The kids are back in school, Halloween decorations are out in the stores, and the PSL is back!!! (that’s Pumpkin Spice Latte for those who are wondering) Yes, soon the days will get shorter, the temps will get cooler, and we will soon trade our bathing suits and short shorts for sweaters and boots. As your clients enjoy their last few weeks of showing off their summer bod, it is a good idea to start developing a plan to keep your small group training clients on track and engaged this fall.
As the summer heat starts to fade, so does the drive of your clientele.
They start to become more satisfied with maintaining their results instead of getting more. The sooner you can get them refocused the better. Consider the dynamic of your small group when setting up the action plan.
For a competitive group, find an upcoming fall or winter event (5K, obstacle race, etc.) that they can train for and compete in as a team. If your group is more excited about competing with each other than competing with others, start monthly fitness challenges. Create a new training focus each month and begin and end the month with an competition that complements the training focus.
For example, spend a month integrating more plyometric training exercises into your small group programming such as box jumps, sprints, or power step ups. At the beginning and end of the training cycle, host a box jump challenge. Record each clients’ highest box jump at the beginning and the end of the month to track and celebrate their progress. Creating new challenges to conquer or competitions to win will keep a competitive group focused throughout the fall and winter months.
If your group isn’t as interested in competition but likes the comradery of training together, try refocusing them with a specific training objective for each month for the rest of the year. Share the action plan with them so they can understand and look forward to the changes they will make.
Here is an example of a fall/winter training syllabus you can follow or draw inspiration from:
- September – Flexibility and Core – Spend more time in the session on flexibility training followed up by core exercises executed at slow tempos with light resistance in 2-3 sets of 20-30 repetitions.
- October – Strength Training – Now that you have reinforced their foundation with core training, plan workouts that will challenge them to lift heavier than normal. Focus on specific muscle groups with heavy resistance in 4-5 sets of 8-12 reps.
- November – Endurance Training – Shift to total body circuit workouts with light to moderate resistance. 3-4 rounds with 15-20 reps per station.
- December – Integrated Cardio Training – Add several “cardio only” stations to a total body circuit. Integrate cardiovascular equipment in the gym for short, intense training intervals. This time of year the cardio deck probably won’t be too crowded.
The upcoming fall season can also be a good time to start a new small group training class. Offer a 60-day weight loss challenge paired with a weekly small group training schedule. This will appeal to those parents who are returning to their regular workout schedule after a summer full of soccer camps and family vacations. A new boot camp class and time can be just what your returning or prospective clients need to get them back in the habit and refocused on their goals.
We all need a little extra motivation every now and then. Even as passionate and energetic fitness professionals, we have to recharge our drive occasionally. That is why it is so important for us to continue to set goals, both personal and professional to maintain the energy and enthusiasm that helps us lead our clientele by example. As summer turns to fall, the days get shorter, the temps get lower, and even your most enthusiastic small group clients might need a little extra encouragement. This fall, be intentional about challenging yourself and your clients to set new and achieve new goals.
