YMCA of Greater Houston: How to turn a membership into a mindset

The YMCA of Greater Houston, a health and fitness brand, retained members in the USA by transforming membership into a mindset and empowering people to help the community.

Summary

How one YMCA chapter improved its community's health — by denying access to its gym — and transformed into a leader against health inequality.

The fitness industry is booming. It is fueled by millennials and Gen Xers who have latched on to boutique brands such as Orangetheory® and at-home disruptors such as Peloton®. This is in stark contrast to the YMCA of Greater Houston, which is seen as a tired gym with low- impact treadmills, water aerobics, and Jazzercise®. This perception was why the YMCA was losing relevance and, worse, losing members.

So, when we were asked for a...

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