Interview with Ralph Scholz, Managing Director of "THE MIRAI", and Rainer Schaller, Managing Director of McFIT
body LIFE: In the future, it will be possible to work out for free at "THE MIRAI". But now there are also cooperations with local fitness clubs - how does that work?
Ralph Scholz: Yes, that's right, we won't be charging membership fees at "THE MIRAI". The planned use as a B2B platform will create cooperation opportunities and synergy effects that will open up other financing options for us. There will be trade fairs, congresses and also specialist events and, in addition, further financing models are planned with sponsoring, events and the rental of showrooms. The sale of trainee data, on the other hand, is not part of the financing concept.
On this basis, we are creating a marketing and business platform with "THE MIRAI" that is open to all market participants. Our core idea is to establish a center for the fitness industry that supports the industry, but also the gym operators, to develop new markets and target groups. It is important to emphasize at this point that "THE MIRAI" is not in competition with existing fitness facilities - quite the opposite: we want to get people excited about fitness who have not yet had any contact with it. Moreover, the spacious training area of "THE MIRAI" is not necessarily suitable for a quick workout after work. In our opinion, the regular, efficient workout then takes place again in the preferred and neighboring fitness club.
In order to prevent these concerns from arising among local fitness center operators, we initiated a working group with owners and operators of fitness centers in Oberhausen last year. The purpose of this working group is to jointly develop concepts and strategies that will generate members for the specialized fitness studios from "THE MIRAI" visitors.
body LIFE: What topics will take place in "THE MIRAI" in the future, what areas will there be?
Ralph Scholz: For example, there will be an interactive experience zone where movement becomes an event and thus increases the quality of the visitors' stay. In addition to numerous multimedia presentations that will increase motivation, a Kid's Gym will be set up where the youngest visitors can engage in playful and sporting activities. In the so-called center, the spatial center of "THE MIRAI", we are planning a place to linger with concept stores, an area with healthy food and several shopping and socializing areas.
For brands, we offer numerous event opportunities and live showrooms in our so-called Brandworld. The trade shows planned in "THE MIRAI" deal with the target markets of the future and are developed together with industry partners. The end consumer events combine the core topics of "sports," "health," "nutrition" and "fitness" and serve as a space for knowledge transfer. In the competence center, products can be accompanied from research and development to market maturity. Our training and further education partners ensure that future employees in the fitness industry will have the necessary qualifications in the future and pay dividends in terms of a positive image.
body LIFE: What future do you see, what vision do you have when you talk about "THE MIRAI" - for the facility itself, but also for the entire fitness industry?
Rainer Schaller: Our vision is to create a place with "THE MIRAI" where fitness is accessible to everyone - regardless of origin, age or income. A place that connects and inspires young and old, and a platform that stages fitness topics in an unprecedented way and offers space for innovation. The aim is to create a world of experience that is accessible to everyone free of charge. With "THE MIRAI" we bring fitness to the next level of social relevance and build THE center of fitness.
body LIFE: The opening of "THE MIRAI" has been announced for the end of 2019. Can the date be kept? What is the current status of things?
Ralph Scholz: In recent months, we have built up a highly competent core team that now consists of more than a dozen colleagues, many of whom are already on site and working from Oberhausen. We are deeply involved in the planning and preparation of the expert reports required for the building permit, are working on the business models, negotiating the first cooperation models, and so on. We are well on schedule and are optimistic that we will be able to open "THE MIRAI" in around two years.
Ralph Scholz (left), Managing Director "THE MIRAI", and Rainer Schaller, Managing Director McFIT (Photos: "THE MIRAI"; McFIT GLOBAL GROUP GmbH)
Source: body LIFE
Published on: 23 April 2018