Answers (10)
1
It does sound like a good idea at first.
It might have merit, but usually things like this can go sour. Companies have had programs like this in place- incentives for weight loss. The problem is that sometimes people can take it too far. For example- some people may try unhealthy routes to keep coming to your classes by starving themselves.
The other problem is how often will you weigh people?
It'll be time consuming if you do it every time, and people's weight fluctuates by several lbs every few days.
If you do it once less often will it be enough to be worth it to the members?
If you do it will you have to bring in more people to reach your desired bottom line?
It might have merit, but usually things like this can go sour. Companies have had programs like this in place- incentives for weight loss. The problem is that sometimes people can take it too far. For example- some people may try unhealthy routes to keep coming to your classes by starving themselves.
The other problem is how often will you weigh people?
It'll be time consuming if you do it every time, and people's weight fluctuates by several lbs every few days.
If you do it once less often will it be enough to be worth it to the members?
If you do it will you have to bring in more people to reach your desired bottom line?
1
Hello Jim,
Hmmmm....interesting concept. I think a better motivator would be to refund a percentage of their intial entry fee based on how much they lost or pay them per pound lost.
Sincerely,
Michael
Hmmmm....interesting concept. I think a better motivator would be to refund a percentage of their intial entry fee based on how much they lost or pay them per pound lost.
Sincerely,
Michael
0
i have never heard of this being done before. i think its a great and creative idea. it could potentially put a spin on the whole buying memberships program that is currently in place at every health club. in terms of how much should be charged that would depend on how much your overhead costs are, this is why health clubs have membership packages to garuntee the money is coming in.
0
Hello Jim Hensrud,
I do not particularly like the idea of putting two stresses together: weight and money.
Dropping the excess poundage should be done for health reasons, and health reasons alone.
I do not desire to lose weight...do I get to train for free? People are all different sizes; how to handle that? Why "ten" pounds?
There is much to go wrong with combining these two, sorry.
Take care.
I do not particularly like the idea of putting two stresses together: weight and money.
Dropping the excess poundage should be done for health reasons, and health reasons alone.
I do not desire to lose weight...do I get to train for free? People are all different sizes; how to handle that? Why "ten" pounds?
There is much to go wrong with combining these two, sorry.
Take care.
0
At face value your idea sounds like an interesting way to fill your class with participants. As many of the other responses state, however, I feel as if there's a bit too much room for controversy later on down the line.
I'm interested in how you might advertise any type of class like this correctly. Thoughts?
Instead of the variable being "pounds lost," have you considered basing your pricing structure on how much a participant's body fat percentage decreases?
Assuming your measuring device is accurate, there would probably be less of a chance of unhealthy actions taking place. This would also go hand-in-hand with you properly educating your exercisers on the physiological differences between "weight loss" and "decreasing body fat percent."
Another idea would be to market your group fitness classes as unique 10, 21, or 30 day challenges. Here's an awesome link for more insights on how you could do this: http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/the-10-day-program
Finally, here's a link to a previous question whose responses might be of interest to you: http://www.ideafit.com/answers/anyone-have-ideas-for-client-incentive-id...
Best of luck and I hope at least some of this is useful to you!
I'm interested in how you might advertise any type of class like this correctly. Thoughts?
Instead of the variable being "pounds lost," have you considered basing your pricing structure on how much a participant's body fat percentage decreases?
Assuming your measuring device is accurate, there would probably be less of a chance of unhealthy actions taking place. This would also go hand-in-hand with you properly educating your exercisers on the physiological differences between "weight loss" and "decreasing body fat percent."
Another idea would be to market your group fitness classes as unique 10, 21, or 30 day challenges. Here's an awesome link for more insights on how you could do this: http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/the-10-day-program
Finally, here's a link to a previous question whose responses might be of interest to you: http://www.ideafit.com/answers/anyone-have-ideas-for-client-incentive-id...
Best of luck and I hope at least some of this is useful to you!
0
Hi there Jim,
Being female I particularly would not be keen on combining cost with weight loss in pounds since so many variables are involved which are beyond a person's control including plateaus dependent on age and gender.
What I have done that has proven successful is this: IMO part of the problem in weight loss programs is attendance and attrition. To help adherence whether group or individually I have a built in cost which is doubled to the attendees. There is a set duration of the program. Depending on the program they sign a contract which also states they will not miss X amount of sessions (and how often they are billed if applicable). If they show up for the program duration (let's say 12 weeks) they get 1/2 their money back. This gives them incentive to continue through to the end. I have enough confidence in my coaching and programming skills that if someone follows a program they will see results. We all know this may NOT be reflected on a scale.
Hope that helps and good luck!
Being female I particularly would not be keen on combining cost with weight loss in pounds since so many variables are involved which are beyond a person's control including plateaus dependent on age and gender.
What I have done that has proven successful is this: IMO part of the problem in weight loss programs is attendance and attrition. To help adherence whether group or individually I have a built in cost which is doubled to the attendees. There is a set duration of the program. Depending on the program they sign a contract which also states they will not miss X amount of sessions (and how often they are billed if applicable). If they show up for the program duration (let's say 12 weeks) they get 1/2 their money back. This gives them incentive to continue through to the end. I have enough confidence in my coaching and programming skills that if someone follows a program they will see results. We all know this may NOT be reflected on a scale.
Hope that helps and good luck!
0
Hi Jim,
What about those clients who have very low body fat % and loosing lbs. would be very difficult? Does this program target people who are overweight? What if they can't lose any lbs., are they out of the program? Maybe a better way of approaching this would be if lowering their BF% would qualify them for different incentives (gift cards, free membership for a month, client of the month, free consultation with a dietitian or nutritionist, etc.). This way you don't limit the number of people who want to take this program, plus some of them might feel uncomfortable posting their weight for others to see.
Best,
Harris
What about those clients who have very low body fat % and loosing lbs. would be very difficult? Does this program target people who are overweight? What if they can't lose any lbs., are they out of the program? Maybe a better way of approaching this would be if lowering their BF% would qualify them for different incentives (gift cards, free membership for a month, client of the month, free consultation with a dietitian or nutritionist, etc.). This way you don't limit the number of people who want to take this program, plus some of them might feel uncomfortable posting their weight for others to see.
Best,
Harris
0
Not so sure about this concept, but one where the clients pay up front and then bet refunds based on weight loss might work better :-)
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
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