AusLeisure

The recently opened Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre (TRAC) is using social media to promote the weight loss achievements of one of its gym members.

With a film posted on YouTube (click on the link below), communicated to TRAC's followers on its twitter page, the Centre has promoted the journey of one its members, 'Mary' through TRAC's recent body transformation challenge.

The inspirational film charts Mary's fitness journey from a starting weight of 109 kilograms after the 2010 Christmas holidays, through to a weight of just 74kg six months later.

The film doesn't suggest that this transformation was a 'quick fix', emphasising how Mary trained for one to one and a half hours, six days a week over the six months.

It also emphasises that Mary's journey is ongoing, with her having taken on strength training activities in recent months.

Australasian Leisure Management Publisher Nigel Benton, is impressed by this use of social media, stating "the aquatic and recreation industry all-to-often fails to promote the role it plays in improving the quality of life of Australians so it is marvellous to see a centre such as TRAC getting out and doing this through social media.

Benton, who has long advocated improved industry communication, adds that "the growth of social media, and its massive adoption by Australians makes it imperative that all parts of the leisure industry use social media to engage with their clients, customers and/or members; and potential new markets.

"Social media presents so many opportunities for this industry so its imperative that the 'caretaker' mindset of traditional management is replaced by a culture of engagement.

"By promoting Mary's transformation, TRAC are imaginatively presenting a fantastic endorsement for their facility and programs that I would imagine has been delivered at a fraction of the cost of more conventional marketing approaches."

TRAC's software supplier, Links Modular Solutions, are also advocating the use of social media.

After the success of their Twitter account since its launch last year, the Links marketing team has decided to further their communications by using Facebook. In addition, Links will soon launch on YouTube and WordPress.

As Links Business Operations Manager Michaela Mania explains "Facebook now has more than 750 million active users, with over 50% of users logging in on any given day (and) for many businesses it has proved to be a valuable asset in maintaining consistent communication with their customers."

Mania adds that "in the aquatic, fitness and recreation industry there has been a rise in the types of users in more recent times.

"Swim Schools are using their posts to advertise weather closures and also to congratulate staff and share positive feedback, while new businesses are using it to notify new members of building progress.

"We all know that consistent communication with our customers is a valuable retention tool, and Facebook provides a platform for this communication to grow."

TRAC is also active on Facebook.

To view Mary's transformation at TRAC go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyHxFviecIs&feature=youtube_gdata 

4th October 2010 - LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR TRAC 

20th July 2011 - TRAVERSE WALL CLIMBING SOLUTIONS REACH NEW HEIGHTS

2nd June 2011 - EZYPAY REVEAL SOCIAL MEDIA SUCCESS AT FITNESS EXPO

24th September 2010 - OVER BUDGET THOMASTOWN RECREATION AND AQUATIC CENTRE OPENS

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