During an economy downturn, most companies will be affected and the fitness industry won’t be spared either. Right now, we are entering a financial crisis. The main point is to recognize the situation and do what you need to do to be prepared. Fitness centers or any workouts exercises class can be hit hard during slow economic times as people are spending less and are more careful with their spending.

You see, the regular employees’ company is still hit by an economic downturn, but that employee isn’t usually bothered with the details of this…unless they get laid off.

If business is slow and the class numbers drop, you can be more creative at marketing to new students, you can give more “personal touch” for the students and have a better student retention. Let’s focus on what you can do to have better retention of existing students, and at the same time increase the number of new students and make them committed to your class.

Everybody like to feel special and important. We love to have that personal attention and feel that we are well taken care of. In fact it is so important that not only we instructors have to do this, in fact we have to work as a team from the receptionist to the cleaners. Everybody have to play a part to make every student or member feel good about coming to the classes or the centers. Let me simply explain what this has to do with the Fitness industry.

There’s this Thai restaurant in Bankok that was recommended by my friend. It’s very popular with both the locals and the tourists, they are always so busy and you definitely need an advance booking to get a table. The waiters make sure they get your name and will always address you by name. Every time I go, the chef will come out at some point during the meal to greet us and make sure if we like the food. He’ll shake my hand and joke that it’s my birthday, next thing you know, a group of waiters will crowd around our table and start singing me a Happy Birthday song. He’ll then bring out a complimentary whole carrot cake with candles for us. He will do that for almost every table. It makes the place so lively.

 The result? This restaurant is definitely my top choice when it comes to Thai food and it became one of my favorites ever since. The total experience I have eating at this place is exceptional.

You get the picture? It is just as important to create a personal exceptional experience as it is to teach great fitness classes. This is very valuable info for helping you to improve our Fitness center or any fitness classes that you teach in general. Giving that extra service, that extra mile. Get to know your members or students better, create some sort of rapport with them.

In this way, your members will be more committed and will most likely to refer more friends to join your group workouts exercises. As they continue at your group exercise classes, they feel there is someone who knows them and can help if they have any questions or problems. They are far more likely to remain as a regular student at your group exercise classes and tolerate price increases without considering other fitness centers. Also, the refferal rates by these members will be higher.

Remember, if you improve your Fitness centers and your workouts exercises during an economic downturn, when better time comes,  your workouts exercises class will be very popular and well receive. You will be the only one that can make this happen and is time to be creative and work smart and you’ll weather this storm just fine.