Program Something New for Spring

These days it feels like everyone is talking about what’s new and trending, particularly in group fitness and small group training. Just like the season, it is wonderful to see exciting changes popping up all around us.

What’s even more exciting is what’s happening both inside and outside of the group fitness studio — as instructors and trainers are teaching more people in a group environment.

I believe just as consumers are shifting their priorities and what they value and expect in return for their investment, similar disruption is happening in the fitness industry, and this disruption is here to stay for awhile longer.

Disruption, by nature of its definition, means changing the traditional way that an industry, something or someone operates.

For those who are passionate about programming and eager to tap into the latest trends in their facility, this is an opportunity. I can assure you that with the diversity in the trends themselves, program directors really can’t go wrong in deciding what to focus on, as long as they are willing to play the long game and dedicate the time and resources required.

To help spring you into action, here is what I’m seeing within the reports as the most common trends: Functional fitness, bodyweight training, and high intensity interval training (HIIT) stand out as the top three training protocols.

Group is where it’s at — for classes and small group personal training — and being a certified fitness professional with a willingness to evolve with the changing times is going to differentiate a good instructor or trainer from a great one.

Group fitness instructors will begin to move away from teaching only branded, pre-choreographed classes, while personal trainers will continue to join the industry with a more diverse repertoire of skills to match a more diverse demographic coming into our industry.

So what’s a club operator, program director or manager to do? Do your research, reach out and talk with industry peers and realize that change is all around us — so embrace it.

And there’s no better time than a new season — spring — in which to do so. Maybe it’s time to program something new.

Mo Hagan is the vice president of program innovation for GoodLife Fitness and canfitpro.