Growing your exercise class can be a constant battle. Here are three top tips from group fitness experts, Les Mills Asia Pacific.
Step 1. Ask other teachers to promote your timeslot
Once you’ve gotten to know the rest of the team, ask them to mention your class to their members. “I remember asking a bunch of fellow Instructors to help me out and let their participants know about a class I was teaching that historically didn’t have high attendance,” says BODYBALANCE® Instructor Carina Smith. “The response from members was: “What? I had no idea this class was offered!” It’s great to get the word out ourselves, but you don’t see ALL the members, so recruit Instructors to help you get the word out to as many people as possible.”
It’s also a great idea to connect with the personal trainers at your gym and share the benefits of the classes you teach. They may have clients for whom adding in your class can complement the sessions they’re doing with the personal trainer.
Step 2. Promote your classes on social media
When asked about the biggest benefit of social media for Instructors, Les Mills Program Director, Rachael Newsham is unequivocal: “Filling your classes. When you post on social media, you automatically reach a wider audience and you can keep people updated with when you’re doing covers, telling them what tracks you’re going to teach... it’s a way to keep the conversation going outside of class, and helps your members feel more connected to you. And at the end of the day, we all want to feel connected.”
Step 3. Learn names and focus on connection
Les Mills Ambassador, Reagan Kang says his ability to connect is the reason people keep coming back to his classes. “I focus on making people feel like they’re the only person in the room. I learn names and I try to talk to everyone in the room to make them feel connected so that the next hour is just you, me, the music and the workout. I want them to forget everything else that’s going on in their lives so we can just focus on what we’re doing. Then, when they leave the class, they feel a lot better about themselves.”
Lizzie Broome agrees: “Talk to your members before class and get their names. At the end, try to address them by their names and ask them how the class went. The chances of them returning is greater when you connect with people on a first name basis. If you see them in the gym, say ‘hi’ to them and ask them if you’ll see them in class that week.”
Article courtesy of Les Mills Asia Pacific.
