Kelli Hatton, Business Development Consultant for Fitmarc, explains how facility owners can effectively recruit a quality instructor team.

1. Recruiting Fitness Instructors Kelli Hatton - [email_address] Business Development Consultant and Leadership Development Expert for Fitmarc 1 Overview : One of the most difficult challenges facing fitness center owners and managers is finding quality, educated fitness instructors. With experienced instructors getting older, and no structured plan to fill vacancies, many facilities are hiring sub-par instructors rather than systematically and consistently recruiting new talent. Without strict certification guidelines in place, facilities may also be jeopardizing the safety of their members. Fitness Center owners and managers can overcome the challenges of recruiting fitness instructors How can facility owners ease the burden of instructor recruitment and increase the quality of their instructor team? In this special overview, we will examine the importance of quality, educated instructors, the challenges faced when recruiting and developing an instructor team, strategies for recruiting and ongoing training, and review results that a club might expect from a well executed instructor development plan. February 2011

3. The Challenges Kelli Hatton - [email_address] Business Development Consultant and Leadership Development Expert for Fitmarc 3 The Pitfalls: The current instructor population is aging rapidly, many having taught for 20+ years. The number of new instructors entering the industry is not sufficient to replace these instructors. According to Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA, , “ Highly skilled, diversified and experienced instructors are overloaded with classes and therefore are in short supply. While experienced teachers are staying in the industry into their 40s and 50s, qualified new teachers aren’t coming in at fast enough replacement rates.” Aging instructor population, shortage of qualified instructors and stagnant compensation plans make recruiting difficult A significant obstacle to hiring new instructors is stagnant compensation rates. While the cost of living has increased dramatically over the last 10 years, the pay rate for instructors has not. Many instructors are making the same hourly rate now that they did 5 – 10 years ago. “ The up-front time commitment to become a part-time instructor can be as much as 100–125 hours and cost between $500 and $1,000. This is a limiting factor for many.” February 2011

4. Important Tips Kelli Hatton - [email_address] Business Development Consultant and Leadership Development Expert for Fitmarc 4 A Proven System: Partnering with a company that has developed resources to help you master instructor recruitment can be a valuable tool when creating your facility’s instructor recruitment plan. Facilities can choose a variety of programming formats that have structured initial training modules for new instructors, specific guidelines to help them grow as an instructor, third party verification of skills to assure quality instruction and continued up skilling and training for experienced instructors. Partnering With A Quality Branded Program Can Help Develop a Successful Recruiting and Training Plan For the facility owner and manager, online management resources, consulting support guidelines for developing an ongoing recruitment strategy are available to help overcome the challenges in finding quality instructors. There are also guidelines available on how to further develop great instructors and increase instructor retention. February 2011

5. Conclusions Kelli Hatton - [email_address] Business Development Consultant and Leadership Development Expert for Fitmarc 5 Recap : Recruiting and hiring dynamic and educated group fitness instructors is essential for a fitness facility’s member retention and growth. With proper planning and resources, clubs should be able to see significant improvements in their bottom line. By cultivating a 2% increase in retention, net income can grow by as much as 24% (McCarthy, 2004). With the Right Partners, Facilities can Increase the Quality of Instructors to Improve Member Retention To achieve these results requires doing it right. Hiring and developing a team of professional and qualified group fitness instructors, systematically and with care, can be one of the least costly and most impactful decisions you can make for your facility. February 2011

6. About Us Kelli Hatton - [email_address] Business Development Consultant and Leadership Development Expert for Fitmarc 6 About Us : Fitmarc serves hundred of fitness facilities and thousands of fitness professionals through the deliver of programs, solutions, consultancy and education. Our team of experts can deliver real world answers to your clubs biggest challenges. Looking to improve member retention and bottom line results at your fitness facility ? We can help. To Learn More: Visit our website at www.fitmarc.com Follow Fitmarc on Twitter Like Fitmarc on Facebook Call Fitmarc at 800-814-1207 I’m here to be your resource and help you achieve greater success; As a senior business consultant for Fitmarc, I have years of experience working in health clubs, managing and delivering programming and developing fitness professionals. Let’s connect so that I can be a resource and partner for you and your organization. Kelli Hatton February 2011