Go Healthy plus Health Club is facing challenges in the business making it difficult to realize its goals and objectives. Due to increased competition brought about by new health clubs in the region, and limited number of events and activities being offered at the gym. This prompted the owner and manager, Joe Rushing, to look for solutions from clients and non- clients, in the nearby neighborhoods by asking them to suggest what need to be done to improve the facility in order to exploit its full potential. This report proposal focuses on the layout of the gym, and the intended changes after the review considering the proposals made by clients and non- clients as suggested previously. It has also pointed out machines and facilities that need to be replaced to increase the competitive nature of the business. The report also includes a suggested diagram for a new lay out and concludes by recommending measures that manager Rushing can implement to realize the desired goals of success in the business.
1.0 Introduction
Among health clubs found in the area, Go Healthy plus Health Club is one of the leading health clubs in the region. Despite the club being along with the top, it is noted that is has not attracted a wide spectrum of members to realize its full potential. Surrounded by the concerns that have worried the owner and manager, is that during day time it has not managed to attract clients because they do not have programs running at the said time in the gym. It seems that the layout of the gym is contributing to most of the concerns, or issues that clients pointed out. For instance, overcrowding and strutting through the gym as pointed out by clients arise due to the layout of the facility. From the suggestions made by clients, about Go Healthy plus Health Club, it offers a good opportunity for the manager to make critical decisions and changes, that can steer the club to its desired goals of being profitable, and attracting a good number of customers, as well as to be the leader in the business . Amongst the challenges presented by clients include overcrowding, disorganization, short of of flexible timings for the programs as well as lack of a program to the kids to exercise alongside their parents and other more concerns.
2.0 Design
Experts and analysts in business and production have noted that the way supply chain and operations layout are designed, will have an impact on the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the business. The design proposes introduction of running tracks and rock climbing, on the changes to be realized as it has been noted to be on the rise in most gym as anew phenomena
(Corbin, Masurier & Lambdin, 2007). During rainy days, it has been noted that cardio machines get filled fast, creating and making other facilities get backed up. The remedy for such an issue is introduction of running tracks and rock climbing as noted by Kidd and Jennifer in their piece “Rock Climbing Champaign” that creates an alternative for the same kind of exercise, therefore avoiding crowding and congestion (Kidd & Jennifer, 2009). It is imperative to note that in designing the kind of layout for the business, a number of factors have to be considered including the space available, type of business, facilities and machines to be mounted amid other relevant factors such as safety of the stakeholders and resources available. The running track is to be based on the second floor, and this will create more space and ease congestion and crowding. Rock climbing, it is pointed out encourages group exercise and training (William, 2008). Go Healthy plus Health Club clients who asserted their discomfort due to limited cardio machines, and lack of an activity for busy folks can now forget about that past. Running tracks provide an alternative for a quick work out, and modern tracks come along with timepiece, therefore it will provides a good service to the gym. Rinzler, Carol, Suzanne Schlosberg and Liz Neporent in their article “Fit & Healthy for Dummies” noted that running track is amongst the most important facilities in a gym, because of the less space it occupies and convenience for use. It is stated that it can be used by both kids and adults with a lot of ease (Rinzler, Carol, Schlosberg & Neporent, 2012). Rock climbing and running track exist in a variety of designs and shapes, therefore this makes it possible for Go Healthy plus Health Club to order size that matches the space created and available. It is possible for them to get customized one depending on their requirements. Rock climbing being a new phenomenon in the industry, it has gained popularity and clients will be excited about it being introduced at Go Healthy plus Health Club. It is noted that with such a new concept, that has proved to excite kids, it will encourage parents to visit the gym alongside their kids and this will be good for the facility (Field, 2000).
3.0 Questions
After paying a visit to one of the leading health club facilities in the town, that is, 24 Hour Fitness, a health and fitness center that believes in changing lives through fitness, and having state of the art facilities. The health club also offers a wide range of group exercises as well as personal training. This has increased its customer base due to the varied options for clients to choose from. The gym has a number of branches furnished with wide range of state of the art amenities such as Cardio Equipment, Free weights, Group cycling, Basketball Court, Personal Training Area, Strength Machines, Whirl pool among others, and the branches are located in strategic positions to meet the growing number of clients in the different areas. From this visit at 24 Hour Fitness, and to compare findings to those of Go Healthy plus Health Club, I realized that the facility has spread out the timings of their customers flow. They practice and offer services in most part of the day and in the evening considered being peak time. The facility operates in a 24/7 basis and it is pointed out that this has increased its customer flow. 24 Hour Fitness offers extra programs in its plan such as personal training, tanning facilities, along with a daily fitness monitor for tracking facilities and calories consumption. It also has a Pro Shop, and capitalizes on this extra opportunity to generate revenue by selling fitness equipments and health supplements to its clients. The visit acted as an eye- opener to the level of competition of the business, and what exactly is required to design a good layout that will increase competition.
4.0 Diagrams/Tables
5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
For Go Healthy plus Heath Club to realize its full prospective, a lot of transformation need to be implemented in terms of improvement in its facilities, restructuring, and rebranding of the lay out to include the input suggested by clients. A simple change like having anew layout can bring positive transformation such as creating room and more space, and do away with overcrowding that is one of the issues that has been noted by clients. For any business to realize its full potential in terms of revenue generation and growth, the design of its process layout will surely be a key part to realization of such objectives, and Go Healthy plus Health Club is no exception, especially with the introduction of running tracks and rock climbing walls (Kidd & Jennifer, 2009). Out of this, the following recommendations are suggested as measures for the manager to take, so as to enhance its competitiveness in the industry and business.
- Introduce a running track to carter for the needs of all those interested in cardio and strength training. Clients had earlier raised issue of cardio machines being filled out quickly, and running tracks provide an alternative to cardio machines. Even on rainy days, clients will be comfortable and congestion will be eliminated.
- Clients on a busy work schedule can get great relieve with the introduction of the running track. The running track is easy to use and has a time clock, which will enable clients to time themselves when exercising so that their busy schedule and limited time can be used efficiently and effectively, to realize desired goals in cardio health and strength training.
- Rock climbing is a sport that has proved to excite kids, and indoor climbing will enable parents to have fun and exercise along their kids too. This will quench the thirst that existed before as already raised by clients. Rock climbing, being a new concept in gym will definitely introduce the required excitement. It encourages group activities and therefore parents can exercise alongside their kids as a group.
- Running track will help those people who dislike aerobics that makes them not frequent the gym with friends. Such kind of people will have an alternative to choose from. They can even focus on rock climbing which is an alternative option to choose from.
References
Corbin, Charles B, Masurier G. C. Le, & Dolly Lambdin. Fitness for Life: Middle School. Champaign, Ill: Human Kinetics, 2007. Print.
Field, Alex. Peaking Popularity. Sports: Rock climbing has gained a football at local gyms where people practice on imitation stone walls. 2000. Los Angeles Times. Accessed Nov. 18, 2013. Internet Resource.
Kidd, Timothy W, & Jennifer Hazelrigs. Rock Climbing. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2009. Print.
Rinzler, Carol A, Suzanne Schlosberg & Liz Neporent. Fit & Healthy for Dummies: 2-ebook Bundle!Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, Inc, 2012. Internet resource
Weir, William. Rock Climbing is god exercise if you can hang in there get out. Vertically Challenged. Dec. 06, 2008. Accessed. Nov. 18, 2013. < http://www.hartford courant- rock-wall-climbing.html>.
