“More hips, ladies, more hips,” chirps Sarah Egan, the oh-so-cheerful fitness instructor, during the Skinny Jeans fitness workshop at the Tahoe Mountain Club (TMC), in Truckee, Calif. The women grunt in response as they comply by not only giving “more hips,” but also by bending their knees and tightening their cores, hoping that by the end of this workshop, they’ll fit into those sexy, skinny jeans.
“For years, we’ve offered the usual fitness classes on a weekly basis, repeating the same day every week; naturally, the members appreciate the consistent class schedule,” says Jason Trim, Clubhouse Manager. “However, having provided so many free classes, we needed a way to introduce fee-based classes without shocking the members.”
THE GOAL:The Tahoe Mountain Club wanted to expand its fitness offerings without spending more money.THE PLAN:Workshops gave the club a way to introduce new formats and collect fees. If too few members sign up, the workshop is cancelled. The workshops span a specific number of sessions, and target a specific goal.
THE PAYOFF: Members appreciate the workshop format because it introduces them to new concepts, guarantees some interaction with a personal trainer, and in many cases, helps to develop a long-term fitness relationship. |
The club did this by introducing workshop-based fitness programs that target a specific wellness goal over a short period—usually, 4 to 8 weeks. The workshops add variety to TMC’s regular, ongoing fitness class schedule, plus they provide the opportunity to introduce and feature new techniques and fitness equipment such as kettlebells, gliding disks, BOSU®s, the Pilates Reformer and BOSU Ballast Balls®.
“Workshops are a great way to expose members to new fitness concepts and introduce them to a personal trainer, and they can be customized to any budget,” adds Trim. “If the workshop is not popular, you can quickly replace it with a new idea, without losing payroll dollars. And once a workshop reaches its minimum participation, you can allow drop-ins and increase revenue.”
A sampling of the topics and goals now covered in TMC’s workshops include:
• 5 Pounds in 5 Weeks
• Biking Workshop— Train out on the trail to improve your endurance, strength and technique.
• Body Boot Camp
• Get On The Ball—Learn how the fitness ball can help improve strength, endurance, balance and flexibility.
• Strength Training for Women
• The Couples’ Workout—Learn exercises you can do with your significant other in this “datenight” workout, followed by a healthy dinner and nutrition tips.
“Our Fitness Coordinator, Carrie Haines, is responsible for developing the workshops, and works closely with our Marketing Manager, Danielle Farnell, to promote them,” notes Trim.
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