I love running fitness Challenges! Yep…you heard me! I love everything about them; from the excitement that buzzes in that first week leading up to a new challenge, to setting goals with clients; guiding them and watching them overcome hurdles along the way, and seeing the results at the end of each challenge…which spurs them on and motivates them to do it all again!
Most fitness trainers come to me dreading running a challenge for their clients because they see it as ‘hard work’ and struggle to make them exciting for returning clients. But…with a bit of planning, some imagination and enthusiasm I will have you on your way to running fun, motivational, engaging challenges, that will have your clients coming back for more. Throughout this series of blogs, I will give you a step by step guide on how to plan and prepare for the perfect challenge and take you through one of my challenges from beginning to end.
So, how do I prepare for an amazing challenge…read on…
1. Have a theme that the entire challenge is based around and that you can come back to if you start to lose direction.
Your theme needs to be something relevant to your clients and something that they will find exciting. Some great themes that I have run include: Launch into the New Year challenges, Wellbeing Challenges and, Competition Challenges. When coming up with your challenge theme and title think about something that your clients can relate to and will evoke an emotional response in them!
2. Have a clear direction.
Once you have a theme, you need to know where you are going with it and what you hope to achieve in the timeframe, whether it be 6, 8, 10 or 12 weeks. Brainstorm ideas on how you can deliver value to your clients based around the theme. For example; if you are doing a Wellness Challenge, plan a time for a Life Coach to speak to the group, or a GP to talk about health issues etc.
3. Plan your sessions with the theme in mind.
For example, if you are doing a Wellness Challenge you may look at incorporating some yoga or relaxation classes as well as your regular timetable. Little touches of difference that hint back to your overall theme are always a hit.
4. Have a Facebook group and post relevant content regularly that is related to the theme.
This may include articles that you have found useful, blogs or podcast links, workshops available or anything else that you come across.
5. Be flexible
Although you have planned your challenge down to the letter, you may find that throughout the journey, your challenge evolves into something else! If your clients are enjoying it, I say embrace it and run with it!
These are just a few little tips that will get you started in planning your next challenge! In my next article, I will take you through one specific example of a killer 10-week Challenge you can do with your clients! Stay tuned…Hayley xx
Blog contributed by: Hayley Warner
