How many times have we heard (or said) in business that “timing is everything!” All of us have had an uncle or relative who told us of how he would have been a multi-millionaire if only he had made this investment, or bought this business, piece of property, etc….

In business and in life, the ability to make a decision with good timing is what really sets the successful people apart from the rest. “Going with the flow” will get you average returns, but truly having vision, or confidence will allow you to achieve extraordinary results.

I was commenting to one of our new franchisees yesterday that the costs to open a business are about 30% less then they were just a year ago. Vendors are needing to meet their quotas and production requirements, so we are seeing far-reduced prices on materials and equipment. Landlords (in top centers) are being extremely flexible, giving generous free rent periods, and in some cases paying for the entire club buildout. The elements franchise team spends quite a bit of time building relationships with landlords, and is very active in negotiating the best possible structure for each club. Keeping in mind that most leases are 5-10 years in length, and that rents are about 30% lower than they were a year ago, the savings over time for the business are quite significant!

This is coupled with the ability to be more selective in hiring, and be more flexible with pay options – giving a new business a real boost if they are able to launch within the next 4-6 months.

For more information on starting a franchise, visit www.elementsforwomen.com

One of the true marks of maturity for a brand is growing interest from developers to invest and launch your brand internationally. Top International Developers are usually highly keen on their local markets, and tend to have the resources to launch and operate units in multiple cities simultaneously. The top international developers seek out category-leading brands, they want to rollout the top concepts locally. Our steadily growing interest from international developers (Australia, India, England, Canada, Peru, Mexico, Latin America) tells me that elements for women is quickly reaching that status.

Elements employs a unique approach towards international development, as we believe a fitness brand needs to not only be translated physically into the local language, but translated culturally as well. For example, the fitness experience for a woman in Brazil is far different from a woman in India. Our expert team is widely regarded as leaders in the industry worldwide, and is actively involved with IHRSA (the International Health Racquet and Sportclub Association). As a truly international brand, elements is well positioned to help spearhead the exploding fitness and wellness movements worldwide. The worldwide growth also helps to add tremendous resources, credibility, and status to our US clubs. We have receintly announced our expansion into Canada with a Toronto flagship. Later this summer we will be making several exciting announcements regarding new flagship clubs in Latin America, as the hub to elements South American expansion.

April 15 (Bloomberg) — Scott McLin used to hit the gym about once a week. Since losing his job as a marketing analyst three months ago, he goes almost every day.

“I have the time now, so I may as well work on getting in shape,” said McLin, 25, who’s cut back on restaurant meals and clothing purchases instead of his $86-a-month Crunch membership.

Equinox, which runs 48 U.S. gyms, and Town Sports International Holdings Inc., the owner of the New York Sports Clubs, say that’s a growing trend as consumers grappling with the recession seek to relieve stress. In a survey released last week by Rodale Inc., the publisher of Men’s Health and Runner’s World, 84 percent of those polled said there is no better time than now to invest in their health.

“Your health-club membership, your cable TV and your cell phone are in the last third of things that you’re going to cut off” in a tough economy, said Anthony Gikas, a leisure analyst at Piper Jaffray & Co. in Minneapolis.

With the unemployment rate at the highest in 25 years, consumers are taking fewer vacations and business trips, and spending less on entertainment, all of which contributes to more trips to the gym, he said.

The gym and fitness-club market will grow 2.2 percent this year to $24.3 billion, according to Los Angeles-based researcher IBISWorld Inc.

‘More Resistant’

“Health and wellness tends to be a little bit more resistant to sharp declines,” said George Van Horn, a senior analyst at IBISWorld in Chicago.

Equinox, which decided not to raise dues for existing members in 2009 for the first time in its 17-year history, has added meditation classes and power-nap sessions that include stretching and end with a 15-minute nap. An Equinox membership costs between $142 and $173 a month in Manhattan.

“Staying in shape is more important than ever,” Chief Operating Officer Scott Rosen said in a telephone interview. “It’s a stress relief for people.”

Gym usage among existing Equinox members grew as much as 15 percent in the first quarter. Participation in classes that are included in the cost of a membership has increased by a similar amount, and the gym is adding more yoga classes to meet demand.

Christopher Stadler quit his job as vice president of marketing at a beauty-care company before the winter holidays and is now looking for a new one. He uses his Equinox membership seven days a week, up from three or four days previously.

Refuge From Headhunters

Once a “wasteland” during the day, the gym has become “completely packed” over the past month or two, he said.

“It’s an escape from headhunters and interviews,” said Stadler, 38, who eats out less during the week to make up for the money he spends on his membership.

Life Time Fitness Inc., the operator of 83 gym facilities in 18 states, is also seeing increases in utilization and class attendance among existing members.

Increased usage doesn’t necessarily mean additional membership revenue for the gyms. About 35 percent of gym members plan to keep their memberships and avoid additional in-club spending, according to a bi-monthly survey by Thomas Shaw, a fitness analyst at Stifel Nicolaus & Co. in Baltimore.

Town Sports, based in New York, fell 5.6 percent to $2.38 yesterday in Nasdaq Stock Market trading, pushing the company’s market value to $53.8 million. The shares fell 67 percent last year. Life Time dropped 11 percent to $14.36 yesterday in New York Stock Exchange composite trading, valuing the company at $568.8 million. Last year, shares of the Chanhassen, Minnesota- based chain lost 74 percent.

‘So Much Better’

Gym usage at Crunch has increased because of the economy, said Chief Operating Officer Keith Worts. Fitness-class attendance at the New York-based chain is also up, he said.

McLin started attending classes at Crunch in San Francisco only recently, viewing them as a free personal training session that would otherwise cost $40 to $60 an hour. They’re “basically full,” even at midday, he said.

“I just feel so much better day to day,” said McLin, who now attends two classes a week and is training for a marathon.

To lure job seekers like McLin, Town Sports is using the slogan “Fact: Physically fit people are more likely to be hired.” Town Sports’ club usage rose more than 15 percent in the fourth quarter, and the trend is continuing into its first quarter, Chief Executive Officer Alex Alimanestianu said on a conference call March 3.

Life Time Fitness said club openings drove a 13.6 percent increase in new memberships in the fourth quarter, compared with a year earlier. The chain has also seen an increase in overall class attendance, said Jason Thunstrom, a spokesman.

“It’s a situation of control what you can control,” Thunstrom said. “Exercise is one of those things that’s proven to make people feel better.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Allison Abell Schwartz in New York at aabell@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: April 15, 2009 00:00 EDT

elements™ fitness announces expansion into Canada with downtown Toronto Flagship

Toronto, ONT – 4/2/2009 – Upscale women’s fitness brand elements has announced its expansion into Canada with a flagship center-city Toronto location. The club, expected to open early 2010 will be the first upscale women’s-only fitness experience for in the Toronto market.

“Toronto is a great city for elements… it has many similarities to New York, and a full service brand like elements can really be developed to its fullest – we are planning a real showcase location with some great surprises here. This is the first of several planned Canadian clubs, we are quite excited about it. The buzz we have been receiving from Canadian fitness professionals tells me, we are on to something really good”

The elements fitness brand differs from other health club providers with its balanced approach to a healthy lifestyle: body, beauty and mind. Relying on expert guidance and support, elements™ creates a platform for women to come together in an environment of health and wellness. The brand also features an online magazine and media channel, elements living, a full-service interactive diet program, BalanceD™, and a full retail line.

Miami-based elements currently has 12 US locations with a total of 61 franchised and company owned locations under planned development. elements for women has been adding health club locations in signature markets such as Chicago, Atlanta, and New York since its inception in 2004. The company, following its “clustering-based” philosophy to growth, has now begun active development campaigns in Canada and also Latin America.

For more information about business opportunities with elements, please contact Colleen Hawco at 305.535.1525 or colleen.hawco@elementsforwomen.com, visit www.elementsforwomen.com

In reality, there are few industries as dynamic and energized as the fitness industry… It sounds cliche, but by being a health club owner you really are doing good for others and your community, and enjoying powerful re-occurring revenue streams to boot!

At no time is the energy and growth of fitness franchises more evident than at the international trade shows, such as IHRSA (the International Health Racquet and Sportclub Association).

The elements team is gathering in San Francisco for the next 10 days as part of this event … along with a collection of 15,000+ executives and fitness club owners from around the world – this convention is a who’s who of the industry, and is not to be missed for serious fitness club owners. elements uses the show as a tremendous opportunity for our teams to network, collaborate, and focus.

We will be using the time to meet and strategize with current elements club owners, introduce new franchisees to the industry, collaborate with other executives and policy leaders in key government initiatives, and teach at various workshops and lectures.

Involvement in the overall industry, including leadership on the national and governmental levels, is such an important responsibility for a franchisor. I always caution prospects when they are searching for the ideal concept to franchise, to make sure their franchisor has the clout within their given industry to help them out, in case a situation arose. One of the great things about being a part of a brand, is the fact that all of our clubs are represented, regardless of their attendance at the event.

“No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price, to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals.” – Brian Tracey

… what a great quote, and what a concise way to summarize what great leaders and entrepreneurs already know. Time is a precious resource, in many cases it can be even more precious than money with respect to a new business. After all, who would want to be in the perilous position of overcoming all of the hurdles of site selection and construction, actually getting a business open, only to wonder what truly comes next… sounds scary, right?

I remember this feeling vividly, now more than 12 years ago, when I opened my first health club. Although business skills came natural to me, there was so many details that, as a rookie, I didn’t even know to consider…. do I take the small or the large phone book ad? Is tile the right place to save on construction? Which is the best graphics vendor, local or regional? Negotiating techniques with landlords and vendors… marketing techniques… upselling memberships…. it goes on and on! Time (and a great team) has taught me well. Looking back, I could have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars not to mention the headaches!), had I aligned with the right partner…. it is a very common story in business, mine was lucky to end up happier than most. Choosing the right team, and the right partners, is a critical decision which can greatly affect the success of your new business. Don’t ever underestimate the value of having an experienced team by your side, as you build, launch, and grow your business… time is money, and this advice is sage.

Chris Palumbo is a noted business author, speaker, and founder of the popular elements fitness and lifestyle brand.

[ Click HERE] to Read to the article

Chris Palumbo is the founder of the popular elements fitness and lifestyle brand.

Intranet Goes 2.0
Believe it or not, elements is the only fitness brand to offer a full service information and training intranet.
The owners intranet has served us well, and we have added literally 1,200 training tools, resources, tips, mini-handbooks, and forms. We have been researching new technologies that will allow us to transform the intranet into a “dashboard” for all clubs, fitness franchisees, and central team members. The “dashboard” would include a better-organized access to the hundreds of training options, as well as a better way for us to deliver news, updates, and brand items to you and your entire team. It will have varying security levels to allow, for example, front desk employees to access certain levels of information, while owners can access a complete set. Overall, the “dashboard” will provide a better-organized way for us to manage the growing amount of training tools, enabling club managers to understand and easily access these resources.

We will also be developing video training for some key sales, marketing, and operational topics, which will greatly assist in staff development at the club level.

The official Workout of ______ Hotels!
We are working to secure a deal with a major international resort chain to brand their fitness and lifestyle amenities as “elements living.” Brand-name amenities improve a guests experience at a resort, and for us, it is a powerful way to expose thousands of upscale guests to our brand. There are many synergies that can develop from this relationships… and we will keep you posted

For more information on business opportunities including obtaining a stock prospectus on elements group, click here.

We have been hard at work to continue to grow and position elements as the leading brand in womens fitness. I thought it would be great to share a listing of some of the exciting projects that are currently in our development pipeline.

- elements stories – a new “social” website which will connect the corporate site, magazine, and BalanceD diet. elements is a special brand – we are a collection of people who are making it happen…. entrepreneurs, survivors, motivators, leaders, mothers, daughters…. although each of us is different there is so much which is similar…. We will be “weaving” stories throughout this site….. stories of our club owners, members, friends, family members… women who are transforming their lives through being a part of the elements movement….. We will be taking all of the member testimonials (and continually adding) to create a dynamic, interactive experience….. My thinking is that this will be an incredible membership sales tool, a entertaining website for current members to visit and interact on, and a market differentiator for us – elements will be the only fitness brand with a live, growing social network. before/after pics, stories, motivation, overcoming…. from across the country, we will see the bonds that tie, and watch a community be built (Jan 2009 launch)

- New supplement line! – we have some great developments in store here! The line is coming together nicely… we are still asking for as many survey responses as you can get – my goal is to have 500 individual surveys prior to making any development decisions on the products – we would like (if possible) a true cross-sampling from all clubs, all ages, and all potential buyers…. this will be a significant revenue center for your club, we want to ensure the new brand and products is the best possible fit! (Projected Mar/Apr 2009 launch, products will be available for purchase in-club and also commissioned online)

- elements television network – We are about a month from announcing “elements TV” – a full entertainment system and network inside the clubs. Music videos (with top selections for our target audience), tips from the advisory board, healthy tips, and branded “shorts” – commercials set to music that you can select and run for all things elements: the latest magazine issue (more readers is better exposure and retention for you), personal training ads, testimonials, diet coaching ads, supplements (once launched), specialty classes and more. elements TV is a complete, expertly branded entertainment experience which will take the club experience to the next level – best news is we are working on a major corporate sponsor (Victoria’s Secret, lancome, or Estee Lauder type) to underwrite 80% of the ongoing cost of the network, implementation and production! (Ready in-club Mar./Apr 2009)

NEW CLUBS! We are very excited for our newest club openings… Columbus, Ohio and Madisonville, KY are already in presale. We will very soon have some great new cities coming online including… Aventura, Orlando, Toronto, Greenwich, and California. In addition, we have some exciting developments in the works…Expect some big things in 2009!

Stock Offering: Miami Beach, FL – 11/01/08 – elements™ is pleased to announce the launch of their new stock offering program through our parent company, ELEMENTS GROUP. Franchisees, vendors and investors will now be able to purchase stock and own a piece of the fast-growing fitness and lifestyle brand.

Set to correspond with the introduction of the new stock offering program, elements™ has also created a robust corporate business website at www.elementscentral.com to keep investors informed and generate interest for potential investors. The “elements central” site will offer real-time announcements, annual reports, brand previews and strategic information about all facets of the company.

For more information on business opportunities including obtaining a stock prospectus, click here.

What an exciting time of the year to be able to announce our expansion into the consumer products space. elements has been growing steadily since 2004, to emerge as the category leading fitness brand for women. We have been heavily investing into the creation of consumer portals and networks, such as our elements living magazine, our All Star Fitness Advisory Board, BalanceD interactive Diet, elements living TV (coming soon!). Possibly one of our most exciting announcements comes at the end of this year… the birth of Oceånica, by elements. Our creative team has developed a genious offering with Oceånica products…. the beautiful, smartly designed line will feature organic and very potent anti-aging, slimming, and health enhancing ingredients. Over the next few months you will see a very exclusive line of weight loss products unveiled.

Having an exclusive, well-designed line will help the elements brand in many ways, including adding a powerful new revenue stream for franchisees, a great addition to the wellness experience for members, and an important “star” to allow elements into some of the top fashion and lifestyle books. Look for many exciting announcements to be coming about Oceånica, our products, and our launch parties very soon!

Many first-time business owners do not know that, in commercial real estate, it is normal for a professional landlord to pay “TI” (tenant improvement) money as an incentive to attract popular national tenants to their center. The more favored a brand is, the more “TI” money the landlords are willing to pay to attract that brand to their center.

This makes good sense for landlords, the best “anchor” tenants quickly define the image of the Plaza, and the ultimate long-term success. Many landlords do not want to re-invent the wheel here, so they will follow the lead of other successful landlords and plazas nationally. Owners of great brands can offset a larger portion of their initial startup and construction expenses through a landlord contribution. elements has been very popular with landlords since the beginning. Our clubs have great curb appeal for a plaza, and attract one of the top buying demographics (upper income women, age 30-65) to the plazas on a repeat basis. As a result, elements and our startup team has always had excellent results with landlord negotiations. (we help to negotiate all leases on behalf of our franchisees)

I have said many times that we believe this is one of the best times in history to open a business in the US. Economic trends have converged to make this an excellent time to negotiate a lease, as landlords are sweetening their deals to attract key tenants to sign leases. We are seeing “TI” amounts double what they were last year, and long free rent periods, typically one year or more. Wow… what an exciting thought for any business owner -being provided a “turn-key” space, and a full year of no rent expense.

I heard one time that the definition of luck is luck is when preparedness meets opportunity. Successful entrepreneurs will think themselves very luck to be able to launch their businesses this year.