The Fit Guide Brings Fitness Rating System to Australia
Sydney hasn’t scored as well as other cities when it comes to fitness club categories such as services and public areas
The Fit Guide is continuing its global expansion, bringing its independent fitness club rating system to Sydney, Australia. As The Fit Guide has scoured New York, London and Singapore to discover which clubs are delivering the best overall client experience, it’s been eager to examine Sydney, recognizing the city as one of the world’s leading fitness hubs and the birthplace of many boutique fitness brands.
For those still unacquainted with The Fit Guide, the concept serves as an unbiased international rating system for fitness enthusiasts to discover top boutique studios and experiences in their area or cities where they are traveling.
On the business side, The Fit Guide aims to help fitness operators create five-star experiences. Clubs have private access to their results across several categories, with the option to access a comprehensive report that details all standards and observations. The in-depth look allows operators to identify areas of excellence and areas needing improvement.
“Many of the world’s leading fitness brands have come out of Australia, so we were very excited to launch there and see what the data would tell us,” Jack Thomas, fitness industry veteran and co-founder of The Fit Guide, told Athletech News.
Trouble Down Under?
While Thomas says The Fit Guide has seen some strong concepts, coaches and brands, he admits Sydney scored poorly compared to other cities in the categories of services and public areas.
“It was interesting to see many coaches and instructors were also in charge of front desk duties, with some juggling their responsibilities deftly whilst others struggled to provide good service across the board,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how Melbourne compares when we launch next year.”
Among the evaluated fitness clubs, only Vive Active, Double Bay, an athletic reformer Pilates studio, took home The Fit Guide’s 5-Star Award. Another 19 clubs received a 4-Star Award.
Although Thomas admits the Sydney launch and accompanying report “may ruffle a few feathers,” he hopes The Fit Guide ignites positive conversations around raising the bar.
Matt Lavender, co-founder of The Fit Guide and CEO of Enlites, a hospitality consultancy, says that the reports offer a fresh layer of accountability for fitness businesses.
“Having lived and worked in the city, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of health and fitness in the lives of Sydneysiders,” Lavender said. “The upcoming launch is a chance to celebrate and showcase Sydney’s top fitness clubs and studios with them.”
As The Fit Guide looks ahead, the rating system is launching soon in Dubai, in conjunction with the Dubai Active show.
