Summary:
editClub Industry Magazine1 called Clark Hatch “a cross between Marco Polo and Jack LaLanne” and the appellation is appropriate for a physical fitness “missionary” who explored Asia, bringing the word on improving health via exercise and nutrition. Starting in 1965, Hatch opened fitness centers in 14 Far East countries, usually the first such facility in each nation, and then expanded into Australia, India, the Middle East and the USA, for a final total of 120. Now retired, he oversees an active organization of 41 centers from Honolulu to Katmandu. Over the past 45 years he estimates he has helped some one million men and women along the path to fitness and improved health. Hatch’s formula for success was to partner with five-star hotels as they opened in Asian capitals, install a modern exercise facility, staff it with trained managers and develop two revenue streams: paid memberships from among the local business and diplomatic community and day use by guests of the hotel. This system showed consistent profits as he continued to expand into new territories including Vietnam, Cambodia and Nepal. Currently there are 41 active centers in nine Asian countries plus Hawaii and Guam. Clark Hatch Fitness Center Locations
Books:
editIn 1970 he wrote his first two books: Physical Fitness: A Practical Way, published by Charles Tuttle, and ''Taikaku Kaizen Training-ho'' (Training Method to Improve Physique) together with “Mr. Japan” Mitsuo Endo. Hatch’s third book, Clark Hatch Fitness Centers Instructors Manual, was first printed in 1974 and, updated periodically, is still in use at all Clark Hatch Fitness Centers. His fourth book, Clark Hatch: Fitness Ambassador to Asia, an illustrated autobiographical account of his business adventures and success, is scheduled for publication in June, 2010.
Awards:
editMayor’s Award, Seoul, Korea, 1975, Plaque of Appreciation
Certificate of Merit, Honolulu, Hawaii City Council, March 23, 1978
Governor's Commendation, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 6, 1999
References:
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JAPAN TIMES, July 7, 1965, Personality Profile by Vivienne Kenrick, “Clark Hatch”
JAPAN TIMES, November 6, 1965, Times at Bat by Mas Manbo
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS (Japan), December 4, 1966, “Clark Hatch Physical Fitness Center”
HONGKONG STANDARD, March 19, 1975, (p. 5) This Is Hongkong by Marsha Prysuska
AMFAC CENTER NEWSLETTER, December 1, 1976 (cover story) “New ownership”
STRAITS TIMES (Singapore), October 19, 1979, “Hatch has challenge for the fit”, by Ken Jalleh Jr.
BANGKOK POST (Thailand), April 16, 1980, “Clark Hatch Health Centre opens today”
CHINA POST (Taipei), July 10, 1980, “Hatch Phys. Fitness Center opens”
BANGKOK POST (Thailand) February 18, 1981, by Jim Wolf, “Proving a point – with muscles”
THE KOREA TIMES, February 18, 1981, “Physical contest held to salvage Asian honor”
SEATTLE TIMES, July 5, 1981 (p. B6) Fitness by Richard Buck, “Clark Hatch says he can save corporate dollars with exercise”
ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL, March 12, 1982, by Robert King, “Hatch’s Prescription for Keeping Fit in Asia”
FORTUNE, December 27, 1982 (p. 11) In the News, “U.S.-style fitness centers in Asia”
DALLAS DOWNTOWN NEWS, April 11-17, 1983, by Kit Bauman, “Adolphus imports well-known Pacific health club”
SHAPE MAGAZINE, November 1983, by Pamela Lechtman, “Fitness Is Portable!”
BANGKOK POST, August 14, 1984, “Demand rights for pure air, non-smokers”
SINGAPORE BUSINESS, August 1984, (p. 65) “Clark is hatching more centres”
PACIFIC BUSINESS NEWS, February 6, 1984 (p. 5) by Al Watts, “No-nonsense fitness proves Hatch’s forte”
FORTUNE, April 2, 1984 (p. 100) On the Road, review of Dallas Clark Hatch Center
CLUB INDUSTRY, November 1987, 7-page cover feature, “The Hatch Dynasty”
DAILY YOMIURI, February 5, 1991 (p. A9) by Patrick Killen, “Clark Hatch Makes Fitness Respectable”
STRAITS TIMES (Singapore), May 25, 1993, by Yeo Hwee Yng, “Fitness staff pass pinch test with flying colors”
CLUB BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL (IHRSA) April 2005 (p.49) “Asian Explorer” Refer to: [1]