What is it going to take to get you to the gym this year? A New Year's Resolution? Gaining 10 pounds? What about advertising? The following were done by gyms around the world to get people in and working out.
1. Office Party in the United Kingdom
This first one was a photocopied bottom on side, promotional message on the other and then slipped under workers' doors.
Source: Ads of the World
2. Barber shop in Egypt

Source: Ads of the World
3. Streeeeeeeeetch It Out in China
A chinese fitness center uses its entrance gates to look like a chest expander.

Source: Ads of the World
4. Heavy liftin' in Germany

Source: Adblogarabia
5. Elevators in the United Kingdom
Stickers showing two muscular arms were pasted on the outside of the elevator doors. Another sticker showing the torso of the body builder with arms stretched was pasted on the inside wall. When the lift door opened, the arms parted and looked as if the man is forcing the door open.
Source: Ads of the World
6. Abs of...brick? in Chile
Source: Frederik Samuel
7. Pole Dancing in Canada
It really is a class, now offered in many gyms. These were wrapped around street poles and read: It's probably best if you tell the kids that Mommy's at the gym. Poledancestudio.
Source: Ads of the World
8. Crackin' up...literally
Placed on the back of chairs for VIP Gym.

Source: Ads of the World
9. Weight lifting...in the grocery store in Canada
These grocery dividers for Gold's Gym were actually really heavy.
Source: Ad Goodness
10. Some more weight lifting...on your way to work
Source: Frederik Samuel
11. Print ad of Before and Afters
A great prink ad for Clark Hatch gyms with befores and afters.

Source: Frederik Samuel
12. Another one to crack you up
Notice the breaking billboard underneath the heavy man.
Source: Blogosfere
So are these good enough to make you think of joining a gym? Which is your favorite?
Amy Gifford
Marketing Innovations
InventorSpot.com
by Kate (not verified)
Great post!
Fantastic collection of ads! My personal favorites are the brick blend-in from Chile and the pole dancing - just enough to make you look twice, which is what it's all about!
by Anonymous (not verified)
lol
they are funny
by Anonymous (not verified)
I love the heavy supermarket divider
The heavy supermarket divider is by far the best. It brings humor, fun, surprise, and weight to the customer's mind, *without* directly bringing up the sensitive topic of body image. It's also a marketing concept that can be done in a family environment...some of the others aren't really appropriate where kids are around. I think it's also cute to put the actual weight outside of the gym. Who knows...someone may pick the divider up...enjoy the solid heft...and go to Gold's and start lifting.
The concept is a little bit like taking art out of a museum and putting it in a public space to awaken the senses/awareness of the public.
The second best is the pole...understandable by adults only, of course. The elevator door is cute and the office xerox is...well...the office xerox.