
Crunch Fitness looking retro…or stupid.
A fitness chain, Crunch Fitness, filed for bankruptcy. As reported by Adrianne Pasquarelli in Crain’s Business in May 2009. I’m actually happy to see this happen. It always brings me to recite the quote: “Necessity is the mother of invention”.
Everyone wants to blame the recession. It is just not true. Why don’t people just admit that their bad business practices are to blame. It is my hope that these mega-fitness chain companies will smarten up. It’s time to realize that there are certain trends that are taking over and they need to adapt. One of those trends is personal attention and customer service. Over the past 18 years personal training and the business of personal training has redefined the way most clients want to be treated…with personal attention.
The big boys tried to slap their assembly line attitude towards personal training. The intelligent consumer is going outside the “gym” and finding “real” personal trainers that care about their clients. While the “fitness” chains are still concentrating on the antiquated used car salesman tactics. Forcibly trying to separate you from your credit card. Meanwhile, many of the real personal trainers are getting their clients results.

Crunch Fitness CEO Tim Miller lost his puppy…awe!
Results… is the missing link in keeping a company, especially a venture capital infused fitness company in the black. Just because you think your cool doesn’t necessarily mean that you are. What it often means is that you are delusional. So here’s my suggestion to Tim Miller, CEO of Crunch Fitness… sell your Mercedes, Hummer and your house in the Hamptons and start paying attention what your members need.
This is classic and very true! Happy Birthday, btw! -Liz