Q: “Is it okay to cut back on our group exercise schedule during the summer? Attendance is usually down during those months, so it seems like the right move. However, we don't want to upset any members who frequently go to the same classes each week.”

A: Yes! It is absolutely necessary to cut back Group Fitness Classes during the slower months.

For most in the United States this time is during the summer months, June-August. At first the members may get frustrated, so I recommend educating your members about why you are cutting the classes. Inform them about industry averages for class, or your own personal-goal-average for classes, let them know what those numbers are and that they are their numbers are falling off due to low attendance. You will find that members start to “own up” to their classes and will start to pay attention when the numbers get small and then understand why you are cutting back.

Members start encouraging members to come regularly so they do not lose their class. In addition, it is good to cut back so in the Fall when you bring the classes back there is some excitement in the air!

Management will also appreciate you being aware of the bottom line and members will look forward to having their class back.

Anne Whiteside, Program Director
Yakima Athletic Club & YAC Fitness
anne@yakimaathletic.com
www.yakimaathletic.com

It is certainly okay to cut back on classes during the summer months. It is a matter of looking at your weekly attendance sheets, and viewing the classes that are falling during the time period and pressing pause on those classes for the summer.

In the past, we have moved classes around to accommodate the greatest number of people, but understanding the fact we cannot please everyone. The first year is always the hardest, as your members will get accustomed to the yearly reduction. The fact is we cannot run classes with less than a specific number of people in them.

We suggest that you figure your classes on a $1.00 per head basis and in this matter it is total participates in every class divided by payroll for the instructions. If we are not on the $1.00 per head, then we look at every class and grade them on an individual basis. Over the summer month, many of your regular lower count classes will go to a level where you cannot afford to run them.

Thomas Kulp, Executive Director
Universal Athletic Club
tom@universalathleticclub.com
www.universalathleticclub.com

A: “You cannot please all of the people all of the time” always holds true when planning the hours for any group activity. This is the biggest challenge we all face in the fitness industry when creating our class schedule.

In the summer, there is always a drop in the numbers and I would say it is very acceptable to reduce the classes. The classes that stay are obviously the ones that draw the most people. A good idea might be to combine classes-for example of you offer a popular step class and also a toning class that is well attended, why not put the 2 together and call it Step n tone creating a circuit style format. This way, the steppers are happy that their class is not canceled and also get the benefit of some strength conditioning.

Perhaps another way of reducing the schedule but still keeping a variety is to shorten the hour classes to 45 minutes or even 30 minutes. A great class is always one zoning in on the core-some good titles good include AB BLAST OR SUMMER ABS –so offering a non-stop 30-minute boot camp followed by a half hour of Core exercises could easily replace 2 one hour classes and keep your members happy. I think the best way to be successful in shortening your hours in the summer is to offer a good change that makes sense.

It would be recommended to take this time to really push the variety of trying new classes and new things at your club.

Frances Michaelson, Owner/Director
Muscle Up Inc.
frances@muscleup.ca
www.muscleup.ca

A: Although cutting back on the group exercise schedule during the summer months has been a common practice for many years in health clubs worldwide, you must first determine if this is the right decision for your club.

Start by reviewing monthly class attendance, and survey members in late winter and early spring to get an idea of their plans for summer (vacation, school break, etc.), as well as their overall expectations. Let them know that you are considering reducing the number of classes during the summer, and to satisfy their needs, you need their input. Allowing members to be part of the decision-making will facilitate acceptance of temporary changes in the schedule.

To avoid member disappointment and dissatisfaction, consider the following:

• Use surveys and class tracking to determine which classes can be cut, and which must remain. Make sure that you have a well-balanced program, which offers a variety of class choices at different times of the day; strength training, cardio or dance based, mind-body, as well as any signature classes that your facility is known for.
• Communicate schedule changes far in advance. Start ‘promoting’ during the spring; announcing when the summer schedule will be posted, as well as when it will go into effect. Use a variety of communication means including posters, newsletters, e-mails, social networking, and updates on the club’s web site.
• Determine specific start and finish dates for the summer schedule so members can plan accordingly.
• Include some ‘summer season’ based classes to encourage continued club use.
• Take care of your group exercise instructors by engaging them in the decision-making process and satisfying their needs as well. Remember: happy staff = happy members!

Fred Hoffman, M.Ed., Director of International Services
The Club Synergy Group
fred@fredhoffman.com
www.fredhoffman.com