Organising and promoting popular and well-attended group classes is essential to the success of a Gym. They attract new members, retain existing ones and contribute to a vibrant and energetic atmosphere in the space.

OnVirtualGym has selected some suggestions that you can implement in order to have your gym’s group classes be a success:

1. Understand your target audience:

The first step to organising effective group classes is to understand the needs and preferences of your members. Use market research, surveys and focus groups to gain valuable insights:

• Age group and fitness level: Adapt the classes to suit different audiences, from gym beginners to experienced athletes.
• Interests and goals: Find out what kind of activities your members are interested in and what results they want to achieve.
• Scheduling: Make sure that class times are convenient for the majority of your members. Try to include early morning, late afternoon and even lunchtime classes so that everyone can find a period that suits their schedule.

2. Create a varied class programme:

Offer a variety of classes to meet the different tastes and needs of your members. Include:

• High-intensity classes: HIIT, Zumba, Crossfit, etc.
• Strength and endurance classes: Weight training, yoga, pilates, etc.
• Dance classes: Zumba, ballet fitness, belly dancing, etc.
• Relaxation and wellness classes: Yoga, meditation, tai chi, etc.

3. Recruitment and Training of Instructors:

Instructors are at the core of group classes. Hire qualified professionals who are passionate about fitness and have excellent communication and teaching skills. Invest in ongoing training to ensure that instructors are up to date with the latest trends and best practices.

4. Promote your group classes effectively:

Use a variety of channels to promote your group classes, including:

• Social media: Create engaging and informative content on social media, such as videos, photos and stories.
• Gym website: Dedicate a section of the website to group classes, with detailed information about each class, timetables, instructors and the benefits of each class.
• E-mail marketing: Send your members regular newsletters with information about group classes, special events and offers.
• Partnerships: Partner up with local businesses to promote your group classes.

5. Offer unique and memorable experiences:

Go beyond traditional classes and offer unique experiences that surprise and retain your members, such as:

• Themed classes: Create classes with specific themes, such as Halloween, Christmas or Carnival.
• Outdoor classes: Organise classes in parks or other outdoor locations.
• Classes with live music: Occasionally invite DJs or bands to liven up your classes.

6. Encourage participation and loyalty:

Create loyalty programmes that reward members who attend your group classes regularly. Offer:

• Discounts on monthly plans: Reward attendance with discounts on the gym subscription.
• Gifts and rewards: Offer gifts such as T-shirts, towels or sports accessories to members who reach certain attendance targets.

7. Get feedback:

Member feedback is essential to the success of your group classes. Use satisfaction surveys, focus groups or one-to-one conversations to:

• Gain insights into your members’ preferences: Find out which classes are the most popular, which instructors are favoured and which aspects could be improved.
• Identify areas of improvement: Use the feedback to improve the quality of your classes, adjust timetables, diversify the programme and offer your members an even better experience.