Category: Blog

Things get busy, we know how it goes. That’s why we want to check in and point out some of our newer EZFacility features you might have missed.

Over the last several months, we’ve been working hard to come up with new tools we believe are helpful for your continued transition from in-person classes to virtual ones. EZFacility wants to do more to help than just say we are here for you. That’s why we’ve come up with these new features to allow you to stay connected with your clients even in the midst of social distancing.

Yes, the world is socially distancing in a physical sense. But humans are social by nature and not even a pandemic can take that way. People still very much want to be -safely- connected to others and businesses. And that includes your company. Especially if you were a part of someone’s everyday routine prior to COVID-19. And honestly, even if you weren’t. You never know, someone could be searching at this very moment for a healthy way to fill up their time and space with an instructional class or two and then stumble upon your studio. So, be ready for them.

Here is how you can help existing clients and future clients alike, with our new Zoom Integration and Video Library features.

Zoom Integration

While Zoom itself isn’t new, it’s new to our site, and that’s still pretty exciting. With this new integration, moving online and setting up classes is made easy.

Again, nobody is socially distancing, emotionally. Only physically. People want to be connected and we want to help connect them to you. Zoom makes it possible to maintain that sense of normalcy. Whether it’s to hop on a chat with a loved one, attend a conference call, have happy hour with friends or to join a cardio class- zoom is ready for all of it. And we are ready for that last part. How about you?

By adding Zoom capabilities to our EZFacility self-service portal, it gives our clients the ability to live stream their classes for any studio sessions, whether it’s group or one-on-one’s. Plus, it’s mobile-friendly which means meetings can be launched or watched on cell phones from quite literally anywhere.

Video Library

The Video Library is a great place to start building a collection of classes for clients. It’s also a way to keep everything as normal as possible. Instead of your clients walking through your physical front doors, now they can walk through your digital doors and find a comprehensive list of classes being offered.

Showcase different classes and specific instructions or even create short introductory videos about your studio and instructors. The possibilities are endless.

All you have to do is record videos on a third-party video tool such as Facebook or Youtube, upload them, set a reservation type and sit back and wait for them to be enjoyed. Or enjoy them yourself!

Don’t forget to add your social media links directly to your self-service page too so clients know where to find you on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter and more.

This is only the beginning. We hope to enhance this Video Library feature and keep adding other useful tools for you to access in the future.

More Help

Are you looking for additional help or information during COVID-19? Take a look at this list of resources we’ve put together. Be sure to check back often as we update it.

If you’ve tried these new features, we are always interested in hearing your feedback. Or if there is something else you’d like to see, please let us know.

The unprecedented impact of the Coronavirus took everyone by surprise and left many business owners scrambling to identify ways to maintain a revenue stream and cover operating costs despite physical locations being closed. In the face of adversity—and although the fitness industry was one of the hardest hit– savvy yoga instructors have quickly adapted and began to offer pre-recorded and virtual yoga classes. 

The popularity of yoga existed long before Covid-19, but the shift to at-home yoga has created a new path for people to experience the benefits of yoga that weren’t always able to do so, whether because of scheduling issues or geographic distances.

The increased demand for at-home and virtual yoga classes should come as no surprise as people are looking for ways to stay active and destress amid such a time of uncertainty. It presents a unique opportunity for yoga practitioners to modify their traditional practices to suit the current environment and bring the tools of meditation, breathing exercises and movement to people in their homes.

If you’re considering adding virtual yoga classes to your yoga practice, here are some tips to help you with the transition.

Get Integrated and Test the Link

One of the most popular mediums for streaming yoga classes is Zoom. Once you have your account set up, you’ll want to make sure you integrate it with your yoga studio management software. Once connected—all class attendees will have access to the day’s session from their Self-Service page, calendar, phone, iPad, etc. If you’re a first timer—definitely be sure to schedule a few test Zoom sessions to ensure you have the process down (practice makes perfect—namaste!).

Test the Internet & Audio Connections

Always test your internet and audio connection before you begin your virtual yoga classes! To check your internet connection, run your browser through a speed test or try opening and scrolling through a few web pages to make sure it’s up-to-speed.

If you’re using Zoom and want to test your audio, click the upward pointing arrow next to the microphone icon to open the audio options. From there, select “Test Speaker & Microphone” and then follow the prompts.

Choose the Right Background

You’ll want to make sure you’re teaching your yoga classes in an environment that’s clean and free of clutter. Try to find a wall in your home that has a good amount of space, and then remove clutter and distracting objects.

Pay Attention to Lighting

You’ll want to be well lit from the front and sides, so make sure you don’t have light behind you as it will flood the camera’s sensors and make you appear dark. For this reason, try to avoid teaching with a window in frame or a bright lamp in the frame with you.

Work out the Kinks in Advance

As with most things, practice makes perfect. Do a few recorded trial runs before you officially launch your virtual yoga classes. Make sure your yoga poses are fully visible, and that your audio and internet connection are up-to-par.

Finally, you’ll want to make sure you’ve figured out how to seamlessly schedule and book classes, and that’s where we can help! Achieve peace of mind with our powerful yoga studio management system, which now offers Zoom integration. To learn more, click here to schedule a free demo.

We know it’s only mid-way through the year but let’s take a look at some of the top fitness trends for 2020 so far. Surprisingly (or not so surprisingly), many of them have remained the same from previous years.

It’s only surprising because when you think of fitness trends, your mind likely goes to the more novelty items or fads- like exergaming (what?) or goat yoga! (Yes, we’re still talking about goat yoga. It appears to be alive and kicking, in case you were wondering. So, maybe that’s a bad example.)

But the point is, typically, most trends are something you see come and go, especially in this industry. It’s understandable. Getting up and going to the gym everyday can be tough, and people are looking for a way to keep themselves interested and motivated. You have to be careful though. Falling in with a bad trend can be lethal. Once the excitement fades, determination and commitment tend to follow it. So, if you are trying on a trend for size, you want something you can count on, right?

HEARD!

Well, rest assured these top trends are tried, true, and expected to stay for awhile. If your instructor’s looking to spice things up at your fitness facilities or you’re an avid exerciser who wants to grow your skills, hang around and see what made this year’s cut, in no particular order.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Well, that’s a lie.

Because if there was an order, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) remains at the top of every list for several reasons. It’s rigorous. It’s quick. It’s fun. It’s effective. And it keeps people coming back for more.

While professional runners are no stranger to interval training, this style of working out has only been on the scene for maybe a decade now. We say only but that’s pretty solid as far as fitness trends go and it doesn’t show signs of slowing down. That’s why it’s the perfect addition for any studio wanting to increase their retention rates. Group training workouts in general are growing in popularity. Think: indoor cycling. If indoor cycling is Queen then, HIIT is King. 

Wearable Technology

Wearable technology isn’t going anywhere anytime soon either. With technology advances seemingly growing by the day, it’s becoming easier and easier for people to take the reins of their health. Fitness trackers and smart devices help with tracking calorie consumption, calories burned, heart health, sleep quality and emotional health.

Health and Wellness Coaching

Speaking of emotional wellbeing. More people are acknowledging that taking care of oneself isn’t just about the physical portion any longer.

The total body package includes a healthy mind as well. The problem is, admitting that to be the case is only the first step. Cooking up a healthy mindset makeover action plan is a big second. But don’t fret. That’s where health and wellness coaching comes into play. The purpose of a Wellness Coach is to help clients form healthy habits and encourage them to stick with the program.

Personal Training

It’s easy to spot what you want to fix about yourself physically. But with mental health, you may not always be sure how to get there or, how to motivate yourself to even try. That’s the reason why personal training will never go out of style. Let’s face it, those guys are good.

Fitness Programs for Older Adults

Sometimes, aging can feel like a worn-down car with its check engine light on. When really, aging should be more like that of a fine wine. By investing in and offering well-crafted fitness programs for older adults—your fitness facility will be one of the richest wine cellars out there.

Exercising can greatly reduce blood pressure, disease, obesity, bone density, cancer and more. Plus, it’s proven to make everybody downright happy and happiness is, of course, tied to longevity.

Online Fitness

With the world being more connected than at any other point in human history–technology has propelled the popularity of at home workouts. While it’s hard to beat the sense of community and belonging that you get from showing up to physical fitness facilities every day, sometimes the choice of convenience is nice.

For that reason, online fitness continues to grow in popularity. Nobody is saying that clients do not want to head into the gym anymore because, that’s crazy talk. But, getting there isn’t always possible and it’s great to have options. 

Yoga

Like HIIT, yoga isn’t new to the game by any means. It’s garnered more attention in recent years, but it has been practiced quite literally, forever. In fact, the oldest form of yoga dates back thousands of years. How’s that for a sturdy trend? A total mind and body one, at that. With yoga, you get flexibility, strength, and self-reflection.

Do you agree with this year’s list of fitness trends for 2020? Do you have any predictions for next year’s list? And is group training here to stay or do you think it will go? Let us know in the comments.

You would be hard-pressed to find a single person who doesn’t love a good and friendly gym competition. One of the biggest challenges in keeping up with any fitness routine is staying motivated. Many studies find that competition can help people better reach their goals.

Buddy support and music are two other great motivators when it comes to exercise and fitness goals. But, there’s just something about competition. Maybe it’s the feeling of victory or the bragging rights. Maybe it’s the prizes or maybe it’s all the above. Whatever the reason, fitness challenges are great for raising member engagement and marketing your gym. Plus, they’re plain fun to host.

With so many types of challenges to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to start. There are monthly challenges, running challenges, cycling challenges, personal best challenges, and SO. MUCH. MORE. If you’re ready to get some going, we hope this blog helps you. On your marks. Get set…

But First! Before You Start

You want to make sure no matter which gym challenges you choose, they are: 

• Easily joined
• Enjoyable
• Compatible with fitness trackers and other wearable technology 
• Properly tracked with your software management. Otherwise, keeping tally can get confusing

The Prizes

Prizes can be whatever you want them to be:

• Free gym time
• Cool swag
• A member feature
• Bragging rights

The Gym Challenges

Social Media Challenges

As you’ve probably suspected, most, if not all, of your members, own at least one social media account. So, don’t be shy! Invite them to take part in a social media challenge.

You can do it one of two ways. 1. An on-going challenge for the month where every day members have to upload a photo or video of their workout. And you can even create a special hashtag for your studio. 2. A one-time challenge of a specific, timed task:

• Planks
• Push-ups
• Sit-ups
• Punches

Social media motivates members to stay accountable in front of their friends and family. Once they announce plans to reach their goals they are more likely to hold themselves accountable. Plus again, it’s a great way of marketing your gym. It opens you up to a larger audience and shows people just how fun and supportive you really are. 

Running Challenges

People go to the gym for different reasons. But, one of the top ones is probably for burning calories. And what’s better at burning calories than a good ol’ fashioned run?  The best part is, running challenges can be done anywhere, anyhow. So, whether you want to gather a big group outside of the gym or, you want to meet up virtually it’s all good.

Cycling Challenges

Cycling challenges are like running challenges because they can be done in-house or virtually too. The difference is that with cycling you can vary it up a bit more and make categories. Winners will be chosen by:

• Best time
• Most distance traveled
• Fastest distance traveled

Personal Best Challenges

Every gym member has their own set of fitness goals. Find out what they are.

The goals don’t have to be the same for everyone in order to participate. It doesn’t matter if they’re trying to be better at their running time, or deadlift. Whatever their current status is, document it and then challenge them to beat it quicker than any other gym member.

Give everyone a month to work at their fitness challenges and see what happens. At the end of the month, take down everyone’s information again to see who beat themselves by the predetermined goal: 10%, 20%, 30%, etc.

Have A Great Time

First and foremost, it’s about having a great time. Smashing fitness goals is a close second. But, fun should come first. So, no matter which types of challenges you pick, have a ridiculous amount of fun putting them on, or even joining in on them!

Most people can agree tennis is one of the most underrated sports of all time, but nobody knows for sure why. It’s safe, it’s fun, it’s affordable. It’s also a full-body exercise, great for the mind, social, competitive and can be played all year-round on a variety of tennis court surfaces. So, what’s not to love, right? Here are some tips to consider for growing your tennis club at any time, even during the pandemic.

Find Your Strength

Every sport has its strength. You just have to find it and use it.

In general, tennis’ strength is that it can be played all year long. So, if someone is looking to join a club that’s always active, tennis clubs are certainly appealing.

Right now, tennis’s strength is that it’s perfect in a COVID climate. That’s because, whereas other sports have big teams, tennis does not. It involves two tennis players, sporting on a court that is already spread out, thanks to natural court dimensions. No flooring tape required! Standard court dimensions are somewhere around 78 feet. That’s way more than 6 feet.

This means group size, social distancing, and cloth face coverings aren’t a big concern for tennis. And it’s also the reason why many outdoor courts have been able to open up ahead of gyms and other fitness facilities that may have concerns about larger gatherings and group size.

Of course, health and safety measures should still be used to help stop the spread of COVID-19. For example:

• Tennis players should refrain from shaking hands or hugging after a match.
• Tennis tournaments should wait to resume until things are normal.
• Social distancing should be respected, and cloth face coverings should be worn when passing other members inside of the health club.
• Some tennis court surfaces could require additional cleanings.

Get Online

Old school marketing can still make waves but the easiest way to reach an audience is online. Use social media to promote your tennis club- or any club. 

Did you know, on average, each person spends about 4 hours and 25 minutes browsing the internet every day? And 2 hours and 25 minutes of that time are on a social network.

And think about it: that was pre-pandemic. The numbers are likely double the amount now. That’s why it’s as important as ever to have an attractive and functioning website as well as a strong social media presence.

• Have fun!
• Display it.
• Talk about the endless physical and mental benefits.
• Feature great tennis players, either from your club or celebrities.
• Promote tennis tournaments.
• Let everyone know your outdoor courts are open!
• Offer online classes for tips and techniques.

Implement a Management Software

Anytime is a good time to implement management software. But, if you don’t have one already, now is a good time to research and learn how to use the program. When you’re able to free up time normally spent booking courts and instructors, or billing clients, that’s time away from building up your business. A management software takes over the heavy lifting so you have more time to do other really important things—like perfecting your backhand!

As a kid, what’s better than attending summer camp?

We already know you know the answer (it’s next to nothing!) but we want to say it out loud anyway. So, here it is…

Nothing beats summer camps! Kids know it and parents know it. Summer camps are filled with open-ended play, nature, adventure, imagination, life lessons, friendships, sports, independence, and more. The list goes on and on. The truth is, every kid should enjoy at least one summer camp experience in their lifetime.

This year return campers are extra antsy to get at it. Especially after several months of being stuck indoors- thanks to COVID-19. Sorry, we tried not to give power to the name. But the fact of the matter is, like it or not, this thing is going to be our reality for a little while longer.

So, how does it impact summer camps and how can camp owners make the most of it? Sure, it requires extra preparation, training, and care but it doesn’t have to dampen the fun.

The Basics

By now, you could talk about health information, social distancing, cloth face coverings, and handwashing in your sleep! You’re a pro and that’s good news because none of it is going away just yet.

Here’s how to help stop the spread of COVID-19 at camp in a way that kids won’t mind (or maybe even notice.)

• Turn handwashing into an activity.
  • See who can draw the best hand-washing signs for display on campus.
  • Challenge campers to invent their own hand-washing jingle to be voted on.
  • Host a friendly hand-washing competition like, a wash station relay race.
• Practice social distancing by assigning fewer groups of campers to each camp staff member.
• Promote group bonding by doing team building activities that can be spaced out naturally. Think: Karaoke, charades, art and obstacle courses.
• Encourage campers and employees to wear their cloth face coverings from home or:
  • Provide masks with fun colors and the camp logo.
  • Give kids a sewing lesson where they can whip up their own.

Plan A

Plan A is to open camps on schedule. (Cue wild cheering and proceed to “Preparedness”.)

Preparedness

Policies and Procedures and CDC guidelines

At the top of the to-do list is getting acquainted with the CDC guidelines pertaining to health and safety for all campers and staff. 

• CDC Suggestions for Youth and Summer Camps.
• Additionally, stay up-to-date on both your local and national news. Policies and procedures vary from state to state.

Staff Training

After you’ve given your routine employee run-down, you will need to update all camp staff on the new health and safety protocols in place. This includes:

• Extra cleaning measures
• Group size
• Flexible work hours
• Camp Alternatives
• Daily temperature checks for all campers and staff
• The signs and symptoms of the virus
• Customer service

Software Management

You have kids to plan for, staff to train, and new health information to learn- oh my!

Take away some of the stress by having your community-center management software ready to go. One of the many benefits of management software for camps this year is that it can be used to track the absences of each camper and potentially spot an illness pattern before you do. Schedule your free demo today.

Plan B

We know- Plan B isn’t anybody’s first choice. That’s why it’s Plan B. But it’s okay. Sometimes, things have a way of surprising you. So, don’t discount these options yet.

Virtual Camp

At first, it might be hard to get excited about virtual camp. Especially when it feels like everything is going virtual. School, work, fitness, happy hour and now summer camps too? How does a virtual summer camp even work? And will you have to cancel field trips?

Virtual summer camps work by getting everyone together online for group activities. You can still do your team building and you have to get creative for field trips. The good news is it won’t affect group size, either. You could sign up multiple kids this way. Then all you have to do is map out ways to keep busy.

Zoom Karaoke? Yes. Cooking classes? Absolutely. Craft sessions? Kids love it. Sports? Double yes!

The same way gyms are offering online classes, you can too. Hire specialty instructors and mix up your schedule with martial arts, yoga, dancing, cardio, etc. The possibilities are truly endless.

You don’t have to cancel field trips. Have them go virtual also. Plan a “vacation” where everyone can dress up for a specific theme and then explore with you through music, language, art and food lessons.

Day Camps

Before turning virtual, another option to consider is a flexible schedule like day camps. Keep kids mainly virtual but bring them to the campus once or twice a week for special, socially distanced, fun.

Or, how about alternating schedules? Staff and campers can share the campus by breaking down into small groups of campers and staff and putting them on a block schedule. If you ever had a block schedule in high school, you have an idea of how it works. Except, in this case, the same group of adults and kids will always rotate together to help stop the spread of covid-19.

Happy Camping!

Good luck at camp. We hope everyone stays happy and healthy all summer long and creates memories to last a lifetime.

With May coming to a close, sweet summertime is rolling in behind her. And after months of social distance and quarantine, many people cannot wait to go to their local and state parks. They are ready for sunshine, fresh air, swimming, sporting, and just-all-around celebration. So, how should parks prepare for their guests? Here are some safety measures to consider and a couple of resources to check out.

Clean

We know being told to clean more might feel a bit redundant at this point but it’s still important to say. While things are beginning to open back up, that doesn’t mean we are out of the woods yet. The pandemic is very much still here, and we need to stay safe. All public facilities play an important part in health and safety.

Go through inventory and stock up on personal protective equipment. Then, map out a new cleaning and sanitizing procedure. Personal protective equipment could mean many things. To start, you want to have plenty of masks, gloves and virus-resistant chemicals.

If you are interested in cleaners that are tough on viruses but are environmentally friendly, start here.

Stay up to Date

Local and state parks are reopening at different rates. So, the rules and regulations could vary between cities and states. Stay up to date with your local and national news to know which directions to follow. 

In general, phase 1 includes the limited reopening of spaces and amenities with safety measures. Social distance and facemasks aren’t entirely going away just yet.

• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• The National Recreation and Park Association 

Prepare Staff

The truth is, a majority of the population has been cooped up and not everyone who visits will be in a good mood. You want to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Schedule staff training before you open up to the public. Be ready for every scenario. You might have long lines, upset visitors and uncooperative visitors who don’t want to adhere to safety rules. Help your staff by training them in advance. Walkthrough every different possibility and teach them how to handle each one.

Post Guest Guidelines

Now is a good time to revisit your rules and have your legal department okay them. Many things have changed and you want to be certain your coverage hasn’t. Once you are in the clear, don’t forget to update your website with any new information pertaining to the changes. Also, post clear visuals around your facilities so guests are made aware of them.

Get Management Software Ready

Relieve some of your anxiety by having a parks and recreation management software set up and ready to go prior to reopening. EZFacility’s all-in-one management software application is designed to make your life easier. It will streamline your facility scheduling, inventory management, registration, sales, and more. Meaning, you will have more time to focus on the health and safety of your employees and visitors.

Good luck, stay safe and have a great limited reopening (and keep your fingers and toes crossed for a quick full reopening!).

When the Coronavirus reared its ugly head at the start of the year, many businesses had to adjust to a new normal. It was a new normal which included little to no interaction with customers. Restaurants switched to takeout and delivery, big-box stores pushed curbside pick-up, and the world spun madly on. But now, we are reopening, and everyone is getting ready to re-adjust once again. So, what will that look like?

For certified personal trainers, it’s great news. We know it isn’t impossible to have virtual fitness sessions or fitness programs. Hello, 2020! And in fact, some trainers may even prefer it. However, the majority live for that face-to-face energy. They want to push limits together, sweat together, and high-five one another.

While that last part might have to wait a bit longer for its comeback, one-on-ones are just around the corner. With a few minor tweaks and extra liability insurance, you will be on your way. If you are a trainer, here’s what to expect.

Adjusted Schedules and New Locations

Restrictions are dwindling but you want to remain vigilant. You can limit your exposure to clients in many ways and still be an effective mentor and trainer. In place of house calls, maybe ask to meet at a nearby park instead. It will allow you to avoid unnecessary contact with extra people and surfaces. Plus, the fresh air and Vitamin D is good for everyone.

Another idea is this. Instead of completely dropping online sessions right away, alternate between virtual fitness and in-person sessions until things are back in full swing.

Limited Interaction

Don’t worry, hugs, high fives, and handshakes aren’t gone forever. But, for the time being, it’s air-fives and foot shakes for you. And no stretching your clients during any training session, no exceptions. Six feet of distance is still recommended, even for certified personal trainers. In the meantime, go for a side by side hike or jog. Or, pull out the yoga mats for some much-needed anxiety-relief with a side of strength and conditioning.

Equipment Substitutes

Gym equipment can be notorious for being covered in germs, whether you’re at the gym or at home. You have two options.

1. Pack your usual gear and bring along some spray bottles and rags to clean in-between clients.
2. Find substitutes for your equipment. Use bodyweight exercises in place of weights when possible. If you prefer actual weights but don’t want to touch each other’s equipment, get creative. Use everyday household items like cans and water jugs instead of dumbbells.

Over-Communication

A world pandemic is an uncharted territory for everyone involved. Now more than ever, it’s important to keep the conversation going with your clients. Let them know what changes to expect in your fitness programs and how it will impact your time together.

There is no such thing as over-communication in any relationship. Remind your client not to show up for a training session if they are feeling ill. Then, before you start, talk about what you plan to do together, especially if it’s a new or modified activity. You want them to be aware and comfortable. It’s also a good time to reassess their fitness goals. It’s possible their fitness goals have changed since their last in-person session with you. Are they still focused on strength and conditioning or something else? What is it? Endurance? Weight loss?

Tweaked Contracts

In some cases, a change to your location or activities could mean first consulting with your legal team. They will let you know if you need to add certain verbiage or liability insurance to your contract in order to cover you. It could also mean your clients have to sign a new waiver. But, if that’s the case, don’t fret, there’s no need to be in the office. Mobile-friendly software like EZFacility has your back. It will allow your client to sign their waiver while you are out and about.

Personal trainers, welcome back! Let us know how your first time in-person sessions go. We look forward to hearing from you.

If you are on the fence about recreational sports, do yourself a favor. Join an intramural league at least once in your college lifetime. Intramural leagues are several different things all rolled into one experience. They are exercise, of course, but they are also friendly competition, life skills, and connecting with a community. They are for anyone and everyone who just want to get together with a group of friends and enjoy sports, camaraderie, and inexpensive fun.

Intramural leagues are not the same thing as college sports. The two are different, though the words are often used interchangeably. In short, intramural sports are organized by students outside of school sanctioned sports programs—basically played for fun and bragging rights! College sports are organized and funded by a university and are a bit more competitive. Intramural teams play against one another while college teams play against other college teams. BUT, that’s another blog for another day!

The question here is- how do student-athletes on intramural teams- or any organized sports- keep their minds and bodies busy when their sport activities are on a break? Because as you know, it’s important to train solo and stay in shape, even during downtime. Here are some at-home workout ideas to get started with.

Virtual Race

Running is always a good go-to option because not only is it good for physical health but it’s also good for mental health. And being home alone doesn’t mean things can’t get a little competitive with some company. Thanks to the internet and many different streaming services, friends and family are just one phone call away from joining a virtual race together. The best news is, it can be done in a variety of places and over and over again.

Planking

When done properly, planking can be a very effective practice. It helps coordination, flexibility, metabolism, cardio training, and even posture and back pain. Do it solo or challenge a group of friends to see who can outlast who.

The Classics

When in doubt, take it back to the basics with some jumping jacks and pushups. They are oldies but goodies for a reason. Jumping jacks get the heart rate going and test the body’s physical endurance. Push-ups strengthen the upper body and core. Plus, there are so many different ways to do them that they never get boring. (Do they? Reader’s poll!)

Swimming

Go for a swim. Swimming is great because it works out a variety of muscles and maintains vital organs, all without any stressful impact on the body. Also, it’s just plain fun, relaxing, and refreshing. So, go on. Dive in.

Dry Swimming

This one might sound silly but don’t skip it over it. Just laugh all the way to the final results. Many professional swimmers use a combination of dry land exercises when they can’t get to the pool, or don’t want to get wet. Breaststrokes, flutter kicks and more can all easily be done on any flooring. All you need are stretch bands, exercise balls, and a little imagination.

Are you involved in recreational sports or sport activities? What’s your take on organized sports? And what exercises would you add to our list? Let us know in the comments! If you need more ideas for at-home or outdoor workouts for fitness levels of every kind, read this next.

With hope of a decline in COVID-19 cases, the world is planning for a return to familiar routines. This includes businesses in a big way. The public will be looking at many places like grocery stores and restaurants to help keep the public safe.

Fitness centers, this also includes you. Have you given any thought to cleaning gym equipment or new employee training? Members will be interested in learning how you plan to keep your space squeaky clean. If you need help coming up with a plan, here are some key items to keep in mind.

Ask Members for Help

Believe it or not, the first step to ensuring your gym members stay healthy starts with your gym members. And? Some old-fashioned soap and water!

Don’t underestimate the power of washing your hands. Washing your hands continues to be the number one defense against viruses. It’s near impossible to disinfect every single gym surface touched in one day. That’s why it’s crucial for everyone to wash their hands before and after using each piece of equipment.

Soap and water kill germs best. But, you can offer several stations with disinfectant wipes throughout the building as a back-up. Also, give members access to spray bottles and rags to wipe down their machinery.

• Antibacterial soap kills bacteria- not viruses.
• Wet wipes, such as baby wipes, only remove dirt and oils from the skin.
• Same for hand sanitizer. It only kills bacteria unless you find an alcohol-based version. When using it, keep it on the hands for a certain amount of time. Otherwise, it might not work.
• It might take several wet wipes or disinfectant wipes to get hands and gym equipment clean.

Learn the Difference Between Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sanitizing

Do you know the differences between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing? According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), there are some. And it’s a good time to learn what they are because cleaning on its own is not enough right now.  Learning the differences will help you map out your return routine and put you at the top of your cleaning game. Here are the differences in short:

• Cleaning removes dirt and germs from services but doesn’t kill them.
• Disinfecting will kill germs through the use of chemicals.
• Sanitizing uses a combination of cleaning and disinfecting. It lowers the number of germs and the spread of reinfection.

Buy the Right Chemicals

If you are looking for the best cleaning defenses against viruses, here they are. Soap and water, bleach, isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide.

If those cleaners aren’t appropriate for your flooring, it’s okay to use your regular cleaner. However, you should use the above recommendations for all other surfaces. Certain items such as ammonia solutions do not protect against viruses.

And as always, do not use certain products in combination with each other. Surprisingly, bleach and vinegar fumes don’t mix well together, the same way bleach solutions and ammonia solutions don’t. They can create hazardous, or potentially deadly, fumes when combined. If you need to use several kinds, a good idea is to use them on alternating days.

Know the Dirtiest Spots

Here’s a pop-quiz for you: which areas of fitness centers are harboring the most germs?

Did your mind immediately go to bathrooms, locker rooms, or door handles? While you technically aren’t wrong, those are mega hotspots also, your gym equipment actually has more! The treadmills, weights, gym mats, and exercise balls are all loaded.

Maybe that’s because people touch them more often or because bathrooms get more attention. Either way, it’s better safe than sorry. Create a chart and keep track of how often you’re tackling each item. The same goes for home gym equipment as well. Personal trainers who make house-calls should be mindful of that. Always wipe down home gym equipment in between uses.

Another thing to pay attention to are your cleaning supplies themselves. Your rags are cleaning counters and your mops are cleaning the floors. What’s cleaning your rags and mops? You don’t want to accidentally reinfect surfaces. So, be sure to thoroughly disinfect, sterilize all rags, mops and get your equipment clean.

Hire Extra Staff

Now you know the who, what and where, it’s time to start cleaning gym equipment and more. Consider hiring extra staff if you need to. Because, if you cleaned bi-weekly, prior to the Coronavirus, you should clean weekly now. Start out with a daily routine and scale it back as time goes on and infections continue to decrease.

Have a morning crew, a night crew, and an in-between crew ready to go. Your management software can help you with creating and keeping track of your new schedules. And if you’re worried it might come off as excessive- don’t be. Seeing your employees in cleaning action could help to ease your gym members’ minds.

Good luck with your cleaning! Be safe and healthy. To find out more tips, during the Coronavirus and more, subscribe to our blog.

In one of our recent posts, we talked about the different types of fitness and gym questionnaires to give your members. Because again- who better to ask than them? And believe it or not, that’s still true, even in the midst of a pandemic. We know members haven’t exactly been at your facilities but that doesn’t mean they don’t have things to say.

When COVID-19 first started, a lot of changes were rolled out in a short period of time. Everyone went from working out at the gym with friends to suddenly working out at home alone.

During this time, members have had ample time to think about what they miss most about the gym. While it’s fresh in their minds, ask them to put it to paper. Here are some ideas to get you started.

New Fitness Goals

It’s true most people join the gym with a certain goal in mind. Now that they’ve been home for a while, follow up with them on their goals.

• How do they feel about their goals now?
• Are they still working toward the same ones they were earlier on in the year?
• Do they have any new ones? If so, what are they?

Online Classes

Each gym will have to decide what to do about online classes once things get back to normal. Will they go away completely or can they somehow stay on and serve a purpose?

• Do members love or hate online classes?
• Are they easy to follow? Are they hard?
• Would they be interested in having access to one even after quarantine is over?
• Have they had any difficulty finding the proper tools and equipment at home?
• Did they order any new equipment they’d like to see at the gym when they get back?

General Feedback

Remember, pandemics and quarantines are new to everyone. No one knew what to expect going into all this. Ask your members what they have learned so far from their experience and what you could do to improve it.

• How do they stay motivated?
• Are your emails, texts, and videos helpful?
• What do they enjoy the most about them?
• What is the hardest part of being away from the gym?
• Is there a certain teacher or class that stands out from the rest right now? Who is it and why?
• Do they plan to come back to the gym? Why or why not?

Easing Back Into Things

This portion could be extra helpful in getting you and your members back into the swing of things once everything is back to normal. Ask them how you can help make them more comfortable when they return.

• Would they like to see you clean more?
• Would they like new class offerings?
• Do they need to take it slow to help rebuild muscle tone or endurance? Or are they ready to jump in?

These are just some questions to get you started on your survey. We know you will think of many more great ones to add. We wish you every success during these uncertain times. Our hope is you come back even greater and that maybe a survey like this can help you achieve your goals.

Over the last couple of months, gym owners have had to quickly transform their studios from in-person training to virtual. If you are one of them, it’s possible during your transition you overlooked two factors: Liability and insurance coverage. 

Did your heart skip a beat reading those words? What about them? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone.

This is new territory for everyone involved. Between drafting emails and choosing video platforms, liability and insurance coverage likely are not at the forefront of your mind. Especially if you’re new to owning a gym and recently conquered all that legal mumbo-jumbo anyway. Or, if you’ve owned one for a while and are pretty confident about the language you have in place. However, a pandemic changes things.  Here are some things to consider.

Tweak the Language

As you know, accidents don’t only happen at gyms but your coverage might only protect you there. This is why any instructor who has ever considered hosting a boot camp at a local park has been encouraged to double-check their policy first. Well, the same is true for online classes. During COVID-19, many people are learning they are not covered at home and require a more blanket-coverage policy.

Now is the time to pull yours out and go over the language with a fine-toothed comb. You want to be sure it covers you anywhere, anyhow. No one knows for sure how long this virus is here for and you would hate to encounter a preventable setback early on, or at all.

Add a Disclaimer

If you’ve ever tried a workout video before, like P90X or Insanity, then you’ve seen an example of a disclaimer. It’s all the text that scrolls on the screen just before you delve in. What it’s telling you is: do not proceed before consulting with your doctor. It’s also telling you to stop immediately if there is any shortness of breath, chest pains, or nausea.

While that seems like common knowledge to many, it’s important to include. This is because not everyone doing your workout will be a pro-gym-goer. Some of them could be trying it out for the first time in several years, as a way to keep busy during the quarantine.

So, whenever you post pre-recorded videos, be sure to tag in a quick disclaimer. And if you’re instructing live, go over it each time before you start. Even if it seems redundant, it is necessary.

Have Conversations

Keep an open line of communication with your clients. Before you start online instructions, let them know it may be more challenging than what they are used to and tell them why. There isn’t the proper space and equipment at home like there is at the gym. Also, instructors aren’t able to watch over clients in the same way. That doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to accomplish but they will have to be mindful and careful.

Teach your members to look for any signs of stress, encourage them to do modifications if need be, and to reach out with any questions or concerns they have.

Familiarize Yourself with Legal Terms

Familiarize yourself with specific legal terms like “Force Majeure”. It’s an unpredicted circumstance that prevents someone from being able to fulfill contracts. In this case, it’s your clients and their membership contracts with you.

In the upcoming weeks, it’s possible you’re going to discover many people are unable to pay you and you will have tough decisions to make. To waive or not to waive, that is the question!

Unfortunately, not every business is able to waive fees for their clients and that’s understandable. The hope is that those much-anticipated business grants will soon roll in and save the financial day. But, in the meantime, there are definitely some things you can do to safeguard yourself. One of them is by adding a clause in your contracts for any new clients that are signing up now.

Over the next several weeks, some states will begin reopening with the fitness industry at the very top of the list. Fitness enthusiasts everywhere will be eager to get back to their gyms so they can reclaim their health and a sense of normalcy. But the burning question is, will it be like it was B.C (Before COVID-19) or will there be a new normal?

As a gym owner, here’s what to expect and implement in your own gym to help ease everyone’s minds while also keeping them safe.

Phases

You’re going to hear a lot about phases. Your gym won’t reopen in full force but instead in several installments.

In the first phase, you will see some social distancing still going on. You’re likely sick of that term by now but it is crucial in stamping out the virus for good, or else, the nation risks reinfection and another quarantine.

The first phase could look like:

• A capped amount of guests each day
• Limited workout areas
• Arrows on the floors to help direct the flow of traffic
• Empty workout equipment between every person who is on a bike or treadmill, etc.
• Classes continuing to meet online, for the time being

New Employee Training

Plan a meeting with your employees before reopening. It’s okay to be honest with them if you are unsure how things will play out. This is a new situation for everyone involved.

One team building idea is to come up with a list of questions and concerns you think guests might have. Then, roleplay them together. It will help employees feel more prepared and confident and less silly when they have to say things like, “Excuse me, you need to be standing six feet apart.”

Cleaning

It’s no secret gyms were always one of the germiest places to hang out in. Whenever there are a bunch of people in one space, touching the same surfaces, over and over, there is bound to be germs.

We know that you know how to deep clean your gym and you take pride in doing so! But, whatever you were doing before should be ramped up now. And, don’t be shy in asking members for help. They should be willing to do their part, especially after being stuck at home for so long. They will have a newfound appreciation for being able to go to the gym again.

• Set out spray bottles and paper towels for everyone to wipe down their equipment/mats before and after each use
• Give special attention to all door handles, surfaces and bathrooms

Proper Hygiene Practices

In addition to wiping down equipment, remind everyone how important proper hygiene practices are right now. Ask them to:

• Stay home if they feel ill or have been around someone who feels ill
• Not to share towels or other personal items
• Wash their hands
• Use soap and water over hand sanitizer whenever possible
• Avoid eye rubbing and face-touching

Follow the Guidelines

Because this is an ever-evolving situation, things can change at any time. So, it’s very important to stay up to date with any news in your particular state. The President has given each Governor the ability to put their own plans in place and you need to follow their lead.

As a certified personal trainer and life coach, I am no stranger to spending most of my days working from home, supporting clients virtually. While not much has changed for me during this pandemic, I’m noticing that my clients, friends, and family alike are experiencing an array of new emotions and thoughts brought on by these unprecedented times. Where people once relied upon their work circles for support or their gym “ride or dies” for motivation—they must now look inward. But how?

In light of it all, I keep circling back to a handful of simple strategies that have resonated with clients, and my hope is that they may help some readers not only cope, but also prevail during these uncertain days. Here goes:

Move Your Body

Notice I didn’t say “start a difficult exercise program”, “start running 5Ks when you might not have run in 6 months”, or “challenge yourself to become the best you can at pistol squats”. Nope. Just MOVE.  That is the key.

Countless studies show that the winning ticket in anything fitness-related is to consistently take action on something, as often as possible. Walk some laps in the apartment. Do 10 minutes of a yoga flow routine. Do 10 pushups every time you get up from the couch to use the bathroom. Can’t do 10? No worries – do 3. Do 1. Get to the ground and get back up. Consistency and patience with yourself is paramount right now, not holding yourself to tremendous standards.

Create A Routine

If you are fortunate enough to continue working from home, build yourself a routine around your work hours and aim to stick to it on a daily basis.

If you are out of work temporarily, create a routine filled with just a few things you’d like to accomplish each day. Don’t overload yourself, but maintaining some structure around how you’ll spend your time will prove wildly valuable.

Your emotional stability will improve drastically with a sense of structure, as your brain tends to interpret structure as purpose and certainty.

Connect With Others

This is a wonderful time to focus on your closest relationships or to foster stronger connections with acquaintances. Consider scheduling video chats or phone calls with folks you haven’t spoken with in a while. As human beings, a lack of social interaction can take a greater toll than we might realize. 

Don’t feel comfortable with long chats, your face on a screen, or having to plan these conversations? No problem. Consider sending an audio recording to a loved one to tell them you’re thinking about them. Imagining how you’d feel receiving something like that yourself might encourage you to reach out with more urgency.

Seek Out Silver Linings

With the global climate and 24-hour news cycle, it’s easy to lose sight of positivity and gratitude. But, you know the adage: where focus goes, energy flows. To help reduce whatever is burdening you, challenge yourself to find moments of micro-gratitude. Your coffee might be delicious. You can read the text on this page. As minimal as the practice may seem, it will do wonders to boost your mindfulness, gratitude, and overall mental health.

Breathe, and Breathe Deeply

If you are able, guide your body to breathe deeply. Breathing at a slower rate with a focus on extended inhalation and exhalation can work wonders on the immune system. While that’s clearly a benefit for this moment in time, controlled deep breathing will also work magic on your emotional and mental state. There are some excellent deep breathing apps out there that can help guide your rhythm.

Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other.

Eric Bedell
ACE CPT & Erickson CPC
Eric@strengthandlifecoach.com
www.strengthandlifecoach.com

Coming up with creative marketing for your shooting range can be difficult, especially when you’re focused on managing the business and making sure customers feel comfortable and confident in your facility. It gets even trickier when your goal is to attract younger enthusiasts looking for a modern, engaging experience and a safe learning environment. These six marketing techniques will help fill your shooting range with new customers and loyal members.

1. Market your shooting range to gun buyers

Offer incentives with gun purchases to target ideal customers for your shooting range. If you don’t sell firearms at your facility, you can pair up with local retailers. Try offering gun buyers special same-day promotions, including:

• Free shooting range passes
• Discounted premium memberships
• Free membership initiation

To take this a step further, create a special package deal that includes discounted shooting range membership, free initiation, branded merchandise, and a bonus guest pass.

2. Host classes and training workshops

Many of your future customers are new to shooting and gun ownership. Offering introductory courses on gun safety, personal defense, and shooting techniques to provide a fun, safe way for them to learn about your business while building skills. Once you’ve established a relationship with these budding enthusiasts, it will be easier to convert them to frequent customers and gun club members.

3. Attract new audiences with special events

Special events are a vital part of marketing for your shooting range for two reasons:

1. Events are a fun, easy way for new people to get to know your business and community
2. Events can be an independent revenue stream that fuels other marketing and business activities

When thinking about the types of events to host at your shooting range, consider what will interest your existing customers and new ones. Organizing a tournament is a great way to engage seasoned target experts while a more fun event that involves shooting playing cards to create the best poker hand may appeal to a new, younger audience.

4. Stay connected with email marketing, social media, and a mobile app

Attracting new customers is only the first stage of your shooting range marketing. Once you’ve made an initial connection, you’ll need to engage potential customers through email, social media, and mobile apps.

Tracking prospects through your shooting range software will allow you to communicate regularly via email and SMS text messaging. In addition to these communication basics, shooting ranges should consider adding another tool to their marketing arsenal: a mobile app.

Once prospects download your app, they’ll get notifications about upcoming events, class schedules, social media updates, and special offers. And with users spending 18 times more time on mobile apps than websites, it’s no surprise that your app users become your most loyal customers. 

5. Build a loyal customer base

While you should always think about ways to attract new customers to your shooting range, it’s important to devote marketing resources to your existing clientele, too. Because members and regulars are your main source of revenue, their happiness is what ultimately determines your success.

Use social media marketing to recognize member achievements, ask for feedback, and create a sense of community among gun club members. Make sure that staff are knowledgeable, prioritize safety, and go above and beyond to make every experience positive.

Keep in mind that while a happy customer will act as an ambassador for your business, the opposite is also true. An unhappy customer can spoil even the best marketing plans.

6. Ask for referrals

If you’ve done a good job building a loyal following, you can leverage these relationships to ask for referrals. When it comes to increasing referral leads, there are two main rules:

1. If you want more referrals, you have to ask for them
2. The best time to ask for a referral is right after your customer has a positive experience with your shooting range

One of the biggest mistakes shooting range owners make is forgetting to include referrals as a formal part of their marketing strategy. Identify opportunities to request referrals and make a plan for how you’ll ask for them. Not sure where to start? Try these ideas:

• After a home defense course, ask participants to provide the name of one person they think would enjoy the class in exchange for free merchandise
• Offer new participants a free guest pass after their first visit
• Give friends of members 25% off an upcoming event

Does Your Shooting Range Marketing Hit the Target? 

Now that you know these six essential marketing strategies, it’s time to put them into action. This means scheduling your marketing efforts and choosing the right software tools and technology to help you get it done. To learn more about how EZFacility helps gun clubs and shooting ranges with their marketing, chat with us today.

Covid-19 is here and your gym is closed down for safety measures. So, you’ve moved classes online with various chat platforms and EZFacility’s new video library feature. But now what?

You’re absolutely right! Keeping members motivated and classes rolling are two important areas to focus on. But, you’ll still need to safeguard your long term goals. You can do this by bringing in steady revenue despite what’s going on.

In this post, we’ve put together a list of ideas that have worked for some of our other gym owners. Check them out and see if you spot anything you think might work for you too.

Discount Memberships

Don’t be afraid to temporarily discount your memberships and services right now. Especially as members make the move online with you.

It doesn’t lessen the value of your product at all. Instead, it allows members to hang on to their memberships during these uncertain financial times. It also makes sure you still have steady money coming in.

Rent Out Equipment

If you don’t want to discount your memberships just yet, you can look for enticing perks to offer up instead. One thing to offer existing members is the ability to rent out your gym equipment, for free! It could make working out from home that much easier -or enjoyable- for them. And again, it gives them an extra incentive to hang on to their membership.

Bonus Classes

While new sign-ups might be far and few between in the coming weeks, they aren’t impossible. So, don’t get discouraged.

Entice new members by offering a bonus with their sign-up.  For example, a package of 10 extra sessions that don’t include an expiration date. It’s something for them to cash in whenever things get back to normal. (And they will!)  You could also keep your referral program going strong with the same kind of idea.

Gift Certificates

Offer gift certificates that work like bonds. Meaning, whatever amount your customer chooses to purchase now can be used for higher value later.  

What this does is, it puts immediate money into your institution and keeps you going, with the promise of more worth to the customer later on. And who doesn’t want more when it comes to the gym? More classes, more personal sessions, and more merchandise? Yes, please!

Private Video Calls / 1-on-1 Sessions

Speaking of personal training sessions, another thing you can offer is private video calls. You’re likely already streaming free sessions to spark interest for new members and regular classes for existing members. So, how about tossing some 1-on-1 time into the mix for an additional fee?

If your area isn’t on lockdown and you and your clients are comfortable with it, you could even offer 1-on-1 sessions in person. Since, they are way safer than group sessions.

These are just some of the ideas you can use to continue bringing money to your gym. Have you tried any yet? Let us know what’s been working for you.

With gym facilities closing across the country due to the Coronavirus, gym-goers are worried about how they will do their daily exercises. The truth is, many of them are used to gym life. They feel most comfortable with guidance and group settings. And they’re probably unsure of how to keep busy at home without the proper equipment or instruction.

As their gym owner, you can greatly reduce their worries by doing a few things:

1. Stay connected through emails and texts with the help of your management software
2. Temporarily move your classes online
3. Give them alternative tips for staying busy in the interim, like some easy outdoor workouts.

Even for the most in-shape athlete, it only takes a matter of weeks to lose some or all of that hard-earned progress. And since no one knows for certain how long the coronavirus will be hanging around, it’s important to keep moving at home. Again, let your members know you’re offering online classes but, also give them ideas for working out on their own too.

Yes, social distancing means you shouldn’t be out in groups. That’s because the virus is able to spread from just a few feet of distance. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t go outside.

Check in with your members regularly. If they are feeling antsy being cooped up indoors, encourage them to take their workouts to their yards. It will give them some much needed natural vitamin D, serotonin, endorphins, dopamine and so much more.

Here are ideas to offer them (and to practice yourself!):

• Walk with the family after meals
• Go on a virtual walk/jog with a friend on Facetime
• Lay a blanket in the grass and do yoga sequences
• Get a little cardio and strength training going with gallons of water and canned goods in place of dumbbells
• Take a spin around the neighborhood on bicycles
• Swim several laps in the pool
• Dust off the old jump rope
• Create a ninja warrior obstacle course in the backyard
• Visit a local park or beach (if they’re still open and aren’t crowded)
• Take a hike

What kinds of outdoor workouts have you been doing at home? Share your ideas in our comments. After all, we are all in this together!

Tell us what you miss the most about being at the gym, we want to hear that too! Is it the instructors, a specific class, the snacks, social hour- or all of the above?

The Covid-19 pandemic is continuing to spread throughout the country. Each day, more and more businesses are temporarily closing their doors; Among them are gyms.

Social distancing might be one of our best chances of slowing the spread of the virus. But that doesn’t make the upheaval to daily routines any less irritating. Dedicated gym-goers are looking for ways to maintain their sense of normalcy.

Everyone knows the gym is about way more than physical benefits. It’s about the social and emotional ones as well. So, how do you keep your members moving and connected during this stressful time? The answer is by utilizing the wonderful world wide web.

That’s right- the Coronavirus may have taken our toilet paper but it didn’t take our streaming networks. And it doesn’t have to take your muscle tone or fitness community either. For the time being, consider virtually running your gym with these tips.

Live Sessions

You can take the members out of the gym but you can’t take the gym out of the members! That means, your members should have no problem following you to an online setting for the time being. Especially since almost every household owns at least one computer or cellphone. They can easily jump on for a class and will likely be eager to do so. All you have to do is set one up and announce it across your social media and emails.

If you aren’t sure where to start, there are a ton of platforms available to you. Google Hangouts, Zoom, Discord, Skype and Facebook Live are all good options.

Skype is good for a more intimate class number. Google Hangouts and Zoom each have the ability to accommodate 100 people and more. Discord is perfect for running many channels and classes at the same time. Facebook Live is great when you want to share quick tips, moves or announcements but don’t need to see your audience. The rest let you interact with them.

Pre-Recorded Sessions

In addition to live classes, consider offering pre-recorded lessons too. Nobody knows for sure how long this situation will last. It’s upsetting, we know! But, preparing material for users to access whenever they like could be a real lifesaver. Your members will appreciate having extra workouts at their fingertips to keep their minds and bodies busy.

If you’ve been thinking of creating a Youtube channel, here’s your opportunity. You can choose to give clients exclusive access or leave your videos open to the public. Opening them up for all viewers could lead to a larger following and potential new member sign-ups when you get back inside your gym.

Blog Tips

Startup a blog or vlog where you can talk about anything you feel is interesting and relevant to the times. Things like tips and tricks for how to get moving with limited home space and supplies or, how to keep your body fueled with what’s in your pantry.

Another idea is to line up some beginner tutorials for anyone looking to safely test out a new indoor exercise such as yoga or dance. A lot of people are interested in learning something new but don’t normally have the time to do so. However, right now most everyone is at home and able to learn.

Gym owners, we know you can’t wait for things to get back to normal and to be operating from your gyms. In the meantime, we wish you every success in making the most of the current situation. Check back for more updates!

As a gym owner, you’re bound to have a lot of questions about your services and how you’re performing, and who better to ask them to than your gym members, right? After all, they are with you each day and night and they likely have some beneficial feedback. It could help you identify what you’re doing right and what you need to improve on. The problem is, how do you ask them?

The answer is- with some questionnaires and surveys.

Questionnaires and surveys might sound like a big ask, but they don’t have to be. You can keep them quick and concise and even offer incentives for doing them, if you want.

They are great tools to use and can help you in two major ways. Not only do they gather important information, but they also make your fitness club members feel like their opinions are valued (because they are!). Both of those things combined lead to happier customers and can help increase retention.

Incoming Member Surveys

Why not kick it off with an entrance survey?

It can be short and sweet and still tell you a lot about what you want to know. Like, how your new member found you and if they are brand new to working out or if they are a seasoned pro. It can also help you to understand why they left another fitness center and what they hope to gain from their experience with you.

Are you curious about what inspired them to reach out to you in the first place? That can be asked on an incoming survey as well. It’s never a bad idea to find out if your marketing efforts are getting good reach or if they happened upon you by chance.

Fitness Goal Questionnaires

Most people sign up for the fitness club with a specific goal in mind. So, ask them what theirs is!

When you know your member’s goals and what motivates them, you can better map out your class schedule and calendar of events with that information in mind. Maybe it will even allow you to uncover a trend worth looking into such as a new piece of equipment or a new class.

Knowing your members interests also helps you to curate special push-notifications and nurture emails on your software management program.

Teacher/Class Evaluations

Members start the gym for several reasons but ultimately they stay for one: the way they feel when they’re in the gym environment. A big part of that has to do with great customer service and the interaction they receive with your teachers during classes. Great customer service is a big deal.

Teacher and class evaluations can tell you which ones are preferred, why or why not, and if they are able to follow along, feel comfortable asking questions and if they’re being challenged enough.

General Feedback

A general survey is just you checking in with your members and helping you to create happier customers. You’re saying, “I’m happy you’re here and I hope you’re enjoying your time with us but if there is something we can be doing to make it even better, we’re all ears.”

Ask them how often they come, how they feel about parking, cleanliness, gym equipment, member perks, how you could increase referrals, and if there’s anything else they want to mention.

One Question Surveys

One-question surveys are exactly that—a super simple survey with one direct question on it such as, “Did you enjoy the new class tonight?”

Members appreciate one question surveys because they’re quick and to the point and they never feel like a chore.

Cancellation Surveys

No one likes to see their customers cancel but you can turn it into a positive by learning something from it.

Sometimes, people leave the gym for circumstances out of your control like they simply need to cut back on their finances or they’re moving out of state. But if it turns out it does have something to do with your studio, a cancellation survey can address it so you can fix it for other members moving forward and increase retention. 

Ask them what the best and worst parts were about their time with you and how likely they’d be to recommend you to their friends.

Have fun creating your surveys, we know they will bring you some good information about your business and hopefully increase referrals.

The benefits of martial arts are endless. Not only do they help build up physical endurance, but they also teach discipline, confidence, and moral values. For these reasons, a lot of people are quick to enroll their kids in classes. (Which is never a bad thing!) However, many adults can also gain something from those same lessons.

School owners, are you interested in getting more adult students to sign up for your martial arts classes? We want to help you. There are ways to make your classes more appealing to adult students like by offering a free trial or adding in some evening classes. Read more here.

Plan it Right

You’ve heard it before: timing is everything.

Sometimes, adults are interested in learning but can’t make it to class at the regular scheduled time. That’s where child students have it pretty easy; They can join an after-care or summer martial arts program. Whereas, adult students have jobs and lives to maintain. Which is why finding the time to make it to a class is much harder.

Start by offering several evening classes. The later time slots should allow them ample time to fight traffic home, take care of their family responsibilities and still get to class on time.

Offer Family-Friendly Options

Many parents might jump at the idea of joining a martial arts class if they are able to bring their kids with them. Many parents don’t have anyone to watch their kids or don’t feel comfortable being away from them for a long time. You can help solve this problem in a couple of ways:

• Offer evening daycare services at your facility for the children of your students. That way, while the parents are getting their workout in, the kids are doing homework, watching movies, or participating in other activities with a certified childcare worker.
• Encourage family bonding time and advertise “Mommy and Me” or “Daddy and Me” sessions where the kids can work out alongside their parents.

Run Different Promotions

Consider running different promotions geared toward adult groups. Generally speaking, kids don’t have a problem jumping into new settings and making friends. But adults tend to be more reserved and feel safest in numbers. Offering them the opportunity to bring along a group of friends, or a partner, could make all the difference for a lot of people who are scared to show up alone.

• Group discounts:  If it’s a shyness factor, a group discount could be appealing for many martial arts students. For someone who has never done a martial arts class before, they might feel less uncomfortable being surrounded by a group of friends.
• Couple Classes:  In martial arts, there are many times you get teamed up with a partner. Imagine being able to bring your partner with you. It could turn what would’ve been an awkward evening into a fun date-night routine.
• Word of mouth advertising: Referral programs are great for everyone involved! Chances are, your students are already doing word of mouth advertising for you anyway because martial arts lessons are a ton of fun. So, why not offer them an incentive to tell more of their friends?
• Free trial: This is for the person who knows about the benefits of martial arts but is still on the fence about joining. A free trial could be the push that’s needed to get started. It doesn’t have to be a long time offer, just a couple of free passes.
• Charity event: Hosting a charity event where all of the guests are invited to participate in martial arts lessons could definitely spark some interest.

School owners, good luck on finding more adult martial arts students. One last tip is to be sure to include social media in your marketing efforts. Social media can help you pinpoint the target audience you are looking for.

With more and more people turning to eco-friendly living, businesses are also starting to take an interest; This includes gym studios. Eco-friendly gyms are on the rise.

Believe it or not, gyms can have a huge impact on how to reduce the carbon footprint, especially in the United States, where there are more gyms than any other place in the world. Many are taking up this initiative because they understand the health of the planet directly impacts the quality of our health as well. So, if you’re a gym owner who is curious about ways of applying greener living to your health club, you are in the right place.

In this post, you will discover how eco-friendly gyms are choosing to live more intently. Find quick tips from how to pick out gym equipment and cleaning supplies all the way to why light bulbs and rubber floors make a difference. Here are 3 key things to pay attention to when learning to become more environmentally conscious so you can cut down on your energy bills.

The Three R’s

You might have heard of the three big r’s of going green: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The idea is to alleviate the amount of garbage being hauled off to already overflowing landfills. All you have to do is cut down on what you buy and then give more life to those items.

• As you know, plastic water bottles are one of the biggest offenders when it comes to waste. Trade them out and sell reusable ones (with your logo!) in their place.
• Offer a water fountain with a bottle filler for members to replenish their bottles.
• Set up a trash/recycle/compost bin.
• Limit your paper use and install a software management program like EZFacility. It can help manage sign-ups, waivers, class scheduling, pop-up events and more.
• Consider second-hand gym equipment instead of brand new.
• Upcycle everyday items and learn how to turn them into effective gym tools.
• Offer a selection of gently used workout clothes for sale in your merchandise shop that has either been donated by other members or hand-picked by you.
• Learn about recycled rubber and see if it’s a good option for your flooring. Not only is recycled rubber easier to manufacture and low on cost, but it also saves many old tires from winding up at the landfill. Research carefully though, as there are some drawbacks, including the smell and potential allergies.
• Bleach, ammonia and formaldehyde can irritate the eyes, skin and lungs. Replace harmful cleaning supplies with all-natural options like baking soda and vinegar.
• Instead of cleaning wipes for personal mats, offer spray bottles, natural cleaners, essential oils, and reusable microfiber cloths. 

Power Down

Some of the easiest changes to start making at your health club have to do with energy efficiency.

• Swap regular light bulbs with LED ones and save on energy bills right away. They live longer, don’t overheat and are up to 90% more efficient.
• Be mindful of water usage. One flush on an older model toilet can use double the number of gallons of water than a low-flow toilet would.
• Install a smart thermometer to help regulate your studio temperature by preprogramming when you want it to shut off.  
• Occasionally turn off the air-conditioner all together and open the windows for cross ventilation instead. Only when it makes sense, for example, on cooler, breezier days. You don’t want anyone to overheat.
• Since you don’t need technology plugged in when it’s not in use, be sure to power down every night during close, or even between classes.

Partner Up

It’s smart to partner up with other companies who are aligned with the same goals as you. It helps you stay on track and also makes your overall mission in reducing your carbon footprint easier. Bonus points if they’re local because supporting your local mom and pop is always cool.

• Opt for eco-friendly flooring companies who offer rubber floors.
• Same for your environmentally friendly gym equipment.
• Purchase sustainable snacks with smart and ethical packaging.
• Replace your bathroom soaps with better-for-you artisanal ones. 
• Include stainless steel reusable straws to sell alongside your cups.
• Team up with a reusable bag company for your swag bags at events.

With this list, you will be part of the eco-friendly gyms club in no time at all and gym goers will take notice. Kudos to you for going green!

Like many jobs in the fitness industry, running a yoga studio can require a yoga instructor to wear several different hats. On top of planning classes, teaching them, and training employees, they also have to grow a business, keep certifications up to date and squeeze in some practice time of their own. Fortunately, there are many great yoga resources for teachers to be able to accomplish all of those things and more. Just ask the universe (and EZFacility) and you shall receive! In this post, here are some of the top ones we recommend starting with.

The Yoga Alliance

The Yoga Alliance is one of the very first resources you will uncover as a teacher. It’s the place where you will go to get registered as a yoga instructor. It’s also where you can connect with one of the largest yoga teacher associations in the yoga community. On the site you will find organizational tools for keeping track of teacher training and credentials as well as endless articles, videos, online workshops, teaching tips, sequencing tips, yoga events and more.

90 Monkeys

90 Monkeys is an online resource created by yoga teachers for other yoga teachers. Co-founders, Amy Ippoliti and Taro Smith wanted something where people could collaborate together in the community because they know it takes an army. 90 Monkeys works super hard to help others thrive in their lives and in their yoga studies. They have taught several online courses to people in many different countries. On their site, you will find a variety of different courses available for enrollment.

Yoga U Online

Online tutorials are great but sometimes you aren’t able to sit down in front of the computer like you’d like to. So, how about listening to something on the go instead? That’s where Yoga U Online’s free podcasts come in handy. They cover a pretty broad range of topics for every level yogi.

Yoga Leader Retreat

Walk away from a yoga retreat feeling spiritually rejuvenated. It’s a pretty magical thing getting together with a group of people who want to share their minds, souls and yoga poses with one another. Any retreat has important takeaways. However, there are retreats created specifically for teachers where all of the activities are heavily focused on teacher training, growth and development.

Yoga Expo

If you can’t get away for a big chunk of time, be on the lookout for a yoga expo happening in your area. Not only are they a lot of fun to attend, but you can also learn quite a few things from them too.

Walk around and discover new industry props, sample healthy snacks and products, and participate in other yoga classes. Participating in another teacher’s class gives you hands-on experience and potentially some new techniques and sequencing to implement in your own classroom. Don’t forget to bring your own yoga mat!

The Yoga Journal

The Yoga Journal is for the everyday yogi. For the last 50 years, they have been helping people keep their minds, bodies, and spirits healthy on and off their yoga mat. They show you how to apply the art in your everyday life.

On their site, they have a little something for everyone.  There are great reads, appetizing recipes, yoga poses and inspirational playlists. In addition, teachers will discover an entire tab devoted to them with tips from some of the top players in the industry.

Have fun getting started with these yoga resources for teachers. Use one or use them all. Whatever speaks the loudest to you. This is just the beginning of possibilities. Namaste. 

Sorry, Shakespeare. A rose by any other name doesn’t smell quite as sweet in the 21st century when there are plenty of other better-looking roses waiting to out smell you. Names do matter and branding is vital.

Branding is when a company creates a name and design specifically for themselves. It’s a visual representation to help set any business apart from the rest so customers can distinguish their products. Branding can either attract or repel customers and increase or decrease business value.

This is especially true in the yoga community right now, where there is a ton of competition. And the market is expected to double within the next year alone. Meaning, upcoming yoga business owners have much to think about. Like, how they plan to showcase their uniqueness for the world. Make sure you’re doing it right. Here are some dos and don’ts for your studio brand.

DON’T Be Impatient or Make Hasty Decisions

Good things take time and first impressions are everything. You want to put your best foot forward.

The many facets of branding include:

·      logo

·      color

·      typography

·      imagery

·      voice

·      actions

·      marketing

Start with your logo because it’s the first thing people encounter. You don’t want to rush this step. Take your time, play around with all your options and consider hiring a designer. You might not think you need one but typically, it’s better to spend the money on this step than skimp or cut corners. Logos appear on everything from yoga studios and merchandise to business cards, banners, flyers, social media and much more.

Rebranding, later on, isn’t necessarily a death sentence for a business. But, it does require more work later on than if you just took your time coming up with one you love in the first place, and were consistent across the board.

DO Your Research

If you are still feeling overwhelmed with what you need to come up with, take a peek at your competitors. Find out who they are and what they are doing right or wrong. And take a look at some bigger brands also, even if they aren’t directly related to your playing field. There’s always a lesson to take away.

DON’T Get Hung up on Competition

Find out who the competition is but don’t become obsessed over it. After all, this is about why you’re different. And if you spend too much time looking at someone else’s product, you could accidentally end up very similar, or worse, feeling discouraged.

DON’T Ignore Color

Color choice is important in any design. There is research to prove how it affects the human mind, body, and emotions. It’s even more important when creating a yoga business. Yoga studios are meant to be a safe space to relax and open up in. You want to make your clients feel drawn in and comfortable.

When you think of hues in the red, orange, and yellow families, they are all things associated with the sun and fire. As a result, you likely imagine warmth, energy, and enthusiasm. Blues and purples give feelings of being cool, or calm. Green is mostly tied to good health and good fortune. But beware, there are shades that can make you green with envy the same way certain shades of red and yellow can leave you angry or discontent.

DO Pick a Brand Voice

Like color, your brand’s voice plays a big role in the way you are viewed and how well you are received. Because you already know your target market and are familiar with the yoga community and lifestyle, this one should be relatively easy.

DON’T Forget About Your Personal Brand

Don’t forget about your personal brand. Who you are as the owner is as significant as what your facility stands for as a whole. For one, be authentic. This shouldn’t only be a job for you. Again, it should be your lifestyle. You’ve heard the saying, “Practice what you preach.”

And second, never stop learning. Stay at the top of your game and in the know by attending workshops and speaking with colleagues and mentors often. These things will help you deepen your practice.

DO Be Consistent

Consistency is key. Your studio brand, voice, personal brand, yoga teachers and social media should be aligned at all times. Yes, mix-up your classes from time to time to keep things exciting and fresh, but the way you leave people feeling after their visit should always be the same. If any part of the whole dynamic ever feels the slightest bit off, your customers will be able to feel it. And then your credibility, authenticity, and business could be affected.

Hold regular training with your yoga teachers to go over company news and share feedback together. Your employees are more likely to have pride in their work and feel like part of the family if your vision is clear and it’s one they can stand behind. The same goes for customers.

Check out our blog for more other yoga-industry related tips like How to Open a Yoga Studio and also some Gym Event Ideas to get business flowing.

For most people, it isn’t the working out part that gets them. It’s trying to stay on track with an eating plan, especially during the holiday season. Because, let’s be honest, no matter how badly you want to drop those pounds, you can’t reason with temptation clouding your brain.

If you need help attending some chocolate-charged holiday parties without face planting in the very first pies, these healthy holiday eating tips are for you.

1. Eat before you go.

The same way you’d never go to the grocery store hungry is the same way you shouldn’t show up to holiday parties on an empty stomach. You’re just asking for trouble. Because when the hunger pains strike, you won’t be eyeballing your grandma’s tray of healthy veggies. You will be headed straight for the sinful calories- and the naughty list!

Curb your hunger by eating something small yet filling before you leave the house like an apple, hard-boiled egg or leafy green salad. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Sometimes your brain tricks you into thinking you want to eat when you’re actually only thirsty.

2. Bring your own food.

Not sure what’s going to be on the menu? Ask the host if you can bring something to contribute. That way you will know for sure there is at least one dish you can enjoy guilt-free. You will be happy, and the host will have one less item to stress over. It’s a win/win.

This is also great for anyone with diet restrictions or food allergies as well. If you are ever unsure about the ingredients, bring something to share. It’s better safe than sorry.

3. Concentrate on your meal.

Research shows people who eat in front of the television, or absentmindedly, tend to eat quicker and bigger portions than normal. So, take it slow and really indulge your senses: Look at your plate and admire the colors before you. Eat slowly and anticipate every bite working its way to your lips. Focus on the way the ingredients smell and taste. Notice the different textures as you chew.

Not only will you be able to better register when you are full and consume less calories, but you will also appreciate your meal more.

4. Grab a friend.

Have you done steps 1-3 but still aren’t sure if you can be trusted? When you’re feeling weak at the knees, it pays to buddy up with someone. Sitting next to another healthy eater holds you accountable and ensures you’re less likely to stray.

5. Use smaller plates.

The bigger the plate, the more likely you are to pile it on. Instead, opt for eating dinner on a smaller one, like a dessert plate. It will ensure your body has more time to recognize when it’s full. Plus, if you pile on the protein and vegetables first you will have less room for the unhealthy stuff.

6. Pick One.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or it will give the bad items more appeal. Allow yourself to choose one goodie to eat, and you are less likely to overdo it -or worse- completely sabotage your hard work.

Consider your options though. For instance, don’t waste empty calories on potato chips when they’re available all year long. Pick a treat unique to the season, like your mom’s famous homemade cherry cheesecakes. Now that’s something worth celebrating. And again, don’t scarf it down. Eat slowly and take the time to enjoy it.

7. Workout.

If you follow these tips and still find yourself feeling weighed down the next day, shake it off with a little physical activity.

An early morning workout is known to rev-up your metabolism and help you burn off a few extra calories throughout the day. Go for a walk, or drop inside a nearby yoga class. Your body will feel rejuvenated and so will your mind.

Have you started planning your health goals for the new year? We’d love to hear them. Drop us a line in our comments. For more industry related tips, be sure to visit our blog often.