Private Fitness Research Articles

Reasons for Engaging with Exercise and Fitness Clubs: A Study of Gym Use in Malta and Changing Motives over Time

This article aims to contribute to knowledge in the field of exercise and fitness facility and service provision, specifically pertaining to public engagement with health club gyms. More academic research is needed if existing private fitness facilities are to become more effectively integrated into broader public health initiatives. Understanding prevailing reasons for undertaking gym-based exercise among gym users may provide valuable insights for increasing participation, retention, and prospects for closer cooperation between private and public entities interested in promoting physical activity. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among a total of 128 gym users in Malta to ascertain their reasons for participating currently, as well as initially upon starting their gym-based exercise routines. A statistical analysis was carried out to investigate how such reasons varied over time both within and between participants. The results show that Maltese gym users initially tend to value improvements to their strength, general health, and body image, with an increasing appreciation for psychological and social factors over time, particularly stress relief and relaxation. Reasons for exercising in a gym appear to remain mostly stable for approximately two years, and are more changeable among males rather than females. The article discusses further variations in the contexts of private and corporate fitness, as well as public health and wellness.

Motivational regulations of users in unisex fitness centres

ABSTRACT Motivational regulation is a determining factor for adherence to physical activity. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of sociodemographic variables, such as sex, age and educational level, as well as the duration and frequency of weekly physical activity, on the motivational regulations of fitness centre users. A total of 500 users (58.70% women and 41.30% men) from public and private fitness centres participated in the study. Motivational regulations were measured using the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire. This instrument obtained an adequate model fit and reliability after the calculation of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, respectively. The Kruskal–Wallis H test was calculated to determinate the differences between groups, using the Bonferroni correction. The highest scores were recorded for identified (M = 3.50; SD = 0.64), intrinsic (M = 3.33; SD = 0.83) and integrated (M = 2.95; SD = 1.06) regulations. There were no significant differences in motivational regulations according to sex. However, there were significant differences according to age, educational level, seniority in physical activity practice and weekly practice time. Therefore, users who had been in the fitness centres longer scored higher in intrinsic, integrated and identified regulations. Moreover, integrated and identified regulations were greater when the frequency of weekly fitness increased. Fitness centres and trainers should be aware of users’ physical activity motives and guide them toward more self-determined regulation that promotes sport adherence and health, especially for newer users.

Marketing strategies of the female-only gym industry: A case-based industry perspective.

Female customers are an important market for fitness centers. This study aims to examine successful fitness training health models used by female fitness clubs. A case study approach and the interview method were used to collect data (i.e., face-to-face interviews) regarding the marketing strategies of female fitness clubs. Purposive sampling was employed to select executives working at the headquarters of a female-only gym, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to provide a context for fitness behaviors and to discuss the business’ marketing mix. Six managers at Curves (four female and two male) across six different positions were interviewed. This study found that Curves’ most significant difference compared to other private fitness clubs is that it makes women feel comfortable. Through charitable activities combined with promotions, women feel as if the gym empathizes with them. This study is unique in that it is one of the first studies to explore the business model of the female fitness club. In particular, this research suggests that sports organizations should focus their services strategies on female exercise demands. The findings of this study will support the development of marketing strategies to promote the growth of women’s health as a priority within the fitness industry.

The Effects of a Goal-setting Intervention on Frequency of Participation in Organized Exercise Programmes for Women

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a goal-setting intervention on frequency of participation in women attending exercise programmes in a fitness club.
 Study Design: Pragmatic Field Intervention.
 Place and Duration of Study: The intervention was implemented in a private fitness club and the duration of the study was 12 weeks.
 Methodology: The final sample consisted of 36 women (Mage = 38.13, SD= 7.40), randomly assigned into intervention (n= 17) and control (n= 19) groups. The intervention lasted eight weeks, during which all participants had unlimited access to all activities of their choice, with the intervention group receiving in parallel a goal-setting intervention. Frequency of attendance was recorded from four weeks prior to the onset of the intervention (baseline) until 4 weeks following its completion (follow-up). The Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale was used to assess satisfaction of basic needs before and after the intervention.
 Results: The results showed that (a) for the intervention group, frequency of participation increased from baseline (2.15±0.90) to mid-intervention (2.66±0.70) period and dropped back to baseline levels at follow-up (1.77+1.30); (b) for the control group, frequency of participation decreased from baseline (2.07±0.99) to intervention (1.37±0.94) period and remained stable at follow-up (1.47±1.42). Regarding the basic needs, it was shown that satisfaction for the need for competence was increased for the experimental group, and satisfaction for the need for autonomy was decreased for the control group.
 Conclusion: The findings showed that goal-setting has positive effects on participation for the duration of the intervention; however, these effects were not sustained after its conclusion, suggesting (a) consultants with expertise on goal-setting may help improving adherence in organized programmes, and (b) that such interventions should place emphasis on developing individuals’ skills on goal setting.

The relationship between perceived health outcomes of recreation, exercise dependence, and life satisfaction: A study with fitness center members

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived health outcomes of recreation, exercise dependence, and life satisfaction among fitness center members. Material and methods: The study sample consisted of 490 participants, 336 males, and 154 females, who were members of a private fitness center in Istanbul. The participants were selected using a purposeful sampling method. Data collection tools included the Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale, developed by Gomez et al. and adapted to Turkish by Yerlisu Lapa et al., the Exercise Dependence-21 Scale, developed by Hausenblans and Downs and adapted by Gürbüz and Aşçı and the Life Satisfaction Scale developed by Diener et al. and adapted by Yetim. The data were analyzed using independent t-test, MANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The independent t-test results showed a significant difference in LSS scores by gender. MANOVA analysis results revealed that the main effect of gender on the sub-dimensions of PHORS was not significant, but there was a difference in the PSYC sub-dimension. Besides, the main effect of gender on ED-21 and all sub-dimensions was significant. Conclusions: There was a positive and moderate relationship between LSS and PHORS; a negative and low-level correlation between LSS and ED-21, and between PHORS and ED-21.

Serbest Zaman Engelleri ile İlgilenim Arasındaki İlişki: Fitness Merkezi Katılımcıları Üzerine Bir Araştırma

Araştırmanın amacı, fitness merkezini kullanan bireylerin serbest zaman faaliyetlerine ilişkin engelleri ile ilgilenimleri arasındaki ilişkinin belirlenmesidir. Araştırmanın örneklemini, İstanbul ilinde bulunan özel fitness merkezine üye olan ve amaçlı örnekleme yöntemi ile belirlenen toplamda 216 kişi oluşturmuştur. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak, Alexandris ve Carroll (1997) tarafından geliştirilen ve Gürbüz ve vd., (2020) tarafından Türkçe ‘ye uyarlanan “Boş Zaman Engelleri Ölçeği (BZEÖ)” ile Kyle ve vd., (2007) tarafından geliştirilen ve Gürbüz ve vd., (2018) tarafından Türkçe’ye uyarlanan “Serbest Zaman İlgilenim Ölçeği (SZİÖ)” kullanılmıştır. Analiz olarak ise, betimsel istatistikler, MANOVA ve Pearson korelasyon analizlerinden faydalanılmıştır. MANOVA analizi sonuçları; “Fitness Merkezi Kullanım Sıklıkları” göre boş zaman engelleri ölçeğinin “Birey Psikolojisi” ve “Tesis” alt boyutunda anlamlı farklılık olduğu belirlenmiştir. SZİÖ’ne ilişkin MANOVA analizi sonuçlarına göre; “Cinsiyete” göre SZİÖ’nin “Önem Verme” alt boyutunda anlamlı farklılık olduğu, bireylerin “Fitness Merkezi Kullanım Sıklıklarına” göre ise, SZİÖ’nin tüm alt boyutları üzerindeki ana etkisinin anlamlı olduğu belirlenmiştir. Son olarak ise, Yaş ile BZEÖ’nin alt boyutları arasında sadece “Tesis” ile düşük ve pozitif bir ilişki; Yaş ile SZİÖ’nin alt boyutları arasında ise “Çekicilik”, “Önem Verme”, “Özdeşleşme” ve “Kendini ifade” arasında ise düşük ve pozitif yönde bir ilişki olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. “BZEÖ” ile “SZİÖ” arasındaki ilişki incelendiğinde ise; “BZEÖ” ile “SZİÖ” arasında ilişki olmadığı saptanmıştır. Sonuç olarak, bireylerin serbest zaman engelleri ile ilgilenimlerinin farklı değişkenlere göre farklılık gösterdiği, BZEÖ ile SZİÖ arasında ilişki olmadığı sonucuna varılmıştır.

What generic strategies do private fitness centres implement and what are their impacts on financial performance?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the strategies that private fitness centres implement and to evaluate their impact on financial performance.Design/methodology/approachBased upon a sample of 151 private fitness centres in Portugal, multivariate statistics report the implemented strategies and their effect on financial performance. We applied exploratory factorial analysis as our methodology to identify the types of strategy and the ANOVA in order to verify if there are differences of financial performance in the strategies.FindingsThe results obtained demonstrate how private fitness centres implement different strategies, including: cost leadership, differentiation, focus, quality of service, combined and stuck in the middle approaches. The relationship between strategies and financial performance, private fitness centres adopting a cost leadership strategy obtain the best financial performance levels in terms of the sales variable relative to any other strategy but with the combined strategy returning a better performance in terms of the return on assets when compared with the cost leadership strategy.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper stems from its identification of the strategies implemented by private fitness centres, thus, just what type of strategies are in effect across the fitness industry: leadership through cost, differentiation or a focused strategy. However, in addition to ascertaining just which strategies undergo implementation, it is also pertinent in determining just which strategy drives the best financial performance for private fitness centres given that private centres may only remain in the market when achieving financial sustainability. Therefore, this paper seeks to provide information for managers as regards the strategies implemented and their impacts on the financial performance of private fitness centres.

Women’s university physical education class in cooperation with private fitness clubs

Women’s university physical education class in cooperation with private fitness clubs

Burnout and Coping Strategies among Private Fitness Centre Employees

Burnout and Coping Strategies among Private Fitness Centre Employees

Burnout Factors in Private Health and Fitness Centers’ Sector: A Case Study in Greece

Burnout Factors in Private Health and Fitness Centers’ Sector: A Case Study in Greece

Analysing the Effects of an 8-Week Exercise Program Applied to Sedentary Individuals on Body Composition, Self-Confidence and Social-Physical Anxiety Levels

It is believed that while sports turns individuals into physiologically healthier individuals, it also has psychologically positive effects on individuals. This study is conducted to analyse the effects of an 8-week exercise program applied to sedentary individuals on self-confidence and their social-physical anxiety level by analysing the impacts on body composition. The experiment group of this study is limited to a total of 40 individuals, 20 female and 20 male, who are members of a private fitness club and who did not do sports regularly. After all the details of the study are explained to the experiment group and consent is taken, a self-confidence scale and social physical anxiety scale are applied before and after an 8-week training program. The exercise program was applied for 8 weeks and 3 days per week at the same hour.The8-week exercise program applied to the 40 fitness club members resulted in positive increases in kilogram, fat percentage and fat mass values of the participants. It is found that positively developed physical changes decreased the social-physical anxiety level of participants and increased self-confidence levels. Additionally, a negative and medium level relationship is determined between the social-physical anxiety level and the self-confidence level (p<0.05).The physical activities during 8 weeks resulted in positive changes in participants’ appearances. Additionally, it is found that regular physical activity decreases the social physical anxiety levels of individuals and increases self-confidence with changes in physical appearance.

Optimal pricing for advance selling with uncertain product quality and consumer fitness

We investigate a seller’s equilibrium pricing strategies under two classic advance selling pricing schemes. Under the dynamic pricing scheme, the seller sequentially decides his retail prices, while under the price commitment scheme, the seller simultaneously offers his retail prices. The consumers arrive sequentially depending on their awareness of advance selling, and a consumer’s valuation of the purchase is jointly determined by the inherent quality of the product and her private fitness of the product. However, both factors are uncertain in the advance period but can be resolved in the spot period. We show that under dynamic pricing, the flexibility of pricing does not necessarily lead to a higher payoff as it may also reduce the consumers’ willingness-to-buy in the advance period. Therefore, when consumers’ fitness differentiation is low, dynamic pricing becomes dysfunctional compared to non-advance selling. Under the price commitment scheme, although the seller suffers the risk of quality uncertainty by ex-ante determining the retail price, he can also strategically induce more consumers to buy in advance by claiming a high spot price. When the consumer fitness differentiation is low and the consumer’s awareness of advance selling is high, price commitment scheme dominates dynamic pricing scheme.

상업 피트니스센터의 서비스 품질 수준과 고객충성도 형성 간 고객감동의 매개효과 분석

상업 피트니스센터의 서비스 품질 수준과 고객충성도 형성 간 고객감동의 매개효과 분석

Predictors of Exercise Practice: From Intention to Exercise Behavior

This study analyzed the predictor variables of participants’ intentions to exercise, subjective perception of exercise, and objective exercise behavior. For that it was adopted a cross-sectional design with follow-up measures of exercise behavior that was evaluated for a period of three months. The study included 304 participants (female = 198, 65%) aged between 14 to 73 years (M = 36.11; SD = 13.17) exercising in private fitness centers. We evaluated three sets of variables: personal (age and gender), physical activity (past exercise behavior), and psychological characteristics of participants (including variables from the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Transtheoretical Model, Self-determination Theory, and Emotional and Affective States Theory). The combination of independent variables most strongly predicted intention to exercise (71% of the variance), followed by subjective perceptions of exercise (38%), and last, by exercise behavior (16%). Results implicate the need to accommodate new variables and theoretical approaches to explain exercise behavior.

The relationship of atmosphere, satisfaction, and loyalty: Sample of a fitness center

In the recent years, that fitness market rapidly grows, understanding of its importance and change of suggestions according to demand also revealed the importance of intangible elements as well as tangible elements. The aim of this study is to measure the relationship of atmosphere, satisfaction, and loyalty the customers, who are member to a private fitness center, perceive from this center. The study group consists of 503 participants (n male = 465; n female = 38), who are at least for six month to a private fitness center, with convenience sampling method. In this study, “Personal Information Form”, “Perceived Leisure Time Loyalty and Leisure Time Satisfaction Scale”, and Fitness Center Atmosphere Scale were utilized. In the analysis of data, correlation and regression analysis was used for examining the relationships between the variables and explanatory factor analysis for fitness center scale. As a result of the analyses, it was identified that fitness center atmosphere affected customer satisfaction and, satisfaction, customer loyalty. This study can cause the importance of atmosphere in the behaviors of customer satisfaction and loyalty to be better understood.

Evaluation of fitness programme management in private commercial fitness centres in Gaborone-Botswana

The aim of this study was to evaluate fitness programme management in five private commercial fitness centres in Gaborone (Botswana). The evaluation was based on fitness patrons’ perception of importance of American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSMs) fitness facility standards and guidelines, and their perceived satisfaction on the implementation of such standards. A seventeen item likert type questionnaire developed from the ACSMs standards covered; facility, equipment, personnel, fitness programme management and safety was administered to 170 fitness patrons of the five private fitness centres. The results were; majority of the participants were from the middle class and perceived the ACSMs standards important (90%). 62% of the overall responses were satisfied and very satisfied with the implementation of the ACSMs standards. They were satisfied with standards on facilities and equipment, and were generally dissatisfied with standards on fitness management processes. Key words: Fitness programme, commercial private fitness centres, fitness centres, benefit-based programming, ACSM fitness facility standards, fitness patrons.

Job Performance Measurement of Physical Education Graduates in Private Fitness Centres and Municipal Sports Organizations

Human resources performance evaluation is a useful management tool in order for an organization to prosper, to be competitive and to achieve its goals. Business operation, effectiveness, growth and profitability depend on the employees’ conduct and performance. Especially in service providers such as fitness centers and sport organizations, job performance is a critical and decisive factor which contributes to the success of the organization. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the job performance of physical education graduates who are employed in fitness centers and municipal sports organizations. 320 physical education graduates were evaluated, 146 of whom are employed in private gyms and 174 in municipal sport organizations. Regarding the sex of the participants, 144 were men and 176 were women. The evaluation of fitness trainers took place in 42 private fitness clubs and 28 municipal organizations. The evaluator was a person with a clear picture and view of the performance of the employees such as fitness managers, supervisors of the municipal programmes “Sports for all” and private fitness clubs owners. In order to evaluate the performance, a Multifactor Job Performance Assessment Model of employed physical education graduates was used, which assesses personality traits, professional attitude, cognitive development, leadership skills, general and specific job performance with the help of six questionnaires,. The validity and credibility of the questionnaires have been sufficiently proven. The Multivariate Analysis of variance (MANOVA) pinpointed that physical education graduates who are employed in private fitness centers show higher levels of extraversion, emotional stability and openness to new experiences while they develop more positive interpersonal relationships compared to their colleagues in municipal sports organizations. Moreover, private fitness centers employees are more intensely oriented towards lifelong learning, creating a vision and intellectual stimulation. Finally, they do better in fields such as planning, organizing and teaching sports programs and also in providing comprehensive quality services to their customers.

Frequency of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training and Incidence of Diabetes

Some papers report that there is an inverse dose-response relationship between the frequency of exercise and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. However, limited data are available on the relationship between training frequency of combined resistance and aerobic training and the incidence of type 2 diabetes among women. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between training frequency of combined aerobic and resistance training and the incidence of type 2 diabetes among older Japanese women. METHODS: This cohort study was conducted in 10,764 nondiabetic Japanese women [median (IQR) age 59 (52-65) years] who are members of a private fitness club which provides a 30 minute circuit program combining aerobic and resistance training. Participants enrolled between 2005 to 2010 with follow-up until August 2014. The frequency of combined aerobic and resistance training was counted using the check-in system of the fitness club from entry day to 9 months after the enrolment year. Age, height and weight were collected via a self-administered questionnaire on enrolment day at the fitness club. In 2014, women reported whether or not they had diabetes, as well as the year of developing diabetes in a questionnaire. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the incidence of type 2 diabetes were obtained using Cox proportional hazard models to assess the relationship between training frequency of combined aerobic and resistance training and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: The average duration of follow-up was 5.6 years, with 160 women developing type 2 diabetes during this period. Using the lowest frequency of exercise (quartile I) group as the reference category, the hazard ratios for quartiles II through IV were: 0.95 (0.64-1.41), 0.75 (0.49-1.16), 0.72 (0.46-1.11), respectively (p for trend = 0.079). After adjustment for age and body mass index, the hazard ratios were: 0.88 (0.59-1.30), 0.66 (0.43-1.02), 0.59 (0.37-0.92), respectively (p for trend = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not adjust for other potential confounding factors, such as alcohol consumption or family history of diabetes, these results suggest that a higher frequency of combined aerobic and resistance training was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes among older Japanese women.

学士課程教育における大学体育：その可能性と再定義

The purpose of this study is to establish the meaning and possibilities of University PE in the bachelor's courses. Diversification of the standards for establishing university courses has stopped separating subjects in liberal arts education from those in specialized education and each university is now given liberty to decide how to set its courses. The concept of the bachelor's course education emphasizes not on specific areas but on the overall programs in each department as a whole. At present, many universities still use the following as their PE purposes and hold PE classes; “understanding health and putting it into practice”, “motivation for sports for life” and “improving physical strength”. However, these are the same as in high schools and they are mere repetitions of high school PE. Furthermore, they can be achieved in private fitness clubs and all the conditions for out-sourcing University PE are well established. Therefore, what should be the purposes and contents of University PE? The conclusions of this study are as follows; 1. University PE should not be exploratory and prerequisite education, but should be integrated into liberal arts education and even into the specialized education. 2. University PE should not remain inside the framework of “physical education”, but should expand to and link up with different areas which deal with human bodies in various ways and should contribute to the development of wider education. 3. Each member of staff engaged in University PE should be able to exercise his/her speciality in sports science in the PE education. 4. It is necessary for University PE to be established in the entire course of a bachelor's degree including both liberal arts education and specialized education, rather than being placed only in liberal arts education.

피트니스클럽의 법적 위기관리에 대한 탐색적 연구

The purpose of this was to analyze the probability of legal risk factors, conditions of risk management capability and hindering factors of risk management in fitness clubs. In order to accomplish such a study purpose, this study employed a survey methodology with a total of 300 employees from both public and private fitness clubs located in Busan Metropolitan City. The questionnaires developed on previous studies were validated through exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency test. With valid 237 questionnaires, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, independent t-test and multiple regression analysis. Accordingly, followings were derived from current study. First, factors such as disabled persons’ facility usage, facility maintenance, inappropriate equipment usage and employees’ income and wellbeing had the high probability. Second, private fitness clubs had higher probability levels of legal risk factors including facility, employee and management than public ones. In contrast, public fitness clubs had a higher level of risk management condition. Third, for both public and private fitness clubs, the probability and hindering factors had negative effects on management performance but the condition factor of risk management capability had a positive effect on management performance. In conclusion, findings suggested fundamental information that helps develop risk management strategies for legal issues occurring in fitness clubs.