THE BEST OF HFA MEMBERSHIP, PARTNERS, AND BENEFITS
Cultivating Home-Grown Talent
How Wisconsin Athletic Club educates and equips current and future leaders.
BY JULIE KING
The Instructor Training Program (ITP) helps keep talent in-house.
Misko
Executives at Wisconsin Athletic Club (WAC), a venerable brand with eight locations in the greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area, have found a solution to ensure their facilities are staffed with enthusiastic and knowledgeable team members: They send them to school—their school.
WAC University (WAC U) is a comprehensive training and development program that stands out for its breadth and depth—more than 100 courses each year—in an industry typically limited in employer-based education opportunities.
“WAC U plays a critical role in talent development, employee engagement, and internal promotion,” says Chez Misko, co-owner and COO of Wisconsin Athletic Club, which employs 1,300 team members. “The long-term value it brings to our culture, brand, and ability to attract and retain top talent makes it one of our most impactful investments.”
All team members participate in this unique employee benefit. Experienced team members can take advantage of a multitude of professional growth options, while entry-level staff gain education and opportunities for advancement.
Creating a Culture of Connection
WAC U launched in 2001 with a bold mission: “to create the most knowledgeable staff today and the leaders of tomorrow.” According to Misko, it has become a living example of the club’s core value of continuous improvement.
“WAC U has embedded learning and development into our culture, and transformed our organization by enhancing onboarding, developing internal leadership, and supporting talent acquisition and retention,” he says.
In addition to teaching the ins and outs of managing a fitness facility, WAC U cultivates connection.
“It has become second nature for us to personally invite fellow team members to participate, fostering a sense of inclusion, support, and team bonding,” Misko says. “We’ve created an environment where education is not only encouraged but also celebrated as a shared experience that strengthens both individual growth and our collective culture.”
“We spend zero dollars on external recruitment for department managers or leadership roles, as we exclusively promote from within.” Chez Misko
Wille
How WAC U Works
The following are some of the major features of WAC U:
● It begins right after hiring. Team members are introduced to WAC U during onboarding. New hires are required to take CPR and Club 101, a workshop that covers WAC’s history, philosophy, and differentiators.
● Management takes courses, too. New managers must complete a series of leadership courses on recruiting, interviewing, coaching, performance reviews, and human resource fundamentals. WAC pays employees for their time taking these sessions.
● Most courses are optional. “This approach fosters self-driven growth, making it easy to identify those who are truly invested in their development and future within WAC,” Misko says.
● Courses are arranged in seven modules. The modules are fitness, group fitness, leadership development, operations, personal development, sales, and service.
● Virtual options offer convenience. Workshops and educational sessions are offered quarterly live in person, live virtually, and pre-recorded on-demand.
WAC leaders also gain from the program by utilizing a learn-share-apply mindset.
“They gain new knowledge and skills for themselves and then bring those insights back to their teams—sharing what they’ve learned and modeling how to put it into practice,” Misko explains. “This creates a ripple effect whereby the benefits extend well beyond those who attended the course and strengthen the growth, capabilities, and culture of the entire team.”
Nikki Wille, WAC’s director of fitness, oversees the course schedule, collaborating with general managers, department managers, and directors to identify training needs and potential instructors. The leadership team uses annual performance reviews, team member satisfaction surveys, and manager feedback to determine relevant topics.
Many WAC U instructors are former students.
The WAC Inclusion Network (WIN) makes sure all are welcome.
Group fitness is a focal point of the school.
A Commitment to Community
Most course instructors are salaried staff members who are not paid extra to teach courses. Vendors and community experts offer some sessions at no cost to the club—such as real estate agents presenting on how to buy a home, or WAC’s 401(k) provider leading retirement planning sessions. Other outside presenters are typically compensated through membership credits.
“We first look internally for people who have demonstrated excellence in specific topic areas,” Misko says. “This peer-led model strengthens our learning culture and builds leadership organically.”
After every live and virtual workshop, participants complete an evaluation to provide feedback and offer suggestions for future topics. “This has led to improvements in course structure, delivery formats, and instructor selection,” Misko says. “It ensures that WAC U stays responsive, relevant, and shaped by the voices of our team.”
Also integrated as part of WAC U are courses accessible through Club Connect, an independent online fitness education platform. WAC’s fitness professionals can earn CECs through multiple class options. Each quarter, WAC rewards staff for completing Club Connect courses by entering them into a raffle. Every course completed earns one entry, and prizes include items like Yeti coolers, new sneakers, and more.
WAC U’s approach is evolving. The team is exploring microlearning formats, AI-driven personalization, and customized learning paths.
“These innovations will help us deliver more targeted, flexible, and engaging experiences—and ensure that our approach remains as dynamic and forward-thinking as the people we serve,” Misko says.
WAC U also offers inclusive programming such as She Matters, where a group of female team members encourage each other through periodic gatherings and presentations. The WAC Inclusion Network (WIN) offers various programs and volunteer opportunities to support diversity, equity, and inclusion among all staff and club members.
Setting a High Bar
Because no dedicated staff solely support WAC U, calculating the program’s specific cost is a challenge.
“While we don’t track a formal ROI, we firmly believe the benefits of WAC U far outweigh the costs,” Misko says. “Our experience has shown that untrained or poorly trained team members often struggle to deliver the level of service we expect, ultimately costing more in the long run. Investing in training upfront has consistently helped us improve performance and grow both income and profit.”
Plus, WAC U is a clear competitive advantage.
“We spend zero dollars on external recruitment for department managers or leadership roles, as we exclusively promote from within,” he adds. “This opportunity for professional growth is consistently cited as a reason team members stay with us, and it helps us attract top talent.”
Developing from within is part of the cost-effectiveness of the program. The Instructor Training Program (ITP) invites staff, club members, and non-members to learn to become group exercise instructors. Led by WAC master instructors, each eight-week program focuses on different modalities, such as barre, Pilates, yoga, and strength. More than 50% of WAC’s group fitness hires each year come through the ITP pipeline.
“This initiative not only develops the technical skills required for teaching but also expands opportunities for individuals to learn and lead new class formats,” Misko explains. “This strengthens our workforce and expands our community with people who are deeply connected to our values from the start.”
WAC U is fairly unique within the industry, Misko says.
“Today’s workforce expects employers to invest in their development, and having a structured program like this positions us as a forward-thinking, people-first organization, and enables us to train the leaders of tomorrow,” he says.
– julie.king1@comcast.net
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