Bally Total Fitness Marketing Audit
Bally Total Fitness Marketing Audit
Bally Total Fitness is the largest, and only nationwide, commercial operator of fitness centers. Bally's has approximately four million members and 420 facilities across the United States and around the globe. (ballyfitness.com, 2004) A marketing audit was performed on the company in order to assess their total marketing program to see what was and was not working to increase business. The following will summarize key findings of environmental aspects and marketing. Finally, any recommended actions that may be considered for future planning will be discussed. The environmental aspects that were considered for the Bally Total Fitness audit were demographics, markets and competition. Demographic trends have shown that the older segments of the United States (ages 45-65+) are growing the fastest. Bally Total Fitness would be wise to consider marketing towards this age group as their needs change. An estimated 50 million people will be members to a fitness center in just six years, the year 2010. This is due to an increased desire towards healthy living. The general population is becoming more aware of the benefits of exercise to promote health and wellness. The Markets part of the audit shows that there is three major trends that health clubs should be attentive of. These major trends are insurance paid weight-loss, a global battle against obesity and an end to low-carb confusion. Health clubs are part of the solution and should promote themselves as such. Bally Total Fitness can be a guide towards losing weight and increased education on obesity and to guide people through the low-carb confusion. 24 Hour Fitness and Gold's Gym are Bally's top two competitors. While both companies have been successful, Bally Total Fitness still boasts more members and more facilities than either one. However, both competitors of Bally's are not too far behind. Bally's should strive hard to stay on top of the competition.
Bally Total Fitness is the largest, and only nationwide, commercial operator of fitness centers. Bally's has approximately four million members and 420 facilities across the United States and around the globe. (ballyfitness.com, 2004) A marketing audit was performed on the company in order to assess their total marketing program to see what was and was not working to increase business. The following will summarize key findings of environmental aspects and marketing. Finally, any recommended actions that may be considered for future planning will be discussed. The environmental aspects that were considered for the Bally Total Fitness audit were demographics, markets and competition. Demographic trends have shown that the older segments of the United States (ages 45-65+) are growing the fastest. Bally Total Fitness would be wise to consider marketing towards this age group as their needs change. An estimated 50 million people will be members to a fitness center in just six years, the year 2010. This is due to an increased desire towards healthy living. The general population is becoming more aware of the benefits of exercise to promote health and wellness. The Markets part of the audit shows that there is three major trends that health clubs should be attentive of. These major trends are insurance paid weight-loss, a global battle against obesity and an end to low-carb confusion. Health clubs are part of the solution and should promote themselves as such. Bally Total Fitness can be a guide towards losing weight and increased education on obesity and to guide people through the low-carb confusion. 24 Hour Fitness and Gold's Gym are Bally's top two competitors. While both companies have been successful, Bally Total Fitness still boasts more members and more facilities than either one. However, both competitors of Bally's are not too far behind. Bally's should strive hard to stay on top of the competition.
Cited: 24 Hour Fitness. May 2004. http://www.24hourfitness.com Bally Total Fitness. May, June 2004. http://www.ballyfitness.com Bearden, William O., Thomas N. Ingram, and Raymond W. LaForge. Marketing: Principles & Perspectives, third edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2001. Churchill, Jr., Gilbert A., and J. Paul Peter. Marketing: Creating Value for Customers. Burr Ridge: Austen Press, 1995. Epinions. May 2004. http://www.epinions.com Gold 's Gym. May 2004. http://goldsgym.com