Brand Associations of Cross Training Centers and Repurchase Intentions and Word-of-Mouth
Abstract
Introduction: Brazil ranks second in the number of CrossFit® boxes, the leading cross-training brand, behind only the United States. As a result, there is growing interest among managers of these brands in developing strong associations with the organization's image. Moreover, consumer loyalty is a fundamental condition for the development of any organization, and one of the ways to analyze it is through behavioral intentions. Objective: To identify the brand associations and behavioral intentions present in the minds of customers of cross-training centers. Methods: The study focused on participants from cross-training boxes in the metropolitan area of Recife-PE. It employed a descriptive quantitative approach, and the design was considered a survey. Data collection was carried out through an adapted questionnaire, disseminated online via Google Forms. The data were tabulated in Excel 2019 software, and the analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results and Discussion: The dimensions related to brand associations and behavioral intentions yielded positive results, indicating that all associations are present in the consumer's mind. The results also indicated a high rate of repurchase intentions and word-of-mouth promotion. Conclusion: The dimensions "Escape", "Coach", and "Service Delivery" were the most prominent associations in the consumer's mind, while "Logo Design" and "Physical Environment" were the dimensions with lower value. All behavioral intentions were strong, indicating a good likelihood of being carried out in the future.
References
Acad Brasil (2018). Revista ACAD Brasil, 81. https://www.acadbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/edicao-81.pdf
Alexandris, K., Kouthouris, C., & Funk, D.C. (2008). Testing the role of service quality on the development of brand associations and brand loyalty. Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, 18(3), 239-254. https://doi.org/10.1108/09604520810871865
Andrew, D.P., Pedersen, P.M., & McEvoy, C.D. (2019). Research methods and design in sport management. Human Kinetics.
Bailey, B., Benson, A.J., & Bruner, M.W. (2019). Investigating the organizational culture of CrossFit. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(3), 197-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2017.1329223
Baker, B.J., Cion, K., Parsons, J.A., & Stavros, C. (2022). Remapping the sport brandscape: A structured review and future direction for sport brand research. Journal of Sport Management, 36(3), 251-264. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2021-0231
Bauer, H.H., Stokburger-Sauer, N.E., & Exler, S. (2008). Brand image and fan loyalty in professional team sport: A refined model and empirical assessment. Journal of Sport Management, 22(2), 205-226. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.22.2.205
Biscaia, R., Correia, A., Ross, S., Rosado, A.F., & Maroco, J. (2013). Spectator-based brand equity in professional soccer. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 22, 20-32. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258421075
Biscaia, R., Ross, S., Yoshida, M., Correia, A., Rosado, A., & Marôco, J. (2016). Investigating the role of fan club membership on perceptions of team brand equity in football. Sport Management Review, 19(2), 157-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2015.02.001
Carroll, B.A., & Ahuvia, A.C. (2006). Some antecedents and outcomes of brand love. Marketing Letters, 17(1), 79-89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11002-006-4219-2
Dominski, F.H., Casagrande, P. de O., & Andrade, A. (2019). O fenômeno CrossFit®: Análise sobre o número de boxes no Brasil e no mundo e modelo de treinamento e competição. Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício, 13(82), 271-281. https://www.rbpfex.com.br/index.php/rbpfex/article/view/1691
Dominski, F.H., Oliveira, M.M. de, & Andrade, A. (2020). Motivation to CrossFit training: A narrative review. Sport Sciences for Health, 16, 195-206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-020-00619-5
Doyle, J.P., Clark, A.A., & DeWitt, P. (2021). Seeing the same things differently: Exploring the unique brand associations linked to women’s professional sport teams. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 32(6), 729-743. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2021.1922489
Etim, G.S., James, E.E., Inyang, B.I., & Anna, H.E. (2023). Word-of-mouth communication and customer patronage behaviour towards smartphones. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, 6(2), 69-85. https://doi.org/10.52589/IJEBI-IBJMWRB6
Ferrand, A., Robinson, L., & Valette-Florence, P. (2010). The intention-to-repurchase paradox: A case of the health and fitness industry. Journal of Sport Management, 24(1), 83-105. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.24.1.83
Filo, K., Funk, D.C., & Alexandris, K. (2008). Exploring the role of brand trust in the relationship between brand associations and brand loyalty in sport and fitness. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 3(1-2), 39-57. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSMM.2008.01596
Fisher, J., Allen, M., & Williams, S. (2017). A comparison of the motivational factors between CrossFit participants and other resistance exercise modalities: A pilot study. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 57(9), 1227-1234. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/302969640
García-Fernández, J., Gálvez-Ruíz, P., Fernández-Gavira, J., Vélez-Colón, L., Pitts, B., & Bernal-García, A. (2018). The effects of service convenience and perceived quality on perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty in low-cost fitness centers. Sport Management Review, 21(3), 250-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2017.07.003
Gavazzi, M., & Dorst, B.G.D. (2014). A origem do CrossFit e sua evolução. In 12º Encontro Científico Cultural Interinstitucional, Anais (pp. 1-8). https://www.fag.edu.br/upload/ecci/anais/559538fed95df.pdf
Gladden, J.M., & Funk, D.C. (2001). Understanding brand loyalty in professional sport: Examining the link between brand associations and brand loyalty. International journal of sports marketing and sponsorship, 3(1), 54-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-03-01-2001-B006
Gladden, J. M., & Funk, D. C. (2002). Developing an understanding of brand associations in team sport: Empirical evidence from consumers of professional sport. Journal of Sport Management, 16(1), 54-81. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.16.1.54
Jiménez, M.A., Fernández, J.G., Moreno, F.C., & Torrente, M.V. (2023). La percepción de marca en los centros de fitness: Una comparativa según el modelo premium y low-cost. Retos: nuevas tendencias en educación física, deporte y recreación, (50), 746-760. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=9076882
Kim, S.K., Byon, K.K., Yu, J.G., Zhang, J.J., & Kim, C. (2013). Social motivations and consumption behavior of spectators attending a Formula One motor-racing event. Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 41(8), 1359-1377. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2013.41.8.1359
Kotler, P., Keller, K.L., & Brady, M. (2018). Marketing management: An Asian perspective. Pearson.
Kunkel, T., & Biscaia, R. (2020). Sport brands: Brand relationships and consumer behavior. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 29(1), 3-17. https://dx.doi.org/10.32731/smq.291.032020.01
Meier, N., Schlie, J., & Schmidt, A. (2023). CrossFit®:‘Unknowable’or Predictable?—A systematic review on predictors of CrossFit® performance. Sports, 11(6), 112. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11060112
Nuviala, R.N., Ordás, R.P., Gámez, G.M., & Miguel, D.F. (2021). Incidencia del género y la edad sobre la calidad, satisfacción y valor percibido de los usuarios de actividades deportivas organizadas. Retos: nuevas tendencias en educación física, deporte y recreación, (42), 37-46. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=7986294
Park, J.-A., James, J.D., & Greenwell, T.C. (2019). Athletes’ brand equity, spectator satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 31(2), 541-558. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-05-2018-0176
Ross, S.D., James, J.D., & Vargas, P. (2006). Development of a scale to measure team brand associations in professional sport. Journal of Sport Management, 20(2), 260-279. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.20.2.260
Shuv-Ami, A., Thrassou, A., & Vrontis, D. (2015). Contemporary sports club branding: Empirical findings on basketball and value-based conceptual constructs. The Marketing Review, 15(4), 503-524. https://doi.org/10.1362/146934715X14503490536145
Skinner, J., Edwards, A., & Corbett, B. (2014). Research methods for sport management. Routledge.
Ströbel, T., & Germelmann, C.C. (2020). Exploring new routes within brand research in sport management: Directions and methodological approaches. European Sport Management Quarterly, 20(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2019.1706603
Veal, A.J., & Darcy, S. (2014). Research methods in sport studies and sport management: A practical guide. Routledge.
Wann, D.L. (1995). Preliminary validation of the sport fan motivation scale. Journal of Sport and Social issues, 19(4), 377-396. https://doi.org/10.1177/019372395019004004
Wear, H., & Heere, B. (2020). Brand new: A longitudinal investigation of brand associations as drivers of team identity among fans of a new sport team. Journal of Sport Management, 34(5), 475-487. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2018-0204
Williams, A.S., Pedersen, P.M., & Walsh, P. (2012). Brand associations in the fitness segment of the sports industry in the United States: Extending spectator sports branding conceptualisations and dimensions to participatory sports. International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 14(1), 29-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-14-01-2012-B004
Author Biographies
http://lattes.cnpq.br/6806625804710627
http://lattes.cnpq.br/6580290877007834
http://lattes.cnpq.br/4260058179425238
Copyright (c) 2025 Lecturas: Educación Física y Deportes
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.