There are many reasons why a Fitness Instructor should take advantage of the fast-evolving world of Fitness Challenges.
First up, they’re an excellent way to motivate people – especially when they have so many distractions vying for their attention. For example, at my gym, I have always found it particularly hard to keep my clients motivated throughout the summer. During those sunny months, everyone seems to prefer spending their free time outside hiking, swimming or cycling rather than in an enclosed room full of sweaty people. A Fitness Challenge can add that little extra bit of motivation to keep them engaged.
Another reason is that they can help your client’s maintain a consistent workout schedule when in-person training isn’t possible. In fact, one of the reasons I started running Fitness Challenges for my groups was so I could could provide them with a reportable (and fun) target for their workouts that I could track while I am/or they were on holiday. It’s the perfect way to teach self-sufficiency and facilitate accountability. While simultaneously allowing me to take a step back sometimes.
Free and fun weekly challenges can also be a great tool to help your clients stay motivated and active outside of your usual workout routine.
Of course, there’s a world of fitness challenges to choose from , each with their own pros and cons.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you choose which challenge to do and how to successfully run a fitness challenge that will be fun and rewarding for you and your clients.
Here are my ‘lessons learned’ from running various challenges over the years:
1) Timing Is Key
A challenge that’s too long will make it hard to see it through, for you and your participants. I have run an 8-week challenge before and collecting data every week for two months. I can tell you, it became very tedious towards the end.
Further, while everyone was very excited at the beginning challenge, life – eventually – happens. And if you don’t keep the momentum going it can get difficult to keep people motivated towards the end. While at the same time collecting the info you still need from them.
My favourite are two-week challenges. They’re easier to handle with most of the benefits of the longer-challenges, but none of the difficulties.
Of course, the length of your challenges depends a lot on your clientele and your reason for running the challenge. If you are looking to run a weight-loss challenge, slow and steady wins the race. Whereas if you are looking to jumpstart exercise routines after a holiday season, a more intense two week challenge might be more appropriate.
Tip for larger groups: For one challenge I had 50 participants. In order to make it easier, I randomly assigned smaller groups to each of my trainers who kindly volunteered to help out.
My favourite are two-week challenges. They’re easier to handle with most of the benefits of the longer-challenges, but none of the difficulties.
2) Keep It Simple
I’ve spent hours and hours planning and researching to then realize that the challenge I created was way too complicated.
I’ve also all too often gotten carried-away by the newest fancy fitness equipment on the market just to realize that maybe only a handful of my clients actually own (or that everyone had a different brand, style, that’s incompatible with each other, etc.).
The possibilities of what you can do with a challenge seem endless. But if you are dealing with people from various backgrounds, fitness levels, technology know-how, your best bet is to keep it simple.
This allows you to include as many participants as possible and keep them more focused on the workout and goal, and not the nitty-gritty details.
One of the my favourite “simple challenges” is Fitness Bingo.
It takes me 10 minutes to set up, and email, and everyone can easily print it out (or read it on their phones) and get started. Simple, fun, and effective.
3) Find The Right Motivation
Not everyone responds the same way. While some participants thrive in a competitive environment, others may not do so well under-pressure (and might even get stressed out).
The main objective is to keep it fun. So start with the question ‘Who is this for?’.
which is why you need to find out what kind of clientele you are dealing with.
For example, I personally am very competitive and you can find me walking in circles in front of the couch or waving my hands frantically if I don’t get my 10,000 steps for the day. I’ve also been talked into running and hiking just for the reward of my favourite food.
Similarly, one of my groups is a water-sports team that loves a good challenge and can be motivated by a ‘who gets the most steps/km biked/laps in the pool/hikes completed etc.” challenge coupled with a new piece of equipment offered as a prize for the winner (even more workouts for the winner!).
However, most of the people who attend my gym classes are a collection of social creatures who appreciate a different incentive. For them, a gift card for a coffee shop or local restaurant once a goal is reached is a more appealing prize compared to a thera-band.
Your own merchandise or a discount for your classes might also be an appealing prize as they might like to support local, and most importantly – you.
To sum it up: Find a simple, timely activity which motivates people and you will be able to encounter fun, honest moments with your participants which will serve as a bonding-and growing experience for all of you!
Jessi Schlegel is a fitness trainer and educator. She draws from a versatile background with a degree in Sports Therapy from Germany and in-the-field business experience as co-owner of a gym in Vancouver (Canada). She currently works as a Personal Trainer, Group Class Instructor, Yoga Instructor, Holistic Nutritionist and Online Coach. With over 18 years of experience, she aims to pass on knowledge and share her passion and experiences with clients and trainers around theworld.
We work out with Jesse and she is a wonderful coach and knows exactly how to motivate her varied clientele. Dave B.