We\u2019re living in strange times. We\u2019ve seen the move to digital accelerate in the space of a week or two and, as a result, it\u2019s left many of us feeling more than a little discombobulated. We\u2019re inviting clients into our homes in a virtual way and training them from our living rooms, home gyms or garages \u2013 even the garden! So, how have we been keeping the magic alive through a video screen?<\/p>\n
Rachael Watson\u00a0Freelance fitness instructor\/PT \u00a0and director of Yoga Heaven<\/strong> offers a weekly timetable of four classes a day, six days a week, and gets between 10 and 20 people online for the majority of her classes. \u201cI reach out to everyone via email or directly on social media, offering free sessions as well, including meditation, which saw 45 people take part<\/em>,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd I did a free \u2018pet\u2019s yoga class\u2019, which was hilarious! Escapism, mindfulness and fun are all things people can benefit from at this uncertain time. I\u2019ve generated quite a lot of new clients from doing this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Holly Lynch,\u00a0Fitness Coordinator and lecturer<\/strong> is also offering much more than an online session. She tells us, \u201cWe are using the Facebook group platform for daily challenges (sometimes fitness-related, sometimes not) and a quiz night every Friday. We share recipes and cooking tips, create tiktok challenges for those who use it and are encouraging people to chat in general and share the experience together.\u201d<\/p>\n She adds, \u201cI think it has to be more than fitness to keep people engaged. They need to feel they are part of something fun and supportive they can check into numerous times a day \u2013 not just once for their workout.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Lynn Wilson, health and fitness manager, Volair Leisure,<\/strong> tells us that, within her leisure trust, they hadn\u2019t yet needed the presence of an online workout platform, although it was being worked on, so the lockdown meant they needed to have options for members quickly. She says, \u201cWe decided to offer MOSSA Move online workouts to our members. They are already familiar with this on our group exercise timetables and are even able to try some new programmes. This has been well received and we hope this keeps them engaged (and therefore excited to return) and that they don\u2019t feel they have lost most of their fitness aims\/results.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n She credits the fitness team as key to member engagement. The team has been filming at home and releasing these on social media each week. She adds, \u201cWe wanted this to be more personal. I\u2019m a firm believer that members will return not for a product, piece of kit or facility but for the people \u2013 therefore, showcasing the team is essential!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Rachel Fortnum,\u00a0Group Exercise Instructor<\/strong> has decided to maintain a routine for her clients, delivering all the usual classes in their correct timetabled slots but via Zoom. She says, \u201cI managed to deliver all\u00a0my fitness equipment to my regular clients the day before lockdown. I\u2019m also adding new classes to the timetable, so they are getting more fresh new content. I\u2019ve dropped my pay-as-you-go price a little and I\u2019m offering weekly or monthly cost-friendly packages.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Finally, Rachael Watson has these tips to make the online coaching experience a good one. She says, \u201cMake sure your whole body is in shot and people can hear you. Make sure your device and the participants\u2019 devices are plugged in or have enough battery. Remove any pets from the room (unless it\u2019s a pet yoga class). I had an embarrassing experience with one of my cats getting involved with my yoga class! Mute all participants during the session, so their background noise doesn\u2019t distract everyone else.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n How are you optimising your clients\u2019 experience during lockdown and keeping the motivation going? Drop us a message in the comments below and share your successes!<\/p>\n