got versus learning a new system. NIHCA…
Licensed Classes in the Fitness Facility NIHCA has been asked by some of our members about what other facilities use or how to justify the cost of the licensed classes. This is a great question as you are all looking to offer members the best experience while at your facility. However, the answer is individualized…
NIHCA Networking Group in Minnetonka Earlier this month the NIHCA Networking Group gathered to tour two facilities and roundtable on what’s working and what’s not working in the fitness facility world. We were able to tour the Williston Fitness Center and then we regrouped and toured The Marsh! Wonderful tours; thank you to Dakota, Bud…
Transitioning Child Dependent Memberships to Adult Memberships Do you offer age restrictive memberships? At what age do you cap your dependents, 16-25? Do you have your “family membership” well defined? These questions bring up the all-important question of, how do you manage these memberships? We have all become accustomed to the “quick fix” or the…
Trainer and Instructor Certification Reimbursement Bringing in new trainers or instructors and retaining the ones you have can be a struggle; with a little incentive you can keep them on board. NIHCA’s Networking Group asked if facilities offer their trainers a reimbursement for “Group Fitness” or “Personal Training” certification. The responses we received were overwhelmingly…
Open Swim Options With A Lack of Lifeguards We continue to hear questions from our members regarding the lack of lifeguard availability. The shortage in lifeguards has led to limited pool hours, pool closings, and creative thinking. The data we gathered from the NIHCA Networking group is that there are three viable options; Of course…
Lifeguarding Class as High School Elective In this time of lifeguard shortages, we need to look to our future and they always say, “kids are our future”. We had one of our NIHCA Networking members ask if there are facilities who partnered with the local school to offer lifeguarding as an elective for the high…
November 22, 2022 Cleaning is inevitable. It has to happen at home, at work, and especially at the gym. The question is, who should do the cleaning and when? We asked the NIHCA Networking Group and we received responses from a variety of facilities: University and Hospital facilities often have contracted staff that will come…
November 21, 2022 November is the National Gratitude Month. We asked our members, what are you Grateful for this month? We encouraged creativity with the theme: “Share with us what you are most grateful” Congratulations to The Wheel in Baxter, MN The Wheel shared with us their posted “love letter” to their members. We read…
October 31, 2022 Some of us came from an era of daily newspapers and phones with coiled cords. Some of us have grown up with computers, internet and social media being our main sources of information and insight. Either way, we know that your website is a make it or break it for some businesses.…
Your Holiday Re-Charge and Map Your Mission for 2023 Presented by: Kristen Brown Thursday, December 15th, 2022 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Central Time) The holiday season is upon us and with it comes overflowing to-do lists, unique workplace dynamics, gift-giving strain, entertaining and parties, kids’ events, travel and weather issues, emotional sensitivity, and many…
September 27, 2022 Have you seen our Newsletter section, “Can’t Make This Up”? Every now and again we hear a great story from one of our NIHCA Clubs about the antics happening with their members. We ask our clubs to be creative with our themes and you did not disappoint this month. The entries this…
Updated September 26, 2022 Programming is the heartbeat for many fitness facilities. New programming should be implemented to keep members engaged and to bring new members into your doors. If your programming is going stale and not bringing in members, now is the time to revisit, revamp, and reenergize. We are here to help. Programming…
Energy Sells! 7 Powershots to Charge Up Your Influence and Impact Presented by: Kristen Brown Wednesday October 12th, 2022 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Central Time) When it comes to selling success, YOU are a total health industry rockstar who has navigated so much as the new realities of work and life have created massive…
$100 November Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! November is the National Gratitude Month. We are asking you, what are you Grateful for this month? We encourage creativity with…
Our office will be closed Monday September 5th, 2022 in observance of Labor Day. Fun Facts: Labor Day has been celebrated since 1882. It has been recognized as a National Holiday since 1894!
August 16th, 2022 You own/manage a fitness business and in order to continue to thrive, your bottom line needs to stay out of the red and we are here to help you find ways to create more cushion to that bottom line. We have heard our members talking about how they need to increase membership…
REV ’em Up: Attract and Keep Awesome Employees Presented by: Kristen Brown Thursday, August 25th, 2022 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Central Time) Unlock your club’s greatness with the REV approach. You will learn how Rewards, Energy, and Vision help attract employees and keep the ones you have feeling happier and more fulfilled. This insight…
July 26, 2022 We try to come up with cool themes for our Spotlight Contests. So we cranked up the heat for our July Spotlight. We asked you to show us how you beat the heat and keep your members cool through the hot summer months. We really did get some cool entries this month.…
July 21, 2022 There is something to be said about good behavior, but bad behavior is talked about more often. Being a new manager or director comes with the responsibility of discipline. As a manager, do you feel like a High School Principal at times? It isn’t just young adults or older kids; how is…
$100 September Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! Have you seen our Newsletter section, “Can’t Make This Up”? Every now and again we hear a great story from one…
July 12h, 2022 Before and After Click on the picture to see all the details NIHCA is a National company working with insurance providers and fitness gyms throughout the US, based in beautiful Granite Falls, MN. Our national company moved from the Twin Cities ten years ago and has thrived since moving our office to…
June 23, 2022 There are many benefits to owning and running a fitness facility but there are some really tough aspects as well, like collections. When many of our members gathered for the 2022 NIHCA Spring Conference and Exhibit Expo we talked to each other about collections. There was concern from some clubs about how…
June 16th, 2022 Spring of 2020 brought many of us to breaking points. We were thrown into these so-called learning opportunities that we would’ve preferred never to have experienced. But here we are two years later with our heads held high and pushing to be better than ever before. We have learned from the experience…
June 9th, 2022 I love walking into the office after that first pot of coffee is done brewing in the morning. I wasn’t always a coffee drinker, but I have always thought the smell was warming, welcoming, and energizing. Of course, coffee isn’t the only source of caffeine and caffeine is a big topic in…
2022 NIHCA Spring Conference & Exhibit Expo Click on the picture below to see the amazing day had by our attendees, sponsors, and hosts! Thank you to all in attendance for making this a great conference full of learning and networking.
May 26th, 2022 Programming is the heartbeat of fitness facilities and community centers. We have put a lot of focus on programming over the last year because it is one of the top requests we receive from our NIHCA members. With summer approaching so quickly, we asked our members to send us a video with…
May 26th, 2022 The “Great Resignation” that was 2021 is leading to a lot of struggles for hiring in 2022. We are hearing first hand just how hard it is this year to bring in new staff members. We are here to help with some outside of the box thinking. Some suggestions we received from…
Gaining Members in Your Local Community Presented by: Tanna, NIHCA’s Club Acquisition Lead Thursday, June 30th, 2022 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM (Central Time) Do you need some new tips & scripts for reaching out to the community and local businesses to help gain new members? Join NIHCA with a savvy Systematic Approach webinar to…
May 23rd, 2022 We love that we get to have an in-person conference. The opportunity to #Leave2Learn is more valuable and relevant today than years past. The day means that much more when we have amazing sponsors who spend the day with us and our members! Our members were lined up to talk to you…
May 17, 2022 Wow! We are overwhelmed with the amazing reviews we received at the 2022 NIHCA Conference. We had a record number of first time attendees and the results are in; it was a great opportunity. Now we have the honor of thanking the many hands, faces and voices that made the day a…
$100 July Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! We try to come up with cool themes for our Spotlight Contests. We want to highlight you, the facility. So we…
May 4th, 2022 We have flipped the calendar again and even though the weather appears to be on its own schedule here in Minnesota, Spring is here which means Summer programming is already on your books! Now what? You have brought in your New Year members and have switched up your summer programming to keep…
April 27th, 2022 Have you looked at the emails from NIHCA and glanced over the information about our Conference and then set it aside because, “you just don’t know what to expect”? We pride ourselves on being here to answer your questions, so let’s dive into what your day will look like when you join…
April 20th, 2022 Increasing your revenue may always be on the top of your priorities, but when it comes to renting your facility there are a lot of details to put into your policy before you hand over a key. Many facilities rent out portions rooms or spaces for parties, gatherings, meetings, and more. What…
April 20th, 2022 With tax season coming to an end, it has some of us looking closer at our personal budgets. We have all worked through or may currently be working through a tight budget. It’s part of adulting, and typically one of those parts none of us particularly enjoy. It is possible to eat…
April 12, 2022 We are one month away from NIHCA’s 2022 Spring Conference & Exhibit Expo in Maple Grove, MN. Have you registered yet? Who is attending from your facility (front desk staff, trainers, instructors, managers, directors – ALL are welcome!)? Get it on your calendar now, May 12th. We have an exciting day planned…
April 5, 2022 Last week, the NIHCA Networking Group met at the New Ulm Recreation Center. Cheryl Korman, the Assistant Facility Director was kind enough to give us all a tour of the amazing facility. New Ulm Recreation Center is one of just three facilities nationwide who has a Ninja Cross Pool Obstacle Course! Plus,…
March 31st, 2022 Budget is something we all need to consider and stick to, in order to be successful. Your budget is also something important to review on a regular basis and not just in the case of an emergency or when in a pickle. With prices rising on everything from our gas bill to…
$100 May Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! Programming is the heartbeat to fitness facilities and community centers. We have put a lot of focus on programming over the…
March 30, 2022 When things are good, things are very good. Our March Spotlight contest: We asked our clubs to send us a video giving a tour of their facility and highlight what has changed. Change is important for growth and we loved seeing the entries! Thank you to everyone who sent entries into the…
Staff On-boarding for Retention and Effective Performance By Karen Woodard Chavez Thursday, April 14, 2022 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Central Time) In this 60 minute session hosted by NIHCA with Karen Woodard on April 14th at 11am cst, we will examine the range of how businesses Orient and/or On-board their new hires. You will…
March 1, 2022 Next week NIHCA is opening their doors to start building up the Shoe Swap to benefit our local school. NIHCA moved to Granite Falls the fall of 2010 and is thankful to be part of an amazing community here in Granite Falls and in Yellow Medicine County. NIHCA is making our “footprint…
March 14th, 2022 The NIHCA Networking Group will be meeting in just two weeks. It is not too late to register! NIHCA’s Networking Group is a great way to connect with other facilities, learn from your friends in the fitness industry and bring your knew knowledge and connections back to your facility. NIHCA is thrilled…
March 2, 2022 I think we can all admit that we feel better after a workout. There are some of us that still struggle with the motivation to start a workout. Working out is important for all ages and levels of ability. Our workouts may not all look the same but as long as we…
Appropriate clothing for the gym should be basic knowledge but there may be times we need to spell it out for our dear members. Do you have a clothing policy in place for your facility? When we reached out to the NIHCA Networking group, we were surprised to find out more facilities do not have…
I recently had a conversation with a member about the great Fitness Incentive Programs. The member said that when she first joined the club, the $240 reimbursement back to her was a huge motivating factor to her commitment of working out regularly. This is something you, the club, can provide to your members. The incentive…
Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 Networking is incredibly important to business and individual growth. NIHCA is proud to have a Networking Group in the fitness industry. We primarily meet, ask questions, and share information through emails. However, we make every effort to get together so that we can build a stronger Networking Group. We are…
We had a blog post a few weeks ago about working on Y-O-U. One of the points in the blog we referenced talked directly about sleep. Sleep is incredibly important for the human body. Each of us requires a different amount of sleep and we each have a preferred time frame for our sleep. However,…
January 27th, 2022 There are some things that never go out of style. We hope that one of those things is always working towards a healthier Y-O-U! Working on you may be the hardest part of your day but with small changes you could find big results. Breaking habits is hard; that’s why we focus…
As a club, it is and should be your goal to increase memberships. As a provider in your community, there is a need to offer daily passes. One of the questions NIHCA gets asked is “how much can we charge for a daily pass”. Then there is the bigger question, “At what age do you…
$100 March Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! Change is important for growth. We want to see and celebrate what changes you have made within the last 6…
In the fitness industry, we often think of January as being a month of motivation and restarts. Many new faces are starting off the year with routines and ambition. There is something known as the January Blues and it is very real. Often our lives are busy from Thanksgiving through the New Year. We are…
Outdoor shoes, heavy coats, mittens and scarves. We aren’t talking about your lost and found loot; we are talking about lockers at your facility. We want our members to feel comfortable using the facility but we don’t want them tracking in the dirt and snow from the parking lot. Offering open lockers is great but…
“Sales Models – How to Maximize Yours” by Karen Woodard Chavez Thursday, February 10, 2022 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (CST) FREE for NIHCA Members There are multiple models for selling memberships in this industry. Which one you utilize depends on your personal beliefs, your budget and your knowledge of the sales process. In this…
“In youth we learn; in age we understand” ~Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach This quote speaks volumes as to what we may need to look at when setting up a Youth Policy. Youth are important to our communities and to the growth of our clubs and facilities. For the purposes of this youth policy, we are clarifying…
NIHCA $100 November Spotlight Challenge ~Send us a video showing “your efforts to spread joy to your members and your community”. Congratulations to River Fitness in Pine River, MN River Fitness got involved in their town’s holiday celebration. This year’s theme was “A Storybook Christmas” and River Fitness opened their doors to community members with…
In observance of the holidays our office will be closed Friday December 24th and Friday December 31st.
$100 January Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! You don’t send a member off to run a marathon the weekend after they join your club. Preparation takes weeks…
Just like that we flipped the calendar again last week and we are preparing to change out our calendar for a new one at the end of this month. They say time flies when you are having fun, so we must be having a lot of fun at NIHCA because none of us can believe…
NIHCA $100 November Spotlight Challenge ~ Send us a video of “how much food you were able to bring to your local food shelf” with the help of your members. Congratulations to The VINE Adult Community Center in Mankato, MN The VINE Adult Community Center spent the month of November collecting for their local food shelf,…
$100 December 2021 NIHCA Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! As we start to wrap up 2021 and prepare to welcome a new year we are asking you to…
November 11th, 2021 NIHCA is honored to take a moment each year to celebrate all American Veterans for their service. To our members who are Veterans, Thank You! To your members who are Veterans, Thank You! Who are our American Veterans? We are glad you asked. A veteran by definition is any current or past…
“Your Success Plan for 2022” by Karen Woodard Chavez Wed, Nov 17, 2021 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CST) NIHCA presents this 60-minute webinar lead by Karen Woodard Chavez of Premium Performance Training on Wednesday, November 17th at 1p cst that will create a framework for your success in 2022. Based on the events of…
November 2, 2021 We want to extend our congratulations to Detroit Lakes Community Center on their $100 Spotlight win. Detroit Lakes Community Center has been a NIHCA member for over 17 years! In the last 17 years, this facility has taken advantage of our free webinars, our conferences, our networking group and so many more…
October 28th, 2021 This month we turned the tables from looking at what you are doing for your members to celebrating your boss. National Boss Day happened to land on October 15th, our Spotlight deadline. At NIHCA we love celebrating our boss because we have a good, superior, great boss. As William Arthur Ward says,…
$100 November 2021 NIHCA Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! Thanksgiving is right around the corner and although we may not all see the holiday in the same way,…
October 13th, 2021 Halloween is a fun holiday for kids and it should be fun for kids of all ages. Halloween doesn’t need to be scary or filled with sugary treats to be fun. Here are NIHCA’s thoughts on bringing Halloween to your club. Have a costume contest with bonus points for being able to…
$100 October 2021 NIHCA Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! This month we are turning the tables from looking at what you are doing for your members to celebrating…
NIHCA is putting together a unique Programming Challenge. It’s time to put our creative minds together and compile a 50-point programming list to help get your members back, while gaining some new revenue! What creative programming have you offered your members in the last 18 months that helped during COVID? What was the program? What…
September 29th, 2021 We would like to thank all who took time from their busy schedules to #leave2learn. We had a great day at Monticello Community Center listening and learning from Dave Sanderson, Anne-Marie Fitz, Anna St Amant and Holly Johnson. Thank you to our speakers for sharing your knowledge and expanding ours. The…
“The Big What If’s Over the Next 6 Months; Q & A” by Karen Woodard Chavez Tuesday, September 28th 1:00-2:00pm CST Register Today: Click HERE
We want to put the Spotlight on your facility and give back at the same time. Our Spotlight contests take less than a phone call to send us an entry and they offer you a chance to win a $100 check from NIHCA as well as being spotlighted on our social media pages, in our…
Get a Head Start on the Conference and Enjoy your BPeers Date: Tuesday, September 21 (the evening before the conference) Time: 5:00pm – Come Early, Stay Late! Where: Nordic Brewing Company//530 Cedar St, Monticello// Just blocks away from the hotel and the Monticello Community Center Why: Networking, bean bags, food and beer! Cost: $25 /…
“The Big What If’s Over the Next 6 Months” by Karen Woodard Chavez Thursday, September 16th 1:00-2:00pm CST 18 months ago, most businesses were caught by surprise and unprepared to handle the challenges before us. The landscape for business was changing rapidly and it was fatiguing to keep up. Some businesses were unable to keep…
September 2nd, 2021 One of our NIHCA goals is to be your partner and friend in the fitness industry and our Conference and Exhibit Expo is a great example of just that. NIHCA has been bringing together our Club Members for the last 16 years. Over the years we have brought you keynote speakers from…
August 31st, 2021 NIHCA $100 August Spotlight Challenge: “Show us a short video, highlighting your summer and how you brought back members into your fitness community at your facility.” Congratulations to Heroic Fitness in Harrisburg, SD Heroic Fitness sent in a video to let us know that they have been working to bring members…
August 26th, 2021 If your facility has a hot tub, what are your policies regarding age and use of the hot tub? It is imperative that you clearly have your policies posted not only for employees to reference but also for your members to be able to review. We recommend at minimum to include the…
August 25th, 2021 Congratulations to Anytime Fitness in Watertown, SD. They won an IPad from NIHCA! Listen to what the GM had to say, “… The platform is very easy and the education is excellent…”. Thank you for the kind words, Anytime Fitness Watertown! We hope you enjoy the new IPad as we look forward…
$100 September 2021 NIHCA Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! Do you use all of your NIHCA benefits? Are you aware of our FREE webinars and do you join…
August 12th, 2021 Having a written policy and procedures book is always recommended, but one topic you may not have thought to include is your service pet policy. We have had clubs reach out for recommendations and we leaned on the NIHCA Networking Group for answers. Recognize service animals with definition If you have additional…
Working with our clubs and facilities is an honor and we have felt your struggles. Please take a moment to read this article and take action. Share it with your members! Let’s help each other by not waiting, but by taking action. ACT NOW by Pam Kufahl, Content Director at IHRSA The U.S. fitness industry…
July 2021 Spotlight Challenge: “Show us how you promote the Fitness Incentive Programs on your website/social media!” Congratulations to Performance Fitness & Tan in Winner, SD Performance Fitness & Tan sent us an entry for the July Spotlight contest AND stopped by our offices for an impromptu photo shoot. Performance…
“Active Aging” with Sara Kooperman, SCW Fitness Wednesday, August 11 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST By the year 2030, the fastest growing segment of the population will be the 85+ individual. There will be 70 million 65 year olds and older. This staggering shift in societal demographics promises to have tremendous impacts on our…
July 21st, 2021 It’s Time! It’s time to finally gather as a group of fitness professionals at the Annual NIHCA Conference and Exhibit Expo. Do you have September 22nd marked on your calendar as a day to #leave2learn? NIHCA Fall Conference & Exhibit Expo Turning Turmoil into Triumph Monticello, MN Wednesday September 22nd We are…
$100 August 2021 NIHCA Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! Let’s face it, August of 2021 looks a lot better than the year before and even looks better than…
A lot goes on at your facility every day. Some hours are busier than others but at the end of the day, some important closing tasks should be addressed. We want to address Money Handling. Do you have more than one person assigned to closing out at the end of the day? Bigger question, do…
July 7th, 2021 It is a well-known statistic in the fitness industry that July is one of the slowest months for members in the gym. It’s nice outside and we all want to be out. Summer is also a busy time for traveling out of town for a week or two on vacation. What…
June 23rd, 2021 NIHCA Fall Conference & Exhibit Expo Wednesday, September 22 // 8am-3:30pm Monticello Community Center, Monticello, MN This conference will be about how we, as fitness facilities, need to take Turmoil and turn it into Triumph! We have an amazing guest speaker whom we have been trying to bring to you for over…
$100 July Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! We can all see what a difference social media has made in our daily lives. We are on our phones more…
“Trends to Become Future Ready” with Sara Kooperman, SCW Fitness Monday, June 21 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST In this innovative webinar, we will examine key concepts and tactical strategies for a future-ready fitness business. Analyze and interpret current design and programming trends from industry institutions and academicians (ACSM and Active Wellness just…
June 2, 2021 Are you aware of fun holidays? I think every day has something fun to celebrate. Now and again, you may see a silly story on our FB or IG account with one of these fun holidays. We wanted to put together a list of more fun holidays for you – find creative…
May 27th, 2021 Does your facility offer membership discounts for military or first responders? How much of a discount should you offer? These are questions that get asked by facilities but also a question that not all potential members would think to ask before signing up with your facility. Here is a breakdown of some…
May 31st, 2021 Memorial Day holds a special place in our hearts. This is a day meant to remember and honor the women and men who died while serving in the US Military. Many of us use this weekend to kick off our summer events of camping, grilling out, and connecting with family and…
$100 June Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! Summer Time = Town Celebrations! How do you get your facility involved with your local town celebrations? $100 will be…
May 26th, 2021 Spotlight Winner NIHCA $100 May Spotlight Challenge: Spring Into Action ~ How do you encourage potential members to try your facility? Congratulations to Fitaholic Fitness in Woodbury, MN Fitaholic Fitness Woodbury offers “a free week of classes to anyone who is interested in becoming a part of our Fitaholic Fam.…
May 12, 2021 Did you know that there is a National Physical Fitness Month? There is, and we are in it now! May has been the National Physical Fitness month for almost 40 years!! Wow, that’s longer than some of you have been around. What does this mean for you? It is a perfect month…
Originally Published January 12, 2021 We will continue to update this post as our Minnesota restrictions are lifted ****Updated May 6, 2021**** Restrictions Lifting for MN Clubs Phase I ~ Beginning May 7, 2021 @ 12 pm: Gym capacity remains at 50%, maximum capacity remains capped at 250*. Machines and people should maintain 6 feet…
May 5th, 2021 Where would we be without our Mother? Probably not here reading this blog. Mother’s Day is just a hop and skip away, have you thought ahead or are you scrambling to put something together? Here is a hint; your mom doesn’t just want quiet time. We put together a short list of…
May 2, 2021 2020 will forever be burned into our memories. However, we learned a LOT that year and we need to hold on to those lessons. Today we are going to discuss decreased Membership revenue ???? . When you see your membership revenue decrease by 20% or more, it is time to take action…
April 28th, 2021 Who doesn’t love a discount? Who couldn’t use a savings on products and services you need? Did you know that your NIHCA membership comes with the opportunity to save money on products and services you already need at your club? We strive to provide YOU with what you need to continue to…
Administrative Professionals Day- April 21st, 2021 Were you aware that there is an Administrative Professionals Day? What does that mean for you? Who should you celebrate? Receptionists Secretaries Administrate Assistants Administrative Support Professionals What should we do? Small tokens of appreciation go a long way Card Gift Card for a coffee A new plant Offer…
April 19, 2021 Do you allow members to put their membership on hold or to freeze their account? Is this standard practice or case by case scenario? We highly recommend that each facility have a policy in place. Here are some examples of what other facilities have as policies: Up to 2 months (with an…
$100 May Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! “Spring Into Action ~ How do you encourage potential members to try your facility?” $100 will be awarded to the NIHCA…
April 7th, 2021 I remember growing up and seeing a jar on the counter of stores and restaurants when a local family or person was in need of some help. I don’t see those jars too often anymore and I don’t know if it’s because we do not use cash as often or if it’s…
Tuesday, April 13th @ 1pmCST Don’t you want to know how and why other clubs do what they do? Let’s talk & network with each other! Membership decline rates COVID stuff Non-dues revenue programming Long term planning Check ins/Day passes Do you rent your space out to other entities like Jazzercise? Does your front desk staff handle the deposit?…
March 26, 2021 The question of pool temperature is a touchy subject. Do you have competitive athletes, water aerobics, or leisure swimmers using your pool? All three categories prefer a different temperature so be prepared to hear a comment or two if your pool is utilized by all. In summary we found these to be…
March 24, 2021 Spotlight Winner NIHCA $100 March Spotlight Challenge: “Share your Video showing how you are creating Customer Confidence at your facility! Do you have sanitation stations, equipment spacing, or new air systems? Does your sanitation crew have unique shirts/logo? What are you doing that is different and working to build Customer Confidence?” Congratulations…
$100 April Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! We are all learning to go above and beyond when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing these days. There is no…
March 12, 2021 It is already that time again, time to change our clocks. We realize not every club has to change their clocks twice a year. We aren’t jealous of those clubs – who are we kidding? We are all jealous of those clubs who don’t have to sit back and think, “Am I…
March 4th, 2021 Are YOU taking advantage of all your NIHCA membership benefits? Are you aware of the Networking Group? As a NIHCA member you have access to opt-in to a “networking group” of clubs that share emails back and forth about policies, payments, staffing and everyday club operations. Not only are your questions answered…
March 2nd, 2021 Do You Allow Free or Discounted Access For Employees? Before we offer you ANY information regarding this hot topic, we want to advise you to always consult with your tax professional regarding cash equivalent benefits to your employees or their families! You are proud of your facility, as you should be, and…
The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! We want to cast the Spotlight on our members (YOU!) so this month’s contest is: “Share your Video showing how you are creating Customer Confidence…
February 24th, 2020 NIHCA $100 February Spotlight Challenge ~ How do you show extra care/recognition towards your members? Congratulations to Women’s Fitness Center in Red Wing, MN Women’s Fitness Center’s owner is proud of the customer service offered to every member whether it is a first time or a loyal lifetime member. Their goal is…
Don’t forget to get your February Spotlight Challenge entries in by Monday the 15th!
February 9, 2021 We’ve all been finishing up laundry and realize there is one missing sock. Talk about frustrating. What I don’t understand is, how can you leave the gym and realize you lost your keys and not go back to find them? Today’s topic is a hot one – do you have a Lost…
Congratulations to our 2020 Student Scholarship winner, Anna German of Hutchinson, MN. Anna received a $500 scholarship from NIHCA for her 2021 school year. Anna intends to begin her education to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. Anna currently works at an acute and long term care facility and looks forward to continuing in a more…
February 1, 2021 The NIHCA Networking Group has been around for some time now. Our facilities ask on a regular basis, “what do you pay your …..?”. A few years ago, we put this information into a spreadsheet and shared it amongst our Networking Group. This is a great resource to go back to and…
$100 February Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! We are trying to find new ways to cast the Spotlight on our members (YOU!) so this month’s contest question is:…
“Health & Fitness Operations Post Covid: How to Prepare” by Karen Woodard-Chavez Wednesday, Feb 24 ~ 11am-12pmCST Never has it been more important to be forward thinking about the changes you will need to make in your health and fitness operations for post Covid success. This 60 minute session will cover considerations for revenue production,…
NIHCA $100 January Spotlight Challenge ~ “What are you doing to make your existing members comfortable coming in with the changes and challenges we are all facing today?” Congratulations to Insane Fitness in Fargo, ND! 2020 threw challenges at us that we never expected and together we are coming into 2021 stronger. It is because…
January 14, 2021 In Minnesota we look forward to our outdoor activities but we are just as anxious to get into our clubs and dive into the warm water of an indoor pool. With the reopening of gyms in Minnesota, there were new guidelines for the pool openings as well. The biggest point we want…
January 14, 2021 We may have all heard the term “social distancing” enough to last us a lifetime but that doesn’t mean our facilities should loosen up on guidelines offered by your government, local health departments or the CDC. One of the big questions we have heard is, “How are you managing the social distancing…
What do you need help with at your club for 2021? This webinar will be an open forum, a live Zoom call, for all NIHCA clubs that need help or want some answers to their questions, as they crawl out of the covid chaos. It’s new year and now more than ever, we need help…
January 13th, 2021 Have you heard the buzz? We have a new way of sharing information with you! NIHCA Knows is a new blog-based platform to keep you updated on what is working for other clubs/fitness facilities in the NIHCA network. Think of it as a library of resources for various questions like salaries, square…
January 11, 2021 We reached out to our NIHCA Networking Group and asked how the Mask Mandate is working for their facilities. The consensus is that it depends on many factors which we all knew but here are some highlights Facilities that consistently enforce/remind members appear to have the best results of compliance 24/7 facilities…
NIHCA Webinar… Tuesday January 12, 2021 11am-12 noon CST Presented by: Karen Woodard-Chavez Gooood bye 2020 and Hellloooooooo 2021! We are ready for a better year all the way around. Regarding your fitness business growth or perhaps survival, there are some key priorities that you must have lined up with your plan in place. These…
January 2021 Our first question we asked the NIHCA Networking Group was: “How do you conduct virtual workouts?” Our question came about as we have heard facilities scrambling this year to find solutions for the situation none of us could have anticipated. Of course, it is our hope that this is behind us and we…
Your Club can WIN too… $100 January Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! This month’s contest question: “What are you doing to make your existing members comfortable coming in…
NIHCA Webinar: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 10-11am CST Presented by: Heather Godfrey Thanks to our Sponsor: ISAGENIX The fitness industry is having to evolve with this ever-changing world we live in. Learn step by step, how to create a LIVE virtual fitness platform to provide additional value and/or additional revenue for your club.…
Our Office will be closed… December 24th and 25th as well as January 1st
NIHCA $100 December Spotlight Challenge ~ Virtual Workout Program …and the winner is SDSU Wellness Center, in Brookings, SD! Congratulations SDSU Wellness Center is the winner because they sent in this awesome video with all the appropriate requirements. This is a great example of how virtual workouts need to be facilitated in order for…
We took a survey in our office just before Thanksgiving and found a pretty even split when asked: What type of pie should be served for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. You may be surprised to know the results; it was even between the two options but most everyone would have chosen a completely different dessert!…
Extra Present for Christmas! $100 December Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! “Virtual Workouts” Send in your video or picture along with your story to: service@nihca.org We…
$100 November Spotlight Winner ~ Orangetheory Fitness in MN Congrats to the Orangetheory Fitness Maple Grove, MN on winning the $100 November Spotlight Contest. The November contest was “How is your club honoring your local veterans?” Orangetheory sent us their awesome picture of their veterans in action along with the award presented to veteran, John…
This year Thanksgiving looks a little different for all of us, we can’t deny that. However, we can make this one of our greatest Thanksgivings. We have much to be thankful for and we choose to take this time to celebrate those thanksgivings. We here at NIHCA are thankful for our amazing staff who…
Why do we recognize this day? Just a short little lesson…This day had been known as Armistice Day since 1919, a year to the day after the fighting ceased seven months before the treaty was signed ending World War I in June 1919. The Unites States Congress did not officially recognize the day until 1926.…
Your Club can WIN too… $100 November Spotlight Contest: The NIHCA Spotlight offers a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast some “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! “How is your club honoring your local veterans?” Send in your video or picture along with…
It’s that time of year where we need to turn our clocks back an hour. I know what you’re thinkin’…I get an extra hour of sleep! Don’t use that extra hour to sleep-in. Use that extra hour to get up, get out and work-out at your nearest fitness facility. Look-up a participating Fitness facility in…
Halloween Sugar Rush or Fear Induced Trauma We were all kids at one point. How many of us have memories of Halloween? Do you remember the sugar rush you had by the time you got done walking through your neighborhood asking for a little treat? What about the house that you either avoided all together…
$100 October Spotlight Winner ~ CCM Wellness Center in MN Congrats to the CCM Wellness Center Montevideo, MN on winning the $100 October Spotlight Contest. The October contest was “How Do You Promote Group Fitness at your facility?” CCM Wellness Center sent us a video presented by Luke Dykema, Fitness Specialist. They also sent us pictures of…
NIHCA Webinar: Thursday, October 22, 2020 11am-12pm CST Presented by: Karen Woodard-Chavez Thanks to our sponsor: ShapeNet Psychological resilience is the ability to mentally or emotionally cope with a crisis or to return to pre-crisis status quickly. Resilience exists when a person uses mental processes and behaviors in protecting self from the potential negative effects…
NIHCA HAS A CHALLENGE FOR YOU! The NIHCA Spotlight: Here’s a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast a “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! Contest: $100 will be awarded to the NIHCA club with the best video/picture/article/promotion for Falling into Fitness with Group…
$100 September Spotlight Winner ~ Big Muddy Crossfit in ND Congrats to the Big Muddy Crossfit Bismarck, ND on winning the $100 September Spotlight Contest. The September contest was to send in a video or pictures of “How are you encouraging families to exercise together at your facility?” Big Muddy CrossFit sent us a video…
~ Welcome NIHCA’s NEW Preferred Vendor FitnessOnDemand is a global leader in the collection, curation, and provision of high-quality, premium digital fitness content from some of the world’s leading names and experts in personalized fitness. Through both on-site and off-site enterprise solutions, FitnessOnDemand allows clubs to economically deliver premium digital fitness programming wherever their…
As we are preparing for the cold winter months ahead it can be a little daunting to work on our meal prepping this time of year. We want to hold on to Summer but we may be looking forward to the comfort foods of Fall. I was recently looking for a new comfort food recipe…
Thursday, September 24, 2020 11-12pm CST Webinar Presented by: Karen Woodard-Chavez Thanks to our sponsor: ShapeNet As each and every one of us under 85 years of age can attest to, we are living through an unprecedented time economically, politically, culturally, generationally and educationally…all stemming from how we are handling our world-wide health pandemic. We have…
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Our offices will be closed on…
Congratulation to Proximal 50 Life Center on winning a FREE NIHCA membership. In an effort to help our fitness facilities during this challenging time, NIHCA awarded 2 clubs a free NIHCA membership! Please help us send congratulations to Proximal50 Life Center in Bismarck, ND
NIHCA HAS A CHALLENGE FOR YOU! The NIHCA Spotlight: Here’s a chance to win $100 for your club and an opportunity to cast a “Spotlight” on your amazing facility, your awesome staff and your dedicated members! Contest: $100 will be awarded to the NIHCA club with the best video/picture/article/promotion for Family Health and Fitness Month.…
Congratulations to To Be Determined, LLC on winning a FREE NIHCA membership. In an effort to help our fitness facilities during this challenging time, NIHCA awarded 2 clubs a free NIHCA membership! Please help us send congratulations to To Be Determined in Belgrade, MN #NIHCASpotlight #winner #scholarship #fitfam #gymlife
WIN $100 – HOW? Send your story, best picture and/or video to service@nihca.org We have extended the contest to Friday, August 21st. We challenge you to submit about: “What is your club doing to support your local Front Line Workers and/or teachers during Covid?” We can’t wait to hear from you!
$100 July Spotlight Winner ~ Aberdeen Family YMCA in SD Congrats to the YMCA of Aberdeen, SD on winning the $100 July Spotlight Contest. The July contest was to send in a video of your BEST Summer Programming is… Crossfit Advantage! Well, their video was amazing….and they won the $100 contest. Good job YMCA!
Webinar presented by: Karen Woodard-Chavez Thanks to our sponsor: ShapeNet Brace yourself for tough conversations and even bad behavior to come from Members, Clients and Staff. This special edition webinar comes on the heals of the NIHCA webinar “Inviting Difficult Conversation” as there was a demand for covering difficult situations with Members, Clients and Staff.…
Granite Falls, MN really is a beautiful town right on the Minnesota River. Earlier this summer we were lucky enough to have a gorgeous day when our Board came to town. We took them for a walk over the 1935 Suspension Bridge and had our meeting at a local hot spot, Bluenose Gopher Public House.…
July Webinar (FREE): Inviting Difficult Conversations in a Time of Chaos by: Karen Woodard-Chavez Sponsored by: ShapeNet As facility managers and leaders, it is important that we become comfortable with and good at inviting difficult conversation with our co-workers, members, guests and loved ones. The obvious benefit to doing so is getting accurate…
We want to take a moment to properly congratulate NIHCA staff member, Courtney, on five amazing years here at NIHCA. Her anniversary was actually in March, so we are a little late to the party but we are all thankful for her time, efforts and energy she genuinely gives to our office. Outside of the…
Congrats to the Regional Fitness Center in Morris, MN on winning the $100 June Spotlight Contest. The June contest was to send in a video of your COVID Preparedness video at your center. Well, their video was amazing….and they won the $100 contest. Good job RFC!
I’m it. I’m the only one left at NIHCA, as all my other employees have been furloughed until further notice. So, it’s just me. And because it’s just me, I’ve really tried to focus on staying positive and grateful during this time of uncertainty (aka COVID). Every morning when I wake up, my son and…
NIHCA wants to let you know that as a non-profit, we want to help our clubs. So NIHCA has created ways to GIVE BACK to our health clubs by offering some innovative opportunities: $100 Club spotlight contest ~ NIHCA will offer these contests MONTHLY to any fitness center that wants to take part in the…
/// Could your club use $100.00 – Submit your story to NIHCA! ///
Important notes as it pertains to Fitness Reimbursement Programs during the COVID-19 time period … Exercise/Workout Counts: Most of our insurance companies and our employer groups are not changing the structure or workout threshold for the Fitness Reimbursement programs, however some groups may make an exception internally. So please submit your member’s workout counts as…
The Winner is – L.I.F.E Fitness Pro Breckenridge, MN ~ Congratulations Chris and L.I.F.E Pros!
We wanted to start the shenanigans but instead we just got dressed up and enjoyed a little run. A couple of us recognized the day a little early with a Shamrock Shuffle 5k. Once again the Marshall YMCA hosted a wonderful 5k fun run for the area. It was a gorgeous morning for a winter…
Sadly, the 2020 Spring NIHCA Conference had been cancelled. Our hope is to reschedule a conference this fall – TBD.
Did you join us for our big reveal Monday morning on Instagram or Facebook? Did you have any guesses regarding what was in that big red box we kept posting about? Here are the highlights from the Big Reveal…Where is our 2020 Conference going to be held and when? Who is excited to find out? …
Become one of NIHCA’s Spotlight Contest Winners and submit your story today!
In our office we have a fun thing we refer to as “Move-it Minute”. Some of our moves include partner exercises or stretches. Well, Valentine’s Day is Friday and what better time to partner up for your workout? We found this article from dailyburn.com. Plan ahead for your day filled with love and…
February is dedicated to healthy hearts but it isn’t just about Valentine’s Day and the love in the air. February has been dedicated as the American Heart Month for over 50 years. Are you aware of the history and the reasons as to why we as a fitness community should be dedicated to this month?…
The Winner is Anytime Fitness – Sleepy Eye & Springfield, MN ~ Congratulations and Thank you!
~ Find out more how Buck & Affiliates can help you with a fitness insurance quote.
Last week was “Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day”. Anyone else feeling a little bleak after hearing that there is a day for quitting? So, our question to you is this – what are you doing to encourage and support New Year’s Resolutions and Goals for your members, employees, friends, and colleagues? A few of us…
How can it possibly be the middle of January already?!? I hope the New Year has meant your doors are getting a workout with all the bustling activity. As we were cleaning up around the office it got me thinking about the extra bodies at your “office”. January is a great month for resolutions and…
We don’t want you to miss the chance to win this month’s Spotlight Contest. Get your entry in before it’s too late!
This time of year is full of bustle. May the spirit of love gently fill your hearts during this lovely season. Our offices will be Closed December 24th and 25th. We will be back bright and early Thursday, December 26th.
Do the words, “holiday shopping” make you Grinch up or do you get excited about the prospect of finding a perfect gift? When you get thrown into a gift drawing do you worry someone will buy you a box of chocolates or some house slippers you don’t want? Here are our top 5 suggestions for…
“The 3 C’s – Culture; Connectedness; Customer Service are the Foundation for a Successful Club” ~ Presented by: Greg Lappin Management guru, Tom Peters, said, “Culture will eat strategy for breakfast every day.” Learn why the three C’s – more than anything else–will determine your member and employee retention and your financial success. Learn systems…
“The 3 C’s – Culture; Connectedness; Customer Service are the Foundation for a Successful Club” Presented by: Greg Lappin Management guru, Tom Peters, said, “Culture will eat strategy for breakfast every day.” Learn why the three C’s – more than anything else- will determine your member and employee retention and your financial success. Learn…
The Winner is Le Sueur Community Center ~ Congratulations and Thank you!
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just a week away? Thanksgiving is late this year but it still snuck up on us. Our offices will be closed Thursday the 28th and Friday the 29th to allow our staff to take some time to share thanks with their families and friends. We would like to take…
My name is Erica; you may hear me say y’all and uffda in the same sentence. I have been a proud member of the NIHCA staff since the fall of 2018. I am fairly new to the Minnesota area but I already love having four seasons. My husband’s career in the Air Force gave us…
I love NIHCA because….. What is your favorite part of NIHCA? Is it the staff? Do your members enjoy their reimbursement program? Do you love attending the conference every year? Do you like the website? Please tell us your, “I love NIHCA because” and you could win $100 for your facility along with some NIHCA…
Why is it that when we think about Halloween and working out the first thing that jumps to my mind is 80’s workout gear? Halloween isn’t just for kids. We all can enjoy a little youthful fun. Whether you are working out to those 80’s jams or working off that parent-tax from your child’s candy…
“Secrets for Maximum Employee Productivity and Engagement” Presented by: Greg Lappin Staff is the largest expense and a big contributing factor to the success or demise of a facility. Learn a thorough system for employee orientation; initial training; ongoing training. Learn why most employees are not productive or engaged and how to remedy that. Customer…
“Secrets for Maximum Employee Productivity and Engagement” Presented by: Greg Lappin Staff is the largest expense and a big contributing factor to the success or demise of a facility. Learn a thorough system for employee orientation; initial training; ongoing training. Learn why most employees are not productive or engaged and how to remedy that. Customer…
~Courtney, NIHCA Bookkeeping/Project Manager Last week I had the pleasure of attending The Club Industry Show in Chicago, IL. NIHCA had a booth set up bright and early Thursday morning. I had many visitors to at our booth on Thursday and Friday. It was great to see some of NIHCA’s longtime colleagues/friends and partners in…
Today we raise our glass to all the bosses we get to work with every day via phone, chat, email and in person. Kick your feet up and let us celebrate you today! Tell us how you are celebrating your Boss today! Tag us on Instagram @NIHCAspotlight with your celebrations We here…
It’s here! The Club Industry Show starts today. At the Club Industry Show Fitness instructors, owners, managers and more are able to attend different sessions to gain knowledge of different topics, get inspired and help build their business and improve business operations. Individuals also get to network and connect with many different vendors at the…
The Winner is Wenatchee Valley YMCA ~ Congratulations! /// November Spotlight Contest: /// “I LOVE NIHCA BECAUSE…” ~ Please tell us what your favorite …
We have all been avoiding the dreaded word, “Autumn”. We enjoy summer and we love the changing colors that come with the new season but it is always hard to hear that summer is over. Here at NIHCA we like to embrace the Minnesota cooler temperatures with what is becoming a tradition known as Office…
~ Greg Lappin, Speaker Extraordinaire Greg Lappin is 58 years old, married and has 4 children. Greg has received IHRSA’s Distinguished Service Award, and several NOVA 7 Awards (the Oscars for the fitness industry). He wrote the book, Tennis Doubles, Winning Strategies for all Levels and penned several educational articles for PTR’s magazine TennisPro. A…
“A healthy attitude is contagious but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.” — Tom Stoppard We all try our best to avoid catching the common cold but could having a regular workout routine keep us healthy? We found the article below from webmd.com addressing this question. Exercise…
It is hard to believe but it’s true…The Club Industry Show is in one month! Join us and others October 9th through the 11th in Chicago! At the Club Industry Show conference, Fitness instructors, owners, managers and more are able to attend different sessions to gain knowledge of different topics, get inspired and help build…
Hello! My name is Emily and I am your Customer Service Specialist. I have been with NIHCA since July of 2017. One of my favorite things about my job is getting to know clubs and facilities, while getting to understand the passion that fuels them! I am currently heading up the Spotlight Challenge at NIHCA.…
We will be back tomorrow – Give us a call and let us know what you did for yourself!
Will You Be Our Next Spotlight Winner? Contact Emily at service@nihca.org
Brown Bag lunches aren’t just for the kids. We can all benefit from bringing our lunch to work. We found this article on WebMD.com with ideas to help your pocket book and feed your lunch cravings. Cheap and Healthy Brown-Bag Lunch Ideas (for Grownups) 10 workday lunches that will save you time, money, and calories…
I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Tanna, I started with NIHCA in May 2017 and I am extremely thrilled to work with the best group of ladies on the planet. I have a lot of customer service experience from my previous employment. I worked as a customer service/insurance specialist for almost 10 years.…
The Winner is Prairie Lakes Wellness Center – Congratulations! The September Contest: Unique Senior Programming – What kinds of unique programming do you have for your seniors?
Our summer months can be long when our doors aren’t swinging open as often as they were in January and for many reasons. Our members are spending more time outdoors, traveling, and soaking up the sun. We found a great article from ZenPlanner, on ways to improve your member retention. Three Ways You Can Improve…
Summertime is filled with activities, late nights and picnics. Let’s fret a little less this week about what we shouldn’t be eating and focus on some of the great foods we can add to our diets this summer. Take a look at this great article from eatingwell.com 8 Healthy Summer Foods to Add to Your…
Summer of 2019 has just started and already we are getting heated up here in the Midwest. With the heat and the sun beating down, what better time to go on a 5k! A few of our ladies from our office attended the Warrior Dash in Le Sueur MN. This is an annual event in…
This past weekend, the City of Granite Falls, MN had their city celebration called, Western Fest. It is many fun-filled days of carnivals, community activities with three days of a PRCA Rodeo. This year, NIHCA was honored to be a part of the Western Fest Royalty, by sponsoring a queen candidate, Madison Ohliger (pictured with…
Summer comes each year and those of us with kids tend to have big plans to stay active and healthy with our kids. Let’s stay on track so that we don’t look back at how many hours our kids spent on video games or watching television. Here is a great article that can be found…
Summer comes each year and those of us with kids tend to have big plans to stay active and healthy with our kids. Let’s stay on track so that we don’t look back at how many hours our kids spent on video games or watching television. Here is a great article that can be found…
The Winner is LUMINATE STUDIOS CLICK HERE for their awesome Video
NIHCA would like to thank you for attending the 2019 Spring Fitness Conference this year. You are very much appreciated for taking the time to share, experience and rejuvenate yourself. We say thank you to the Monticello Community Center for allowing us to have our event at your location. When you leave, you learn!
Memorial Day is a day that commemorates all men and women who have died while serving in the military for the United States of America. NIHCA offices will be closed Monday, May 27, 2019 in observance of Memorial Day.
NIHCA Staff Members @ WalkMS Two of our staff members decided to do a little fundraising and take a Walk for a great cause. Courtney and Erica didn’t knock on doors or harass everyone at work for donations. What they did was just put it out there and amazing kind hearted people donated to a…
1:00-2:00 pm // “NIHCArewards Help-Desk“ // Presented by: Courtney Lange at NIHCA This is your opportunity to get some good one-on-one help with NIHCArewards. Running reports, going over uploading file vs a manual submission, NIHCA will be present to help walk you through anything you need.
10:15-11:15 am // “Connecting Outside of the Club“ // Presented by: Tara Wiskow CLICK HERE for a Short Video Learn strategies to connect with individuals who are too anxious, scared, intimidated or embarrassed to join a gym. These strategies will gain you their trust, they will get to know you and form a liking for you…
8:45-9:45 am – Keynote Session: // “Empowered Fitness: Raising The Bar, Even When It’s Difficult” // Presented By Our Wonderful Friend: Tara Wiskow …
10:15-11:15 am ~ // “Tour Time” // Monticello Community Center Get a full tour of the beautiful Monticello Community Center. Take notes, take pictures – get an idea what another facility is doing. Don’t forget to get registered for this great day of fun! REGISTER HERE!
REGISTER HERE 1:00-2:00 pm ~ // “Run Your Life, Your Legs and Your Business” // Presented by: Olympian Carrie Tollefson Running life’s race every day is busy enough – let alone trying to run your club and bring in new ideas. Attend this break-out session to learn an example of workout plans that you can add to your…
Join us for the NIHCA Spring Conference and our 1st Time Ever Evening Event CLICK HERE for more details & REGISTRATION An R & R Mixer – An Evening Round-table and Reception for those die-hards that want to learn more and connect with others. Bring your front desk person, custodian, personal trainer/coordinator and director and we…
1:00-2:00 pm ~ “The Empathetic Trainer” // Tara Wiskow Click HERE for a SNEAK PEEK Ever have a client who you couldn’t connect with because you just couldn’t understand their struggles, their “excuses”, their pain or lack of motivation? If the answer is yes; Join Tara to find out how you can become that empathetic trainer. Click Here…
The May Contest is going to be the focus on: What kinds of things are you doing to make your community a better place? Click here to find out how to send your entry by May 15th Please send to: service@nihca.org or call (320) 722-0084 and ask for Emily
The SPOTLIGHT is intended to create a buzz within the club’s customer base while asking our clubs what kinds of things they have going on around their club that are fun, different, exciting and motivating for your members. This is a way to put the spotlight on YOU, our wonderful clubs, and give you more…
For over 18 years, the 2nd Wind Commercial Division has outfitted some of the finest fitness facilities in the Midwest. We offer an incredible selection of new commercial exercise equipment by brands such as Matrix, Octane, Hoist, Hampton, and more! For the budget conscious club owner, we offer an excellent selection of re-manufactured equipment by Lifefitness, Precor, and several…
Elkay® has been making innovative products and delivering exceptional customer care for almost a century. Introduced in 2010, the award-winning ezH2O® bottle filling station is a practical and dependable drinking water solution, ideal for health and fitness clubs. This innovative, earth-friendly product encourages healthy hydration and the reduction of plastic bottle waste in the environment. Contact: dpisarek@evomarketsolutions.com www.elkay.com/ezH2O
5 Tips for Coping with Holiday Stress 1. Plan Start thinking about the holidays early. If you are hosting a party, start planning out your menu a few weeks ahead of time. To avoid the store crowds, make a list of your loved ones you need to buy for well in advance and plan to find their…
NIHCA is very proud to announce not one but TWO new insurance groups as of 1/1/19. Avera Health and Bind will be rolling out to eligible groups starting in January of 2019. Avera Health is a medical group that has developed an employee/spouse program that will reimbursed $20 per month per member if they…
We can stay on track with our gifts this year with just a little extra thought and consideration when we start our wish lists and our shopping for others. Healthy Holiday Gifts for Grownups Fun, safe, healthy holiday gifts: Think this triple threat is impossible to find? Think again. With a little help from…
Thanksgiving side dishes never get enough credit. Sure, a whole roast turkey looks impressive, but sides are what turn Thanksgiving from “that one day a year when everyone eats turkey” into a full-fledged, bountiful feast. And while we’re pretty sure most of our family members would straight-up revolt if we skipped serving a traditional…
10 Healthy Halloween Treats for Kids 1 / 11 Recipes On Halloween, candy reigns supreme — but it’s far from the only treat you can serve up for your family to enjoy. Trick your taste buds with these ten delicious treats that won’t scare your waistline. Kid-friendly and mom-approved, these hauntingly healthy snacks are…
Getting in Shape for the Winter Winter is coming. No, this is not a reference to HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones, but is a simple reality of the calendar. It may seem like we were just sweating under the oppressive heat of summer, but soon we will be bundling up against winter’s…
Flu Season: What to Know This Year Last year’s flu season was one of the worst on record, with the highest death toll in decades. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, MD, said an estimated 80,000 Americans died of flu and its complications and about 900,000 landed in the hospital. While seniors were hit the…
When it comes to getting serious about exercise, most people think of January 1st as the only window you have to hit “reset” on your healthy routine. But the truth is, the beginning of fall is another great time to either recommit to fitness goals or set new ones. Think about it: from the…
Whether a potential customer is at your facility for their first visit or they are returning as your current member. It is “your” customer’s perception of your gym and staff that will leave a lasting impression. Below are some steps to think about to create the best staff you can be proud of. TIP: Employees who…
Building abs and sculpting muscles starts long before you ever hit the gym. Muscle growth requires a formula based on drinking plenty of fluids and eating the right energy-rich foods along with lifting weights. The right formula will fuel workouts, repair muscle tissue, and help you sculpt your physique. Nutrition Game Plan Fruit and vegetables are…
Think potatoes, pasta, and bread are fattening starchy carbs you need to avoid if you want fab abs? Think again. Despite what the Keto diet and other extremely low-carb weight loss programs might lead you to believe, you can enjoy carbs without derailing your diet. A recent study from Stanford University shows that you can…
Have you ever wondered what foods to put together for a great natural taste that also helps you replenish electrolytes? See below for some ideas!
Happy 4th of July to all our Clubs and Partners. ~ NIHCA will be closed July 4th ~
Here’s how your gut and your allergies could be linked. If you’re up on your health and wellness news, you know that gut health has been linked to both physical and mental health and that probiotics are one of the most popular ways to boost your microbiome—the collection of bacteria living in your gut. In…
We all know those gyms that have staff members who corner you into buying a membership and lay the pressure on thick when you try to cancel it. So here’s the thing: You don’t want your fitness center to feel like one of those gyms. The secret to operating a successful fitness center is…
Do you need some new tips & scripts? Join NIHCA for the “Systematic Approach” webinar to find out how you can reach out to the local businesses in your area. When: Tuesday, May 22nd @ 10:30am CST REGISTER HERE
Please welcome and give a special thanks to our “Preferred Vendor Gold Sponsor” First Credit Services which is one of our “newest” vendors ~ First Credit Services ~
REGISTER HERE! “Create the “Experience” ~ Presented by: Courtney Lange ~ How to build your team to be more customer service, “experience” based – Is YOUR team delivering? Click here to view video REGISTER HERE!
Please welcome and give a special thanks to our “Preferred Vendor Gold Sponsors” ~ ShapeNet ~ Contact: Larry King, Owner Phone: 800-381-2082 sales@shapenetsoftware.com www.shapenetsoftware.com ____________________________________________________ J & R Equipment which is one of you “newest” vendors ~ J & R Equipment Repair ~ Contact: 833-JREQUIP (573-7847) Service@JREquipmentrepair.com www.jrequipmentrepair.com
Please welcome and give a special thanks to our “Preferred Vendor Gold Sponsors” ~ Monitor Productions ~ Contact: Monitor Productions Phone: 888-208-6027 monitorproductions@msn.com www.monitorproductions.com ________________________________________________________________________________________ ~ Money Movers ~ Contact: Money Movers Inc. Phone: 800-861-5029 info@moneymovers.com http://moneymovers.com
Come and talk with NIHCA’s special guest and Olympian, Carrie Tollefson, who will also be endorsing body togs during the lunch hour. Between the hour of 12:15 – 1:15 pm – The first 10 people that sign up to participate in a short workout session, will also be receiving a free set of body togs! (valued…
Please welcome our “Preferred Vendor Sponsors” We would also like to say a special thanks to our “Gold Sponsors” such as: 2nd Wind Commercial Division body togs which is one of our “newest” vendors
Financial Workshop, Part 1 – Presented by our “Keynote Speaker ~ Jerrid Sebesta” ~ Formerly of Kare11 #blameJerrid You know you should save, pay-off debt and budget. But, you don’t know where to start and can’t ever seem to get ahead. This workshop teaches you to create an executable plan, which can immediately be…
REGISTER HERE! “Leveraging Technology & Social Media” ~ Presented by: Heather Godfrey ~ Technology is rapidly growing….are you evolving with it? Learn how to generate new leads, build a stronger brand and maximize the power of social media. Click Here to View Video REGISTER HERE
REGISTER HERE for the Conference! By attending the 2018 Fitness Conference, you will receive 5.0 CEU/CEC’s from SCW Fitness Education! REGISTER HERE for the Conference!
REGISTER HERE! You’re invited to a Great Event! Join us for wonderful NIHCA Spring Conference on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 starting out with a delicious breakfast at 8:00am and ending with great door prizes at 3:30pm ~ We have a special Keynote Speaker: Jerrid Sebesta ~ Click on his photo for a great video…
“How to Build a Community” Presented by: Heather Godfrey Click Here to view video REGISTER HERE
Are you looking for some GREAT “Pool” Products? Consider our Preferred Vendor to receive a “NIHCA discount” with a savings typically of 15-20% Horizon Commercial Pool Supply Horizon Commercial Pool Supply is the leading supplier of commercial swimming pool supplies, pool chemicals, pool equipment, pool parts and swimming pool service in Minnesota and western…
A Doctor’s Tips for ‘Springing Forward’ Daylight saving time is around the corner. If you’re like me (I hit snooze at least twice!), losing an hour of much-needed sleep really hurts! But can losing one hour of sleep really be that bad? Unfortunately, for many of us, the answer is yes. Over 1/3…
Are you looking for some GREAT fitness Products? Consider our Preferred Vendor to receive a “NIHCA discount” with a savings typically of 15-20% ISAGENIX Take your gym to the next level both nutritionally and financially. Provide your clients and members the added benefit of a diet, cleansing and supplement support system. Isagenix is…
Are you looking for fitness club Entertainment Services? Consider our Preferred Vendor to receive a “NIHCA discount” with a savings typically of 15-20% BULKTV & INTERNET Bulk TV & Internet is a leading provider of television and Internet services designed to meet the unique needs of health clubs and fitness centers. Bulk TV provides…
Are you looking for fitness club insurance? Consider our Preferred Vendor to receive a “NIHCA discount” with a savings typically of 15-20% Buck & Affiliates Insurance, focuses exclusively on writing insurance for large and small fitness clubs, utilizing a wide range of reputable insurance carriers. We specifically tailor coverage for the health & fitness…