The 5 Eras of the Social Web - Fitness Businesses Better Pay Close Attention

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The mega trends of rapid technological advancements, demographic shifts and global ism are enhancing consumer choice and its revolutionizing the nature of businesses, including the health club and fitness business. Consumer adoption of social networks is increasing at a rapid pace, therefore its expected that innovations will continue to match this rapid growth. What does it all mean ? We are just starting to find out.

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Michael Scudder Interview On The Health Club Industry [VIDEO Part 2]

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In this second of a three part interview, I speak with 35 year health club veteran Michael Scott Scudder . In this part of our series we discuss technology, social media and other trends and the implications to the health club industry. This was filmed in Arlington, Texas in August of 2011. Tell me Bryan O'Rourke, what do you think about the technology trends Michael and I touch upon ?

BIO: Bryan O'Rourke is an expert on the Health Club Industry and CEO of Integerus, LLC and CSO of Fitmarc. He is a frequent speaker and published writer who advises leading global brands on strategy, technology, finance and marketing.

Michael Scott Scudder Interview On The Health Club Industry [VIDEO] - August 2011

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This year I promised myself I'd take time to interview some key thinkers in the fitness and health club industry. There is a lot of change going on for health clubs I want to explore, so with time running out for 2011, I called on my friend Michael Scottt Scudder and he agreed to meet me in Arlington, Texas for some quality think tank time; thanks Michael. It was the fitmarc lone star event that provided the perfect backdrop and opportunity for us to visit.

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Equinox: An Interesting & Important Player In The Evolving US Health Club Market

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Ironically I was working on an article regarding Equinox Fitness in the past few days when I got the call from Los Angeles Business Journal reporter @AlexaHyland . Alexa wanted to know my thoughts regarding Equinox's recent acquisition of of The Sports Club Company's four properties located in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Orange County and New York's Rockefeller Center for a reported $130 Million. Alexa asked some good questions and I don't want to spoil her important story which I'll share with readers later. I did, however, want to opine on Equinox in general and ask the question : can Equinox grow 4 concepts simultaneously ?

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Health Club Certification - What Could It Really Mean ?

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Do you think that raising the bar for health clubs by requiring minimum standards could help improve physican referrals and enable us to be seen as a more credible industry in general ? That's my question and its interesting as I travel around the country speaking with leaders in the health club industry that I rarely come across people informed on the subject of a general minimum standard, despite the fact that the most powerful organizations in our business have been wrestling with the matter for years now. (You can read IHRSA's position here).

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