Don ’ t be afraid to ask your community what they want and need from you
Don ’ t be afraid to ask your community what they want and need from you . They don ’ t lie , and you ’ ll get some awesome ideas to try that you may not have thought of yourself .
3 ‘ Hang out ’ with your fitness community in a fun setting
We live in a time now where technology and social media give us the power to stay connected to our community more than ever before . One of the best things you can do to foster your community relationships is create a Facebook group , or a Messenger or WhatsApp chat . Not only does this enable you to stay in touch with your participants , it also enables them to stay connected with each other , which can enhance the role of your classes in their lives and increase their exercise adherence .
In addition to creating an incredible sense of community and connection , it also gives you the power to create fun and exclusive ‘ subscriber only ’ experiences . For instance , my online group fitness subscribers get access to weekly Q & A ’ s , challengers , discounted classes and monthly catch-ups . When you create an online space where you and your members can connect , you can also use it to share the fun side of what you do . You may share fitness memes or funny class photos you ’ ve taken , or ask members to share a ‘ sweaty selfie ’ to win a piece of merchandise . Keep it fun and light-hearted and watch as your participants fall more in love with your business and what you do .
4 Go above and beyond to make a ‘ fun ’ experience
Whether you ’ re teaching group fitness or training clients one-onone , there are a number of ways to inject fun into your sessions . In group fitness , create ‘ themed days ’ each month , such as ‘ 90 ’ s week ’ or ‘ Olympic Heroes ’. From Christmas to Mardi Gras , occasions and festivals also present opportunities for you and your crew to get dressed up and let your hair down !
One of my favourite things to do is ask my class participants for their song requests a week in advance so I can include the tracks in that week ’ s playlist , or once a month offer a ‘ bring a friend for free ’ class , because training with a friend is always more fun ( as well as being one of the best ways to grow your community ).
The same logic can be applied to personal training sessions , if on a smaller scale . Ask your clients what music makes them feel motivated and which exercises they most enjoy doing . And , even if it ’ s just a succession of parties for two , if your clients are game then you can have a themed week where you dress up accordingly .
You want your participants or clients to have fun so that they keep returning to you , and these small things can help them do just that .
5 Make sure you ’ re having fun too !
Something that I ’ ve never forgotten when I first started my group fitness training was ‘ don ’ t forget to have fun ’. Our members are smart and realise when we ’ re just reciting our pre-written class scripts word for word in a group fitness class or when we ’ re just going through the motions in a PT session . We need to remember that our job is to make fitness fun and exciting for our community , and if we ’ re going to do that , we need to loosen up and remember to have fun !
When I first started teaching group fitness classes , I was obsessed with getting every word and every single movement exactly right at the exact right time . The result ? It made me a more robotic and ‘ toned down ’ version of myself . Of course , you must prepare your choreography for group fitness or your class plans for personal training sessions , but don ’ t forget to inject your unique personality as well .
One of my favourite things to do in my group fitness classes is to have ‘ freestyle dance battles ’ in the middle of classes . As participants ‘ dance off ’ against each other for a solid minute , the endorphins get pumping , the laughs start flowing and everyone has a great time !
Whether it ’ s calling out some members who look like they ’ re having a ball or reminding everyone to smile and ‘ let loose ’ during your class , just be there in the moment and let yourself enjoy it as much as your members are . Smiles and laughter are infectious , so the more fun you have , the more fun they ’ ll have !
We do what we do in the fitness industry because we love it and it ’ s fun ! Always remember this , and at every opportunity inject your own personality and playfulness into your classes - your participants or clients will love you for it .
Corinne Blight Corinne is the Founder of Limitless Fitness & Nutrition , an online and live group fitness community on a mission to make fitness fun and energetic . As well as being a group fitness instructor , Corinne is also a personal trainer , Pilates instructor , nutrition and health presenter and nutrition coach .
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