Fitness on Demand group fitness programs. What are your thoughts?
I am curious what both group fitness instructors and club managers think about Fitness on Demand group fitness classes in a gym setting. It allows members to watch group fitness classes on a TV at the gym without an instructor on site. basically- it’s fitness videos on demand at the gym. I have seen them at 24 hour gyms, and am now getting suggestions from a vendor to add them to my gym (not a 24 hour gym with lots of -i think- great group fitness programming with real, live instructors!).
Hi Kelly,
my first thought was: what are the ramifications for liability? You have instructors who you screen and whose credentials you know. They scan the classes to make sure that everybody is safe. Participants get very attached to instructors and enjoy a short post-workout chat. Obviously, a video cannot do that.
On the other hand: there are excellent videos by highly respected instructors. I recommend them myself to clients at times.
If I was an instructor where such programming was introduced, I would wonder if I was on my way out the door and would probably begin looking for another club.
In summary: I can see the temptation for a club owner but I myself would not go that route.
Just my thoughts …..
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
I think that the liability questions and concerns that Karin mentions are HUGE, as well as the fact that I know that most people take group exercise classes because of the ‘human factor.’ The human interaction with a live instructor is a large part of why many take group ex classes. Have any doubts – just look at what happens in some clubs when a classes favorite instructor is out for a while sick or on vacation. The class members are clamoring for that person to return.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
[email protected]
I understand and agree for the most part with the opinions of my peers.
I am just curious to know whether anyone believes the rationale behind setting the station of the televisions on “Fitness On Demand” is simply because it is a gym and not for any other reason.
Many gyms have various television stations playing that participants freely watch which riding ellipticals, running on treadmills, etc., and the risk of injury exists there too.
For me it’s a simple business decision of setting the television to a channel offering fitness programming as it is a gym.
Thoughts?