Imagine you are in a movie theatre, the previews are over and the curtain lifts, the movie is about to begin! The sounds of the film begin to fill the room and the darkness takes over, giving the main screen the glowing, center stage.

All over the world, this same type of phenomenon is taking place, only the feature presentation is group fitness workouts led by virtual instructors and trainers.

What's on my mind right now that's relative to virtual fitness is not necessarily the products themselves but the way they are delivered to the members.

How incredible would it be if each time you went to take a virtual fitness class that the experience was similar to that of going to a movie? Exciting, full of anticipation with loads of entertainment.

When I travel around to different health clubs I consistently look at how the environment of the group fitness rooms are changing and evolving. What I am noticing is that subtle shifts are being made to allow for virtual offerings and enhanced room environments.

In my observation there are three specific tactics that can enhance a group fitness space.

1. Dimmed/Low Lighting

Set the mood! Dim the lights down, set the mood and enhance the room by creating a darker setting. This is the most affordable and easy way to enhance the ambiance.

2. Fun Party Lights

What's more fun than a disco ball? A few colored lights and a disco ball can go a long way! I have seen a handful of really cool group fitness rooms that look like dance clubs, a super cool party like atmosphere to exercise.

3. Paint and Graphics

Ditch the white walls! A fresh coat of colored paint or a large image can make a world of difference!

These three simple tactics to enhance your space is a fantastic way to complement virtual fitness.

As the group fitness offerings in the fitness industry continue to expand, staying relevant is very important. The days of white walls, wood floors and fluorescent lights are coming to a close. A new era of Virtual classes, specialty lighting and classes that resemble dance club parties is upon us.

How can you enhance your own space to stay relevant?

Happy room enhancing!

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Lindsey Rainwater is an experienced consultant and coach  to the fitness and wellness industry.  She specializes in business development and leadership. Currently she is working with the Fitmarc Team helping club owners all over the south central region of the united states propel their business forward via group exercise solutions.  For more information about lindsey, follow her @lindseyrainh2o 

Freedom! 

To exercise from your living room and have an interactive experience just as if you were at your neighborhood gym! 

I am highly fascinated with the ways that technology is enhancing our day to day lives, technology allows us to be more connected than ever in very savvy and conscious ways. 

One of my favorite ways technology is demonstrating this said connectivity is through virtual delivery fitness experiences.  I write about this topic often and am very much in favor of people joining our industry and becoming wellness consumers.  Virtual offerings are bringing new people to the industry and expanding our reach into new places creating more healthy lives!

I have compiled a list of virtual fitness platforms that any person that owns a smart phone, tablet or computer can access and have a fitness experience from their living room.  

1. Wello Workouts allow you to pick when and where you want to workout and all you need is a webcam and internet to get started.  A personal training will walk you through your workout through a live video stream and since they can see you it acts much like an in person training session.  They also offer group to join so you can cheer on teammates! A totally fun way to get moving from home with hands on support. 

2. Fitocracy offers private coaching covering fitness assessment, nutritional plan, workouts and accountability.  Based only our goals you scan through and select a trainer that fits best with your desired results.  From there it is an easy process of connecting with your coach and creating your plan! I personally love the look and feel of this platform. 

3. Daily Burn comes in all shapes and sizes! After you choose your desired results and times per week you would like to workout, you are assigned a program and trainer that will help you achieve your goals! I love that Daily Burn offers heart rate monitors that can be synced with the workouts so you can see what your heart rate is and the trainer can coach you per your HR.  

4. Bodee Fit offers workouts you can do without equipment! With custom training packages ranging in between 4-12 weeks you can get your tailor maid workout with them! They have other training packages available and do a great job of explaining what online coaching/training is and if it is right for you.  

The elevation of the human connection with technology as the vehicle allows for breakthrough new ways to get fit and stay fit. Do you use a virtual/online workout platform? 

I welcome feedback and would love to hear what's working for you!

Lindsey Rainwater is an experienced consultant and coach  to the fitness and wellness industry.  She specializes in business development and leadership. Currently she is working with the Fitmarc Team helping club owners all over the south central region of the united states propel their business forward via group exercise solutions.  For more information about Lindsey follow her @lindseyrainh2o 

Will I see you in sunny San Diego this week?

IHRSA 2014 is this week- I will be at the Les Mills booth #1215 Thursday afternoon and all day Friday! 

Stop by and let's connect. 

See you soon!

Lindsey 

Lindsey Rainwater, Consultant and Coach to the Fitness and Wellness Industry

What's your favorite restaurant?  And why do you go there?  

The other night my boyfriend and I were firming up our evening plans, we were feeling low key and decided dinner and movie sounded like the perfect evening.  We enjoy going out for Pho and go to our favorite little hole in the wall family owned spot about once a week.  

The movie theatre we were planning to go to was next door to another pho spot, but we did not eat there.  We drove across town and went to the pho spot where we know Tony, and he knows us.  You see, every time I am out of town he asks where I was and how my trip was, we have a relationship with these folks.  I find it fascinating that we will drive across town to visit Tony, for Pho vs. go wherever is most convenient.

Relationships really do influence our purchasing decisions, and more over the consistency of the combination of service and relationships usually makes a lasting relationship between business and customer. 

So how did the relationship start?

Well that is a simple answer, Tony asked us our names, and we asked him what his was.

Our names are our identity, the title we offer the world and one of the most personal ways to go from stranger to friend.  

I had to laugh thinking about the fact that we went so far out of our way for a bowl of soup just to be in the environment we preferred.

Why? Because Tony creates an experience for us at his restaurant simply by knowing our names and addressing us when we visit him.

I ask you today, how many new members or strangers can you make friends by asking their name?  

Better yet- how many staff members can you inspire to do the same?   

A little food for thought- make names a priority. 

Let me know, Lindsey Rainwater what your experiences are around learning names. 

P90X, TRX, Suspension training, Barre, Spinning, Indo-row, Kettleworx, Piloxing, Turbokick, Bodypump, Freestyle insturcor's, Zumba, Bootcamp, Crossfit, virtual classes... and much much more...

Lindsey Rainwater, Consultant to the Fitness Industry I remember when I started working in health clubs, I was 17 years old, had just graduated from High School and worked in an all women's private health club.  We had a 'full' group fitness studio schedule. Our class offerings were Aerobics, Step, Kick boxing and Guts & Butts.  It was simple, strait forward, and the instructors created their routines and play lists (at the time with cassette tapes, oy vey) for the most part, it was all freestyle choreography. 

Fast forward to now, oh my goodness! We are so spoiled, the industry has advanced to a place were we are chin deep in options. What a gift!

We have extremely intelligent, scientifically backed choreography and well researched workouts that have been established, tested and tried so that our members get incredible experiences time and time again.

So as an owner of a club, how in the world to you go about deciding what programming to offer?  What will your members enjoy and keep coming back for? where are you going to find instructors? 

I would love to share with you a few of the best practices that club owners and operators have shared with me, from all over the United States.  I am in on average, fifteen different Health clubs a week covering for profit, non profit, ymca and recreation center verticals.  Here is what the collective is saying...

1. Solicit member feedback- don't be afraid to ask them what they would enjoy.  I have heard more than one owner/operator tell me they ask what their members think, I would say this is your most influential tool. You might have the 1 or 2 that use the feedback forum as an opportunity to tell you everything you did not ask to hear about, but don't let that stop you from the other 50 that are going to provide you with valuable insight.  

2. Study your age demographics- closely, pay attention to your time selections and go with the flow of the lifestyles you are attracting.  Know their schedules and accommodate their schedules vs. instructors favorite time to teach.

3. Follow trends, don't try to be ultra unique- as industry leaders, we love the innovative, barefoot, fancy newest trend...If the club across the street from you offers the same class, that's OK- have you ever noticed that there can be 2 starbucks in the same parking lot, and they both have a line... plus the average health seeker that needs to move from the coach to your treadmill, doesn't know the difference. We are the ones that care, they don't. So offer the staples that get them moving, they will gain results and once they are ready for more, advancing them to private training and small group training is a seamless transition, that also stimulates revenue.  

When making programming decisions, remember that ultimately you provide the environment to help support and motivate your members to gain results and meet their goals, what an honor to help facilitate that experience.  

Share with me, Lindsey Rainwater- how are your programming selections going? Having a magical group fitness space combined with incredible programming truly unlocks incredible power for your members!