Before Turkey starts lamentation about her residents&rsquo / poor state of health due to lack of regular physical activity, the fitness facilities should be recognized as means of exercise and recreational activities for all. Yet the lack of studies regarding the status of the health and fitness industry of Turkey such as the credentials of education and certification of the fitness professionals surges the fitness industry into the unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of the health and fitness industry in Turkey. In order to investigate the current status of the health and fitness industry in Turkey, a pilot study was conducted to adopt the &ldquo / Survey of the Health and Fitness Industry&rdquo / developed by Dean Mantia (2000). Participants (N=167) were queried in the areas of business operations, professional development, growth opportunities and consumer influences. Using SPSS frequency counts and percentile rankings were used to analyze and compare responses of the three sub-groups (18 % managers, 62 % instructors, 20 % consumers) that were surveyed. The findings of the study demonstrates that although the industry seems to be in a rapid growth phase, there are problems that would not allow the future success of the industry. The consumers overestimate the credentials of the fitness professionals, and at the same time quickly withdraw if their goals are not met. The industry lacks standardization, and regulations are not adequate to save it from abuse. Although the Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation emerged as the major certification body, it holds less than half (38 %) of the industry, and lacks trust and respect by the fitness professionals due to illegalities. The industry is driven by fad and fashion and the role of the media, and marketing practices seems to be underrated despite their educational value to make the consumers take responsibility of their own health and well being. Future growth of the industry requires investigation of the fitness professionals at all levels and in all provinces of Turkey. In order to develop standardization for the licencing of the health and fitness centers, and certification of the fitness professionals within the industry, it is recommended that the federation should act in a joint effort with the other federations, academia, and the leading international certifying organizations to meet the needs of the fitness industry towards a continuous development and growth.

No description available.

One of the major challenges facing service businesses today is the rapidly changing and highly competitive nature of service industries. As a result, customer expectations are also rising quickly. Increased competition in this regard has resulted in fitness facilities in particular aiming to improve their services in order for these businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors. By improving their services, fitness facilities can better satisfy the needs of their members. Therefore, fitness facilities need to identify those service elements which are important to their members in order to satisfy members' service needs by improving the quality of services delivered. The primary objective of the study is to determine whether customers of fitness facilities in the North West Province are satisfied with the services that are provided by these facilities. The research study on fitness facilities was based on descriptive research in order to allow for the identification of service elements that are important to members of fitness facilities. During the course of the study, secondary data was used for the literature review in order to investigate the research problem through the use of publications such as books and reliable academic and research articles. A quantitative research design was used in the form of self–administered questionnaires with a view to determine the level of customer satisfaction as well as the desires, perceptions and expectations of members regarding fitness facilities. Pre–testing of the questionnaire was also performed during this study to ensure that the collection and analysis of data would proceed as smoothly as possible. Self–administered questionnaires were distributed to members of fitness facilities from the 17th of May to the 26th of May 2010 by three fieldworkers in the cities of Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp in the North West Province. A convenience sampling method was used, which implied that respondents who were readily available and willing to complete the questionnaire at selected fitness facilities were selected for participation in the study. Furthermore, an exploratory factor analysis was used to identify those service elements which are important to members of fitness facilities. Ten factors were identified, namely personnel professionalism, equipment condition, membership possibilities, fitness programmes, convenience issues, medical assistance, cleanliness, information availability, membership preferences and the opportunity to exercise in another town. The results indicated that differences exist in terms of respondents' gender, levels of education as well as differences between various age groups and the ten identified importance factors. Results also showed that customer satisfaction can influence customer behaviour, as satisfied customers would recommend the fitness facility to others and want to have a long–term relationship with the fitness facility. It is recommended that fitness facilities need to focus on those service elements that members view as important when planning and maintaining their service offerings. Furthermore, fitness facilities need to realise that all their members do not view the importance of service elements in the same way, and therefore they should deliver services specifically tailored to various age groups, levels of education and gender. Recommendations for future research include that a similar study can be conducted for individual fitness facilities, because fitness facilities are unique and have different capabilities to deliver services. When conducting a study for each individual fitness facility, a relevant comparison can be made between the services that the specific fitness facility offers and what the members of that fitness facility really want or view as important. Specific strategies can then be recommended to the individual fitness facility with a view to improve their service offering and concomitantly increase their member satisfaction. / Thesis (M.Com. (Marketing Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

One of the major challenges facing service businesses today is the rapidly changing and highly competitive nature of service industries. As a result, customer expectations are also rising quickly. Increased competition in this regard has resulted in fitness facilities in particular aiming to improve their services in order for these businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors. By improving their services, fitness facilities can better satisfy the needs of their members. Therefore, fitness facilities need to identify those service elements which are important to their members in order to satisfy members' service needs by improving the quality of services delivered. The primary objective of the study is to determine whether customers of fitness facilities in the North West Province are satisfied with the services that are provided by these facilities. The research study on fitness facilities was based on descriptive research in order to allow for the identification of service elements that are important to members of fitness facilities. During the course of the study, secondary data was used for the literature review in order to investigate the research problem through the use of publications such as books and reliable academic and research articles. A quantitative research design was used in the form of self–administered questionnaires with a view to determine the level of customer satisfaction as well as the desires, perceptions and expectations of members regarding fitness facilities. Pre–testing of the questionnaire was also performed during this study to ensure that the collection and analysis of data would proceed as smoothly as possible. Self–administered questionnaires were distributed to members of fitness facilities from the 17th of May to the 26th of May 2010 by three fieldworkers in the cities of Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp in the North West Province. A convenience sampling method was used, which implied that respondents who were readily available and willing to complete the questionnaire at selected fitness facilities were selected for participation in the study. Furthermore, an exploratory factor analysis was used to identify those service elements which are important to members of fitness facilities. Ten factors were identified, namely personnel professionalism, equipment condition, membership possibilities, fitness programmes, convenience issues, medical assistance, cleanliness, information availability, membership preferences and the opportunity to exercise in another town. The results indicated that differences exist in terms of respondents' gender, levels of education as well as differences between various age groups and the ten identified importance factors. Results also showed that customer satisfaction can influence customer behaviour, as satisfied customers would recommend the fitness facility to others and want to have a long–term relationship with the fitness facility. It is recommended that fitness facilities need to focus on those service elements that members view as important when planning and maintaining their service offerings. Furthermore, fitness facilities need to realise that all their members do not view the importance of service elements in the same way, and therefore they should deliver services specifically tailored to various age groups, levels of education and gender. Recommendations for future research include that a similar study can be conducted for individual fitness facilities, because fitness facilities are unique and have different capabilities to deliver services. When conducting a study for each individual fitness facility, a relevant comparison can be made between the services that the specific fitness facility offers and what the members of that fitness facility really want or view as important. Specific strategies can then be recommended to the individual fitness facility with a view to improve their service offering and concomitantly increase their member satisfaction. / Thesis (M.Com. (Marketing Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to get insights in how the digitalization of fitness services has affected the customer experience, this with a focus on fitness services such as dance classes and PT-sessions online.  Theoretical background The theory has its foundation in both the customer journey where different touchpoints are perceived and the factors affecting the customer experience. Many studies have been done in the subject of customer experience and five factors are categorized. First, the cognitive factors then the affective factors, sensory factors, social factors and last the conative factors.  Methodology The study employs a qualitative research type with a cross-sectional research design. Primary data are collected through semi-structured interviews with four customers and one gym. Empirical findings and analysis Multiple differences and similarities between the digital and physical experience are presented. For example, physical gyms have more equipment than all of the respondents have in their home. At the same time, it can be a disadvantage that the internet connection and digital tools are required at the digital classes. However, the flexibility is higher when the classes are online, both because of the accessibility and the higher ability to choose time and place for the workout.  Conclusion The digitalization of fitness services has affected the customer experience, both positive and negative. To what extent the change is positive or negative are based on personal preferences. For instance, some customers enjoy the lack of social interaction while some miss is, some may like the smell of the gym while some prefer the smell of their own home. Therefore, the ability to choose in the future is recommended and the gyms do need to work on the optimalization of the experience both for their digital and physical customers.

The global market place is becoming ever more accessible. Internet and communication technologies are opening up new opportunities for firms of all configurations. Based on that, this research will focus on Born Global business-to-business (B2B small, medium enterprises (SME) entering in the German market. The aim is to answer the following two research questions: ‘What does a Born Global B2B SME’s internationalization process look like?’ and ‘Which adaptations should a Born Global B2B SME make to acquire customers in the German market?’ A review of internationalization literature, complemented by company participation and interviews furthers the body of academic research in this subject area. Qualitative research is applied through a company case study and primary interviews are conducted. A case study is employed to further understand and practically apply adaptations a firm can make to increase its chance of success in a foreign market environment, once internationalizing. The conclusions drawn that a Born Global B2B SME entering a foreign market should make adaptations in its online presence to cater to the new market. Specifically, language adaptations are required to the native tongue. This research concludes with both practical and theoretical suggestions. The key findings from the interviews show that the Born Global B2B SME’s studied have taken an ‘accidental’ internationalization process.

Over the last 15 years there has been a dynamic shift within the fitness industry, particularly for women. For decades, women were expected to participate in aerobic-based workouts and maintain a thin figure. This thin ideal has been harmful to women and contributed to low levels of self-esteem. CrossFit diverges from aerobics by encouraging strength training and teaching women that workouts can be functional, and beauty does not only lie in one’s aesthetics. The emergence and growth of CrossFit is shifting fitness-related gender norms and expectations, and possibly contributing to higher levels of self-esteem in women. This shift has become more apparent and visible though the growth of social networking sites like Instagram. Since Instagram is a photo- and video-based platform, there are significant opportunities for social comparison. Therefore, researchers should attempt to better understand how women in CrossFit engage with Instagram, and more specifically, how social comparison mediates self-esteem. This research gained insight into CrossFit—a fitness program dominating worldwide and challenging harmful social norms for women within the fitness industry—by examining how women CrossFitters engage in social comparison on Instagram. This research fills a much-needed gap because there is a lack of research on women CrossFitters, Instagram, and social comparison. The researcher administered a survey consisting of seven scales and 72 questions throughout the greater Sacramento area measuring social comparison habits, self-esteem, superiority, and Instagram use among women CrossFitters. The researcher used correlation analysis to answer the proposed hypotheses. Although the collected data did not fully support all hypotheses, the research produced significant results and implications that contribute to a better understanding of the current state of the fitness industry, Women CrossFitters’ use of Instagram, and social comparison.

Данная работа рассматривает систему формирования профессиональных компетенций фитнес-инструктора, уровень которых в значительной степени влияет на конкурентоспособность специалиста в сфере фитнес-индустрии. / This paper considers the formation of professional competencies of a fitness instructor, the professional level of which largely affects the competitiveness of a specialist in the fitness industry.

The purpose of the thesis is to discovery the insight behind pricing strategy of the gyms. The research and survey are focusing on the urban area which narrow the range within Taipei and New Taipei citizens. There is a mystery that most gyms in Taipei won’t let the potential customer know the price directly. They prefer the customers come to the venue and close the deal at the same time. How do the customers feel about pricing strategy and various package of the gym? Do the gyms provide the satisfied deal to the customer? Through analyzing the pricing strategy, there might be some consumer insights or opportunities for the industry.