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