5 min
Making an online fitness course is essential because members have come to expect gyms and fitness studios to provide online courses. The fitness industry is becoming increasingly competitive, and the number of fitness-related businesses offering online courses is only getting bigger.
So naturally, this raises the question “How do I create my own truly unique online fitness program?”
In this article, we dive into the steps you need to take to start your online fitness program with your head and shoulders above your competitors.
Why is it important to offer online fitness courses?
- Create an additional revenue stream
- Increase networking and outreach
- Provide convenience to your clients
- Expand your offers
- Create an additional revenue stream
Making an online fitness course gives you the opportunity to grow your business without having to expand physically. Create an additional revenue stream without having to invest in physical gym facilities. By becoming accessible remotely you can increase your outreach without being limited by physical location.
Digital fitness programs offer more flexibility than traditional in-person training structures. Clients are more likely to consistently engage with their training program if it is conveniently available to them at any time.
Online fitness courses expand the opportunities you can offer through the variety that digital formats provide.
Step 1: Find your Niche and Target Audience
The first step in making an online fitness course is identifying what sets you apart from the rest of the industry to appeal to your target audience. In a sea of online information, choosing a unique selling point acts like a magnet to attract your ideal client. The more specific, the better!
If the message you are communicating is too broad, the client is less likely to feel spoken to. Appealing to a niche group creates a more intimate relationship between you and your client, making them more likely to choose you.
Gymgoers want to be part of a community, so give them a strong goal to align themselves with.
Step 2: Making your Online Fitness Course Content
The key ingredient to making an online fitness course is offering an effective exercise solution. The content of your program should address the specific concerns of your client, but should not be limited to them. Practicing health and wellness habits does not end when the workout video is done.
Offer motivational, nutritional, and general wellness content in addition to your workout program. Continue to challenge your clients to keep them engaged with your online fitness courses. What does this look like? Weekly challenges, accountability systems, and metrics to measure progress.
Making an online fitness course means giving your client a roadmap to success.
Step 3: Digitize your Fitness Course
Making an online fitness course allows for more flexibility than traditional training structures. Digital courses offer the option to customize their workouts by choosing between them. For example, clients can select one-on-one or group classes. They can also choose if they prefer a synchronous or asynchronous class style.
To account for clients’ preferences in workout styles, you have to take into consideration digital content formats. Whether your online fitness course includes videos (live or pre-recorded), images, infographics, PDFs, or written guides, it is important to include a variety of formats.
The benefit of online fitness courses is that they can accommodate many diverse styles of learning. Some people will prefer their workout presented to them in the form of a paced workout video, while others will prefer to follow a static infographic at their own speed.
Further taking into consideration niches like content consumption styles will broaden your reach.
Step 4: Delivery Format
Communication is key, especially when it comes to making an online fitness course. How will your clients access your digital content?
There are many options to choose from to deliver your program to your clients: e-mail, online membership programs, access portals. When choosing your delivery method it is important to take into account convenience, staying streamlined, and keeping an open line of communication with your clients.
Making an online fitness course means being readily accessible and on demand at all times. This goes hand in hand with keeping your content streamlined. If your program becomes fragmented in the delivery process, the inconvenience of having to sift through different corners of their inbox will deter clients.
A system that is clear and remains consistent in structure is important when navigating a business digitally. Choosing the right digital space to host your online fitness course is a vital factor in ensuring that your courses thrive.
Step 5: Pricing
There are a variety of pricing structures possible depending on your choice of delivery format. There are options like charging a one-off fee where customers will pay an upfront cost to access your content. This best suits a course or content that you do not plan on developing further.
Maybe charging a monthly subscription better suits your online fitness course style. If you plan to update or build upon your content, a monthly membership is a great option. Be sure to let your payment plan reflect the structure of your online fitness courses to best fit your goals.
Explore combining one-off and subscription style pricings. Tiered access is a great way to offer both higher-end and more economical options to your clients.
A streamlined system like Virtuagym , that automates membership billing and other fees, simplifies online and onsite scheduling, and enables easy booking for classes or PT sessions, as well as other backend processes.
Step 6: Promote your Presence
The last, but equally as important step, is to build awareness of your online fitness course. The first impression matters when your online presence is the first point of contact for a potential client. Build a strong brand identity for your online fitness course and market it through a combination of social media posts and ads, influencer marketing, word of mouth, and local marketing .
Go get ‘em!
Making an online fitness course is a great growth opportunity for both you and your clients. Keep in mind these 6 steps as a guideline in your journey to creating and sustaining your online fitness courses.
