In the ever-growing fitness industry, group classes are a major component to changing the way people consume fitness. With experience and creative ideas, group classes are one of the best ways clients and trainers can find success in their fitness regimen. Here are some tips for overcoming objectives to group fitness and encouraging members to give group exercise a try.
It’s Cost-Effective
Cost is a common obstacle people cite when it comes to working with fitness professionals. Ironically, the cost of not taking care of oneself is now generally outweighed by the cost of being sick or injured in the future. Group classes offer a solution to this obstacle. Classes are an affordable option to receive supervision and instruction to keep members safe and achieve their fitness goals. A wide variety of classes are included with a membership at large gyms, small gyms and clubs. The key is finding the class that best fits your members’ fitness needs.
This is a win-win for trainers as well! It gives their hour, the most precious thing they have, unlimited value. If a trainer can handle a class of 50 people, they are going to make some serious cash. Trainers know this and see how it increases the number of people who financially invest in them. This can also be a reliable revenue for a trainer. If two clients paying for individual session drops out, a trainer can be in a tight spot, but if a few class members are out, the hit isn’t felt as much. Overall, group classes solve a major issue for trainers and clients: increase efficiency of the trainer’s hour and the client’s dollar.
Motivation
Group classes are good for the psychological component of sticking with a program. People are motivated by different reasons: competitive spirit, health improvement and much more! A group class provides a place where people can blend motivations and create a community where everyone is helping one another accomplish their goals. When members help each other, it creates a sense of belonging and accountability that increases the success rate for the entire group. The group becomes stronger when each member is accountable for the others improvement.
Expansion of Exercises
One of the best things about group classes is it expands the variety of exercises. You can incorporate many partner exercises involving, but not limited to, core work and coordination drills. Also, large group drills with battle ropes, med balls and other mobile products can be incorporated. Not only does this keep workouts fresh, but it builds fundamentals that adults need to work on just as much as kids, such as: teamwork, accountability and project accomplishment. This can be great for trainers because it allows them to challenge themselves at trying new exercises and new ideas. The versatility of group exercise is unlimited and new classes and ideas keep coming together, creating some fun and effective group workouts.
Getting Members Involved
The best way for members to find out which group class they like best is to try out classes that seem interesting to them and stick with the ones they like. While group classes are set up to incorporate a wide range of people at different fitness levels, sometimes there are extreme ranges of different types.
Not all classes are for everyone. Someone who has never exercised does not need to start with complicated, weighted movements. Just like some classes that focus on the basics would be a waste for an advanced lifter. Neither entity is better or worse than the other; the class exists to serve different clients. Trainers should ask questions to learn the client’s goals and determine which class fits best. It may be necessary to check out some basic movements and see what they are able to do. Getting started in a group class that fits their current ability level is important for preventing injury, sticking with the program and most importantly, their overall fitness success.
Matt Veigl is a member of the Power Systems Advisory Board and is a regular contributor to the company as a fitness expert. He can be contacted at 865-323-2580, or by email at mattv31@gmail.com.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
