A Group Fitness Prescription

Donna Claybrook, 46, said she always had been a fan of fad diets and quick fixes. “Any dramatic measure to lose weight, I was willing to try,” she said. However, a quick fix became no longer an option after her doctor diagnosed her with hypertension. With her health compromised, Claybrook’s doctor placed her on medication to lower her blood pressure right away. “My doctor was worried I was going to have a stroke,” explained Claybrook.

Seven days after starting her blood pressure medication, Claybrook started experiencing negative side effects, and developed a persistent cough, so severe it impaired her ability to hold conversations and sleep. Turned off by her reaction to the medication, she refused to continue to take her prescription, or any other her doctor wanted to prescribe her. As an alternative to medication, her doctor suggested exercise. “He said, ‘I’m not going to preach to you, but if you lose some weight, you can come off your blood pressure pills,’” explained Claybrook.

Claybrook took his advice, and got a membership at O2 Fitness. Right away, she went through a personal training assessment and started working out at least four days a week. Under the advisement of O2 Fitness’ staff, Claybrook followed a workout and diet plan, and she quickly became addicted to exercise. After 90 days of working out consistently and eating better, Claybrook returned to the doctor and discovered her blood pressure had improved. “I started feeling a lot better,” said Claybrook.

However, a turning point came for Claybrook when she was encouraged by O2 Fitness to try a group exercise class. She had tried aerobics classes in the ‘90s, but had a bad experience due to the intensity. “Because of that experience, I just didn’t want to do group fitness,” said Claybrook. However, after she increased her stamina, she decided to give Group X another shot. In February she took Les Mills SH’BAM™, and has been hooked ever since.

“I love that class!” said Claybrook. “I would take it every day if it was offered every day. It’s fun. I don’t realize the time has passed, I’m having so much fun.”

Claybrook has enjoyed the class so much that she used guest passes, given to her by O2 Fitness, to invite friends to take the class with her. “I said, come on, let’s move!” said Claybrook. As a result, at least one of Claybrook’s friends is considering a membership at O2 Fitness.

According to Claybrook, part of the allure of O2 Fitness’ Group X classes was the level of comfort between instructors and members, as well as the fun factor. At the beginning of each class, O2 instructors ask if there are any first timers attending, and if so, explain exactly what the class is about, and keep an eye on newcomers to make sure they’re keeping up. This helped alleviate a lot of Claybrook’s intimidation of group exercise classes. “I was nervous when I first went in,” explained Claybrook. “When you’re going in, you’re very uncertain. I had no idea what I was doing, but the instructors guide you.”

Claybrook said O2 Fitness’ Group X instructors work as her fitness coaches. “They have some very bubbly personalities and that helps,” said Claybrook. “They motivate you. I feel bad when I don’t make it to class, because they’re your coach. They always check in on you to make sure you have the right form and are doing okay.”

Group exercise and an improved diet turned out to be Claybrook’s long-term solution to a fit lifestyle and controlled blood pressure. Concerning her doctor’s advisement on exercise, Claybrook said she wished he had given her more information about the benefits of exercise on blood pressure and her overall health. “If he had given me more information I may had tried working out right away,” said Claybrook. “I would say that O2 Fitness saved my life. Now, in case of a zombie apocalypse, I know I can run five or six miles before they catch me!,” she joked.

Claybrook’s story was an example of how exercise and group fitness could not only benefit members, but also the club. How can you capitalize on Group X classes? Can you use your Group X participants to begin spreading guest passes? Encourage your members who’ve had success with group exercise to share their story with others.