3 Simple Tips to Motivate and Retain Your Fitness Clients

Today, the fitness industry is more competitive than ever. New workouts, new technology, and a younger customer base with new expectations have all changed the rules of the game. It’s more than just a workout now—people are looking for an experience.

Here are three key factors that will help motivate students, increase attendance in your classes, and drive the intention to return to your fitness studio.

1. The effect music has on workouts

Talk about the power of music! The vast majority of us say that fun music and a good workout go hand-in-hand—and science attests to that. Music affects the mind profoundly. It acts as a positive distraction and diverts the attention from the discomfort of the exercise, the awareness of the fatigue, helping push through and work harder. Translation: less pain, more gain!

Two of the most important qualities of workout music are tempo—or speed—and what psychologists call “rhythm response.” Most people have an instinct to synchronize their movements and expressions with music. The rhythm of the music while working out stimulates the motor area of the brain to trigger them to know when to move, thereby aiding self-paced exercises.

2. The "group effect" and sense of community

The "group effect" plays a powerful role in positively influencing a club member’s overall workout experience—their enjoyment, satisfaction, exertion, and their intention to return. We know that people are more likely to adhere to an exercise program when they work out with others. The more group interaction, the more the group impacts and heightens an individual’s effort throughout the workout. 

Altogether, the music, the routine, the synchronization, and a motivational instructor in a group fitness class creates a positive group effect and experience that improves individual fitness outcomes. This is precisely the type of results members are eagerly looking for. But now we know it does more: the group aspect of the classes is a key factor in keeping people motivated and drives long-term participation.

3. Adding a unique class to your schedule

Setting your class offering apart from your competition can make all the difference in the success of your studio. By adding in a unique class to your existing rotation can help increase class attendance. 

A great example of this is a new type of HIIT program called STRONG by Zumba® (SBZ). In this workout, fitness-aficionados are gifted with an experience that is powered by original music, and movements that are synchronized to every beat. Every squat, every lunge, every burpee is driven by the music, helping students make it to that last rep, and maybe even five more.

This is a workout where music is certainly not an afterthought. It has all the key factors to create a positive group effect like we mentioned above and aims to increase the motivation of the class. And hey—you never know, this just might be the class that will help you forge long-term relationships with your current tribe, and a new wave of members.

Right now STRONG by Zumba®  is offering all Mindbody customers a $75 discount on instructor training* with code MINDBODY75.

*Offer expires 12/31/19. Coupon has no cash value, is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Not applicable to tax, shipping or handling charges. Subject to change at Zumba’s discretion.