You just never know what part of a gym will engage a member the most. Trying new things and offering new classes and programs is a great way to draw in other members. Jaynann Gaoiran, 34, of Draper, Utah joined her gym, Treehouse Athletic Club and was able to get back to dancing. She majored in contemporary dance briefly in college before changing her major.
“I guess [dance] is my form of expression, always has been,” said Gaoiran. “It’s fun to have it again. I had a 10-year gap and it’s so nice to do it again. It just makes me happy, one of my happy places.”
Gaoiran has been a member of Treehouse for over six years and has been extremely pleased with her experience. She joined when she moved to the area and her sister, who was already a member, brought her to Treehouse. “It’s just the best gym! It’s so customer oriented. It’s all about their members.” Her previous gym experiences weren’t anything to take note of — no staff knowing whether she came or went.
Treehouse offers a variety of dance classes as part of their Group X offerings. Gaoiran has participated in Zumba as well as ballet, hip-hop and other specialty classes. “I don’t have time to go to multiple places to take these classes. I’m so glad it’s offered here. It’s so fun.” One class she attends, “Raising the Barre,” is ballet oriented. Half of the class is floor exercises and the other half at the barre. Gaoiran admits that she always wants her classes to be “a little bit more dancy,” but that is because of her background. However, she is not the only one with experience. “A lot of girls [in class] danced. People like to be pushed. This is not just the basics though. A lot of time has gone in the choreography of the classes and it’s appreciated.”
The classes are really for all fitness levels. Gaoiran, because she knows to always engage her core during the ballet exercises she is still getting a good workout. “I’m always dripping with sweat when I’m done. I’m an all or nothing kind of person so if I’m there I’m going to go all out.”
Gaoiran is at the gym usually six days a week and generally attending a dance class. The classes are included with her membership to the gym. “I already loved the gym so the fact that I get to take dance classes here is icing on the cake.” Gaoiran had looked into taking dance classes elsewhere before there were so many options at her gym, but the classes were not at convenient times and as a mom of three, she has her children to care for as well.
A big part of Gaoiran being able to so freely participate in classes at Treehouse is the childcare that is offered. “The day care is awesome. They love my kids; they know their names. It makes it real easy to enjoy my time at the gym when I know my kids are being taken care of.”
Her advice for gyms wanting to keep their members engaged is to keep their classes fresh. “I get a little bored after a while. Sometimes I don’t want to go to the gym, but I know I should. Keeping it fresh, staying on top of things is important for members. Everything wanes out and eventually runs its course. I’m not unique in that either. I see many of the same people at the gym everyday.”
She also credits the dance classes’ success to the caliber of instructors at Treehouse. “In Utah, we have high caliber teachers. We are really spoiled here. I feel like we are really lucky.” Gyms need to have fantastic instructors. “Good instructors with fun energy really make all the difference.” Treehouse has an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, Bonnie Story, on their staff. Story typically works with the younger members, teaching and choreographing their dance classes.
What kinds of classes can you be offering to your members? Gaoiran would have gone elsewhere to dance and maybe paid more money had the class times worked out. There are opportunities to be seized everywhere members are concerned. -CS
By Ali Cicerchi
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