We’re now into 2021 and find ourselves still living in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many countries around the world are taking steps to return life to normal, it’s possible that your area is still facing a lockdown to all fitness facilities.
We’ve mentioned a few times how helpful it can be to your business to move your workouts online and if that’s an option for the type of fitness business you run then it should certainly be your next step. The question is, how do you get your members to join online workouts, and, more importantly, how do you grow and scale your online operations? We’ll break down the steps you need to take to grow the online and virtual presence for your business.
Get the Message Out There
This one might seem pretty obvious, but your members won’t know that your classes have moved online if you don’t update them. Email newsletters, updates and push notifications through your member app, text messages and a post on your website are just some of the ways to notify members of the switch and provide them with the info they need to get started.
In the event of a full-on lockdown these online classes could be the difference between members maintaining their memberships or those wishing to cancel or freeze. Make sure that you get the message through to them in a timely and concise manner.
Make it Super Easy
On that note, the next step is to make the switch to online as simple as possible for your members. Naturally the shift to virtual workouts is a lot easier when it comes to yoga and pilates studios as opposed to gyms and CrossFit businesses that require equipment for workouts. Find ways to help your members out by providing them with workouts they can do at home, or better yet, train them personally and let them feel the burn from their own living rooms.
Providing tips and ideas for keeping up fitness from home goes hand in hand with offering virtual workouts. As we mentioned above, keeping your members in a fitness mindset from home is key to sustaining the growth of your online efforts.
Align Your Online Schedule With Your Members’ Needs
You may want to offer certain classes from your schedule online, but if those don’t meet the demands of your member base then they won’t be as successful. This is a great time to also look into your lead generation and see what people were on the fence about and use that data to help bring them in via online classes. What seems like a setback could actually turn out to be a great growth opportunity for your business.
Increase Your Non-Workout Online Presence
Moving “online” doesn’t just mean that you scheduled several video workouts per week. You need to increase your online presence for your members who you won’t be seeing face to face for the foreseeable future.
Increase your social media efforts by posting motivational and fitness tips. Offer recipes and quick workouts that people can do from home. Show your members that you’re there with them every step of the way even if you’re not greeting them as they walk in the door of your gym or studio.
Step Up Engagement With Your Members
Finally, you need to increase the engagement with your member base even more during a time like this. Be the coach and trainer they want you to be. Offer advice and help and show them that you’re there for them and help them maintain their sanity during whatever difficult reality they may be dealing with. Many people turn to the gym or studio to step away from the stress of normal life and while that may be difficult when they’re at home, you can still help as much as possible through online interactions.
Get Online!
Use the Arbox fitness management platform to help ease the transition to online classes and help you grow your presence with ease. Learn more about all the ways Arbox can help you grow your online fitness business right here.
