how to get started in a group training course

How To Conduct an Effective Group Training Session

• Choose a Space - Start by thinking about how many attendees you will have for the training and then choose a space that...
• Decide on Seating - Rather than sitting conference style, consider other ways to plan the seating and encourage...
• Set the Temperature - If it’s too warm, people will either fall asleep or start to...

Full Answer

What do you need to start a group training program?

To bring a group training program to life in your facility, you need six core components: vision, program, marketing, people, experience, and easy sign-up. When planned thoroughly and thoughtfully, you will be able to design the optimal business model that works for your facility.

What is group training?

Group training offers your club and trainers the opportunity to reach more people and grow your business. Offering your members or non-members the opportunity to train in a group creates a non-intimidating and social environment, while still providing specialized and valuable training. People like being in groups; it is human nature.

How can I Make my group training sessions memorable?

Evaluate - Build a digital survey asking for feedback about the presentation, food, content, pace, and ask for ideas for future trainings. Group trainings can be fun and engaging, so take the time to design a training session that will be memorable. Erica Jabali is a freelance writer and blogs over at ispyfabulous.com.

Can group training attract new membership members?

Additionally, a group training program can attract new prospective members as part of an introductory fitness package. Sign up to receive the latest fitness industry insights, product updates, event news, offers, and more.

How do you run a group training?

5:148:35The Beginners Guide to Group Training for Personal Trainers ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGet into apps get using it and really like it it's gonna help you generate those sales for long-termMoreGet into apps get using it and really like it it's gonna help you generate those sales for long-term clients.

How do I create a group exercise program?

Build a Community with Group WorkoutsPersonalize Your Service. Get to know your class members individually. ... Create a Challenge. Get your members feeling motivated and excited to work out in your class – create a class-based challenge that pulls everyone together. ... Offer a Referral Program for the Class. ... Use Social Media.

How do you run a successful group fitness class?

7 Tips for Being the Best Group Fitness Instructor PossibleMake Safety a Top Priority. ... Keep Things Interesting. ... Spend One-On-One Time With Each Class Member. ... Lead by Example. ... Expand Your Education. ... Know Your Audience. ... Be Accessible After Class to Your Members.

What is a group training program?

Group training consists of small groups of three to 15 people who receive specialized and focused training. Its strongest appeal—aside from the localized attention—is specialized personal training, albeit in a group setting. The fact is that group training is less costly than a personal trainer.

How do you program a small group personal training?

2:1720:07Small Group Personal Training Program Design For Strength ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI would say joint. Control and then going to more integrated. Movements. Then ramping to like thingsMoreI would say joint. Control and then going to more integrated. Movements. Then ramping to like things like skipping high knees things of that nature getting their core temperature up getting the cns.

How do you choreograph a fitness class?

0:042:46Group Exercise Choreography - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's a great idea to keep your choreography as simple as you can. So you would try to keep eachMoreIt's a great idea to keep your choreography as simple as you can. So you would try to keep each track each phase of your class relatively.

How do I teach group fitness classes online?

0:4113:10HOW TO TEACH GROUP FITNESS ONLINE | classes, customers, sign ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo these are group fitness classes they are virtual i hold them on zoom. And i have four differentMoreSo these are group fitness classes they are virtual i hold them on zoom. And i have four different formats. So right now i'm teaching karaoke cardio i'm teaching choreography.

Is being a group fitness instructor worth it?

Increased confidence - Getting up and teaching to a group of strangers for an hour can be nerve-wracking. It's also super rewarding! Being an instructor has increased my confidence, which has spilled over into my day job as an engineer.

What makes a great group fitness instructor?

Be Energetic and Motivating Motivate your participants to work harder and put the extra effort in. Classes need to feel positive and purposeful. A great fitness instructor is always energetic and trying to get the best out of every participant.

How do you get group training clients?

9 Ways to Get More Personal Training ClientsCreate Loyal Clients. ... Ask for Referrals. ... Write Articles for Local Magazines or Fitness Websites. ... Send Weekly Emails. ... Engage with Clients Through Facebook. ... Offer a Free Trial. ... Develop a Working Relationship with Health Professionals. ... Post Testimonials on Your Website.More items...

What is small group training?

Small group training consists of one trainer working with a group of three to eight clients. Keeping the group to an 8-person max allows the personal trainer to build a connection with each individual while also giving proper attention to each participant's safety, form, and alignment.

What is considered effective small group training?

Size of Small Group Programs In general, an effective small group training program has fewer than 10 participants and the instructor does not work out with the clients (in contrast with traditional group exercise).

1. Design different programs for different people

Having everyone train in the same program just ain’t gonna work. There are too many variables involved, and you’ll be doing many of your clients a disservice. Have a main purpose and “avatar,” if you will, for each training program that you have in place.

3. Design a customized prehab plan for each individual after the initial assessment

I always stress to my members that they must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of their training sessions. This is so that they can take full advantage of their prehab routines that we design for them following their initial assessments.

4. Design each program with a specific goal, and modify the program to fit the needs of each individual

Ok, you have different programs geared for different people. Now, it’s time to design your programs for the main demographic you’ll have training in that program. For example, if you have one program for intermediate-advanced lifters who are generally healthy and range from the ages of 30-45, design your template for that demographic.

5. Give out notebooks, and have your members track their weights

If you’re trying to keep track of the weights each member uses along with the reps he or she has achieved, you’re going to have a very tough time as your business grows.

7. Hire Staff

For years, Tutela Training Systems was a one-man show. I did everything. Did every training session, designed every program, cleaned the toilets, cleaned the windows, marketing…everything.

How to choose a space for a training?

Choose a Space - Start by thinking about how many attendees you will have for the training and then choose a space that will have enough room for everyone to fit comfortably. If people are packed in like sardines, they’ll start to feel uncomfortable, and you want them to be relaxed and fully present.

How to increase staff perception of training?

Offer Snacks - Everyone loves to eat, and snacks will immediately increase your staff’s perception of the training. Offer a variety of snacks and drinks for them to enjoy. Consider offering a bagel bar in the morning and a candy station or ice cream sundae bar in the afternoon.

How to incorporate surprises in a team?

Take the time to incorporate surprises using media, pop culture and other creative things that will capture your team’s attention.

How to help staff follow along with learning?

Offer Written Materials - Design written materials to help your staff follow along and retain information. This can be a workbook or packet that they can use to take notes or even just a one-page handout. The person doing the work is doing the learning, so find ways to engage your staff in the learning process.

How to encourage interaction in a conference?

Decide on Seating - Rather than sitting conference style, consider other ways to plan the seating and encourage interaction. If you’ll be doing breakout groups to brainstorm, put chairs in small groups. If you want people to work as a team, put seats in a circle. Or, consider changing the seating arrangement for different parts of the training. Moving chairs only takes a couple of minutes and mixing it up can increase engagement.

Vision

The first major step of creating group training programming in your facility is to decide on your vision.

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Program

Your program describes the variety and sequence of workouts that make up your group training offering. Workouts need to be effective, progressive, and desirable, matching the vision that you’ve set up.

Marketing

Clear and compelling marketing messages can help your program by gathering interest, driving members old and new to sign up, building your brand, and drawing people to other services offered by your facility, such as personal training.

People

Even if your group training program has the best vision, program, and marketing behind it, it takes the right staff to truly bring the program to life and to create passion and excitement around it. Choose a group training staff who will motivate members with their infectious personalities, while still managing to keep the class running smoothly.

Experience

Exercisers are looking for premium workout experiences in motivating settings, surrounded by a sense of community. In order to create the most impactful experience that will keep members engaged and excited, focus on the following features:

Easy Sign-Up

Make it easy for prospective participants to know how much it’ll cost to participate in your program. Again, you’ll want to consider your vision: who are you trying to bring in with your program, and what are they likely to pay for services?

Why do you need group training?

Group training creates a revenue stream for trainers, which in return increases their longevity with your club.

How many people are in a group training?

Group training consists of small groups of three to 15 people who receive specialized and focused training. Its strongest appeal—aside from the localized attention—is specialized personal training, albeit in a group setting. The fact is that group training is less costly than a personal trainer.

What do you need to be a fitness trainer?

Your trainers should be certified and preferably possess college degrees in a health and wellness field. They should be organized and prepared. Hire energetic trainers who can inspire and motivate while demonstrating a genuine concern for a client’s results and wellness. Attention to detail and providing exercisers with the level of guidance they expect is important in group settings.

What do exercisers need?

Exercisers need affordable guidance and personal trainers need clients. As a club operator, how can you serve the needs of both parties? Group personal training is the answer.

What is the difference between group fitness and group fitness?

Generally, group fitness caters to large groups of people while group training is limited in numbers. Group training allows for the implementation of more creative exercise programs and personalized attention.

How long should a group workout be?

In group training, the average workout should be approximately 50 to 60 minutes. Set aside five minutes for a functional warm up, and five to ten minutes at the end of the session for a cool down. Organized and prepared trainers become immensely valuable in this environment.

What are the challenges of group training?

Group training program challenges include finding the right ratio of socialization and actual work. Dealing with clients who need more attention can present difficulties for trainers as well as the group.

What is the first step to becoming a fitness instructor?

Once you've decided that becoming a group fitness instructor is right for you, the first step is choosing a certification program . Consider a certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies ( NCCA ), considered the gold standard in health and fitness. All ACE Certifications are accredited by the NCCA.

How old do you have to be to be an ACE instructor?

To be eligible for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam, you must: Be at least 18 years old. Have completed high school (or the equivalent). Hold a current CPR/AED certification with a live skills check.

What do you get when you pass the ACE certification?

Once you successfully pass your exam, you will officially be an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor. You'll now have access to exclusive resources aimed at helping you launch your career, including professional discounts on equipment, liability insurance and more. You'll also receive your certificate and a wallet ID card to verify your credentials to potential clients and employers.

How to find the right job for ACE?

First, you'll need to determine which setting you want to work in (a health and fitness club, specialty studio, medical fitness facility or if you'd like to venture out on your own) and where. Whichever career path you pursue, ACE has a number of tools to help you get started. For more information, see our Programs & Benefits or log in to your My ACE Account once you earn your certification.

How long does it take to take the ACE exam?

Preparation for the exam is self-paced, typically taking 80-100 hours over 3-4 months. ACE offers several tools you can use, including ACE Answers, our self-serve resource center, and ACE Answers on Facebook, our social study community.

How many CECs are required for ACE?

In order to maintain the high standards set by the NCCA, ACE Professionals (and others in the industry) are required to earn 20 hours of continuing education credits (2.0 CECs) every two years. Establishing and enforcing that standard helps us validate that professionals continue to enhance their competence to safely and effectively lead people to change. To fulfill those renewal requirements, ACE offers a number of diverse opportunities, including the CEC Club, a cost-saving subscription plan, to help you build your expertise.

What do you need for online group coaching?

All you need is a plan, a great promotional strategy, and perhaps the most important of all for online group coaching programs, the right tools, technology and platforms to execute on it.

Why do people join membership programs?

People may join membership programs to reach a personal goal, but they often stick around for the feeling they get from being a part of an exclusive club. This feeling is something you can create by the little bits of value you sprinkle in along the way on top of the core program like: first access to new offerings.

What is membership model?

Membership Model. An evergreen program that is structured to always run on the same recurring schedule, and that allows clients to get started at any time. Like a cohort, everyone is experiencing the same content at the same time, but like a program model, clients can sign up at any time. Now, let’s dive into the details ...

Do you need a ton of clients to pull this off?

You don’t need a ton of clients to pull this off, but you do need a plan to deliver a ton of value and some personalized attention along the way. This should be a high-ticket offering, so the value really needs to shine through.

Is membership model good for business?

The math on Membership Models is pretty favorable for your business, especially if your program is set up as a continuity offer that comes after your primary program.

Can you run a cohort program?

Even if you’re just getting started, if you can sell a group of clients on your program by a set launch date, then you can run a cohort program. If you’re looking for a more hands-on way to pilot a program with real clients before building it into a more scalable, automated program, a cohort is a great option.

How to create a group coaching program?

Here are a few examples of content that you could put into a group coaching program: 1 Live group coaching calls, where group members listen and share (an essential part of group coaching!) 2 An online forum where the group can ask questions and network with each other 3 A series of courses that get released each month to group members 4 A library of resources on relevant topics 5 Weekly emails with latest trends and tips 6 Optional add-on 1:1 time with you

How to make sure your group coaching program is a success?

One way to make sure your group coaching program is a success is to make sure there's already a market AND identify where you can stand out.

What is the most important part of a coaching program?

The most important part of your coaching program is the content and support you offer. However, when it comes to converting prospects to clients and building loyalty, you'll want to add some bonuses to really ‘wow' your new program members.

What to do when you're done creating the core content for your program?

When you're done creating the core content for your program, come up with a catchy title and apply any branding you want. Be sure to stay consistent with branding that you already have in place for other parts of your business.

How to build a reputation for coaching?

Check out relevant Facebook Groups, online forums, Q&A sites, YouTube videos and anywhere else your target market goes for answers. Add to the conversation where you can provide value so you can start building your reputation right away, before you even have a coaching program available .

What happens when you take your group coaching online?

When you take your group coaching online, you'll be able to help thousands of people from all over the world.

How to help customers who already have customers?

If you already have customers and clients, talk to the ones you enjoy working with and find out where they need more help. Ask them what they appreciate most from working together with you or using your current offerings. These are the people who know your strengths best, so they'll also be able to give you insights on where you'll provide the most value to others.