pilates
VIRTUAL REALITY
Virtual classes can be cost-effective to set up and do not take up staff time
KATE CRACKNELL ASKS THE EXPERTS FOR THEIR THOUGHTS ON VIRTUAL PILATES AND YOGA CLASSES
W
ith technology taking more and more of a front seat in our gyms, it’s no
surprise that it’s also impacting on group exercise. We’ve seen ‘virtual’ classes – in which participants follow the lead of an on-screen instructor – in a number of disciplines now, most notably group cycling. However, while the virtual
route is clearly an effective – and cost-effective – format for classes where the role of the instructor is predominantly motivation and issuing instructions regarding how hard people should be working, it becomes harder to see how it can work well when the class is focused on individual technique. In such sessions – where an instructor will go around the class checking what each participant is doing and offering feedback – a live presence is an obvious bonus. The news that pilates and yoga
are now available as virtual classes has therefore divided opinion. Will it undermine or complement the ‘live’ offering? Will teachers be inspired to raise their game to differentiate staffed classes from virtual? Is there a heightened injury risk without an instructor present? Our panellists share their thoughts.
march 2012 © cybertrek 2012
JOHN TREHARNE CEO, THE GYM GROUP
O
ur low-cost model has been designed to embrace the fact that people need to change their fi tness habits to fall in line with other commitments in their life. Not
everyone can commit to attending weekly classes at a set time; people want fl exibility regarding their participation in group exercise. Inspired by the success of virtual classes in various European countries,
The Gym Group is therefore trialling 24-hour virtual pilates and yoga classes at four of its national sites. The classes feature a range of male and female instructors and run every hour, on the hour, seven days a week. Virtual classes make good use of fl oor space and are relatively cost-effective to set up, with a fi xed low fee and no ongoing staff costs. We’ve used respected and well-qualifi ed instructors – such as Birgitte
Nymann – to teach these classes, to ensure positions and moves are all demonstrated with technical accuracy. In fact, we would argue that the quality of teaching is actually better than your average class instructor, as we’ve been able to hand-pick people who are guaranteed to deliver an exceptional class – all at a time most convenient to individual members. Research has shown that the total number of group exercise participants has
risen dramatically at clubs that offer fl exible, virtual teaching. There have even been cases of members requesting more virtual classes, which suggests that the popularity of virtual training is gathering momentum. There is clearly an audience for both live and virtual classes. However, our
business concept is all about attracting a new market; we need to fi nd exciting and cost-effective fi tness solutions that work for our members, and that distinguish us from our competitors. The initial feedback from the sites trialling the concept has been very positive and I anticipate that, during 2012, The Gym Group will roll out virtual pilates and yoga classes across more sites.
Virtual group exercise can be offered 24/7 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 43
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