{"id":7434,"date":"2018-10-05T14:56:12","date_gmt":"2018-10-05T14:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitproblog.mysites.io\/group-x-timetable\/"},"modified":"2018-10-05T14:56:12","modified_gmt":"2018-10-05T14:56:12","slug":"group-x-timetable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/group-x-timetable\/","title":{"rendered":"Group X timetable"},"content":{"rendered":"

What do clubs consider when devising their group X timetable? FitPro talks to a club, leisure centre\u00a0<\/strong>and boutique offering to find out.<\/strong><\/p>\n

GLL (Greenwich Leisure Ltd) group X timetable<\/h3>\n

Wendy Edwards, national fitness classes manager, says:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Keeping up with trends is hit and miss \u2013 it might be exactly the same class type but \u2018wrapped, branded and called something different\u2019. Yet, if demand is there, we need to ensure we keep up with
\ncompetitors and deliver to our customers. At GLL, we review programmes weekly; if a class isn\u2019t performing and a new class needs adding, there\u2019s no point waiting until the end of the week, month or quarter. Being proactive is essential in how we evaluate and review our classes. Our centre teams are aware of the benefits of each timetabled class, so they can inform customers of how classes can help them achieve their goals.<\/p>\n

\u2022 We build our group X timetable to ensure our variety of members, including older adults and juniors, can access classes within their typical usage times.
\n\u2022 We always have the \u2018core classes\u2019: group cycle, total body conditioning and yoga.
\n\u2022 Our classes perform seasonally and are delivered at the correct times throughout the year.
\n\u2022 Centres located in corporate districts have popular, short lunchtime classes and those in residential areas with an older client base are typically busier during mornings and afternoons.
\n\u2022 We identify products we think they\u2019ll love, while being adaptable when changes occur. We are launching a mindfulness class, combat, and parent and baby yoga.
\n\u2022 Many of our centres are introducing virtual to complement the timetable.<\/p>\n

HIITGIRL Boutique\u00a0group X timetable<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Susan Dyson, co-founder, says:<\/p>\n

We started out as a boutique studio to create the best workout for busy women. We\u2019re influenced more by customer needs and behaviour than trends. Our group X timetable is more focused than a typical gym timetable.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not trying to be all things to all people; our customers can get their yoga or Pilates fix elsewhere. As one of the first boutique studios in London to offer HIIT-focused workouts, we benefited from the rise in popularity of HIIT and small group workouts.<\/p>\n

\u2022 We refresh the timetable three times a year to coincide with summer, winter and spring.
\n\u2022 Keeping things the same for too long isn\u2019t good for fitness progress and recovery and can lead to lower attendance.
\n\u2022 To attract busy mums, we created a \u2018drop-in\u2019 concept. Customers can come at any time within a 90-minute period and get their 30-minute workout. We time sessions to fit with school drop-off times.
\n\u2022 12 weeks is a good session duration, along with minor content modifications each month.
\n\u2022 We believe operators shouldn\u2019t spend lots of time and effort trying to change behaviour. It\u2019s more efficient to have a deep understanding of your customers\u2019 behaviour and look for opportunities to link exercise to existing behaviour patterns.
\n\u2022 We organise the timetable around three areas: 1. Regular classes that change exercise but don\u2019t change format or branding (60% of timetable);\u00a02. Occasional internal classes \u2013 a wide range of branded sessions rotated at every timetable change (e.g., trampoline based, barre, yoga inspired) (25% of timetable);\u00a03. External \u2013 occasional guest instructors providing specialised sessions, such as themed yoga and professional dance, to keep things fresh (5% of timetable). (approximate figures)<\/p>\n

St Peter’s Leisure Centre, Burnley\u00a0group X timetable<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Scott Bruce, area manager, says:<\/p>\n

We have embedded a number of trends in our group X timetable. The CrossFit phenomenon goes from strength to strength and we took our team to sample it. This encouraged us to change routines on the gym floor and piggyback basic elements. We feel we have a social responsibility to engage families. We\u2019ve seen an increase in members wanting to train as a family, especially functional
\ntraining, and have commenced family boot camp and gym floor SYNRGY360 sessions with great attendance levels.<\/p>\n

\u2022 We have a strong, women-only class offering, with a wide variety of sessions, including Group Centergy, Box Fit and Glow Fitness. Dancelicious-type classes are a present trend and we\u2019ve increased these classes.
\n\u2022 Gentle exercise classes such as aqua, Pilates and yoga are more popular during day-time hours, as they are highly attended by clients over 60. Indoor cycling is popular for members attending earlier.
\n\u2022 We\u2019ve seen an upturn in our youth market, especially within after-school clubs. We utilise Snapchat to communicate with these users.
\n\u2022 The group X timetable is reviewed every quarter to keep it fresh. It\u2019s important to allow classes to breathe and grow to ensure demand does not exceed capacity, but also don\u2019t be afraid to change or remove a class that isn\u2019t working.
\n\u2022 Our timetable covers three main elements \u2013 core, strength and cardio \u2013 at peak periods of mornings, lunchtimes and evenings, which can be a challenge, especially with space at a premium.
\n\u2022 We have developed our ball breaker session: three 30-minute sessions of HIIT, Hard and Heavy followed by Abs Blast, where members can attend a separate 30-minute session or take up the 90-minute challenge.
\n\u2022 When it comes to value and member expectation, we still have a mentality of should a 30-minute class be cheaper than a 45min\/one-hour class?<\/p>\n

New ETM qualification for group X<\/h3>\n

Developed by EMD UK in partnership with awarding body Active IQ and group training specialists, the new qualification provides an update to the original and now outdated Level 2 Exercise to Music (ETM).<\/p>\n

This innovative new qualification gives instructors a dynamic and flexible learning path, combining units based on the type of group training they want to teach. Instructors can complete the \u2018Group Training\u2019 qualification (for classes like HIIT, bootcamp and circuits) or Group Training (to Music)
\nwhich adds on the skills needed to plan and teach classes to the beat and phrase of the music (such as freestyle classes, Zumba\u00ae or Les Mills BODYATTACK\u2122).<\/p>\n

EMD UK recognised the need to update the core group exercise qualification and at the same time address the ever-evolving range of group exercise formats on the market. In addition to comprehensive coaching and instructional skills, the new course includes essential content for
\ninstructors to run their own successful businesses. It also encompasses soft skills needed to engage and retain participants such as understanding behavioural change and barriers to exercise along with delivering a great customer experience.<\/p>\n

Visit emduk.org\/become-an-instructor\/courses\/level-2-group-training\/<\/a> or email training@emduk.org for more info or to book your place.<\/p>\n

Where next? Check out this post from Human kinetics:Taking care of the shoulders in yoga\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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