Keep Members Longer: Create a Culture of Success with Gym Programming
Did you know: Your gym programming can actually improve your member retention and create an improved class experience?
You want your members to feel like they can’t live without your gym, right?
When they love the results they’re getting and the connections they’ve made, they feel successful, valued and important. And that’s how you develop the kind of brand loyalty that keeps people coming back for years, and telling everyone they know.
So, how do you create a culture of success like that? Check out this list of ways your gym programming can get it done for you.
Top Five Ways Gym Programming Creates a Culture of Success
1. Prioritize Recording Scores.
Have you ever had a member come to you in frustration - whether with fitness or nutrition - because what they’re doing “just isn’t working?” Experienced gym owners know that the only way to help is to diagnose what they’re doing right, wrong and otherwise. And the only way to do that is through tracking.
In nutrition, that means tracking macros or calories. In regard to gym programming, that means recording scores. After all, if you never log your scores or lifting numbers, how do you know how you’re progressing toward your goals?
Most gym management software options include an app option to track workout scores and PRs. Some members might prefer an old-school notebook. But no matter what, getting members to record their progress is the fastest track to better results.
2. Celebrate Every Kind of Win.
Oftentimes, gym owners think of PRs as a way to help members measure success in the gym. But this overlooks all the other opportunities to celebrate progress.
First, gym programming can help with things like achieving a skill like a pull-up for the first time or improving a workout score. Second, whether it’s consistent attendance, class check-in milestones or other non-fitness achievements, celebrating all their wins will help them to feel recognized. And for the long run, this can be immensely helpful for motivation and continued progression.
You can celebrate members in a variety of ways, like social media shout-outs, “Member of the Month” spotlights or gifts earned at pre-determined milestones.
When it comes to your PR board, consider encouraging members to celebrate anything they accomplish. This could include anything from their first rope climb to not getting winded playing with the kids in the back yard. If they’re proud of it, tell them to put it up on the board! (And one more thing: Adding a PR bell adds to the celebration vibes in your gym.)
3. Help Members See the Progress They’re Making.
It’s human nature to gain motivation by being able to visually track progress. In other words, people tend to stick with things that are working, and bail on the things that aren’t.
This is fantastic news for gym owners, because the tools to help your members see their successes are everywhere. First, start with a goal-setting session or any simple option that provides guidance. The main objective is to help people know what to aim for, while meeting them where they’re at, fitness-wise.
Second, consider an Athlete Levels chart to help members set goals in various areas of training, like weightlifting, gymnastics, Olympic lifting and endurance. Oftentimes, people are unsure of how to set specific, trackable goals related to your gym programming. So an Athlete Levels chart can be highly beneficial.
Pro Tip: Want a customized chart for your gym? Contact us and we’ll send you a printable PDF!
Finally, in-house competitions or events can be another fun way to help members track progress. Whether it’s The CrossFit Total, The Open or just a friendly in-house event, you’re providing members the opportunity to record a result and try to better it as time goes on.
4. Focus on Progression with Gym Programming.
Another non-negotiable in creating a culture of success is gym programming that’s based on progressions.
As we’ve said before, “the unknown and the unknowable” is not a training strategy. Randomly choosing to program a 1RM Turkish Get-Up after not doing TGUs during the months prior isn’t helping your members get better. Similarly, throwing a set 5x5 on back squats “just because” makes no sense at all. And while we’re on the subject, an overabundance of shoulder or overhead work all in one week is a good way to wreck your members.
Training should make sense daily, weekly and within every cycle. Meaning, each day should be balanced. So should each week and each cycle. It’s not random, it’s not a guessing game and if it’s not getting your members results, it might be time to switch gym programming.
5. Highlight Success at Every Level.
One of the best parts of CrossFit - and most functional fitness facilities - is that with the right gym programming, someone who’s brand new can be in class right next to a 10-year veteran, and both can get an equally-effective workout.
Providing beginner, intermediate and advanced modifications and progressions lets members experience success at every level. This ensures everyone feels capable of making progress, regardless of where they’re at in their fitness journey.
Especially for beginners or anyone who prefers to avoid the barbell or high-skill movements, good gym programming should include tracks for everyone. For example, Beyond offers a CrossFit track and a Strength & Endurance track.
Also, it’s important to encourage members to embrace the process, no matter how long they’ve been training. Emphasize progress over perfection, and great technique before intensity. Over time, this growth mindset will increase your members confidence and motivate them through any challenges or setbacks.
In Summary: A Culture of Success Increases Gym Member Retention.
As a gym owner, are you creating a culture of success within your community? Your gym programming can actually help with this in a variety of ways.
Start by helping members see the progress they’re making and prioritize recording scores. Next, be sure to celebrate every kind of win, from class check-ins to PRs. Always focus on progressions, versus random training. And finally, highlight success at every level.
By building this type of environment, your members will feel successful, connected and empowered to stay engaged with your gym for the long term.
Pro Tip: If your gym isn’t currently creating a culture of success, we can help! Contact us today to get started with Beyond Strength & Endurance.