revealed my plans. Within a few hours ‘The Pool is the New Gym’
concept was formed.
After researching the companies that I felt would be best to work
with, we purchased 10 Aquabases from Aquaphysical; 11 bikes from
Aquaspin and 10 sets of resistance equipment from Aquastrength.
I formulated a plan to run pre-paid programs in 8-week blocks and
then rotate the equipment from site to site, giving all four of the swim
schools a taste of each program. Whereas it wouldn’t have been
feasible to spend $50,000 at one site alone, the ability to spread the
initial costs made it possible – albeit still a little risky!
The equipment delivered and program planned, it was time to
see, now that we’d built it, whether they would come…
So did they? After 12 months the return on investment was 140%.
The benefits go well beyond the financial of course. We have seen
a new clientele visit our swim schools, boosting our Learn to Swim
program and many of the other programs that we offer. We are
playing a part in encouraging a healthier community and offering an
exercise option for those who don’t enjoy going to the gym, going for
a run or riding a bike.
Of course, this venture was possible because we were able to
spread the cost/risk between four facilities, and their associated
budgets and membership bases. This doesn’t necessarily put such
We see gyms investing in state-of-
the-art equipment on a regular basis
…but rarely do we see $50,000 of aqua
fitness equipment rolled out
a program beyond your reach if you run an independent swim facility
or gym with a pool, however: what’s to stop you sharing the purchase
with other independent, non-competing facilities in other areas and
implementing a program of pre-paid 8-week blocks and then rotating
the equipment between your venues?
Will it stand the test of time? The early signs in 2018 suggest that
it will, but regardless of whether it does or doesn’t, we already know
that the risk proved to be worth taking, and this year we will back
ourselves by introducing a second set of bikes as well as Gymstick
H2O. In the words of Jim Rohn, ‘If you are not willing to risk the
unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.’
Julie Stevens is director of State Swim Unley, State Swim Mount Barker and
State Swim Seaford. She has been involved in the aqua industry for over 30
years. Julie is also owner and CEO of Active Training, an RTO specialising in
training industry professionals in all aspects of swim school operation, First Aid
and other health and fitness pursuits. stateswim.net.au
NETWORK WINTER 2018 | 57