While architects and engineers are essential for building, design and construction issues, they know very little about the actual operation of a fitness center or its integration with a wellness program. It is critical therefore to include wellness/health promotion and fitness experts in the planning process from the outset. Our team at AWI can fulfill this need. We have proven experience and expertise both in facility design and construction as well as in fitness and wellness program design.

Members of our team have worked closely with architects, engineers, and developers in the design and construction of numerous fitness facilities. Our projects have included commercial fitness organizations, schools, universities, work sites, government agencies, hotels, apartment complexes, and private organizations. You may contact us for a list of projects.

We will work collaboratively with your organization in any or all of the following aspects of developing a Wellness/Fitness facility that will seamlessly merge with your organization’s wellness culture.

Mission and Operation of Facility

• Create a mission, vision and/or values statement
• Design a strategic plan, and an effective operating system
• Design a facility that is congruent with your organization’s mission and operating systems, such that there is a synergy between programs and facility
• Work with architects and engineers to ensure that the facility design optimizes function as well as form.
• Monitor construction to ensure that every step in the process meets specifications. This will prevent costly mistakes and oversights that will delay your project or necessitate after-completion modifications and/or additions. (No-one wants subcontractors tramping through their facility making repairs after it opens for business!).

Selection, Purchase, and Installation of Exercise Equipment
We can determine the choice and permutations of exercise equipment that will best fulfill your mission, achieve your goals, and stay within your budget. Exercise equipment is a considerable investment, and must be carefully selected. The equipment you lease or purchase should meet your intended needs and be well suited to the programs you plan to implement. Too many owners and operators pick equipment based on looks, price, or how persuasive the equipment salesperson is. On too many occasions purchase of equipment is based solely on what the person responsible for the ordering likes to use! These are not smart ways to purchase equipment. To do it right involves a systematic approach.

At AWI we have been through this process many times. We use a multidimensional evaluation process beginning with your mission, goals, intended programs, instructional philosophy, and target population. We then evaluate potential equipment purchases for a range of factors including sound biomechanical and kinesiological function, cost, durability, maintenance history, size, ‘footprint’, and company history. We will select the right equipment for your organization, present you with a cost breakdown, order the equipment to complement the facility design, schedule timely delivery and supervise installation to assure correct placement of each piece of equipment.

Third Party Evaluation of Staff, Programs and Services
Virtually all large retail organizations hire “secret shoppers” to provide a true objective evaluation of the organization’s staff and services for management. AWI can provide your management or owners with an expert “second opinion” about staff members, and the services and programs in general. We have experts in all aspects of the wellness professions, and have years of experience evaluating the performance of wellness/health promotion and fitness professionals. We can evaluate your staff and services in one of two ways.

• Open Evaluation
  We inform staff members that we will be observing them as they perform their duties. We use a systematic approach to obtain both an objective and subjective evaluation of each employee, and each program or service your organization wishes us to evaluate. We submit a written report of our evaluations, along with our recommendations.
• Undisclosed Evaluation
  This is a “secret shopper” type of evaluation, in which our experts pose as members/clients, and sign up for personal training, participate in group fitness classes, etc. We compile an undisclosed evaluation on each designated employee, and report the results to management, along with our recommendations.

Health and Safety Assessment of Facility and Services
It is critical to all wellness and fitness organizations that patrons have a pleasant and safe experience with that organization. Nothing will sour a patron’s attitude toward your organization faster than sustaining an injury while they are using your facility, or as a result of unsafe instruction from your staff. Unsafe conditions and instruction are the sources of the vast majority of litigation involving wellness and fitness organizations. Virtually all wellness organizations have some sort of liability insurance, but this does not prevent injured patrons from filing negligence lawsuits even if they have previously signed a waiver form. Also, regardless of the results of any legal actions, you are never immune to public opinion. High visibility adherence to national health and safety criteria therefore is not only good business practice – it’s the right thing to do!

Identification of potential liability exposure issues for your organization and staff
AWI will provide you with a thorough health and safety assessment of your facility and services that will include:

• How well your facility complies with National Spa Management, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) facility guidelines.
• How well your member screening procedures, informed consents, and other orientation procedures comply with “Best Practices” for health and fitness/spa facilities.
• How well your organization complies with OSHA regulations.
• Assessment of your policies, procedures, and training for medical emergencies.
• Identification of any potential health risks or high liability issues.
• Appropriate recommendations and suggestions for maximizing health and safety.

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