We learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that fitness is important for everyone, and digital fitness is not going away. Many industries have struggled during this period, and businesses must adapt in order to survive. In that situation, the fitness industry did what it needed to do and ran a hybrid fitness business. We can broaden our reach, support our community, and increase our bottom line when fitness is combined with digital and in-person elements in business. Successful hybrid work models allow you to earn money even when the gym is closed or restricted.
Hybrid fitness training combines various approaches to training so that you get a little bit of everything- strength work, functional fitness, cardio, and endurance. It entails shifting away from a single focus and employing two or more training techniques concurrently. If you have a gym and a digital fitness platform where you can stream classes and offer on-demand workouts to digital members, you can combine physical and digital offerings. It consists of personnel in the studio, virtual coaching, and digital services. Continue reading this article to learn how to make hybrids work successfully.
Methods to build a hybrid fitness offering
Creating a hybrid fitness offering is not an easy task. To create an effective and engaging program, careful thought and planning are required. Here are some ways to build a successful hybrid fitness.
- Engage with clients both online and in person:
Find new and innovative ways to interact with online and in-person customers. The majority of your members will likely belong to either a digital or physical membership, but some may cross over between both. That means you must communicate with your entire customer base, whether via email, text, push notifications, newsletters, or a Facebook group.
You can effectively engage with all customers if we develop an engagement strategy that incorporates all aspects of the hybrid gym. During class, alternate between making eye contact with in-person students and using your camera, calling out names between classes, and focusing on universal movement, safety, and motivation cues.
- Invest in the Most Necessary Equipment
To provide the best service to digital customers, you will need to invest in video and audio equipment. Digital fitness platforms are frequently a hybrid of live streams and on-demand content. Cameras, microphones, screens, tripods, lighting, and editing software are all necessary for recording workouts and editing videos. Online students may require stationary or no-equipment options in addition to in-person instruction at the same time. This requires some skill, but more planning can help it run as smoothly as possible. Your digital equipment must be able to recreate the experience that your members enjoy.
- Hire a co-instructor:
If you have a large enough budget, you can hire a hybrid fitness instructor and good digital talent is required to create a great digital fitness platform. One can concentrate on in-person students, while the other can concentrate on everything online. This includes both groups’ individual modifications and corrections. This includes hiring technical video editors, content creators who can interact with your membership base and marketing experts. Your digital team will assist in the creation of a library of on-brand, engaging, and motivating content.
- Be distinct, genuine, and on-brand :
Every business requires some level of uniqueness, authenticity, and on-branding. If you are known for your unconventional yet functional training programs, your digital fitness platform should reflect that. A great digital fitness solution delivers the one-of-a-kind experience that members have come to expect from you, and your social media, digital fitness, and in-person offerings should all interlink and complement one another. Your brand should be evident in all areas of your gym, whether you are a martial arts gym, a boutique gym, or a cardio gym. Make sure everything you do is authentic.
- Think about customers’ privacy options:
Customers, both online and offline, value their privacy. Even if a student shows up in person for your hybrid fitness class, that doesn’t mean that online students want to see him or her on camera. Make sure you have a private area or off-camera zone when you set up your camera angles. If anyone wishes to be off-camera, make a general announcement before class, identifying that area for those who may prefer it. You can also offer students a free piece of swag from your fitness studio or a free class in exchange for being on camera with you. Simply inquire as to what is best for your students or customers.
Closing Thoughts
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, A hybrid approach to fitness is the way of the future. The pandemic has changed the way people exercise with online classes, live streaming, and virtual personal training. Building a successful hybrid gym is now a priority for many gym owners, as digital fitness has become the norm in many people’s lives. Juggling may be necessary for hybrid fitness classes. However, the more you plan, prepare, and test your workouts, the more engaging they will be, both in-person and online.
Name: Sweta Kumari Panda
About the author: Sweta is an SEO content writer from Brahampur, Odisha, but currently lives in Bangalore. She is doing an internship in Digital Marketing and writing content for the leadership category. She graduated from Brahampur University in 2016 and has a degree in Mathematics (Hons).