To The Fitness Industry - Technology Is What You Make It

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I'm lucky. I've have 3 very unique wonderful children who've taught me great lessons.

My friend Jim McPartland commented during our recent interview on his "Unopened Gifts" show something to the effect of, "you take the exam before getting the text book." He was referring to life in general and its also true of being a parent. You are not always sure of what to do but you do your best and if you're lucky and keep an optimistic open mind to the future, things might turn out ok.

Working in an industry like fitness and wellness, a young industry with a lot of promise and a long way to go to reach it, I think about how we get there. That is where my kids come to mind along with Jim's quote and a recent commerical.

The future for health clubs, and fitness and wellness in general will entail a lot of change and technology will be a big part of it. It has for every industry. While we can't know the outcome for sure, I think its important we as an industry become more open to what technology represents, for both its great potential and sometimes problematic consequences. We must embrace change to reach our promise. This is even more important because of the relatively young stage the fitness industry is in.

In light of this I wanted to share Google's most recent Chrome commercial about a father and his daughter (see below) and technology. Tell me, Bryan O'Rourke, what do you think about technology in light of this commercial and in light of your life ? Is Technology, like your life, what you make it ? Should the fitness industry be more open to the future and technology that will be a big part of its development ? I think so.

Being Ahead Of Your Time - Apple's Newton & iPad

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The term "PDA" (personal digital assistant) was coined around Apple's Newton. Launched in 1993 at a price of $699, the Newton project was thought by many to be an abject failure (Jobs cancelled it shortly after terminating John Sculley) - but was it ? Reflecting on its history, the device was ahead of its time and technology. Consider that in September 2009, Michael Tchao, one of the Newton's marketing product champions, returned to Apple to join the iPad team and two ex-Apple Newton developers founded Pixo, the company that created the operating system for the original iPod. in fact, the nexus for iPad was Newton. (Kim Arnold shares this view here).

When writing or speaking about the future and the rapid pace of technological change that is and will increasingly impact everyone (particularly in the fitness and wellness arena) ; its often good to reflect on past "failures", seeing where they ultimately end up. The tablet market is now the 4th largest consumer electronics category in the world at nearly $9 billion annually.What does that say about Newton ?

So what do you think ? Please let me, Bryan O'Rourke, here from you. Was Newton a failure ? Watch the iPad and Newton commercials below. I think there are some similarities don't you ?

Think Mobile Trends & Social Media Are Related - You Bet They Are

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The infographic above shows the current size of major social networks as well as the other well-known online services used on a daily basis relative to their peers. It also overlays the size of each company’s mobile user base. You’ll see Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, MySpace, LinkedIn, and more (wonder why Microsoft paid what they did for Skype?). Check out the agency’s infographic from last year to see the relative changes. Notable differences include: The rise of Chinese Qzone and Twitter, the fall of Myspace, and the stasis of Friendster.

Below are stats from JESS3 to consider. Please tell me, Bryan O'Rourke, what are your thoughts about these trends ? Is your business, your fitness or wellness business or any business or organization for that matter, planning, thinking or preparing for the revolution tied to these technologies ? I look forward to hearing your thoughts about what is happening and what is next.

Some other notable trends in the geosocial universe, courtesy of JESS3:

  • Mobile: 5.3 billion mobile devices are used worldwide — that’s 77 percent of the world’s population
  • Smartphones: 21.8 percent of all mobile devices are smartphones. Despite what one might think, Apple does not top the list in sales—Nokia does
  • Skype: Mobile usage continues to increase thanks to Skype’s wise investment in apps and its mobile platform
  • Facebook: Now tops 629 million registered users with almost 250 million people accessing the site via mobile
  • Qzone: China’s version of Facebook, Qzone, is experiencing supernova-like growth with 480 million registered users
  • Twitter: Broke the 200 million registered user mark with nearly 40 percent of people tweeting via mobile
  • Email: Hotmail still dominates email, but Gmail is gaining fast
  • Yelp: Yelp is topping 50 million unique visitors per month. Its move to team up with OpenTable earlier this year will only increase its relevancy
  • Foursquare and Gowalla: These geosocial specialists are still growing, but growth seems to be slowing down a bit

Interviewed By Jim McPartland - What Are Your Unopened Gifts ? Watch

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I met Jim McPartland at IHRSA in 2010. He was a facilitator and consultant to Les Mills International and its founder Phillip Mills at the time. Little did I know he'd be interviewing me on his show just over a year later.

Jim struck me with his manner and curiosity; in a good way. Ironically, not long after meeting Jim, I would be working with Michael Bruno, who purchased Star Trac, an organization that Jim McPartland transformed over 16 years as a Shareholder and President. The world is a small place isn't it ?

"Mac", as he is called by some, is now a speaker and adviser to key players in the fitness, wellness and business world in general. I recommend him highly. He kindly sat down to have a chat with me about "unopened gifts" on his weekly radio - tv show which airs every Thursday at 5 pm PST (the interview is below). It was a fun interview.

Jim is pursuing the publishing of his first book about "unopened gifts". Watch the interview below to learn more and tell me, Bryan O'Rourke, what are the things in your life that you feel are unopened gifts ? Please share your views and tell me your thoughts on the interview. Thanks Jim McPartland for having me on. I look forward to working together more closely in the months and years ahead.

 

Mobile Tagging Will Have A Huge Impact On The Fitness Industry

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Check out this report from PSFK on key trends in mobile tagging. Mobile tags will offer a unique opportunity for brands to interact with existing and prospective customers. The report shows how. Contact me Bryan O'Rourke, and let me know your thoughts - are you planning on using the emerging trend of mobile tagging in your fitness or health club business ? Check out my upcoming GGFA webinar on mobile technologies in health clubs.

 

PSFK presents Future Of Mobile Tagging Report
View more presentations from PSFK

 About the author Bryan O’Rourke:

Bryan O’Rourke is a health club industry expert, technologist, financeer, shareholder and executive in several fitness and health club business service companies and has advised many global brands on strategy and execution. He is also a partner in The Health Club For Women and Chairman of the Medical Fitness Association’s Education Committee. To learn more contact Bryan here today .