ClassPass Partner Blog | Grow Your Business

ClassPass Customer Experience

How ClassPass Prepares Users Before They Walk Through Your Door

ClassPass helps partners reach new audiences—people who are actively looking to try something new, explore different wellness experiences, and discover businesses they may not have found otherwise. Reaching those people is one of the most valuable things ClassPass does for its partners. As ClassPass continues to grow, we’re investing in the tools, education, and product experiences that help make those visits even more successful; for partners, staff, and users alike.

Resources Business Owner Insights

Launching Outdoor Fitness Classes During COVID-19

Class Experience

11 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Your Studio

Customer Experience Class Experience

5 Essentials for Better Class Descriptions

Programming Class Experience

5 Steps to Nail Your Next Fitness Workshop

The classes you offer are a defining feature of your studio – students come to you looking for specific exercises and often want to develop skills and strength in the disciplines you provide. Offering tailored workshops can provide a next-level experience for your studio-goers, giving them a chance to hone skills and achieve their fitness goals. Consider the following steps when creating your next successful workshop.

Programming Class Experience

3 Ways to Crowdsource Group Fitness Class Ideas

Fitness is your passion, but as with all passions, the day-to-day could leave you feeling tired, overwhelmed or uninspired from time-to-time. As an instructor, the energy you bring to class is a significant part of the experience people have when they attend the studio — so how do you continue to motivate class attendees through each set, rep and sequence?

Programming Class Experience

Outdoor Fitness Class Mistakes to Avoid

Programming Class Experience

How and Why to Offer Donation-Based Classes

For some studio owners, giving happens all year round. While it may seem intimidating to think about sending money to others while trying to cover your own overhead, community or donation-based classes are a simple and effective way to pay it forward. Consider these tips from Byron de Marsé, a yoga teacher at Power Yoga East in Santa Monica and Nick Velkov, owner of Yoga Agora in New York City, who get creative while giving back.

Programming Class Experience

3 Tips to Find the Right Length for Your Classes

We’ve all been there, slipping out of a morning class 15 minutes early to make an 8 a.m. meeting, or quietly attempting to roll up your mat and tip-toe out of yoga mid-downward dog to get the kids at school. It can feel like life gets in the way of a workout — so as an instructor, how do you deliver an impactful class condensed into a timeframe that works for everyone?

Programming Class Experience

3 Ways to Focus on Mindfulness as an Instructor

In a fast-paced world of challenging classes and overpacked work weeks, it’s important to take some time during class to allow students to mentally connect with the present moment. One of the biggest culprits that keeps us from progressing in our fitness journey is mental strength. As an instructor, you can focus on a few key factors during your classes to keep students mindful of their own goals and motivated to work toward them. Adding these simple tweaks to your next class will help you be an even greater resource for your students, and an integral part in keeping their motivation and focus high.

ClassPass Customer Experience

How Lean Bean Fitness Builds Community on ClassPass

We’re excited to feature Lizzie Bland, founder of Lean Bean Fitness and Lean Bean Retreats and winner of the 2018 ClassPass Customer Champion Partner Award, for this post!

Retention Customer Experience

7 Things Your Customers Wish You Knew

As a fitness studio owner, keeping your clients happy is essential to the success of your business. But there's a difference between complacent customers and happy customers. Ideally, you want your class members to be so satisfied with the experience you provide that they start to act as a type of free marketing for your studio – recruiting friends and family members to come in and sweat along with them at their favorite workout.

Business Owner Insights Instructor Insights

How Many Classes Should Studio Owners Teach?

Many studio owners operate as part entrepreneur and part fitness instructor, running their business while also teaching class. And of course, teaching at your fitness studio comes with plenty of benefits. For starters, it gives you first-hand experience of what's working for your clients, allows you to see how they're responding to class offerings and helps you identify where you can improve. The downside? Taking time out of your busy schedule to teach means that you're likely working longer hours than you'd be if you'd handed that class over to an instructor, giving you time to focus on other areas of your business.

Marketing Programming

How to Run a Couples Workout this Valentines Day

It’s no secret that seasonal incentives can help bring new business to your fitness studio. You’re likely already running promotions around peak times such as Christmas and the New Year – but there are other calendar opportunities that you may be overlooking. One example? Valentine’s Day.

Business Owner Insights Instructor Insights

6 Ways to Incorporate Self-Care into Your Classes

It may be cliché but it’s true: Fall in love with taking care of yourself, because you can’t take care of others until you take care of yourself. Sure, this is a given if you’re all about fitness, but self-care goes way beyond working out and eating well. Meaningful self-care is about slowing down and being mindful in the moment. Not only is it important to practice self-care as fitness instructors, but it’s also crucial to incorporate it into your classes. We asked studio owners and instructors how they manage to do it and here’s what they shared:

Instructor Insights Customer Experience

4 Behaviors to Avoid When Teaching Class

One of the toughest aspects of being a fitness instructor is bringing your A-game to every single class you teach. For many, this serves as a motivator and just seeing your clients' faces ready to work gets you in the right mindset. Of course, we're all human and have off days, but it's important not to slip into behavior that impacts the class experience. Just as you need to be aware of what you should do in class, you also benefit from knowing what you should not do in class.

Customer Experience Operations

5 Ways Studio Owners Manage Crowds During Resolution Season

Like clockwork, January brings new year’s resolution crowds rushing to join gyms and fitness studios ready to make lifestyle changes. It's a great boom for business, but it's important to manage these crowds to ensure that client experience remains high while accommodating for more people.

recommended Class Experience

5 Small Things That Make a Huge Difference in Class

We talk a lot about what brings people in to your studio or gym, whether it’s your clever marketing and promotions, your prime location, or your well-thought out brand and social media presence. But when it comes down to it, what keeps your customers coming back is a consistent and inspiring class experience. First priorities should be your instructors and your methodology, but below, we share a few of the key elements of a class that might be overlooked but that make a huge difference for your clients.

Managing Staff Customer Acquisition

How to Prepare Your Studio for the January Fitness Rush

The start of a new year motivates many of us to set goals that we want to achieve over course of the next 365 days -- and more often than not, getting in shape makes the shortlist. If you're a fitness studio owner, this means a new wave of clients are about to arrive at your facilities ready to start working toward their weight loss goals. It also means that your classrooms, locker rooms and common areas are about to see more foot traffic than they have in a while.

Facilities Management Class Experience

Festive (and Trendy!) Holiday Decor for Your Studio

It’s the most wonderful (and stressful!) time of the year. Now more than ever, it’s hard to find time to exercise amid an endless list of holiday to-dos. So, when your members do make it to your studio for a class, why not greet them with a festive space that gets them in the holiday spirit? Whether you’ve already decked your studio’s halls and are looking for some easy yet high impact finishing touches or want to overhaul your holiday décor, read on for some modern ideas.

Instructor Insights Class Experience

Deeply Restorative Stretches to Incorporate into Your Classes

Flexibility is an integral part of whole-body wellness, and incorporating restorative stretches into class can reduce risk of injury and increase overall fitness for your clients. After a workout, fatigued muscles may contract, and the best way to boost recovery is to stretch while the body is still warm. Give your clients the chance to fully relax and release any tension post-class with these juicy stretches!

Class Experience

New Music for Your December Playlists

We’re heading into the holiday season, which is a time when people tend to drop off the exercise regimen they established in summer in favor of sitting on the sofa in sweats. This is a time when you need to be at your best to encourage clients to continue coming to class! As the temperatures drop, keep the sick beats dropping, too. That ought to give people a little extra motivation to get into the studio and move! Here, we asked some of our partners to share their top music picks for the season.

Fitness Industry Trends Class Experience

3 Fitness Trends That Are Changing - And What's Next

Staying fit never goes out of style -- but the methods that we use to keep our bodies active and healthy certainly shift and change. From inventive workouts that make staying in shape more fun, to new studies and information that help inform fitness offerings, machines and methods, there's always something fresh coming on to the health and fitness scene. We took a look at how a few trends have shifted as our ideas of what it means to get fit and be healthy evolve with the growth of the fitness industry overall.

Class Experience

5 Fun Thanksgiving Workouts Beyond the Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving is almost upon us -- the holiday where we gather around with family and friends to give thanks for what we have and, of course, to eat a very big meal together. A meal so large, it's estimated the average Thanksgiving dinner plate clocks in at around 3,000 calories -- and that's not factoring in seconds!

Programming Class Experience

Should You Add Another Workout Genre to Your Studio?

When you opened your studio, you had a vision for it, and your classes reflected that vision. But you might find that your instructors or clients are gravitating towards a class that incorporates aspects of an exercise genre you don’t offer or that they are asking for a different type of workout. So, what do you do?

Instructor Insights Class Experience

Language to Use in Class to Inspire Students

What kind of language do you use as an instructor? The way you speak to your students in class can influence many things: their mood, their energy, their stamina, their self-esteem, and—perhaps most important—their willingness to come back to class. It’s incredibly important, yet we may forget to focus on what we’re saying when we get caught up in all the other things we have to prepare for class.

Programming Class Experience

Instructors Share Their Secrets for Finding New Music

As a fitness instructor, it's important to keep your routine fresh -- from the new moves you incorporate each week to the music you play to keep your class members feeling motivated throughout the entire workout. Yet finding new music that's going to resonate with your class members and lend itself well to your workout routine can be tricky. And once you find a few tracks that work well, it can feel hard to part with them.

Resources Class Experience

INFOGRAPHIC: Most Popular Class Times Data

Programming Class Experience

5 Tricks to Throw the Best Halloween-Themed Class

It’s October, and that can only mean one thing: Halloween is coming! While Halloween is only on one day, many are happy to spend the entire month leading up to October 31st celebrating. Why not draw on the excitement and fun of the holiday to have a Halloween-themed class at your studio?

Class Experience

Get in the Groove: New Music for Your Fall Class Playlist

Need some new tunes to uplift and inspire your classes as we head into fall? Look no further! We spoke with studio owners in each genre to learn their top five songs of the moment for you to browse as you give those playlists a refresh.

Programming Class Experience

Tips for Crafting Your Class Schedule

The start of a new season brings with it the opportunity to refine and update your class schedule to best meet your members’ needs and increase revenue for your studio. With school starting up again and summer travel schedules calming down, now’s the time to consider adding back in a few more mid-morning classes or weekend offerings.

Programming Class Experience

Feeling Uninspired? Freshen Up Your Fall Classes with These Tips

No matter how hard you work on creating and perfecting a class routine that's fun and effective, teaching class after class can inevitably start to feel stale. Of course, there's always the option to start over with a new routine -- but even the best fitness instructors can suffer from lack of inspiration when it comes to whipping up new moves.

Instructor Insights Class Experience

5 Tips Veteran Instructors Want New Instructors to Know

No matter how much training you have under your belt, there's no wisdom quite like the kind that comes with experience -- and that goes tenfold when you're starting your career as a fitness instructor. You've gone through the process of getting certified, and may have even spent time focusing on a specialty. You're well-versed on the best practices of modifying for injuries, know how to spot improper form and ways to correct it in order to provide your students with a workout that's safe and effective.

Customer Acquisition Programming

Summer Travel: Increase Class Attendance With These 5 Tips

Even the busiest fitness studios suffer from a dip in attendance during the summer months. With vacation season in full swing and outdoor after work plans filling up calendars, class members will likely be missing from their signature spot for a few weeks out of the season. And with the beautiful summer weather shining in through your studio windows, well, can you really fault your members for opting to take their workouts outside?

Programming Class Experience

Top Songs for Your Summer Playlists

We’re heading into the deep of summer, and the new hits are heating up with the temperature! Instructors and studio owners from each type of exercise offered at ClassPass gave us the top five songs they must have on playlists right now, and we’re sharing them with you.

Instructor Insights afterclass 101

Secrets of Highly Successful Instructors

It's a fact that in order to succeed, fitness instructors need to set themselves apart from the competition. Their job depends on it. Studio owners want to employ instructors that will bring new members in and keep their current clients coming back for more -- and if the class you're teaching has the same baseline routine as the rest of the instructors in the space, well, that's not going to cut it.

Business Owner Insights Class Experience

Behavior Change Begins with Your Client – Not You

We're excited to feature this guest post from RedBird Fitness LLC!

Programming Brand and Design

How to Approach Weight Loss in Your Classes

Pick up any magazine, and it will become clear that people are thinking about something pretty frequently: weight loss. At the start of the new year, people sign up at gyms in droves with the hope that this will be the year they transform their bodies. So as the instructors and gyms responsible for those who come in looking to lose weight, how do we address those concerns in our messaging and our classes?

Revenue & Growth Programming

5 Reasons Workshops and Themed Classes Are a Valuable Investment

If you’re looking to change things up at your studio this year, consider the benefits of incorporating workshops or themed classes into your regular programming. A workshop with a well-known teacher in the industry or a class that builds on a unique skill set or fitness trend can not only draw in new clients but can also solidify the community of regulars at your studio who will appreciate the opportunity to grow in their practice.

Fitness Industry Trends Revenue & Growth

The Top Fitness Industry Trends for 2017

With 2017 already well under way, we wanted to reflect on areas the fitness industry saw significant growth in 2016 that are poised to continue to prosper this year. We spoke with Valerie Meyer, Senior Director of Partnerships at ClassPass, to uncover the latest trends to find traction in the fitness and wellness space.

Class Experience

Refresh Your Playlist: Top Songs for Every Workout

Do you feel like you keep coming back to the same songs and artists over and over for your playlist? Then it's time to freshen up your music offering! We asked around with fellow gym and studio owners to get the scoop on the top five songs playing for each genre of exercise offered at ClassPass. You may be surprised what new artist or song you discover.

Managing Staff Instructor Insights

How to Prepare Your Instructors for Handling Brand New Clients

The start of a new year means an influx of new members -- some of which haven't been to a workout class in quite some time and are looking to make big changes this year. Of course, you've got a plan for how onboard your newest clients in order to make them feel welcome and empower them to stick with their resolutions. But what about when it comes to training your staff on the best practices for handling the busy season?

Class Experience

4 Science-Backed Reasons Why Your Playlist Means Everything

Imagine taking a spinning class—or capoeira, or zumba or any derivative of cardio—without accompanying music, and the prospect is rather bleak. The addition of a soundtrack is essential to most people’s workout—it’s universally known to elevate what would otherwise be a pretty painful (albeit rewarding) experience. In a 2012 study from Brunel University London’s Costas Karageorghis, one of the world’s foremost experts on the psychology of music, the professor said that music is essentially “a type of legal performance-enhancing drug.” Here we explore the scientific reasons behind why your studio’s playlist really is that important.

Class Experience

Here's How to Make the Most of Your Class Size--No Matter What

In a perfect studio fitness world, our classes would always be filled with the right amount of students. We all know, however, that hitting the sweet spot with class size can be tricky. Whether too big or too small, size in numbers can impact the energy of your class. As an instructor, it's important to be cognizant of your students comfort during a small or large class. Below are some tips to set you up for success no matter how many students you have.

Instructor Insights Class Experience

The Best Apps for Fitness Instructors

Class Experience

The Smartest Ways to Teach Beginners

Your business model is based around onboarding new clients—but once you’ve landed these newbies, what’s next? We talked to three experts in different fields about the best ways to work with beginners—clients who have never done the workout before—in a manner that turns them from novices to lifers.

Class Experience

Insider Q&A: Preparing Your Studio for Fall

With temperatures cooling down and school back in session, expect your fall class schedule to start picking up. Fall is about more than just getting back in the groove, though; it’s a chance to test out your programming and start forecasting for the new year. We chatted with ClassPass’s Director of Partner Success Elizabeth Hathaway on how, as a studio, you can start to prepare for the fall season, what trends to look out for, and how to appeal to new clients coming through your door.

Class Experience

Ways to Reduce Frenzy During Class Turnover

We're excited to host guest author, Kate Rowe of BeachFit Baltimore, for this post!

Resources Business Owner Insights

City-by-City Guide to Obtaining Permits for Outdoor Fitness

Retention Class Experience

Create Community At Your Studio or Gym

Community is the best way to create and retain relationships with your clients. When you create a relationship and then take the time to nurture that relationship, your business will flourish. It is important that the classes, the teachers and the studio all feel welcoming and encouraging to clients. The more the studio feels like home, the more often they will return, and share their love of the space with others.

Class Experience

3 Positive Ways to Assist Clients Who Need Extra Attention

Fitness studios play an important role in clients’ lives, providing inspiration and a community to help them live a healthier life. When it comes to clients who don’t fit your typical mold, however, such as those nursing an injury, those who are above your typical age range, or those dealing with a personal health concern, positive corrections and focus on what they’re doing right can go a long way towards increasing self esteem—and the likelihood of them returning to your studio.

Retention Class Experience

How to Keep the New Year Momentum Going

You’ve been riding the New Year’s resolution wave for a few weeks now, but as it does every year, that wave will be crashing soon. Many of your students’ resolutions are going to be distant memories come early February. Here’s how to keep their motivation running straight through spring.

Facilities Management Class Experience

Surprise and Delight Clients with Out-of-the-Box Amenities

As more luxury gyms enter the U.S. market, so do super luxe, super high-tech amenities. Steam rooms, underwater treadmills, and outdoor climbing walls are just a few of the perks new fitness centers are offering. But most studios out there barely have room for a smoothie bar, never mind a driving range. We’ve come up with some basic amenities that still go a long way in keeping your clients feeling pampered year-round.

Class Experience

6 Tips for Tailoring Classes for Inexperienced to Advanced Clients

With a class full of fresh faces who’ve never been to your studio before, as well as your favorite regulars, it can be difficult to manage the needs of each student. Different levels require different attention, and Chris Marhefka of Body by Boris in Gainesville, FL has tips to share on how to guarantee a good experience for all students.

How The Handle Bar Mastered the New Client Welcome

Class Experience

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