Group fitness programs in health clubs have greatly evolved over the last decade, from trends in class type to advancements in technology. With this evolution, group fitness managers have many tools at their disposal and many moving parts to think about.

Building a strong group fitness department is imperative for maximizing membership revenue and overall health club success. The foundation of an efficient health club and a strong group fitness program is a health club management solution that offers a consistently great experience for members, instructors, operators and owners.

Choosing a management solution to help achieve your group fitness goals is a big decision. Below are some questions to consider when evaluating your club management solution and if it has what you need to achieve group fitness success. Once you have answered these questions, explore our checklist at the end to aid your decision-making process.

DOES YOUR HEALTH CLUB MANAGEMENT SOLUTION ALLOW YOU TO MANAGE MULTIPLE MEMBERSHIP TYPES WITH EASE?

If you offer various membership types, from all-inclusive with free classes to specialty programs and small group training, your health club management solution should be able to seamlessly manage these.

DOES YOUR CLUB MANAGEMENT SOLUTION ALLOW YOU TO CREATE MULTIPLE CONTRACT TYPES AND RENEWAL OPTIONS?

Having multiple membership types at your club can create the need for versatile billing options. You shouldn’t have to make your membership and billing models work with your software; your software should work with your membership and billing models.

DOES YOUR CLUB MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE ALLOW YOU TO EASILY VIEW THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF YOUR GROUP FITNESS PROGRAMS IN ONE VIEW?

A group fitness program with many members and moving parts can be difficult to view and report on. Make sure your health club management software gives you the ability to simplify this process and view different levels of your group fitness programs in one view.

CAN YOU EASILY CREATE AND MANAGE GROUP FITNESS SCHEDULE UPDATES?

Schedule details inevitably change, and the ability to easily make these updates saves your staff members time and ensures your members have the latest schedule information.

DOES YOUR CLUB MANAGEMENT SOLUTION ALLOW MEMBERS TO EASILY REGISTER AND PAY FOR GROUP FITNESS PROGRAMS ONLINE OR FROM THEIR MOBILE APP?

The world is increasingly online and mobile, and the club industry is no exception. Your health club management software should allow these online and mobile functions at a minimum.

CAN YOU SEGMENT COMMUNICATIONS TO YOUR MEMBERS BASED ON THE PROGRAMS THEY’VE REGISTERED FOR, EITHER VIA EMAIL OR TEXT?

Members in different programs require different information and communication. Make sure your health club management software allows this level of segmentation when communicating with members.

These questions can be consolidated into one overarching question; that is, does your health club management software give you everything you need to run a successful group fitness department?

If the answer is “no” and you feel it’s time to consider a new solution, or if you are searching for your first club management solution, download our comprehensive checklist: “7 Things Your Health Club Management Software Must Have for Group Fitness Success.”