Gym Owner Quiz: How Does Your Community & Culture Rank?

Gym Owner Quiz: How Does Your Community & Culture Rank?

As a gym owner, you already know that community and culture are an essential part of member satisfaction. They’ll also set you apart in building your brand within your market. But did you know that gym programming is one of the most influential factors in either shaping or breaking your community and culture?

Ready to find out how well your current programming aligns with the community-building goals you’ve set for your gym? First, check out the role programming plays in your gym-growth strategy, along with warning signs to watch for.

Then take the quiz below. And if things aren’t aligning, check out some best practices to build the community and culture you envision, and that will lead to gym growth for the long run.

How Gym Programming Can Unite or Divide.

As we’ve recently discussed on the Beyond blog, your programming can play a big part in creating a culture of success in your gym. When members are motivated and seeing results - regardless of their fitness level - they’re much more likely to stick around for the long run.

On the other hand, gym programming can also cause a huge divide in the community if there’s any separation between “elite” and “regular” members. For example, let’s say your coaches or competitive athletes avoid classes, or tend to work out at alternate times together. This can send a powerful message to the rest of your members that class programming isn’t good enough. Or worse, that certain members aren’t good enough to join the elites.

Ultimately, cliques and the “cool kids club” vibe will turn people off quickly by making them feel disconnected. Watch for warning signs it’s time to change your gym programming. These are things like frustrated member feedback, drops in community event participation, and decreasing member retention numbers.

Quiz: How Does Your Gym’s Community & Culture Rank?

Take this quick, interactive quiz to help you determine if your gym programming is helping or hurting your community and culture.

Here’s how it works. There are five questions below and you’ll give your gym anywhere from one to five stars for each question. Five stars is excellent, one star means there’s a lot of room for improvement.

Questions:

  1. Do your coaches attend classes and follow the same programming as members?

  2. Are your scaled options and modifications equally as challenging and rewarding as “RX” level?

  3. Is your programming created based on progressions, versus random movements, helping to ensure members keep showing up to advance in the progressions?

  4. Is your programming designed to encourage interaction among members and a fun class experience?

  5. Do you strongly encourage members to track progress (log workout scores, PRs, etc.) and celebrate wins?

Scoring System:

  • 0-10 stars - Your gym programming may be causing unintentional division in your community.

  • 11-18 stars - There’s room for improvement, and adjustments to programming could boost inclusivity, connection and member experience.

  • 19-25 stars - Your programming builds community and strengthens your culture.

Next Steps: Boost Community & Culture Vibes with Gym Programming.

How did your gym score on the quiz? Is your community thriving or do you need a few tweaks to connect and engage your members?

If you’re still not sure, consider asking members for feedback on your gym’s “vibe.” Also, talk to your coaching team and make sure they understand how programming impacts culture. No matter where you’re starting from, it’s important to remember that you can make gradual changes without needing a complete overhaul of everything you’re doing.

Remember, your gym programming is a key tool in building the kind of community and culture you want. And we’d love to help! Contact us today to discuss options that will best fit your gym.