Author: Adam Horwood, Business Development Executive at ClubWise
During this COVID-19 pandemic, the health and fitness industry has taken a hit following Government advice to close all gyms and leisure centres. Keeping your members engaged during this period may seem challenging but, with the right technology mix and a consistent approach, keeping your members engaged is not only easy, but fun too! Below, we have outlined 10 ways to keep members engaged during Covid-19.
1. Regularly Keep in Touch with Your Members on Changes That Your Business Might Be Making Over the Coming Times
With the Covid-19 having no set end date, we are all fairly in the dark as to when normality will be restored, however, providing your members with up to date information regarding your business (any timetable changes, new classes being implemented, new instructors that may be coming onboard etc) is a smart move. We recommend using a variety of channels for example, social media, WhatsApp groups, maybe even post a YouTube video with a 5-minute clip of you discussing your thoughts & next steps for the Club. If you have a member app like FitSense, be sure to weave this extremely effective communication channel into the mix too.
2. Offer Online Classes to Add Value to Their Membership
With your club closed for the foreseeable future, now would be an ideal opportunity to kick start your virtual classes! Members can book on to these classes via FitSense, or you can have an open-door policy and have your members join you for a virtual Yoga session. The most popular format for this is by using ‘Zoom’, an online streaming platform. This will give the PT/instructor a chance to interact, engage and instruct members. You could run your usual class timetable via this online platform or have ad-hoc classes, all of which will add value to the membership and keep your members engaged!
3. Updating Members on The Most Recent Health and Safety Measures They Need to Take
To keep members engaged, online classes are probably something you have chosen to provide. As mentioned above, this can be done via your social media platforms etc. However, members still need to be cautious of health and safety during these home workouts. Give them a few tips in-line with Public Health England and the WHO to remind them to wipe down home surfaces, exercise in a safe and socially acceptable place (2m distance) from others. Even with your facility temporarily closed, the health and safety of your members is always a priority.
4. Offer Equipment to Hire
Now this may or may not be applicable to your club, but this is a quick and easy way to get your members moving whilst the gym is closed (and bring in some funds). Renting out dumbbells, mats or medicine balls could also give the club a real positive reputation in the community.
5. Share More Content Around at Home Workouts and Nutrition
With members isolating themselves at home, there is an increased need for information about working out at home and keeping on track with nutrition, especially if there is limited access to all the food supplies and meal options. Social media, email and push notifications are the best channels to communicate this information. Social media especially allows you to get creative with how you share information. Use video, infographic and detailed blog posts to get information across in different ways.
6. Encourage Member Engagement on Social Media
Make sure you interact with your members throughout the day on social media. One way to get them engaged is to host regular social media contests. Ask your members to tag three friends in the comments to win a prize (free PT session when you open, protein etc). Workout challenges are another great way to engage your members and can also be communicated on social media. If nothing else, this is a fantastic time to really grow your social community, which will have huge benefits when you reopen!
7. Embrace All Ages
With the country on lockdown, your members might be finding their usual ‘quiet place’ to workout isn’t so quiet anymore! As a club, you could offer a morning session targeting children too. Getting the kids engaged and moving at the same time as the parents will create a lively atmosphere for all.
8. Start A Fitness Challenge
This is something that’s been around since the industry begun and taking it back to basics and simply rewarding your members for continued engagement could drive customer interaction and retention. For example, 10 online classes gets you a free pack of protein when the club is open.
9. Highlight ‘Member of The Week’
Giving your members a pat on the back for their great work through public recognition can really drive them to keep up their fitness routine. Post a snapshot of your ‘Member of The Week’ with a little caption of how great they’ve been doing, across your social channels. This will also motivate other members to participate in online classes and keep up with their fitness routine, as there’s nothing more powerful than social peer pressure!
10. Get Member Feedback
If you have been pro-actively interacting with members and hosting your regular online classes, ask for feedback. Members love to have an input on class timetables, and you might find you have a large proportion of members in need of more Yoga sessions on a Tuesday!
We hope you find these 10 tips useful. Please feel free to share your own tips in the comments section below!