For many people, the definition of fitness is changing and beginning to encompass more than physical exercise alone. Research has also shown that fitness is more important than ever to 78% of members. Mental health has also become a new priority.
This is good news for gym owners and personal trainers, because this research shows that physical activity promotes mental health. But providing a space focused solely on physical exercise may not be enough to retain customers in the constantly changing fitness world. Exercisers are also increasingly looking for variety in their fitness routines. They seek businesses offering a range of training options, as well as opportunities to weave other dimensions of wellbeing, such as intellectual, spiritual and social wellbeing, into their fitness routines. This is where your creativity, strategic thinking and visionary leadership come in.
You need to actively surprise and engage members so they can achieve their fitness goals with the help of your gym or business. That is why we have gathered some of our favourite ways to do exactly that. Keep members interested and enthusiastic about your gym or business, encourage them to get out more often and help them create well-rounded training routines.
1. Learn members’ names quickly and use them
Although you may not want to put a first-time exerciser in the spotlight, make sure you or your instructors/personal trainers introduce yourselves from the start. Encourage regular members with a short conversation or a follow-up email telling them how well they are doing. It may be just the motivation they need to keep going. Are members not always there, or are you seeing someone for the first time? Workouts Wizard can help here too. The system lets you see all members, including their profile photos. You can take a quick look and still address members by their first names!
2. Start a fitness challenge
We are not reinventing the wheel here. But sometimes a good old-fashioned community challenge is exactly what your members need to breathe new life into their training routine. Track members’ progress somewhere visible, and perhaps even offer a prize to those who reach the goal, such as a certain number of free classes or gym visits. Take this to the next level by using Workouts Wizard.
3. Share playlists and ask members for song requests
Nothing gives you more energy to work up a sweat than hearing your favourite song blasting through the speakers. Your members probably have favourite artists they want to listen to while training, so why not play their favourites during their workouts? And if members love the songs you have played, make a playlist, make it public and share it on social media!
4. Celebrate milestones
From breaking a personal record to completing their 100th workout, your members are consistently working towards their goals. Make sure these achievements are recognised and celebrated. Members who finish their workouts with the Workouts Wizard app already experience this. A screen shows an overview of what they have done, along with a positive, encouraging message that changes with every workout.
5. Encourage customer engagement on social media
Do not only see your customers during their workouts; communicate with them throughout the day on social media. One way to increase engagement is to launch a social media competition. Ask members to tag three friends in a post, or get creative by posting trivia questions, such as asking how many different colours of socks a personal trainer/instructor owns for a chance to win a free pair. Make sure you carefully follow the official Instagram rules or Facebook rules concerning promotions.
6. Promote new and visiting instructors and trainers
Introduce yourself or new instructors/personal trainers on social media. If an instructor or personal trainer is visiting from another location or a partner business, make sure members know they have the chance to get tips or even a class from an experienced trainer. Make an event of it, even if it is virtual!
7. Create special edition workouts
Take workouts to a higher, and above all more enjoyable, level by offering themed training plans in the run-up to holidays or festive periods. Encourage members to try a Sinterklaas or Christmas workout, for example, or a special Easter Bunny workout. The possibilities are endless. Workouts Wizard also lets you create these training plans so members can use them immediately for their next workout! You can also use email newsletters to let members know you are ready to celebrate.
8. Never stop asking questions
Developing real relationships with your members is key. Ask what they do for a living, what their holiday plans are, what their goals are or what motivates them to exercise. If they share something important, such as a specific goal or a major life milestone, record it in a contact log and schedule a reminder to follow up. You can also respond to this by sending personalised emails. Is it a member’s birthday, or has it been a year since they joined? Send a quick email, perhaps with a small discount to help them celebrate another year with your gym or business.
