Interview to Christophe Andanson that will intervene at ForumClub 2010 in two different meetings: in the session " How to capture the market of sedentary people " e and in the International Round Table " Strategies of recovery: an international vision ".

The session you are going to hold at ForumClub will give a few startegical suggestions on how to attract inactive people. The operators of the fitness/wellness industry have been discussing this issue for years, but it is not easy to find the “keys” to catch the attention of this huge potential market. Could you please tell us what is the current situation in France with regard to this issue and anticipate us some advices?

In France, fitness is a non mature market as like everybody knows, french people are more turn on outdoor sports, the number of fitness clubs is one third than Italy so our biggest colmpetitors are not only sports but Spas where the numbers is the most importants in Europe, beauty centers and any kinds of leisure activities in general like cinema where our industry is the biggest in Europe also and the third in Europe, all kind of things who could compete with our industry.

What kind of strategy should the independent clubs adopt to face the competition of big operators and the tough economy? How do you think the big club chains and the independent clubs will develop in the upcoming years? How do you foresee the future scenario?

In France,there is almost no chain, almost like in Italy the market is in the hand of independant operators but like everywhere, the future will be in going in more standardisation and quality control so in more sectorisation and groups.

What are, in your opinion, the sectors whose managerial and organizational strategies could be borrowed by the fitness/wellness industry?

Any sectors, we are a young industry(25/30 years old max), we need to copy and be inspired by winning's one like luxury hotels for example.

Many operators and associations are working to establish quality standards with regard to the service supplied by clubs. What are, in your opinion, the aspects on which we shoud focus our attention?

Companies like Les Mills who is present in 14.500 clubs in the world now and finally starting to work well in italy, passing the 100 clubs, such company prooved since a long time that quality standardised works for everyone: managers, instructors and customers. Many assocuiations like Ihrsa or Efha are doing standard in management, we need to be more professional, this is for sure.

Interview to Lexie Griffiths, a well-know formator, speaker, presenter and motivator, that has worked in more than 25 countries and has worked in the fitness and wellness sector for more than 26 years, attended two brilliant session at ForumClub congress 2009.

Interview to John Kersh, member of the administration council of The Green Revolution, company whose mission is to permit clubs to generate clean and renewable energy through innovative technological solutions, who attended at ForumClub congress 2009 in the MANAGEMENT sessions and at ForumPiscine congress.

Interview to Andy Jackson, one of the main experts in the sphere of organization and strategies for managing clubs and centers of entertainment geared toward the family, that has partecipate at ForumClub congress 2009 in the MANAGEMENT and MARKETING sessions.

Interview to John Kersh, Founder Citrus Gym (Brasil) and Vice President of International Development Anytime Fitness (USA).

At FORUMCLUB 2009 he will speak about “the green revolution” in the wellness industry and he will attend the International Round Table with Lexie Griffths and Andy Jackson (22th February).

You have been working on environmentally friendly solutions for clubs for several years. What are the main obstacles that keep the fitness operators away from the “green approach”?

The first issue is lack of understanding of the specific advantages of operating in a “green” fashion, or in a more environmentally sensitive fashion.  These advantages are financial, in terms of savings on such things as electricity and water, and they are also philosophical, in terms of making choices which are smart for the planet and for customers.  The second issue is cost. Many green initiatives are often at a premium of 15% - 30% over the cost of traditional alternatives. Although there typically are long-term savings connected to green initiatives, the initial capital expense can be seen as a barrier.

On the economic front, what are, in our industry, the main benefits you can obtain by operating green?

The main benefits would be in reducing monthly facility operating costs, particularly in the areas of utilities, such as electricity, gas or water. But there are enormous human benefits as well, such as improving employee morale and engagement, and reducing the exposure of members and staff to toxic elements, such as fumes from paint and flooring adhesives.

Do you think that the present economic crisis can induce the operators to set the environmentally friendly solutions aside?

Challenging economic times cause club operators to make more narrow decision related to capital expenditures.  However, it is always important to consider the medium and long-term implications of these decisions, and, possibly, to take smaller steps toward the goal of operating more efficiently.

Could you please make some examples of famous “green clubs”?

In the United States, the Longfellow Clubs (driven by their CEO Laury Hammel), have been at the front-edge of environmental operations for many years.  In Sao Paulo, Brasil, a club called Eco-Fit has taken impressive steps toward incorporating green practices into its day-to day operations. 

At ForumClub you will hold a session applying to swimming pool/aquatic area managers. Which one, between the fitness and the “water” sector, has demonstrated to be, until today, more interested in the eco-friendly devices and practices?

Good examples exist in both segments, but neither sector has taken a leadership role in integrating green practices into ongoing operations.  There is lots of work, and opportunity, to improve.

You have been working in the health-fitness clubs industry since a long time.  What do you think the main trends, in the years to come, will be?

It has been a discussion topic for many years, but exercise WILL eventually become a key component of disease prevention in the eyes of insurers, health care providers, corporations and governments in the future.  Also, as pharmaceutical companies develop new drugs to reduce fat (in place of proper diet and nutrition), the fitness industry will see the need to adopt new messages to keep customers involved, and to attract new customers.  I believe that “stress relief” will become the new mantra for health clubs.