Enhancing Holiday Retention with Hybrid Exercise: Leveraging Virtual Elements for Improved Results
As the holiday season approaches, maintaining a hybrid approach, blending both in-person and virtual services, becomes increasingly valuable. Embracing this hybrid model not only accommodates diverse preferences but also allows martial art clubs to offer a broader range of options to their clients.
Written by: Vuong Ngo
Published at 12/15/2023
Adjust for the bustling holiday agendas.
Cater to the holiday rush by customising martial arts sessions. Offer brief virtual workouts, acknowledging that many enthusiasts prefer shorter, intense sessions. Keep classes concise—15-20 minutes—allowing practitioners to maintain their practice during the festive hustle, explore varied techniques, and stay committed to their martial arts journey.
Try out and embrace new class variations during the festive season.
It's an ideal moment to explore fresh martial arts offerings, especially with the New Year's surge approaching. As most enthusiasts prefer diverse workout options, expanding your martial arts repertoire can positively impact sustained engagement.
When trialing new virtual martial arts classes, align with the season. Introduce a 20-minute mobility session or stretching workout to your on-demand library, positioning it as an ideal post-holiday relaxation solution.
Interact with clients with the same level of engagement as if they were physically present.
Emphasize to your martial arts team the significance of establishing a warm and inclusive virtual ambiance, akin to an in-person setting. During live stream classes, encourage instructors to personally welcome participants, address them by name, maintain typical cueing practices, and follow up post-class.
For on-demand classes, individual greetings and tailored corrections might not be feasible. However, instructors can cultivate a sense of community, fostering support for participants virtually. Encourage instructors to offer detailed movement explanations upfront and provide modifications, ensuring inclusivity across various skill levels within the martial arts community.
Fostering Martial Arts Community During the Holidays
Stay connected with your martial arts community throughout the holiday season, regardless of their location. Here's how:
- Virtual Theme Days and Workouts: Organise engaging virtual dress-up days or themed workouts like 'At-Home Jingle (Kettle)bells' or a 'Winter Solstice Sequence Class.'
- At-Home Challenges: Initiate fitness or social media challenges, encouraging active participation and sustained brand interaction among clients.
- Invite Friends and Family: Encourage attendees spending the holidays at home to invite friends and family, a chance to expand your virtual clientele and maintain current clients' commitment.
- Tailored Travel Workouts: Create a 'Travel Edition' workout designed for those traveling during the holidays, offering muscle-relief exercises after long journeys.
- Holiday-Themed Playlists: Share holiday-themed playlists in advance, setting a festive tone for your martial arts classes and enhancing the overall experience.
Spread the Message
To maximise your outreach before the holiday frenzy, spotlight your virtual services and festive promotions. Leverage social media platforms to emphasise the advantages of at-home workouts, highlighting aspects like flexibility, community, and accountability. Incorporate links to your on-demand library within email newsletters and update your website with the updated holiday schedule.
Crafted effectively, virtual classes can significantly bolster your studio's profitability while satisfying clients' year-round requirements. Empower yourself to sustain virtual connections with your clientele throughout this season.
