Les Mills announced its entry into the virtual exercise world recently with its LES MILLS™ Virtual program. The program provides video-based workouts to clubs across the world to use during non-peak times throughout the day.
Les Mills classes are already held throughout 80 different countries, and include anything from weight training to cardio workouts. The new virtual program will include several traditional Les Mills workouts, including BODYPUMP™ (barbells), BODYFLOW® (Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi), BODYCOMBAT™ (martial arts), CXWORX™ (core work) and SH’BAM™ (dance). Les Mills has created 13 different exercise programs since its existence, but not all will be immediately available virtually.
“Every year, we invest millions into filming those workouts in a way that will inspire the 100,000 instructors teaching them,” said the CEO of the company, Phillip Mills, in a news release. “We are now able to offer the magic of that filming experience to club members.”
Videos used for LES MILLS™ Virtual will be filmed at the company’s base in Auckland, New Zealand. Then, clubs can pre-schedule the workout videos onto a timetable, especially if they already use technology such as Fitness on Demand or Wexer. The option to let members choose workouts on demand is also an available option.
The virtual program will be used to give club members throughout the world the chance to participate in a Les Mills workout even when they can’t make it to a live class at their gym. Working out based off a video could also help the people who might be embarrassed or intimidated by exercising around other people.
The company’s CEO also explained that offering LES MILLS™ Virtual in a club could really expand the members’ satisfaction.
“For the 15,000 clubs that currently offer Les Mills group fitness, LES MILLS™ Virtual can boost class capacity, extend group fitness scheduling into off peak times and allow members to get a group fitness fix whenever they want it,” Mills said in the release. “And for the thousands of facilities not currently in a position to offer live LES MILLS™ classes, it will provide a cost efficient entry into the category while delivering the retention and acquisition benefits for which top quality group fitness is renowned.”
By Ashley Scoby
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
