The Business of Fitness: Understanding the Financial Side of Owning a Fitness Business

Noted industry founder, consultant and personal training expert Thomas Plummer puts his 26 years of experience into this all-encompassing resource on the business side of fitness. In sixteen chapters Plummer identifies five core topics that are crucial for those beginning a new fitness business or looking to build an existing business. In logical, easy-to-understand and apply language, Plummer covers such critical subjects as levels of maturity, building renewals and member retention, price structures, financial problem solving, reports and profit centers, business plans and strategic planning, as well as working with accountants, building premium programs, and much, much more. Large format with nearly 400 pages of information!

Thomas Plummer has over 20 years experience in the fitness industry. He is the founder of the Thomas Plummer Company, which currently has eight full-time employees and does approximately 22 major seminars per year. Thomas Plummer presents to over 4,000 people a year, including acting as MC for special events such as the national Powerhouse convention, writes numerous articles, and does independent consulting around the country. He has recently been featured on the cover of the IHRSA magazine and Club Insider.

In 1980, Thomas became the Vice President of Operations for ATA Fitness Centers located in San Francisco. This chain had 90 commercial fitness centers and 150 commercial martial arts schools. He was also a club manager and martial arts instructor in San Diego from 1980 to 1998.

From 1985 to 1989, he became the Vice President of Marketing for American Service Finance, the largest third-party financial-service provider in the industry. He was the Executive Director of the National Health Club Association from 1989 to 1990.

He created Thomas Plummer and Associates in 1991 and started a limited tour with industry sponsorship. In 1999, he reformed the company as the Thomas Plummer Company and added Lloyd Collins as president and partner.

Thomas attended Western Illinois University and then attended graduate school at the University of Arkansas. He is a 3rd-degree black belt and has been involved in martial arts since 1976.