Posted by on Dec 2, 2015 in Technology | 0 comments

MGM 3.0 Webinar Recap – Action Required

Thank you to all who joined our webinar! If you were unable to attend, you can watch the recorded version here. We are officially in the pre-release phase, and just 24 days away from the launch. Below are the important action items that all gyms must complete as soon as possible. TODAY, DECEMBER 2ND – PRE-RELEASE PHASE Visit the test site and log in with your current MGM credentials: http://mygym.cloudapp.net/extranet NOTE: Please copy and paste this link into an alternate browser from what you normally use for the current MGM and extranet, or you may experience system errors. Download and print the Site Navigation Guide to help you locate functions, and visit the Help Desk (on MGM 3.0) for tutorials. Visit the ADMIN menu and go through each and every section to verify your settings are correct. (e.g., gym information, fees, party packages, articles, etc.) Key Locations: ADMIN > GYM > ALL SUBMENU ITEMS Verify your gym location information, fee/tax settings, online booking options, etc. ADMIN > WEBSITE > ALL SUBMENU...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 29, 2015 in Technology | 0 comments

WordPress Notices of Password Change

Over the past week, you may have received several emails from WordPress confirming a password change. The email account on file is sent this notification each time you log into the extranet. The most important thing to know is that nothing is technically broken, and you have not been hacked. To further explain what is happening, our passwords are, in fact, being changed every time we log into the extranet. This is a background process that has been unseen by the user until now; the email notifications were being suppressed. Because we had to activate another feature in preparation for the MGM 3.0 upgrade, our ability to suppress these emails has been affected and we have to let them go through for now. Since we are so close to the launch, we have decided to keep our efforts focused on that during this time. When MGM 3.0 is released, you will no longer receive the WordPress notifications. Thank you so much for your patience. We apologize for the...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 25, 2015 in Products | 0 comments

Save 25% on My Gym Retail Holiday Gifts!

Spread My Gym holiday cheer to members, friends, and family.  Save 25% on the following My Gym products now through 12/7/15: My Gym & Melissa & Doug Mymo Time! Wooden Stamp Set My Gym & Melissa & Doug Learning Mats Mymo Plush Hand Puppet Mymo-stache T-Shirt These items make great holiday gifts.  Stock up now and display them in your gyms so your members can buy them for the holidays.  Click here to order from ShopMyGym.com.  These items are in the Holiday Gifts...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 24, 2015 in Products | 0 comments

My Gym Birthday Party Favor Pack – Updated Contents and Lower Price

Attention My Gym Franchisees:  The amazing My Gym birthday party favor pack has slightly changed.  The bag now says “Celebrate” instead of “Happy Birthday” so you can now use it for more occasions.  In addition, we added a fun new item: the My Gym branded disc shooter.  In order to avoid a price increase, we had to drop the punch ball, saucer, and spin top, all of which were unbranded.  In fact, we ended up lowering the cost to gyms from $126 to $120 for a case of 60 packs, which is a savings of almost 5%. What hasn’t changed is the fact that the birthday party pack is still a huge convenience and great value for parents.  It’s a simple way for gyms to earn extra income from their parties while providing a great service for their members. The birthday party favor and theme party flyers have been updated to reflect the changes to the favor pack.  Obtain the new versions on the Extranet and update your website...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 23, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

A letter from our partners at Bambo Nature

Dear My Gym Franchise Owners and Staff, We are so excited about our partnership with My Gym and want to personally thank you for promoting our diapers in your gyms. In the last couple of months, we’ve had the opportunity to visit some gyms across the country, and it’s been wonderful to see your efforts and support!  We at Bambo Nature want to ensure we are continuing to support each and every one of you.  Below are some information and suggestions to help make this program a continued success: You can always request more diaper samples and poster replacements by emailing us directly at info@bambonatureusa.com or, as you have been doing, by emailing marketing@mygym.com. Tell us what you are needing, and we will be sure to send it out! We can also provide some recommendations on poster and sample placement. We will be providing upgraded signage materials as well as a new offer and new sample packaging in January 2016.  Please let us know if you do not receive...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 23, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

“Where’s Mymo” Social Media Photo Contest – IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

We’re more than halfway through the contest, but there’s still time.  Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join in on the fun! Thank you to everyone who has already liked and shared the contest on your social media pages and has also encouraged participation in your gym.  To date, this is our most successful contest yet, yielding a whole bunch of views, likes, shares, and POSTS by our fans!  Here are just a few of the pics: To see more of the photo contest entries, just search #WhereIsMymo. WE CAN STILL MAKE IT EVEN BIGGER!!!  Those of you who haven’t jumped on board yet, please remember that, if we all participate, it will provide us 10s of thousands of impressions!  And, to those of you who have already participated, please share our posts again! This contest is such a great interactive way to connect with our customers, and participation is simple! (Click this link for the contest flyers, including rules, directives, and the Mymo cutout. Feel free to...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 20, 2015 in Products | 0 comments

New My Gym 2-in-1 Magnetic Photo Frame & Calendar and Holiday Stickers are here!

Just in time for the holidays, ShopMyGym has two great new products to share with you. Mymo Holiday Stickers are fun and colorful and perfect for giving to kids, putting on holiday gifts and cards, and more. The stickers are 2” in diameter, and there are 300 stickers and two alternating designs on each roll. Looking for the perfect holiday/New Year’s gift for your members? Well, check out the new My Gym 2-in-1 Magnetic Photo Frame & Calendar! This memorable promotional giveaway features a rectangular punch-out design so your members can use it as a calendar AND a photo frame. For gyms that host Cookies or Cocoa with Santa, this is a perfect gift to give guests with a photo as a memento of your special event. You can also use this as a thank you gift or marketing tool for current and prospective members as well as local schools and businesses. With this frame and calendar on refrigerators, desks, walls, and more, My Gym is sure to stay...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 18, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Marketing Update: Mid-November Reminders

NEW HOLIDAY MYMO’S MEMOS ISSUE AVAILABLE NOW! The latest issue of our Mymo’s Memos customizable newsletter is now available in Global Emails > E-Newsletters for your use. It contains informative articles, fun tips & jokes, and the latest My Gym news. You can insert articles and announcements of interest to your members, and share “All the news that’s FIT and FUN!” with My Gym families in your area. REMINDER: THE HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN SHOULD NOW BE IMPLEMENTED. Please update your marketing materials to reflect the 2015 Holiday Campaign. This campaign runs November and December. For full information regarding this campaign, please refer to the My Gym Holiday Campaign – Materials & Merchandise. REMINDER: Black Friday & Cyber Monday MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE. Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30) are approaching. Now is a great time to plan your promotions and marketing. For full information regarding the available Black Friday and Cyber Monday marketing materials, digital elements, and suggested promotions, please refer to the October 13, 2015 Marketing...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 13, 2015 in General | 0 comments

Important Payroll Consideration

Please be reminded that the recommended and preferred term to pay staff is twice a month – the 1st and the 15th, for example. This helps with budgeting and is a cleaner way of handling payroll all around. If you are paying every two weeks, this is a great time to make the change, with the New Year coming up. Starting it on January 1, 2016 will make this transition very clean. Please contact the MGE Financial Division with any...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 12, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Azul Promotion and Contest

AZUL- In-Gym Discount Promotion and Contest The current Azul customer discount promotion and contest, which provides for a six-day/five-night trip (airfare not included) for the winning family, will end December 15. In early 2016, we will launch an all new Azul contest and discount promotion that will feature much higher savings for our customers who wish to book a trip to Azul. Look for details of this new program in early January. In the meantime, if your gym needs more of the current promotional flyers, please email marketing@mygym.com. And remember, each quarter, the gym with the most customer entries will also win a six-day/five-night trip. (Subject to availability and blackouts – A minimum of 50 entries per quarter is required in order for a gym to be eligible. Winning gyms will be notified by...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 10, 2015 in Technology | 0 comments

Important MGM 3.0 Update & Webinar Registration

In January, we announced a list of upgrades coming to MGM this year.  What we left out in that update is that we have been hard at work changing many things as they pertain to My Gym technology.  We are very excited to announce these changes as the release date approaches. MGE is now the official owner of MGM. Gene Levi (Jenmark), who has been the vendor for so many years, has agreed to change our relationship and is now an employee of MGE.  We have also added several other resources to the technology department in order to deliver the best possible product to our franchisees. The new system is called MGM 3.0, but it is much more than that.  MGM 3.0 is now a combination of both MGM and the extranet.  This process was long overdue, and we are excited to announce it today.  There are many benefits to combining the two areas, as you will soon see. Support and technical assistance protocol remains the same but will...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 9, 2015 in My Gym Foundation | 0 comments

Now Zach can sit on his own…

THE CHILDREN YOU HELP:  Meet Zachary Thank you to everyone who helped fundraise for MGCA through Halloween Parties and other fundraising events. Zach has Cerebral Palsy, is immobile and nonverbal, and has very little trunk control. Because of you, MGCA was able to purchase a GoTo seat for Zach, which allows him the opportunity to be more independent and actually sit with his family at the dinner table. Zach’s mom expressed her gratitude when reaching out to MGCA: “I wanted to say thank you again for the gift of the Firefly seat. My son Zachary is having the best time when we are out. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since we’ve been able to shop or go to a restaurant without adjusting him repeatedly in his high chair or cart because he’s tipping over and doesn’t have the core strength to hold himself up. Now he sits comfortably without being propped up with paper towel rolls, lol. Thank you again from a very appreciative family!!” MGCA...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 6, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Reminder: My Gym Social Media Photo Contest

Our third social media contest of the year is well on its way to becoming a great success! Thank you to everyone who has already Liked and shared the contest on your social media pages and encouraged participation in your gyms. Remember, if we all participate, it will provide us 10s of thousands of impressions!  The “Where’s Mymo” Photo Contest is a fun, engaging, and interactive way to connect with our customers and further market/brand My Gym, and participation is simple!  (Click this link for the contest flyers, including rules, directives, and the Mymo cutout.) International gyms are encouraged to join in the fun as well! Use the Mymo cutout as a craft at your next Parents’ Night Out or Holiday Camp! Every photo posted has a chance of winning.  Five winners will be randomly selected to receive a $100 My Gym credit.  When winners claim their $100 gift cards at their gyms, MGE will reimburse the full amount!  The winners will be announced on all social media pages...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 6, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Hyland’s Homeopathic – Free Sampling Program

The next phase of the Hyland’s Homeopathic Free Sampling Program is here!  Each gym will receive a free shipment containing all of the materials you will need to execute the program, which runs for a month from November to December, 2015. The samples and coupons should be made available to all customers from 11/12/15 to 12/12/15 or until supplies are gone, whichever occurs first. The materials include: 900 Hyland’s Homeopathic Cold ‘n Mucus 450  3”x 5” coupons for Hyland’s products 1 counter card Please place the counter card near the samples and encourage parents who are interested in doing so to take the survey AND feel free to take multiple samples along with the coupons. Upon commencement of the program, please snap a quick picture of the samples and literature display and send it to marketing@mygym.com. We have taken every possible precaution on our end to avoid the damaging of products during the packaging and shipping process, and we’re confident that each gym will receive their materials fully intact....

Read More

Posted by on Nov 3, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

2016 Marketing Plan – New Year Campaign & November Marketing Reminders

2016 Marketing Plan – New Year Campaign Materials Are Ready! January is quickly approaching, and that means it’s time to prepare for the first marketing campaign of 2016. To help you execute the themed campaign in your own gym(s), the following are ready for you to access: Marketing Materials Package (Operations Manual > Marketing Manual > 2016 Marketing or search “NCNY16”) The January 2016 Marketing Materials package is available as a zip file on the Operations manual. Just download one file and you’ll have a completely organized package that includes digital artwork, social media promotional copy and profile pictures, press release and article templates, planning lists, and more! Web Splash Page (Edit Website > Gym Information > Special Offers) Access, customize, and activate your campaign splash page to link to your New Year Campaign web article. Exact Target Emails (Global Emails > Campaigns) Campaign-themed global email options Mymo’s Memos – New Year Themed e-Newsletter (Available January 1st) We strongly request that all gyms at least send the e-Newsletter out...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 2, 2015 in General | 0 comments

Changes in Accepting Face-to-Face Credit Card Transactions

A new fraud reducing technology known as EMV (EuroPay, Mastercard, Visa) has been implemented in the Unites States for credit card transactions. EMV is a worldwide credit card security standard that supports chip-and-pin or chip-and-signature technology, which shifts the liability from the Processor to the Merchant. EMV will be most prevalent in the retail and restaurant industries.  It relates to face-to-face transactions only.  EMV has no association with, or effect on, recurring billing. To be 100% compliant, MGE recommends obtaining an EMV-compliant terminal.  Gyms will use this terminal to process credit cards for face-to-face transactions such as enrolling after a guest class.  They account for approximately 5% of a typical gym’s total transactions.  They will not be tied to MGM, meaning the transaction will not be listed in MGM without a manual entry. An EMV-enabled terminal can be leased from Global Payments for approximately $5.00 per month.  For more information on the EMV terminals, contact Julian Brain with Global Payments at...

Read More

Posted by on Nov 2, 2015 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

WEBINAR: Making the Most of Large Classes – Control, Discipline, and More

Winter is coming, and with it brings a new set of challenges in the gym: large classes!  This is a wonderful “problem” to have, though it does require a different mindset in order to retain top quality.  Join us for a discussion and information on discipline, mat control, timing, and tips & tricks to make your larger classes successful ones.  This webinar is geared toward all staff, and will take approximately 30 minutes. This webinar is scheduled, by design, to take place when you’re likely to be having your Monday Meeting.  Please use this webinar as a training topic during the meeting.  If you’re on the One Year Training Plan, items you intended to review can be tabled until the following week. IMPORTANT NOTES: We make every effort to place these webinars during times we feel will work for most of the My Gym Family.  Of course, this is not always possible, so a recorded version of the webinar will be posted in the Tutorials section of the extranet. ...

Read More

Posted by on Oct 30, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Marketing Survey Reminder – Last Opportunity

Last Opportunity: Survey- Marketing and Sponsorships We need your feedback to better serve you! As per the update sent on October 7th, the MGE Marketing/Sponsorship Division would like to remind you to please take JUST 5-8 MINUTES to complete the following survey.  This will be the last opportunity you have to take the survey, and your participation would be greatly appreciated.  We consistently strive to provide our franchisees with the best marketing services, vendors, and materials.  Additionally, we have a goal to seek out and establish the most beneficial marketing and sponsor programs. Franchisee satisfaction is of paramount importance to us.  In order for us to measure, assess, and improve in these areas, we need your feedback!  Please consult with your key staff as necessary to answer any questions. Unless you choose to fill out your name/gym location, your answers will be totally anonymous. Click here to take the...

Read More

Posted by on Oct 30, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

My Gym Social Media Photo Contest

MGE Marketing is excited to launch our third social media contest of the year! The “Mymo’s Adventures” Photo Contest is a fun, engaging, and interactive way to connect with our customers and further market and brand My Gym. If we all participate, it will provide us 10s of thousands of impressions! The directives are simple: Please like the “My Gym Children’s Fitness Center – Official Fan Page” on Facebook and, from the dropdown menu, select “Get Notifications.” We’ll be posting the contest details, links, and reminders throughout the duration of the contest for you to share on your social media pages. Also, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mygymfun to repost and share the contest with your fans and followers. Get your members excited by making announcements in class throughout the entire month. Encourage members and guests to click the link on your social media pages to review the contest rules and print out the Mymo cutout. You may choose to print out and distribute the Mymo cutouts along...

Read More

Posted by on Oct 28, 2015 in Products | 0 comments

Get the Premium Staff Shirt in Twelve Colors! Introducing the New Premium Tri-Blend T-Shirt

Now you can get the My Gym Premium Staff T-Shirt in twelve bright, amazing colors!  Regularly, this shirt is offered on ShopMyGym.com in red and blue, but we’re taking special orders now for ten additional colors. Because of its great comfort and construction, this premium tee has been very popular since its introduction almost two years ago.  So, when several gyms asked us for other colors, we didn’t hesitate to offer eight more. Plus, we’re introducing a new premium tri-blend staff T-shirt in a charcoal “tone-on-tone” design.  This tri-blend shirt is the softest, most comfortable shirt we’ve ever made.  It will make a great gift for your staff and special members. Hop onto ShopMyGym.com now and place your orders by Wednesday, 11/4, and you’ll have your shirts by the end of November.  You might want to order a few extra shirts to save for future staff members, or you can always put in a special request and we’ll make more for you at that time.   Click here to order...

Read More

Posted by on Oct 23, 2015 in Products | 0 comments

Get ready for MOVEmber with the Mymo-stache T-Shirt!

Movember is just around the corner.  For those of you who are not aware, Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health, and physical inactivity.  According to the Movember Foundation, this year there’s a new way to observe Movember: the challenge is to get active and MOVE every day of Movember – 30 MOVEs in 30 days; no MOVE is too big or too small.  So, we’re encouraging you and your members to support MOVEmber and wear your Mymo-stache T-shirt, grow a moustache (if appropriate), and MOVE every day during the month of November. If you don’t have a Mymo-stache shirt yet, click here to get yours from ShopMyGym.com now.  Be sure order extras for your members too.  ShopMyGym will donate a greater than usual percentage of revenues from the sale of all Mymo-stache T-shirts sold between now and 11/30 to My Gym Challenged America.  MGCA is...

Read More

Posted by on Oct 15, 2015 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

New Building Blocks Cycle and Poster!

Next week marks the end of our latest Mind and Body Building Blocks cycle.  Enjoy your respective Presentation Ceremonies, and don’t forget to give stickers for skill sheets (along with their usual ribbons) to all the kids for a job well done. Starting October 26th, you’ll embark on the next four-week Mind/Body cycle, as reflected in curriculum.  The first four-week cycle will go through the week of November 16th, at which point there will be stickers to hand out at the end of classes, but no Presentation Week.  The second four-week cycle will commence November 23rd and run through the week of December 14th, at which point there will be a Presentation Ceremony. Consequently, we’re making the materials – new Skill and Development sheets and the PDF for the Mind/Body poster – available now.  You can find them in the Operations Manual, in the Systems > Building Blocks folder. *New and noteworthy!* MGE is making a blank version of the Mind/Body poster available for franchisees.  Should you choose to...

Read More

Posted by on Oct 13, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

New Digital Ads, Black Friday & Cyber Monday Information, and 2016 Marketing Plan Webinar Reminder

Update:  NEW Digital Ads for Social Media Marketing MGE Marketing has increased the library of Digital Ads that are available for your social media use. These digital ads can be used on Facebook and Instagram along with your own customized posts to help promote your classes, events, campaigns and more. To view and download these new elements, visit the extranet and click “My Gym Marketing Library (logos, photos)”; then click “Digital Ads” to see all available pieces. Click an image to enlarge; then right-click and save image to download. New ads include Kidpower, Zumba, Buddy Month, Cardio Kids and more. We will continue to add to this library of images. Maximize and simplify your marketing while saving time with our Digital Ads! Please contact marketing@mygym.com with any questions. UPDATE: Black Friday, Cyber Monday Marketing Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30) are approaching. Now is a great time to plan ahead for your promotions. By using the Client Interface Promo Codes along with the available marketing materials,...

Read More