Everyone feels the need to “step out of the office” once in awhile. Even if your office happens to be a gym. Sometimes your clients crave it more than you do. Organize one of these three fitness adventures this summer. From most complex to simple, there's something for everyone.
Before you being reading, consider what kind of an adventure you want to lead. A weekend retreat trip, a day hike or perhaps an outdoor class will do. What feels the best to you?
Weekend fitness retreats are refreshing
This will involve the most work, but provide outcomes that the others might not. You and the participants will have more time to accomplish goals and feel the escape. You'll have to find lodging at a hotel, bed and breakfast or camp site.
- Will you share meals as a group?
- Will you cook, dine out or have a combo?
- What will you do during the day?
- Consider pairing up with a nutritionist or yoga teacher to share the work and make the experience even better.
Decide how many people you want to have on the trip and how many you need to make it profitable. That will help you choose the lodging site.
For example: If you want to earn $500/day then you need 5 clients paying $100/day or 10 paying $50/day. If you want to earn $1,000/day then the prices need to be higher or you need more people to attend. Keep in mind their lodging and food costs when you're creating the pricing package (which will include all of their expenses).
Consider the bare minimum income you could justify earning. It might worth it to simply break even on your own expenses, if it's your first time doing this. As you gain momentum and interest you can justify increasing prices.
Adventure day hike anyone?
This is a more simple option, but still provides the feeling of “getting away”. You could charge as little as $10/person and plan to earn $50-100 for leading a hike if you find 5-10 people to participate. Pick a day, spot, time and advertise what the participant has to gain from joining.
- Will you teach them proper warm-up before you start?
- Could you do a mini-abdominal routine at the summit?
- Remind everyone to bring plenty of snacks and water!
Outdoor fitness class
For many of us, just getting outside the walls of the gym and doing something different is an adventure in itself. What skills do you have to share with your community and clients? You could organize a workout class with a sport theme. Here are some class name ideas and links to blogs to get your creativity flowing.
Paddle boarding workout
Exercises for mountain bikers (check out this article for ideas)
Hiking warm ups to keep you injury free (get started with these ones)
If you have access to a pool or lake, cool everyone off and mix up their routine during the hot summer months. You could meet with individual clients at a local facility one week to change up their sessions or organize it as a group experience.
Getting outside with a group of like-minded people with a common goal is often enough to rejuvenate the body. It feels like a getaway. Community is a powerful fitness support tool. In psychology it's called social support and linked toward higher rates of adherence.
Getting the word out there
Once you've got your ideas together, it's time to promote them! Word of mouth might be enough. You could make a simple flier on the computer to hand out to clients and people you know. Tell them to put it on their fridge. Hanging fliers on bulletin boards doesn't always get the attention it seems it would. Making personal connections with people in the community is more likely to gain the attendance you're looking for.
Follow up is key. Start promoting a month ahead and keep reminding people. Get them to commit and sign up with an early bird price special or two-person discount.
Caution advised
Check with your liability insurance company to make sure you're covered outside of the fitness facility. It's smart to have an extra liability waiver to be extra safe. Having it looked over by a lawyer is always best practice.
Be safe and have fun adventuring outdoors this summer!
Check out Challenge the Mountain Safely for additional ideas!
Let us know of any fitness adventures you've led by leaving a comment below.
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