Wednesday 2nd September Business Briefing Do you want to run a silent disco? With Guest Marie Tur

This business briefing is an interview with fitness professional Marie about running Silent Disco fitness classes and walks, covering equipment, safety, pricing, class management and practical lessons.

How Marie started

• Began Silent Disco when a venue complained her fitness classes were too loud.
• Initially hired headsets for a class rather than cancelling.
• Participants loved the experience, encouraging her to invest in her own equipment.
• Silent Disco became particularly useful for outdoor classes during the pandemic.
• More recently she has introduced Silent Disco walks to supplement community-class income.

Equipment

• Marie initially invested in 50 headsets, matching her class capacity.
• Uses Silent Disco King equipment.
• Prefers rectangular-style headsets for comfort and stability.
• Has since purchased additional headsets and a portable outdoor transmitter.
• Headsets require cleaning after use and occasional replacement/maintenance.
• Equipment represents a significant upfront investment, so hiring first can test demand.

Silent Disco walks

• Marie caps walks at around 30 participants.
• Usually has 2–4 staff/helpers.
• One person leads while another stays at the back.
• She walks the proposed route beforehand.
• Uses parks and safer pathways wherever possible.
• Keeps a moderate walking pace to attract people beyond her regular fitness clients.
• Walks combine music, walking, optional dance and occasional exercises.
• Avoid making them too intense—the aim is an accessible, enjoyable experience.

Safety and risk management

• Check whether local parks require permission or permits.
• Confirm your insurance covers the activity.
• Complete appropriate risk assessments.
• Carry a first-aid kit.
• Have assistants for larger groups.
• Tell participants to remove headphones when crossing roads.
• Consider uneven surfaces, pathways and other environmental hazards.
• Marie doesn’t currently allow dogs because of safety and participant preferences.
• She also restricts pushchairs/children where routes aren’t suitable.

Managing the headphones

• Explain controls before starting.
• Participants mainly need to understand on/off and volume.
• Music and instructor voice are very clear through the headphones.
• Instructors don’t need to shout.
• Marie keeps one ear uncovered so she remains aware of her surroundings.

Pricing and booking

• Marie’s normal 45-minute fitness class is around £7.
• Her Silent Disco walk is around £6 for one hour.
• Other instructors charge differently—for example, approximately £8.50/45 minutes or £12/2 hours were discussed.
• Pricing should reflect your local market and format.
• Marie uses Bookwhen for advance bookings.
• Pre-booking ensures she knows exactly how many headsets to take.

Weather

• Marie mainly treats the walks as a summer activity.
• Heavy rain may require cancellation, rescheduling or refunds.
• Headsets may be splash-resistant but shouldn’t be assumed suitable for prolonged heavy rain.
• Have a clear weather/cancellation policy.

Business opportunities

• Silent Disco can be used for:
• Fitness and dance classes
• Clubbercise-style sessions
• Outdoor workouts
• Walking events
• Festivals and special events
• Collaborations with other instructors
• Equipment + instructor hire packages
• Keeping it as an occasional event can maintain novelty and reduce equipment wear.

Key takeaway

• Test the concept before making a large investment.
• Success depends on much more than the headphones: route planning, staffing, insurance, permissions, safety, booking systems and weather planning are essential.
• Silent Disco offers fitness professionals a way to create a distinctive experience and an additional revenue stream, particularly through outdoor walks and events.