Fitness Based Team Building Workshops

Team building workshops have become a popular way to improve the dynamic within an office, and also improve the focus on health and fitness. While the team building industry has grown by around 2,500%, especially in the US, fitness-based team building workshops have also been on the rise.

And with many businesses looking at improving their corporate wellness packages, fitness at work is on the rise. It's no longer unusual to see morning yoga classes, lunchtime walking clubs or after-work spin sessions as part of the working day.

Whether you are a fitness business owner looking to plan a fitness-focused team activity, or a business manager hoping to strengthen your team's dynamics and enhance collaboration, planning a fitness workshop can be a challenge.

So we've put together this comprehensive guide, looking at the world of fitness-based team building. we'll help you explore various activities that could resonate with your target audience, and provide you with actionable steps to plan and execute successful workshops. Let's dive in!

Understanding the Benefits of Team Building Workshops

There are many benefits to team building workshops. And when it comes to fitness-focused team building activities, the physical and health-related benefits come into play too. Done right, a fitness-focused team workshop can inject a sense of play and dynamism into an office, and can even change attitudes to health.

And in our age of sedentary screen-based jobs, any opportunity to get the blood pumping is a good thing. Right?

So what are the benefits of team building activities in a business or corporate setting?

Enhancing Team Dynamics and Communication

Team building workshops provide a platform for individuals to connect, communicate, and collaborate in a non-work-related environment.

And through fitness activities, group challenges, and interactive exercises, participants can develop stronger bonds, improve communication skills, and enhance their ability to work cohesively as a team.

Fostering Collaboration and Cooperation

Fitness-based team building workshops encourage participants to work together, leveraging each other's strengths to achieve shared goals.

Through collaborative activities such as partner workouts, group challenges, or team-based competitions, individuals can learn to appreciate the value of teamwork, foster a cooperative mindset, and improve their problem-solving capabilities.

Building Trust and Camaraderie

Trust is a vital element in any successful team. Fitness team building workshops provide opportunities for team members to build trust by relying on each other during physically demanding activities.

In addition to this, the value of camaraderie within a professional setting cannot be overstated. Although end-of-year parties are one thing, fitness workshops really help to build a strong company culture.

Boosting Motivation and Engagement

Workplace wellness has been found as an essential part of maintaining a motivated and engaged team. Fitness-based team building workshops create a positive and energetic atmosphere, where participants can experience the joy of physical activity and the sense of accomplishment that comes with overcoming challenges.

Because of the group setting, and the interactive and competitive nature of some fitness workshops, they can encourage teamwork, help to improve communication strategies and much more.

In fact, it is reported that fitness at work can serve as a source of inspiration, helping to boost motivation, increase productivity, and enhance overall job satisfaction.

How to Structure a Fitness-Based Team Building Workshop

To ensure the success of your fitness-based team building workshop, it's essential to structure it effectively.

This means making it accessible, enjoyable and well organized. These steps will help you plan your fitness-focused team building course for the best results:

Setting Clear Objectives and Desired Outcomes

The first step in planning any form of team building workshop is to define clear goals and objectives. What specific outcomes do you want to achieve through the workshops?

When it comes to fitness-based team building, are you trying to challenge people or simply get them active? Do you want to include collaborative or creative thinking into the workshop, or simply get people working out?

While this might seem like silly questions, there is a lot of opportunity to customize every type of team building activity, including fitness classes.

For example, a dance class could include a dance-off between teams. A running challenge might be a collaborative effort, or a weekend of hiking or kayaking might include a treasure hunt or distance goal.

While you don't need to tell your class the goals and objectives, these can help you plan your team building activities and work out how to maximize engagement.

Designing Engaging Fitness Activities

Understanding the unique dynamics and challenges within your business team is crucial for planning successful team building workshops. Especially when they're fitness focused.

Conduct surveys, interviews, or informal discussions to gather insights into areas that need improvement and the types of team building activities that would resonate with the staff.

Remember also that while management might have one idea, the staff themselves might have a different take on it.

Here are some ideas for fitness-based team activities:

1. Physical Challenges and Group Workouts

Organize physical challenges that require teamwork and cooperation. This could include obstacle courses, relay races, or group workouts that involve partner exercises. These activities not only foster collaboration but also promote fitness and create a fun and competitive atmosphere.

2. Fitness-Based Problem-Solving Games

Combine mental stimulation with physical activity by incorporating problem-solving games into your workshop. These games can include puzzles, riddles, or fitness-related challenges that require participants to think critically and work together to find solutions.

3. Interactive Circuit Training Stations

Set up circuit training stations that focus on different aspects of fitness, such as strength, endurance, and flexibility. Divide your team into smaller groups and rotate them through the stations, encouraging collaboration, support, and friendly competition.

4. Team-Oriented Fitness Challenges

Design challenges that require the collective effort of the entire team. This could involve group relays, team-building boot camps, or large-scale fitness challenges where participants work together towards a common fitness goal.

Incorporating Skill-Building Sessions

In addition to physical activities, incorporate skill-building sessions that cater to the professional development of your team members. While this might be tricky to fit into a yoga class, these types of skills can be used for outdoor activities such as hiking or orienteering, for fitness days or even for longer challenges such as step challenges.

As part of the team building process, you could include specific training such as:

1. Leadership Development Workshops

Provide opportunities for team members to enhance their leadership skills in a health or fitness-based setting. You could offer workshops or seminars on effective leadership strategies, decision-making, and motivating others.

For example, if you run an office soccer world cup competition, or softball away day, you could run a fun class on team working.

These sessions can empower individuals to take on leadership roles within the team, even if they're not specifically taking the lead. And this can contribute to the overall success of your fitness workshop, and even translate into their day-to-day work.

2. Effective Communication Training

Communication is the backbone of successful teamwork. Allocate time during the workshop for communication training sessions, where team members can learn active listening techniques, assertive communication, and conflict resolution strategies.

These skills are essential for fostering open and effective communication within your team.

3. Sales and Customer Service Techniques

If your business involves client interactions, consider incorporating sessions on interpersonal skills, or customer service techniques.

This will provide your team with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in client-facing roles, such as effective communication with potential clients, relationship building, and addressing customer needs.

Organizing and Structuring the Workshop

One of the most important things when running any form of team building workshop is to be well organized in advance of the event itself. Due to the nature of work-based team building, there is normally limited time for late starts or overruns.

And with more businesses also running remote workshops, there is even more need to be organized in advance.

To ensure the success of your team building programs:

• Make sure to structure your class for the right amount of attendees
• Ensure you have ample equipment for everyone (if needed)
• Factor in late arrivals and allow them to join without disrupting the flow
• Make sure to schedule time between classes if you are running multiple workshops. This will allow you to clean up, collect your breath and avoid schedule clashes

Using a fitness scheduling tool such as Arbox will allow you to keep track of your class attendance, manage schedules and send reminders to attendees to ensure prompt starts.

Arbox for Companies will help you organize both on-site and remote teams for team building.

Ideas for Fitness-Based Team Building Activities

When it comes to planning team building courses, it can be hard to think of activities that everyone will want to take part in. These are some simple ideas to get the blood pumping, get smiles on faces and improve employee morale and help people develop new fitness skills.

Outdoor Adventures and Obstacle Courses

Take your team out of the office and into nature by organizing outdoor adventures and obstacle courses. These activities can include hiking, cycling, or challenging obstacle races.

Engaging in outdoor activities not only promotes physical fitness but also fosters a sense of adventure, teamwork, and resilience.

Yoga or Mindfulness Away Days

Taking the team to a yoga retreat or mindfulness course can be a great way to help manage stress. Often a mindfulness-focused course will also include talking and sharing experiences, which can be an excellent way to improve listening skills and help people share their thoughts in a safe environment.

Fitness Relay Races and Sports Days

Add an element of friendly competition to your team building workshop by organizing fitness relay races or a sports day. Divide your team into smaller groups and set up various fitness challenges, such as relay races, tug-of-war, or team-based fitness competitions.

These activities encourage team members to work together, support each other, and celebrate collective achievements.

Step Challenges

With everyone owning a mobile phone, and more people than ever using smartwatches and step counters, a team step challenge can be a great way to run a multi-day program of fitness.

Organize small groups and get them to track their daily steps. The team with the highest step count at the end of the week, month, or challenge period, wins prizes.

Allocate a team member to manage the team activity to maximize the steps. They can run lunch break running or walking clubs, step aerobic classes or even encourage people to walk to work (if that's possible where you work)

Trust-Building Fitness Challenges

Building trust is vital for creating a strong and cohesive team. Incorporate trust-building activities that involve physical interaction, such as partner workouts or trust falls.

Trust-building challenges encourage individuals to rely on their teammates, communicate effectively, and develop trust and camaraderie within the group.

Team-Building Boot Camps

Take inspiration from military-style boot camps and design a team-building boot camp for your workshop. Incorporate a variety of intense and engaging exercises that challenge your team physically and mentally.

Boot camps may not be for everyone, but they do promote fitness and also cultivate discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.

Group Fitness Classes and Challenges

Engage your team in group fitness classes or challenges led by professional trainers. These classes can include activities such as indoor cycling, yoga, or HIIT workouts. Participating in these classes as a team fosters a sense of unity, encourages friendly competition, and promotes the pursuit of shared fitness goals.

How to Organize and Plan a Fitness Team Building Workshop

Once you have some ideas of the type of team building activities you want to run, you'll need to manage the logistics. If you're managing a fitness team building workshop on behalf of a company, for example as a personal trainer or gym owner, you'll need to liaise with your contact at the company first to ensure you have the right access and permissions.

Venue Selection: Choosing a Fitness-Friendly Space

Make sure your venue provides ample space for your chosen activities and has the necessary equipment to support your fitness-based workshop. If you're using a room in the office, make sure it is not double booked for another meeting, and that it is suitable for the class you're running.

Ideally, consider fitness centers, outdoor parks, or specialized team building venues that offer a range of fitness facilities.

Arranging Necessary Equipment and Materials

Ensure you have all the required fitness equipment and materials for your activities. This could include exercise mats, resistance bands, agility cones, or any other specific equipment based on your chosen activities.

Make a checklist and ensure everything is prepared and ready for use.

Identifying and Training Facilitators

If needed, identify and train any teachers or trainers who will lead and guide the activities during your workshop.

Team building can be a tricky process to manage, so make sure your teachers are well-versed in the skills needed such as leadership, being clear in their instruction and having great interpersonal skills.

While you might be teaching team building workshops yourself, it's always a good idea to have a bank of facilitators you can call on to manage multiple classes.

Catering and Refreshments: Fueling Participants

For longer or multi-day workshops, you'll need to keep your participants energized and focused. Make sure to provide healthy catering options and refreshments. Opt for nutritious snacks and consider dietary restrictions or preferences to accommodate all participants.

And of course, make sure to provide access to plenty of water!

Documenting Workshop Materials and Handouts

If you need, make sure to prepare workshop materials and handouts in advance. These might outline the agenda, activity descriptions, and key takeaways for participants.

One option is to provide a form for feedback and reflection, which can be a good way to encourage attendees to assess and explain their experience. Sending a follow-up email after the class is also a good way to reinforce the new skills learned. With Arbox you can easily message all class attendees with any necessary follow-ups.

How to Encourage Teamwork and Collaboration

When it comes to maximizing the impact of your fitness-based team building workshop, you'll need to know how to foster a culture of teamwork and collaboration throughout the event.

While simply running team-based events will usually mean that teamwork happens, there are ways to encourage collaborative thinking skills, reduce team conflict and ensure overall organizational success.

Here are some strategies to encourage effective teamwork:

Set Clear Expectations for Active Participation

Communicate the importance of active participation and engagement from all team members. Set clear expectations that everyone should actively contribute, support each other, and embrace the challenges and activities presented during the workshop.

Encouraging Open Communication and Active Listening

Promote open and honest communication among team members. Encourage active listening, where individuals attentively listen to other's perspectives and opinions. Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing themselves and providing constructive feedback.

Assigning Team Roles and Promoting Shared Accountability

Assign specific team roles during certain activities to encourage collaboration and shared accountability. Rotate roles to provide opportunities for individuals to lead and support each other, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and trust.

Providing Constructive Feedback for Growth

Throughout the workshop, provide constructive feedback to individuals and the team as a whole. Recognize their efforts, celebrate achievements, and offer guidance for improvement. Feedback should be delivered in a supportive manner, focusing on growth and development.

The Best Software for Team Building Fitness Workshops

When it comes to managing team building or group fitness workshops, you need to be organized. Using fitness business management software such as Arbox is the best way to keep track of classes or workshops, and to manage attendees, follow up messaging and even manage online team building sessions.

So whether you're managing team building activity in person or remotely, Arbox provides a frictionless way to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Best of all you can get started for free.

Sign up for Arbox today.