Fitness centres in Malta

Abstract

CHAPTER I - FITNESS CENTRE OPERATION This Chapter treats some essential concerns: staffing; what staff members a fitness centre needs to operate efficiently and a variety of ways how to promote the facilities. Nothing contributes more to a fitness centre's success than a satisfied clientele. Satisfying clientele begins with establishing a "service orienta.ted" fitness philosophy and a staff that is dedicated to carrying it out. CHAPTER II - PSYCHO-SOCIAL ORIENTATIONS Women participants attending aerobic classes can be classified by two psycho-social orientations: "committed-trendy" and "medicinal-enjoyers". All the women in these categories attend fitness centres for different reasons and were introduced to the fitness centre they attend in a different manner as one can see from the Tables based on Questionnaire 5 (See Appendix). In this Chapter one can deduce the link established between the education one has received at school, how it has influenced participation and in what type of fitness class. CHAPTER III - FITNESS CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES Some Maltese fitness centres have been purposely built, others are old buildings converted into fitness centres. Whether they are new or converted, hotel owned or private, good planning must be done. The manager should be clear about why the facilities are being built and who they are designed to attract. In this Chapter Maltese Fitness Centres are criticized positively and negatively by comparing them with fitness centres abroad (as can be seen from the last two photographs of a fitness centre in Essex, England). Finally I gave my opinion on what should be done to have better facilities in Malta. Information about fitness centres in Malta was gleaned from a variety of sources: observation, analysis of documentary materials (brochures), informal conversations with staff and guests, questionnaires, crucially in-depth interviews with key personnel and lesson notes from a course* I followed abroad in Essex, England at the "Universal" premises.