Marketing Plan for Fitness Center

Apart from healthcare issue, the country has adopted the fast-moving life style, which has pushed most of our citizens to succumb to obesity as a result of fast foods. In fact, a recent report by the UN has ranked the United States as the most obese country in the world. Parramore (2012) outlines that, “Obesity is currently being considered as a national crisis in the United States and that it contributes 100,000 to 400,000 deaths per year. Statistics at the CDC and Prevention in 2010 indicate that 35.7% of the American adult is obese.” Many input trends exist in the American society, “First and foremost, people are highly used to fried foods, sugary drinks, and processed meats among others. There is also the sedentary lifestyle that has been adopted by many,” (Huffington Post, 2013). In fact, most of us love relaxing without exercise and too much television watching. These are some of the factors that contribute to obesity. The result is health complications problems such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease just to mention but a few. These affect the longevity of life.

Since corporations tend to plan in a larger way, rather than small, LA Fitness would like this group of stakeholders to believe the company is one of the best internationally to plan, organize and coordinate special fitness events and programs because of its high customer focus and numerous contacts for them and their employees.

America is known for its advanced society and technology, but is also known to be one of the most obese populations. Found in “Down to Earth”, America is one of the most progressive countries to exist; therefore it should be the healthiest (“Obesity in America”). If America is so highly advanced, more advancement needs to be put towards obesity rates. As time goes on, adults and children are having to consequently expand their waistbands because of unhealthy habits. In an article previously discussed, Brown-well states that Americans are at an all-time low in exercising (Murray). By having less motivation to exercise, family health is at stake. Future generations need to be more pressured to keep physically fit for their health. With less motivation for a healthier lifestyle, communities across America will remain obese. According to CBS news, Americans prefer to consume Twinkies over Tofu (“The Blame Game”). With Americans not giving healthier options opportunity, less interest will be put into healthy options. Individuals are focusing on the pleasure of taste than their own well being. Internationally speaking, Americans have one of the strongest societies, but the weakest mindset for healthy living. With stubborn attitudes and continual unhealthy choices, obesity will not only stay but

The Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, with the intent of ensuring that most people in the United States have medical insurance. With this new healthcare system came the responsibility that individuals would have to take initiatives in an effort to stay healthy or at the least, increase their level of activity and health awareness, making them more responsible for their own wellness. The preventative care portion included in the Affordable Care Act is one of the fundamental items of the law and is a particularly meaningful, very positive attribute in health care reform for the American people. Wellness in the workplace has become an essential issue to help reduce companies’ medical cost, and to help employees get on track to know their numbers, get healthy, and have a positive healthy mental attitude. Many employees do not understand or know how to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. With the rising cost of healthcare, especially relating to people not taking care of their bodies, wellness in the workplace has become even more critical. Author Lori Breiner (2007) “believes wellness in the workplace has economic benefits for organizations, because if workers are healthy, they miss less time from work.” Breiner’s theory would suggest that better health increases productivity and profits in the workplace.

Despite diets, physical activity, behavior modification, drug therapy, and gastric surgery, "few people reduce their body weight to a desirable or healthy level and fewer maintain weight loss beyond two to three years" (36). This makes America fat, overweight, and even obese. The issues of size and weight are of social concern. Technology has sped up the pace of American living but it has slowed down physical activity. Americans drive everywhere they go and try to park as close as they can. What may have begun with the simple remote control has drawn America from baseball fields and parks to the television and computer screens. America no longer surfs the waves; they rather surf the net (Arzino 1). Phil Arzino writes, "We're becoming a nation of couch potatoes that's raising a generation of tater tots" (1). This sedimentary lifestyle effects adults as well as teenagers, toddlers, and infants.

Through this case study I will be discussing strategic management. Strategic management can be defined as a process where an organization attempts to determine what actions need to be taken to achieve the overall objectives and more importantly how to meet them (Mello, 2015, p. 114). For a company to strive and meet their goals, deadlines, and missions they must stay conscious of the strategic plan put in place for the success of the company. If the company does not have a good strategic plan the company could fail. With correct planning a company could succeed without fail. Something that needs to be taken into consideration in the strategic plan should be investing into the company’s human assets. At first it may look like it is causing the company more issues however in the long run it will strengthen the company and moral making a more successful company. This could help with customer relations, and the organization status which will help produce additional revenue for the company.

With new technological advancements and the changing of times, people have become increasingly sedentary in their daily lives (“Pounding Away”). With all of our cars and motorized vehicles, few people are forced into strenuous physical activities that would burn the calories needed for a healthy lifestyle. With the creation of robots and mechanized devices to make working more efficient and cheapen labor costs, less than 20% of jobs in the private sector now require moderate physical activity (“Obesity in America”). What had once required for you to get up and walk to the other side of the room can now be done by writing an email or picking up a phone. This decrease in activity in the workplace would be fine if it were counterbalanced by steady leisure exercise. Sadly, many people in their leisure time do not exercise. What do they do instead? The average American spends “55% of his waking hours sitting down” (“Obesity in America”), whether it’s in front of a TV or a computer. Another outcome of the modern age is the change in eating habits. Serving sizes have steadily increased and many fast food places now offer an option to super-size their meals, e.g. McDonald’s, for just a few cents

Another reason for increased usage involves all ages. Most consumers have had changes in lifestyle from earlier years. Seven out of ten Americans of all ages do not get the minimum amount of recommended exercise.(National Coalition on Healthcare, 2005, Facts about healthcare

Many find it interesting how the media portrays exercising and dieting. America’s concern about obesity has shocked many organizations, programs, and citizens to take demand. Most seems to know how to take action, for example, they know to monitor calorie intake and exercise daily. However, these ideas have been slower to reinforce. The print media have a big part in this because the consumers read about the actions taken by models and they try to also reinforce those things but, it does not give the consumers the results they hope for, so there is often lost hope. Many think that because the text states that physical activity is the same as working out. Physical Activity is defined as “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure.” Exercising is defined as “physical activity that is done in order to become stronger and healthier.” Colleagues at The National Academies stated that there has been an overall decrease in physical activity during the past half century in the United States.

From 1960-62 to 2005-06 the number of obese Americans almost tripled from 13.4% to 35.1% (Weight-control Information Network 2). These two extreme upward trends might make a convincing case that the extra fast food intake has caused the hike in obesity rates, and it may very well be a good indication, but it is far from proof. Too many things have changed over the years, from the way the average American exercises, to the types of other food that people are consuming.

Statistical information confirms: obesity and overweight have already turned into an issue of national concern. In 2002, “a National Survey conducted by American Sports Data revealed that 61% of adults in the U.S. felt that they were overweight, 19% admitting that they were ‘considerably’ overweight” (American Sports Data). The major causes of obesity, overweight, and similar nutritional problems included genetics, population trends, hurried lifestyles, high-carbohydrate diets, less demanding workplaces, smoking cessation, and social class aspects (American Sports Data). That hurried lifestyles and a less demanding workplace contribute in the development of obesity trends is clear. But even more importantly, because the number of those who are overweight or obese exceeds one half of the American population, the government must control our diets. The information about the costs of obesity and related diseases is even more compelling.

Health and wellness in the work place is a vital part to a company’s success. Employees who are healthier and more productive are less likely to call out from sickness. There are not many companies that have affordable health care coverage for employees. More companies should make healthcare affordable for their employees and their family. Research has been done on how effective health and wellness programs can be in the workplace. Throughout the reading these points will be discussed. The effectiveness of health and wellness in the workplace will also be spoken of. Health and wellness activities in the workplace will be a positive move for companies and employees.

Research indicates that employers can increase employee retention, increase employee productivity, and reduce employee healthcare costs by implementing a workplace wellness program.

Health and wellness in the workplace is crucial to business success. Increasingly, it is recognized that the workplace itself has a powerful affect on people’s health. When people are satisfied with their job, they are more productive and tend to be healthier. When employees feel that the environment at work is negative, they feel stressed. Stress has a large impact on employee mental and physical health, and in turn, on productivity. Companies that promote healthy lifestyle habits for employees to improve their health, often take the success of the company to heart and are likely to be absent less often for health related reasons.

• Mr. Sean V. Phillips M.Sc. joined Fitness First PLC in 1993 as General Manager and was appointed to the Board as Director in 1996. Mr. Phillips also serves as Sales and Fitness Director, Mr. Phillips has an MSc in Exercise Science and a BSc Hons in Health and Physical Education. He has been involved in health club management since 1986 including as General Manager of a number of major LivingWell Health Clubs in the UK.