What are the main reasons members stay loyal to a health club? Friendly and knowledgeable staff; trainers and instructors who keep members feeling welcome and engaged; a convenient location; a clean, well-maintained environment that feels like a relaxing refuge from the hustle of daily life.
Of course you’ve got these things covered on daily basis.
But did you know that one of the top drivers of member loyalty is new, high quality fitness equipment—and plenty of it?
If you’ve been occupied with the day-to-day business of managing your club, it’s possible you’ve overlooked the wear and tear creeping up on your most often used equipment. Although it may still technically function, it’s most likely not as exciting, advanced, safe, or aesthetically pleasing as new equipment would be. Even worse, shabby and worn out equipment can reflect poorly on your entire operation, no matter how clean your facility or friendly your staff.
If you’re at the five or 10-year mark since your grand opening or last major renovation, then investing in new equipment is probably on the horizon for you. You might even already have a budget set aside for intermittent upgrades. But before you pull the trigger on your purchase, you should consider all the opportunities that creative lease financing can afford you. Leasing allows you invest a small amount up front and pay what you can easily afford over time, all while enjoying the benefits of having your new equipment available to members.
The right leasing deal allows you to:
Think big. When you realize the time is right to inject some new life into your facility, you don’t want your current budget to constrain your timing or your vision. Don’t have the extra cash flow readily on hand to move quickly or get exactly what you want? Leasing programs that offer deferred payments for the first 90 days can get your equipment up and running (and attracting new memberships) right away, so your club is ready now for the growth ahead.