Fall retention strategies – let’s brainstorm!
In the area where I teach, I’ve noticed a pretty distinct attendance cycle. Jan / Feb the gym is busy and classes are PACKED. March and April, attendance tapers off a bit. May, people come back to get ready for “bikini season” and then through summer attendance ebbs and flows as people vacation. In September, attendance bumps up again when kids go back to school, giving parents more time. October attendance is good. But from Thanksgiving to December, you can hear a pin drop. OK, I exaggerate, but Thanksgiving to the end of the year, class attendance drops big time.
Just curious about others’ strategies for retention during a slower time of year. Now’s the time to be thinking about it, before it dips.
Hi Nancy,
Something that I implemented is a “Freeze the Gain” challenge that runs from the week of Thanksgiving through the New Year. This is something that you can do with GEC and personal training. The program includes a pre/post weigh in, weekly email tips, handouts, and healthy holiday recipes. Participants who are able to stay within 2lbs of their start weight is entered into a raffle drawing. I found it helped participants stay on track and offered some in direct motivation.
You can also do a raffle drawing for members who participate at least “x” amount of times over the holiday season.