TIP 2: Ask the Right Questions
TIPS & TRICKS TUESDAY
You have a lot of equipment options to choose from in order to outfit your fitness center. When purchasing equipment for your facility, what questions should you be asking so as to maximize your investment? We know you’re a wise and informed buyer, and you’re doing your research. We’d love to help you take it to the next level! What are the most important things to consider? Here are some questions we’d encourage you to ask yourself, and your prospective equipment supplier.
GOALS
Ask Yourself: “What are my project goals?”
Throughout this tip we will reference your project goals. These are the most important considerations for you, and they are interwoven with the other considerations we will name. What do you want as an end result of this project? What’s the dream? Then, to be more specific, what matters most to you for this project? Is it budget, space, warranty, retention, REVpar, exerciser satisfaction, or something else? The answer to these questions should be of great interest to your equipment supplier.
Ask Them: How are you prepared to provide solutions to meet my project goals?
budget
Ask Yourself: “What is my budget?”
Your budget is one of your main qualifiers for purchasing equipment. The good news is, you can find solutions that will not drain your wallet and also will maximize your investment long-term.
Ask Them: How are you able to work within my budget and still meet my project goals?
quality
Ask Yourself: “Does quality matter to me?”
Never let someone try to convince you to settle for lesser quality. A quality product in the right tier for your usage is never out of budget. Ensuring quality equipment will boost your uptime and maximize your investment. It will also make for happy exercisers who will rarely see a “Sorry, out of order” sign.
Ask Them: What proof do you have that your equipment is reliable?
space
Ask Yourself: “How much space do I have?”
The amount of space you have available will decide how much equipment you can purchase, what equipment to purchase, and their total allowable footprint. More equipment isn’t always better. You're not looking for a vendor who will sell you the most equipment possible to fill your space, but one who will make the best use of it.
Ask Them: What equipment can you provide to fit within the space available while not sacrificing my project goals?
Demographic
Ask Yourself: “What is my demographic?”
What group are you trying to appeal to? Millennials? Baby boomers? Women? Families? If someone is recommending equipment to you, make them prove why it's good for the demographic you want in your facility. Your equipment selection should directly assist you in appealing to potential members, residents or guests.
Ask Them: How are you prepared to offer solutions for the my unique demographic?
Hopefully you now feel better equipped to face that big buying decision! Our market specialists are ready to hear your questions and answer them with the ideal solutions to meet your unique needs.