Sales is the lifeblood to continued growth of our business. Our Membership Consultants report directly to our Club General Managers. Their main responsibility is to attract and generate new Memberships. This includes a variety of activities such as promotional campaigns, face to face, phone calls and in-club presentations.

John Burt / Membership Consultant / Bournemouth

What does your role involve?
My role covers both tasks of a Membership Manager and that of the Membership Consultant. So not only do I need to manage a sales team but I also need to focus a great deal of effort into acquiring new members and hitting own individual targets as well as hitting the clubs targets.
I currently look after a close team of Membership Consultants. It is my job to make sure that they can do the job required, receive the correct training and are always supported and motivated when needed. I am required to hold daily morning meetings so that the team are briefed on the days events, the targets that are needed to be hit and how the previous day went. As the day goes by I will always be checking my teams activity and setting the correct approvals. We will set up many awareness and lead generation days including corporate wellness days, fun outreach events, festivals, family fun days, and then sometimes even hitting the town with leaflets, a clipboard and a pen.

Other duties include checking and submitting membership forms, completing monthly staff rotas, dealing with existing members queries and sometimes covering reception if needed.

What do you love about what you do?
Firstly I would say that I love the team that I work in, we have a great time both in and out of work. I have met some great people since I started working here and have made some great new friends. If I was being completely honest with this question I would have to say that I love the money that I make. Speaking as sales person, this is a large motivator and can say as a previous Membership Consultant, it can make a significant difference in your pay packet.

What’s the most challenging thing about your work?
The most challenging part of my job has to be dealing with the pressure that can be put on you to achieve your targets. This can be very challenging but for the right person, something you can thrive on. If you are willing to put the hours in and get the correct training it still remains a challenge but one that can be enjoyed and also one you can benefit from. There is a lot of challenges to juggle in a days work, I must deal with my day-to-day tasks and activities as well as hitting my individual sales goals, managing a team and making sure they hit theirs.

What do you do outside of work?
Outside of work my life consists of being a family man and raising my two kids and spending as much of my free time with them as possible. I also enjoy socialising with my friends and also my work colleagues which includes nights in or out, six a side football, enjoying music through listening or DJ’ing.

What has been the highlight of your time at Fitness First?
My promotion would be the highlight of my Fitness First career so far, even though there are many other highlights that I can think of.
When you first start working for Fitness First there is a lot of talk about career progress and promotions so when you receive one it gives you an enormous feeling of self worth and achievement. To know I can now go for future promotions and new career opportunities sets new goals for me and leaves a lot more highlights to be had in this company.

What’s your advice for someone considering a career in the fitness industry?
The Fitness Industry can be a very fun and exciting industry to work in as it is forever evolving and introducing new and exciting things. You get to meet a lot of new interesting people every single day and get to help people with their exercise and fitness goals.
Speaking as someone that is working in the sales and marketing aspect of Fitness First, I will say that you need to be strong minded, able to look after and achieve your own targets and be very willing to work in a team. The hours can sometimes be long, the targets can sometimes be tough but the rewards received can greatly out number them.