Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the intention of using fitness app made available by the fitness centre to its members and their relationship with overall customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach: The present study uses the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) as the base model. All the hypothesised relationships were tested through partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), in a quantitative study with data from 1,676 fitness consumers from Portugal.Findings: The results support the ability of UTAUT2 in predicting the customer´s intention to use the fitness app. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and habit have a positive impact on behavioural intentions to use the fitness app. Performance expectancy and habit have the strongest relationships. Behavioural intentions are positively related both to the usage behaviour of the fitness app and to overall customer satisfaction.Practical implications: The results of this study present a strong contribution for fitness centre managers, since it highlights the importance of using these apps as a way to increase customer satisfaction, increasing retention levels.Originality/value: This study is paramount as regards to examine the behavioural intention to use the fitness apps that the fitness centres make available to their members using UTAUT2 model.

The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the determinants of fitness center service quality that most influence customer satisfaction. Studies were identified from searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO databases from 2017 through 2022. The search process was carried out by four independent researchers. Titles and abstracts were reviewed to determine whether the studies met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the reporting of the measures was assessed using a tailored list. The electronic search strategy produced 378 studies. A total of 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results of the review support the importance of service quality to improve customer satisfaction, leading to customers future intentions with the brand, increasing loyalty and customer retention. Therefore, positive perceptions of service quality influence customer satisfaction, in turn customer loyalty and retention, and are indispensable for the sustainability of these companies. Through the studies included in this systematic review it was possible to identify nine dimensions of service quality as predictors of customer satisfaction: facility quality, instructors and reception staff quality, price, supporting services, service recovery, service assurance, online marketing, and customer relations. This article provides useful and global information on the most current service quality factors. Given the fitness market's competitiveness, understanding the factors that influence service quality allows managers to better choose their strategies for increasing customer satisfaction.

This paper studies the effect of e-Lifestyles on the fitness industry. The aim is to investigate the (mediating) role of e-Lifestyles in the relationship between behavioral intentions to use the fitness center app, app usage behavior, and member overall satisfaction with the fitness center, i.e., explain whether e-Lifestyles allow us to better understand fitness center satisfaction or app usage intention. Results of 1403 members revealed that the relationship between behavioral intentions to use the app and the members’ overall satisfaction with the fitness center is positively mediated by e-Lifestyles. Results further demonstrate that there is a direct positive effect of behavioral usage intentions of the app-on-app usage behavior and overall member satisfaction toward the fitness center. The study adds to the literature on e-Lifestyles by demonstrating its significance in the context of fitness center management. This study helps managers conduct more thorough marketing plans and develop differentiated strategies and provides information for app designers.

O objetivo desta revisão sistemática é identificar a influência das redes sociais e tecnologias na retenção de clientes em ginásios. A pesquisa foi efetuada em quatro bases de dados online, de 2011 a 2019. Através do método PRISMA (MOHER et al., 2009), foram selecionados dez artigos. Os resultados evidenciaram que as redes sociais e o uso de tecnologias são fundamentais no processo de retenção. Após a análise dos dez artigos, foram também identificadas e analisadas as variáveis características pessoais dos sócios, frequência e tempo de utilização e qualidade do serviço e satisfação, como influenciadoras da retenção de clientes. Resumindo, este estudo fez uma revisão dos artigos que estudam o impacto das tecnologias e redes sociais na retenção de clientes em ginásios e ajudou a identificar outros fatores que incidem na retenção clientes, agrupando-os em duas dimensões, associadas à empresa e ao cliente.

Objective. Body image is a predictor of physical, psychological, and social health. Therefore, it can be an indicator for detecting health problems, to be used in the context of higher education. The aim of this study was to assess body image satisfaction in higher education students and to determine whether body image dissatisfaction is related to lifestyle behaviours and life satisfaction. Methodology. This study included 166 Portuguese higher education students. Body image was assessed using the Figure Rating Scale. Active choices during everyday life were assessed using the Active Choice Index. The questionnaire also included questions about sleep behaviour and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Satisfaction with Life was assessed using a five-item scale previously adapted for the Portuguese population. Results. There was a predominance of boys dissatisfied with thinness (26.10%), while the majority of girls revealed that they were dissatisfied due to being overweight (55.70%). The results indicate statistically significant differences between boys and girls in terms of body image categories (p0.05). Conclusion. Most of the students are dissatisfied with their body image, with the majority of girls showing dissatisfaction due to being overweight. Lifestyles and life satisfaction do not differ between students who are satisfied and those who are dissatisfied with their body image.

Purpose: This study aimed to propose and test a model that describes the different aspects and mechanisms that influence the behavioral intentions of fitness center customers by examining the relationship between service convenience, service quality and perceived value, comparing customers with and without PT service. This study is highlighted by the need for fitness centers to remain competitive and profitable and the fact that PT services are one of the top ten global fitness trends. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 412 fitness center customers. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test each proposed hypothesis. Findings: Nine of the ten hypotheses tested, between service convenience, service quality, perceived value and behavioral intentions, were supported. The results from bootstrapping supported the indirect effects of service quality and perceived value in the relationship between service convenience, service quality and behavioral intentions. The presence of the PT service affects the majority of the relationships in the model. Research limitations/implications: Customers with PT services may have different expectations and perceptions based on the cost associated with the service. Managers may consider adapting their service strategies to these distinct customer segments, offering differentiated service levels or targeted convenience improvements. Originality/value: The variables under study integrate a comprehensive model for fitness centers while innovating by incorporating PT services as a moderating variable, providing a differentiated view of how customer segments perceive and respond to fitness center offerings.