Virtual fitness classes combine the smartest technology with traditional exercise. The set up is simple, the class participants, whether that’s just one or a large group face a big screen and follow an instructor on the screen. With pumping, energetic music, each class is designed to give a high-quality version of live classes.
So what are the benefits? Why should your Health Club be interested in adding such classes to your offering?
- No extra equipment needed
Some classes require the use of equipment such as barbells and plates, but the chances are, you already have this equipment in place if you have an existing Group Exercise timetable, therefore no additional equipment would be needed. Meanwhile, if you are looking to only offer Virtual Classes, then you’ll be pleased to know that there are some classes which don’t require any equipment at all, so you can save further on your overheads and maximise your profits.
As a Health Club Operator, you’ll need to decide whether or not your Virtual Fitness Classes will replace or complement your existing Group Exercise offering, I would always recommend the latter. If you’re a Health Club which doesn’t currently offer Group Exercise, then perhaps it may be easier, and more cost-effective, for you to begin with Virtual Fitness.
- Members get to choose
Many of the gyms who have Virtual Fitness Classes have either a dedicated virtual workout studio or a big screen within their main class studio, all the members have to do is go up to the screen and press play to begin their own exercise class. This means that the exercise is available on-demand for members and it gives them complete control over what they work out to.
As an Operator, you’ll need to decide whether you want to have fixed classes on your timetable which members know about and can attend, for example, Virtual Body Pump at 2pm on Monday, or whether you’d rather it be simply a tool in which members can use at their leisure. Both have their advantages, and perhaps meeting somewhere in the middle with fixed classes and Flexi-classes may be the way forward for those looking to get the most out of Virtual Fitness.
- Increased retention among off-peak users
Virtual Fitness Classes are especially useful during off-peak hours as they give members a chance to get a tough, rewarding workout in when no Group Exercise instructors are about. Parents, Nurses and other shift workers who can only attend during off-peak hours will benefit from this massively. If such ‘Off-Peak’ participants begin to see results off the back of the Virtual Group Exercise classes, they are likely to remain members for longer.
As a Health Club Operator, before investing in Virtual Fitness, you should perhaps carry out some research to find out how you can improve the member experience of your off-peak members. It’s more than likely that they’ll say ‘more classes’, so when you present the new Virtual Fitness concept you know it’s what the members want. If, on the other hand, your members all say ‘more treadmills’ then perhaps Virtual Fitness might not be the saviour for your off-peak members.
- Gateway to the ‘real world’
In previous posts, I’ve suggested that HIIT classes may act as a gateway for Small Group Training. In the same way, I also believe Virtual classes may act as a gateway for ‘real’ fitness classes. If a member is lacking in confidence, they may not want to take part in a large group class with an instructor as they may feel that sense of ‘intimidation’. However, if the Virtual Classes take place in a private studio with only a small group of people attending, it may allow a member who is feeling low on self-confidence to gradually build up their self-esteem.
As a Health Club Operator, you need to ensure that your Virtual Fitness is held in a very private setting, in order to benefit from. Consider utilising another, smaller studio, just for Virtual Fitness if you think it could be worthwhile.
- Enhanced performance
Finally, research shows that members who immerse themselves in a virtual environment, achieve improvements in performance and endurance compared to those who train alone. When a person’s focus is placed on the ‘on-screen instructor’, this acts as a distractor and reduces the amount of discomfort they feel. Secondly, the person also feels more motivated by the presence of an on-screen expert encouraging them to push that little bit harder, which leads to further improvements in performance.
As a Health Club Operator, you should do your best to encourage those who are training alone, and particularly those who appear to be doing it alone in an unsuccessful manner, to step up their workout by going ‘Virtual’. You’ll then be likely to retain more members in the long run.
You can now enjoy the benefits of Virtual Fitness through the integration of eFitness and Virtual Wexer here, to find out more contact us at [email protected].