Catering to all of your members can be a daunting task. Designing these challenges or programs should begin with identifying what population is being targeted and what the goals of the challenge are. 

We have found that something as simple as a steps challenge can gather participation from members that aren’t as active within the fitness center itself. As always it is important to track results, determine prizes (if applicable), comply with privacy for participants and ask for feedback about the challenge. 

Ideas for virtual challenges or events may include the following:

• Steps Challenge
• Weight Loss Program
• Nutrition Roundtable
• Plank Anywhere Challenge
• Well-being or mental health focus 
• Virtual 5k
• Squats for Reps
• Calorie burned
• Leverage challenges with your vendors such as Myzone 

You will also want to decide if your challenge will include social media. Options for this include aspect posting photos related to the challenge or program, check-in as you complete activities tagging your business, sharing their experiences, video, etc.

Variety is key when it comes to trying to include as many members who may be looking to simply have fun with whatever programs you are running. However, if you have a mixed group of personalities, separating into divisions of competitive and casual can appeal to different member populations.

Virtual Education / Learn Actively

Expanding your scope to more than just fitness during this time is extremely important. Utilize your team and their expertise to provide other wellness services including nutrition education, health coaching, mobility, mindfulness and meditation. 

We found through member surveys that where our members needed support was not just in fitness but in other aspects of their well-being: mental health, nutrition and sleep specifically. While there is a lot of information out there, members want to engage with faces they are familiar with and trust. We have leveraged our teams additional certifications and expertise to start offering free educational webinars, then followed up with an optional fee based service or program. 

Based on member feedback, we created a #LearnActively webinar series that has been well received by our members, some examples include: 

• Diet & Inflammation / Clean Eating Webinars hosted by a Certified Health Coach
• Foam Rolling / Mobility Webinars hosted by a Certified Personal Trainer 
• Mindfulness and Meditation hosted by a Certified Health Coach and Yoga Instructor 
• The WOOP Method: Science of Well-Being hosted by a Certified Health Coach

Through these webinars, we have been able to reach a larger member base offering these fee-based services: 1-1 Health Coaching, Food Diary Review, Clean Eating Accountability Group, Foam rolling and recovery tools for purchase.

While your club might have previously only focused on the fitness aspect of well-being, there are many other areas that you can capitalize on virtually that can keep your members engaged and connected during this time. Continue to think outside of the box when it comes to your virtual toolkit! 

We hope that you have enjoyed this blog series and were able to take away something you can implement within your virtual training. We welcome and encourage your feedback.