Gyms – 2013 Ratings

You are viewing the archived 2013 award for gyms. Go to the current gym ratings.
Go to the current gym ratings.

Pumping iron and socialising go hand in hand, say two in five

gyms-2013It’s no secret that New Zealanders love a good workout, and according to our most recent survey results, fitness clubs are also an ideal place to make new friends and socialise.

Two in five gym-goers told us the gym is an important part of their social life, and more than a quarter socialise with other members away from their fitness club.

Kiwis aren’t just social butterflies; they’re fit ones too. Our results show more than half our respondents (55%) work out at their gym more than three times a week, and they take it seriously. Nearly 70% feel guilty when they miss a session at their gym.

The merging of these two common interests (socialising and exercising) in the form of group fitness classes has proven popular to some. Two in five prefer group exercise over individual weights workouts; women especially prefer these classes in comparison to men (51% versus 27%).

Jetts take off with two straight award-wins in New Zealand

If you’re looking for a new fitness club to help you lose weight or build muscle, consider Jetts: two-time winner of our Most Satisfied Customers Award – Gyms.

Along with similar wins in Australia, Jetts has received our 2012 and 2013 awards in New Zealand. This year, they have achieved five star ratings in overall customer satisfaction, value for money, gym access, flexibility of membership, and range of special offers available to members.

Another five star standout was Les Mills, who garnered top ratings for its equipment and facilities, group fitness options and staff availability. Other brands rated in this category were cityfitness, Contours and Configure Express.

Canstar Blue commissioned Research Now to survey 5,000 New Zealand consumers to measure and track customer satisfaction. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who regularly visited a commercial gym1 – in this case, 752 people. Brands must receive at least 30 responses to be included.

Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands that received three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10.

1 This does not include a home gym, or one part of an apartment / unit complex that respondents didn’t pay a membership fee for.

Overall customer satisfaction

Jetts were second-to-none for gym member satisfaction in this category – receiving five stars for overall satisfaction. Les Mills, cityfitness and Contours came next with four stars each, and Configure Express followed with three.

Value for money

Does the money you pay for your gym membership reap significant rewards? Customers of Jetts were most satisfied with the value for money of their membership, earning the brand five stars. Les Mills, cityfitness, Contours and Configure Express all followed with three stars each.

Access (i.e. opening hours)

Jetts earned five stars for the level of access in its gyms – perhaps unsurprising given it’s the only rated brand with clubs open 24/7. Both Les Mills and cityfitness (the former of which does offer 24 hour opening hours during the week) received four star ratings, and Configure Express and Contours each achieved three.

Equipment and facilities

Goals vary for gym-goers: some go to become the perfect human specimen, while others just want to keep their figure. Whatever your reasons, you’re likely to need a variety of equipment to get a varied workout. Les Mills received five stars for the equipment and facilities available to their gym members. Jetts and cityfitness achieved four stars in this area, and Contours and Configure Express followed with three.

Group fitness (e.g. classes)

Working out on your own terms is all good and well, but sometimes you need the push of others to get the best fitness result. Les Mills customers were most satisfied with the group fitness and class options available at their gym, leading the brand to five star achievement. cityfitness and Contours came next with four stars, Configure Express earned three, and Jetts received two.

Flexibility of membership

Jetts, famous for their ‘no contract’ slogan, received five stars for the flexibility of its membership – giving customers room to start and stop, or use their membership away from their home gym. Les Mills, cityfitness and Contours followed with three star ratings, and Configure Express achieved two.

Staff availability

Having professional staff on hand to provide advice and help can be invaluable for some gym-goers. Les Mills achieved five stars in this area, and were followed by four star recipients cityfitness and Contours. Both Jetts and Configure Express received three stars for staff availability.

Range of special offers

Jetts customers were most satisfied with the range of special offers available to them from their gym (e.g. no joining fee, trial passes, the option to bring a friend for free). Jetts received another five star rating, Les Mills received four, cityfitness and Contours achieved three, and Configure Express closed these results with two.