In your report on the closure of Alexander Health Clubs ("Alexander bosses summoned," Dec. 12, page 2), company chairwoman Candy Tang (唐雅君) attributed the shutdown to a "poorly performing economy, the fallout of credit and cash-card defaults and rising inflation."
From what I saw at Alexander, mismanagement was also likely a part of the problem.
I have been around fitness centers, as a customer and employee, for more than 20 years. I hold two certifications in personal fitness training (NSCA-CPT and ACE). I know a little something about gyms.
Cleanliness was a huge problem. Closing once a month for "major cleaning" was a joke. The facilities appeared no cleaner the day after a "cleaning." In fact, the same dust and debris could be found for weeks and weeks in corners of the fitness areas and on top of the shower stalls.
It seemed more like an excuse to save on payroll expenses. Gyms are germ factories, but Alexander's idea of cleaning the wet areas (showers and spa) appeared to be hosing them down with more water, which did nothing to get rid of the mold and mildew.
A quality gym does major cleaning daily. Custodial staff should be cleaning equipment and facilities throughout the day and night. This may have lost them some members.
It also appeared Alexander relied too heavily on membership dues for their finances. Membership sales revenue is not enough to support a health club. Gyms need to aggressively sell products in their shops, food and beverages in their snack bars and services, such as personal training and spa treatments. While Alexander had all of those things, it never looked like they pushed them much. I rarely saw personal trainers with clients nor did I ever see much effort by the staff to actively promote their services.
Alexander had some valuable assets. They had many convenient locations all over Taipei, which was the deciding factor for me when I chose their club. Their equipment, albeit inconsistent from location to location, was fairly complete and modern.
They had (according to them) more than 100,000 members island-wide. It's inconceivable that the Alexander management couldn't figure out a way to make it work. Instead, a lot of members are out of a lot of money.
Craig Dodge
Xindian
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