In today's digital age, consumers can access nearly any information or service at the press of a button, and they expect the same level of convenience from their fitness activities. Virtual classes are an innovative way to blend technology with your instructors' expertise that can give your club a huge advantage over the competition.

Today’s consumers expect to get what they want when they want it. Enter: virtual training. Virtual training classes are not meant to replace live classes but to supplement them during facility down times.

The following is a summarization of an education session from the 2015 IHRSA Convention, produced with full permission from IHRSA. The full-length video is available for purchase at ihrsastore.com.

About the Speaker

Rasmus Ingerslev is the Executive Vice Chairman and Founder of Wexer Virtual. He also serves as the Vice Chairman at IHRSA. He is a recognized writer and speaker within the health and fitness industry.

Virtual Training: Ticket to the Future

Virtual training can enhance the live class experience. It allows customers to obtain fitness in a different way from an ordinary gym studio. Virtual training offers customers convenience, ease of access, and a new, exciting way to work out.

The majority of virtual training participants prefer 35 to 45 minute formats. A recent survey found that eight out of ten people who regularly engage in virtual training recommend the classes to friends and families. This represents a high percentage. People who choose to use virtual training classes do so because the classes are flexible and convenient.

Virtual classes offer members selective parameters, such as the duration of classes and the fitness level. Adding virtual training to your facility makes it easy to collect data and apply that data to your entire group offering.

Virtual Training Increases Live Participation

Some club owners have expressed concern that robots or virtual technology will put them out of business. This concern is unfounded.

Virtual training classes have demonstrated the opposite. They help instructors cope with large workloads while building audiences for live classes. People who implement virtual training first have the potential to gain a competitive advantage.

Communication between instructors and members is a key aspect of virtual training offerings. Virtual training is global and can lend a competitive edge to any club. It makes it easy for members to experience all the workouts they want, when they want. This convenience is inline with today’s consumer mindset of instant gratification.

Who Contributes the Content?

Content is created by your instructors and trainers. They offer great in-person service, so why not use their input on a virtual platform as well? You will be able to reach people who may not otherwise have this opportunity.

Key Takeaways

It is important to have reliable Internet and sound capabilities within your facility for virtual training success. Virtual classes can be used as communication tools. They are a great platform to easily deliver a strong message to your members. Virtual classes can be used in any way you prefer. They can even be used as a sales tool.

Creating the right image is important. Make sure your images, sound and content are always professional. Communicate and educate your membership. If people do not know what you are doing and why you are doing it, your endeavor will be more likely to fail.

Virtual classes can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. Virtual classes can occupy any dead studio space as well as enhance live classes.

You can engage with members in a more meaningful way by allowing virtual classes in the club as well as at home. In-club virtual training can cost from $5,000 to $15,000. While this represents a large investment, this is one that can be worth the expense if it is done well. Ultimately, the cost has the potential to be less than one dollar a class.

The fitness world is rapidly changing and it helps to stay ahead. If you're open to making a bold addition to your club's programming, virtual classes may be the ticket to putting your facility on the cutting edge. With the convenience of anytime, anywhere classes, you can say goodbye to empty studio space and hello to happier, more active members.