- Manage a 30,000 square-foot fitness center
- Started in 1998
- Participation: 1,400 of 20,000 (400% increase since 1998)
- Special features: More women’s exercise programming, space for women implemented
Elevation took over a 30,000-square foot fitness center at a 20,000-employee hospital operated as part of a nonprofit university. Until Elevation took over in 1999, the hospital had operated its own facility for 18 years.
Employees of several schools at the university pay $20 to $36 per month for membership, while students’ fees are paid by the university.
Among the improvements Elevation brought was an increased focus on women, who comprise 70% of the potential users. Changes were made to staff and a different mix of fitness classes were offered to better appeal to women. A women’s only area was introduced as well.
Within the first three years, Elevation doubled membership. Center membership rose by 400, to 1,400, with the completion of a fitness center renovation.
By 2012, Elevation increased paid membership by nearly 400% and added a 4,500-square-foot satellite fitness center (2005), paid for by revenue generated by the fitness center.
The fitness center, which always received a generous subsidy from the hospital, now is self-supporting and generating additional revenue. The additional revenue has paid to renovate the facility and upgrade equipment to offer a state-of-the-art center. The center acts as a recruitment tool for hospital staff, faculty and students. The financial success can be measured in the income that is about four times what the center generated prior to Elevation taking over management.
