Top 10 Tips for Online Group Exercise Training

Online training comes with its own set of challenges but it also has its many benefits. To make sure your clients and your online business are well taken care of – we recommend the following 10 tips to teaching Group Fitness classes online.

You can follow these 10 steps and equip your training platform as a fitness instructor. Within you will learn how to better accomodate your remote clients and give them the digital workout they deserve!

1. Make Sure You Are Set up with Insurance
2. Issue a Disclaimer at the Beginning of Each Class ( you can use other peoples as an outline)
3. Collect a Waiver
4. Limit the Class Size
5. Create 1:1 Videos for Existing Clients
6. Delete Instagram Live and Public Workouts After 24 Hours
7. Do Zoom Workout Classes
8. Let clients know where to purchase affordable equipment
9. Collaborate with a Local Small Business/ other fitpros
10. Provide Alternative Weight Options

TIP 1  Check with Your Insurance Provider to Make Sure You Are Covered for Online Training

Not all insurance providers cover remote training. However, please note that even when remote training is covered, your Instagram/YouTube content may not be!

It’s important to know where liability lies in all aspects of your group exercise business, so make sure you are asking the right questions and getting the right answers with your insurance provider. It can be a confusing space to navigate!

TIP 2  Issue a Disclaimer at the Beginning of Each Class

Disclaimers at the beginning of a class can go a long way to avoid having one of your participants get injured at home. These are good and proactive in a studio, but even more important when you’re not able to control the environment or offer hands-on adjustments over video.

For covering yourself from a preventable liability, a disclaimer can go a long way in protecting you and your clients.

On a youtube video this could be in the comments or you could make it appear on the start of your video- you can easily edit this with imovie.

TIP 3  Collect a Waiver Where Possible

Most insurance companies will require that you collect a waiver for your client, so this is always a good practice – even with in-person training. However, this is even more important when you’re training remotely, as you’ll have less control over the environment for your clients.

It’s just the name of the game with remote training: you won’t be able to control the environment the same way you would doing in-person group exercise training.

TIP 4 Limit the Class Size

You might be used to teaching classes of 20 – 30 in person, but it’s harder to keep track of everyone over video. Start with a group of 10, to make sure everyone’s form is still on point, and you can offer personalised guidance and adjustments to anyone in need.

Overall, it’s a good idea to start smaller with your group classes and then build them out once things are solidified.

TIP 5 Create 1:1 Videos for Existing Clients

Keep your current clients motivated and engaged by recording personalised workouts that they can do ‘with you’ remotely. This will also allow you to make sure your clients stay on track with their fitness goals!

There are a lot of different fitness apps and client management software out there that can help you create customisable dashboards and templates for tracking fitness progress.

TIP 6  Delete Instagram Lives and Public Workouts After 24 Hours

Try and avoid public dissemination of workout videos or workout plans. You don’t want to give your workout secrets away for free, and clients may be more likely to get hurt without your supervision. Maybe offer just short taster 10-15 minute workouts free on your Youtube to draw in customers then all other workouts are paid for.

TIP 7 Host Your Group Workout Classes on Zoom 

Most fitness professionals have been hosting group classes via Zoom. You can create a registration form, limit class sizes, and schedule times with Zoom classes.

It’s a great platform for convenient streaming, and it’s really easy to use!

TIP 8 Let clients know where to purchase affordable equipment

Everyone lacks workout equipment while working out at home, so if you spot any bargains for home workout equip on Amazon or in Aldi then let your clients know so they can build their set up. Even better team up with a gym equip brand for discount.

TIP 9 Collaborate with a Local Small Business

Great examples include – hosting an online workout with a DJ or partnering with a local restaurant to set up a meal plan and delivery for your clients.

Now, more than ever, small businesses need to rely on each other while the economy sorts itself out. Collaborating with a local business not only adds some variety to your workouts but strengthens the ties of the fitness community.

TIP 10 Provide Alternative Weight Options

Not everyone has access to a fully functional gym, so come up with fun alternatives. Duffle bags can be filled up with different objects and work as a hand weight. Gallons of water can serve as an alternative to a kettlebell. It’s time to start getting creative!

Offering online classes can be of great benefit to both Fitpro and client as there is reduced costs from no venue, no travelling, better work life balance and much more! In our increasingly busy lifestyles it is important to offer something flexible for your clients.

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Would you love to teach GROUP FITNESS classes? Learn how you can train to teach HERE