You may be wondering… “Should I keep my virtual program or should I scrap it now that a lot more people are coming back to in-person training?” The answer is going to be different for each gym owner. There are a few things you can ask yourself to make a determination:
1. How many of my clients are still doing virtual?
2. Would I lose them if I discontinued the virtual program?
3. What does it cost (time/money) to keep virtual up and running?
4. Do I want to use it in the future?
After answering these questions you should be pretty clear about what is going to be best for your fitness business. If people are using virtual, they like the option, and it’s making you money then it’s safe to say: “Keep it!”
In the post, I’m going to give you a few tips on how to run a flawless virtual program that your clients love!
Tip #1: Get the Best Equipment
The first thing you need to do to help your clients get the most benefit out of your virtual training is get great equipment. If the video or audio quality is poor then your clients are going to have a hard time following along. So if you plan on integrating your virtual training into your regular programs then an investment in the best equipment is a smart idea.
When it comes to video you want to get a professional grade webcam that is going to capture the best picture. Another quality you’re going to want is a webcam that has a wide angle so it can capture a wider space in your gym. This is going to help capture not just the instructor but also part of the class. It’s going to put them in the middle of class – so they can feel the gym community even when they’re at home. There are many different types of cameras online so do your research and see what works best for you.
We recommend the LogiTech Brio.
The second most important part of your equipment setup is going to be your audio. And when setting up your audio you want to make sure that you’re capturing your trainer’s voice and not any other sounds coming from your gym. You want to use a microphone that can be on your instructor but allows them to move freely.
We recommend AirPods or AirPods Pro.
The final most important piece of technology is, of course, your live streaming software. You want to choose something that is going to be reliable, easy to use, and will be updated in the future. If you want to offer these virtual trainings in the future or use them for content then you want to be able to easily record in real time and download them afterward. Since the pandemic, there are a lot of different softwares offering a lot of different options. Again, do your research and find what best fits your business. Some of our clients have had success with the following programs.
We recommend:
Open Broadcast Software
NDI
Tip #2: Make it Accessible
Your virtual training needs to be accessible to your clients. Do everything you can to reduce friction in the sign-up process, delivery process, and the actual training itself. Keep in mind that people want everything to be easy. And it’s your job to make it easy on them to get in their workout – at your gym and from home.
The best way to deliver your virtual workout is through your CRM so your clients can access it right through their profile. You can even download the workout after it’s complete, store it on your CRM for future use, and add it to your YouTube channel as an unlisted link. Your virtual program doesn’t just have to be “live only” you can make those videos accessible to your clients so they can do the workouts whenever best works for them. We’ve had gym owners tell us that they’ve had clients move out of town but stay signed up for the virtual offer because they loved the program so much.
Eventually, you will build a library of workouts that you can use as a digital product or to add more value to your packages or programs. You want to keep all of this content and repurpose it, not just for products and services, but for marketing as well. You can cut up the workout videos and post them on YouTube or Instagram as singular exercises. This will show prospects that you and your team know their stuff and give them a taste of what you have to offer. The more people can get to know what you do, before stepping through the door, the more likely they will be to choose your gym.
Tip #3: Keep them Engaged.
There is nothing worse than doing a live virtual fitness program from home and feeling like you could just be watching a youtube video or the latest edition of beach body. People come to a live virtual training because they want to be a part of something. They want to feel like they are a part of the gym community without having to be there. And over the last two years, it was really important to create this community for your clients. And you want to continue doing that with your live virtual programs.
It could be as simple as greeting your clients by name that are attending the virtual program. This simple gesture will make them feel like they’re part of the program. Another way you can do this is just by calling out to them during the program: “How’s it going [Name]?” Even if they can’t respond, it’s going to give them a little smile and get them a little more motivated and engaged. It’s part of the reason people workout in groups, because they push themselves harder. You want to create that same feeling in your live virtual classes so they get the best workout.
Virtual Business Breakthroughs:
If you want to take your virtual program a step further then we have all the tools and training you need to make a program that your clients love! In our Academy we offer a full video training that will make it really easy and cost-effective to optimize your virtual program. You’ll get a complete walkthrough on setting up your technology and a guide with all the hardware/software you need, as well as an SOP for you and your staff to follow. We’ve built all the processes for you, so you don’t have to spend time in your busy schedule. We’ll even coach you on your mindset and how to position it in your marketing. Click below to learn more about the Academy.
Learn More about the Academy.
