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The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has released two resources to help existing and potential club owners, managers, and investors understand the key factors that affect the success of a fitness club company.

The IHRSA Health Club Business Handbook: The Ultimate Investor and Operator Guide to Gyms, Studios and Fitness Centers, sponsored by ABC Financial Services, has been athored by John McCarthy, retired former Executive Director of IHRSA, and is the long-awaited update to The Guide to the Health Club Industry for Lenders and Investors, also by McCarthy.

IHRSA’s Executive Vice President of Global Products Jay Ablondi explains “the IHRSA Health Club Business Handbook provides club owners with critical information needed to understand the operational considerations and market conditions that can make or break their businesses.

“It also provides lenders, investors, venture capitalists, and others with the financial performance indicators, consumer demographics data, and industry overview that will help them properly evaluate a club investment."

Since publication of the second edition of The Lender’s Guide in 2004, the fitness industry has grown considerably, has endured challenging economic times and has emerged stable and strong. The Handbook guides stakeholders in understanding how external forces, favourable demographics, and experienced club professionals all bode well for the future of the industry.

This publication is organized into 11 sections, each featuring charts and graphics from industry research or from the private collection that the author, a 44-year veteran of the industry, has gathered over the course of his career. Sections include:

● The Health Club Industry at a Glance - a summary of industry growth, consumer demographics, public companies, and the largest franchises in the USA;
● Facilitating Industry Growth - an exploration of demand and supply drivers, market readiness, and financing options;
● Evaluating a Loan or Investment Proposal - an examination of factors to consider when developing or investing in a health club, including start-up costs and operating capital, success factors, and return on invested capital;
● Formula and Measures - an analysis of key performance indicators and recommended guidelines;
● Industry Prognosis: The Next 10 Years - an in-depth overview of economic, legislative, consumer, and related factors that impact the future of the industry. 

Rick Caro, President of New York-based Manhattan-based consultancy Management Vision, Inc. Commenting “this is the best updated guide the club industry has had since before the recession, and is a wonderful example of IHRSA making effective use of relevant industry research findings

“It’s the ideal resource for a developer, someone who’s thinking about buying or investing in a club, or a current owner who may be considering selling. It can also serve as a tool to help owners evaluate future options, such as new clubs, refinancing, or introducing a minority investor into the business.”

IHRSA has also released its 2015 Profiles of Success publication, providing detailed information about fitness club benchmarks and other aspects of club performance, including membership growth and traffic, facility reinvestment, financial statement data, and more.

The report also contains an overview of the US fitness club industry as well as a snapshot of member demographics. This year's report also includes a profit centresection that analyses revenue and profit margins from racquet sports, spas, pro shop/retail, food & beverage, and children’s/youth programs.

For more information on these resources go to www.ihrsa.org/research.

Lower image courtesy of KettleWorx

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