Germany’s Elixia Health & Wellness Group has introduced a new programme called Get You Started at its 26 sites to aid the retention of new health club members.

The programme is focused upon achieving goals and includes an initial one-hour meeting with a personal trainer.

Members then have to visit the site 12 times in three months as well as attending two fixed follow-up meetings based around specific themes such as weight loss and nutrition.

Contact with members is also boosted via telephone calls, SMS and emails. Points are collected on each visit, which can be accumulated and exchanged for prizes at group meetings.

So far, according to regional general manager, Alexander Clauss, new members usage has increased, particularly in group classes and club use in general has become more frequent among new members.

“Get You Started makes going to the gym a more fun experience,” said Clauss.

“It is a lifestyle choice while, for new members, it means that you automatically get to meet people so frequency rises in club use.”