Innovative Programming with PJ Stahl

Innovative programming and new fitness tools can inspire and change the energy of your fitness environment.

I am going to show you some of the strategies I use to create a seamless integration protocol for new fitness classes and equipment. I completely understand that the idea of creating change can sometimes be overwhelming as a business owner, but from a client retention and acquisition standpoint it can be exciting. Below are some of the methods I use at my fitness center to keep my members and coaches excited about fresh inventive ways we are advancing our classes and programming.

The most recent innovative strategy I have used at Lock Box LA has been creating and implementing a new class into our regular weekly schedule. I am going to use the example of our OCR Bootcamp Class, which stands for Obstacle Course Racing Bootcamp. I decided to create this new class because I saw that there was a demand for a conditioning based class that created a new challenge for members. I wanted something without barbells to balance out our other classes we currently offer. I also wanted to create something that would inspire our community to take on the goal of doing a Spartan Race. After I assessed the demand I knew it would work. I just needed to adjust our schedule and create an implementation plan.

I started by addressing the equipment needs, making appropriate schedule changes and fulfilled my budget. With the goal to increase membership numbers and class participation I could rationalize the budget to invest into new equipment.

After the plan was made, I now had to get our staff on board and trained. I started by teaching our staff about the class format and structure. After the programming was learned, I then taught them about the new Power Systems OCR equipment line we were going to use for the class and all of the new obstacle based exercises they needed to learn. The coaching staff was so excited to learn about new tools and exercises they had never done before. This was a great way to excite my staff about something original at the gym.

I also had to get our members excited and create a buzz within the gym and our local community. I had all of our coaches make announcements at the beginning of every class 1 month prior to the launch of the class to get the clients excited. I also had an article published in the LA Times and what the OCR Bootcamp was offering to the LA area that was not currently at any other fitness center. These marketing strategies were ideal for generating the buzz for our facility and the new class that was about to be initiated.

After launching, we have had amazing feedback from our staff and members about the class. The coaches love the idea that they can help create innovative exercises with the new pieces of equipment. The members feel like they get new challenges in every class with these different equipment tools that they had never used in any of our other classes at Lock Box. They also like that the programming and how it changes with every workout and the different obstacles they have to face.

I recommend trying something new at your facility if it works within your system. This has newly inspired my staff and members by bringing a positive challenging energy back into the gym. I know sometimes things can feel stale, even if things are going great. So, why not bring some stimulating liveliness back. Below is my 10 step guide to the questions you should complete to implement a new innovate class at your facility. Take on the challenge. Good luck and have fun doing it!

10 Questions to Guide the Process of Implementing a New, Innovative Class:

1. FITNESS DEMANDS: What are the current fitness demands at your facility? What type of workout/programming is missing? How could a new class fill this gap?
2. SCHEDULE: Where in the current schedule could this class fit? Will you be trading out other classes and replacing with the new class or adding additional class times?
3. CLASS FORMAT: What is the ideal class format? What is the goal of the class?
4. EQUIPMENT NEEDS: What pieces of equipment/tools will you need to fulfill the class requirements?
5. BUDGET: What will the initial start up costs be for the new class? Build out a budget for the new class: Equipment? Paying coaches? Weekly/Monthly Budget?
6. MAKE IT EXCITING: Re-assess why you are implementing the class and be sure that you are capitalizing on:
   1. The new and exciting class format
   2. The new pieces of equipment in the class
   3. The new exercises your instructors will teach and clients will experience
   4. Can you attach a goal with participating in class (train for a Spartan Race?)
7. TRAINING STAFF: How much time will it take to train the staff on the new class format? Teaching process? And new equipment and exercises?
8. MARKETING NEW CLASS: How can you promote the new class? Make it an announcement at your other classes. Make a flyer/handout at the front desk. Have your front desk staff talk about the new class to everyone that comes in to the gym. Reach out to local publications to announce the new class and schedule.
9. FEEDBACK: Get feedback from your coaches and members. Is the class format working? Are the members excited to take class? Is the intensity level and intimidation factor appropriate (too high/too low)?
10. ADJUSTING AND ADAPTING: Make the appropriate adjustments to the class that are optimal for implementation and success of the program.