Profile of the Corporate and Commercial Fitness Industry

This investigation surveyed program directors and staff members of commercial wellness and/or fitness clubs, and corporate wellness/ fitness programs in major United States cities. It assessed the five following areas: qualifications and certifications, salary, programs and facilities, in-service and staff development, and exercise programs. A total of 489 questionnaires were sent to program directors cities across the United States. The applicable percent of return was 19%. The information was coded and then analyzed using descriptive statistics. Five of the seven hypotheses were supported. Unexpected results, where variations could occur, were found within the hypotheses.The findings included: Whereas program directors in the corporate area had more formal education than commercial program directors, commercial directors had more ACSM certifications. The staff in both sectors had equivalent formal education, but commercial staff had more ACSM certifications. Bonuses are used as incentives for increased membership sales in the majority of commercial sectors. Over half of the corporate sector required a physical exam before starting an exercise program. Less than half of the commercial sector required some form of fitness evaluation. Whereas each sector used different techniques of assessment, both sectors regularly assessed their programs and clients. The commercial sector offered more initial/orientation and in-service programs for their staff than the corporate sector. There were differences in many areas between corporate and commercial program directors (age, years in present position, salary, recommendations). Even though the survey had a small return rate, the study indicated trends within the fitness industry.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College of Education and Human Services

Grantor dc:publisher

Cleveland State University

Year dc:date

1987

Author dc:creator

• Gavelek, Colleen G.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Sheehan, Robert
• Klinzing, James

• Physical Education
• fitness industry
• corporate
• commercial
• wellness clubs
• fitness clubs

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1365517708

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:csu1365517708