Helping Members Commit to Exercise: Specific Strategies to Impact the Climate at Fitness Centers

Abstract

Research has revealed that when individuals perceive a caring and task-involving climate in physical activity settings they are more likely to have positive experiences. The purpose of this paper is to provide fitness center employees with specific strategies for creating a caring, task-involving environment in their exercise settings. These strategies can help employees positively influence members’ overall exercise experiences. A variety of employee positions in fitness centers are targeted including front desk staff, membership, group fitness, personal trainers, supervisors and support staff.

KEYWORDS:

• exercise
• intrinsic motivation
• caring climate
• fitness center