The Group Fitness Experience - Bootcamp Ideas, Marketing Tips & More For Instructors and Personal Trainers

Kyle Wood: Hello, and welcome back
to the group fitness experience.

My name is Kyle Wood.

This podcast is for you if
you are a bootcamp instructor,

group fitness trainer, if you
run outdoor classes, if you.

Run boutique semi-private sessions.

This is the podcast for you to help
you keep things fresh and interesting

in your sessions and in your business
so that you can stave off boredom.

Burnout.

And of course find more clients.

Because even if you are happy with
the size of your business, There's

always a bit of attrition isn't there.

There's always a few people
moving away, things like that.

So we always need to be.

Adding and bringing you
life, into our business.

And that's how it avoids
becoming stagnant.

So, yes.

Onto today's episode.

So today I want to talk
about something which.

It's kind of, it's one of those
like business things, one of those

business adminy things, um, Which
is having a plan for your quarter.

And now before you turn this off, I
know that, um, I've made this very

group fitness trainer friendly.

If you're like a self-employed
personal trainer, you'll find

it really helpful as well.

Uh, but before I get into that, I do want
to say last week, I said this episode

was going to be all about warmups.

So what's going on.

Well, I also realized
it's the end of the month.

So if I wanted to do this
quarterly planning, Um, episode.

I was going to need to do it.

Uh, soon so that you guys could
plan for your next quarter.

So, uh, I have, uh, an episode
plan this week and next week.

Um, around planning and
then I will come back.

We will do the womp challenge.

The cool thing that's happened with
announcing the Walmart challenge

last week was that a few trainers
reached out to me and said, Hey,

I've got this really cool Walmart.

I'd love to share.

So this will also give me time to.

Put together.

So it won't just be my warmups that
I've used that I'm sharing with

you, but these will actually be.

This'll be a community event.

With trainers from all around the world,
sharing their warm up ideas, and then

we all get a chance to test them out.

And see the impact it has on our sessions.

So that's, uh, in a couple of weeks.

So it is coming so sorry for
leaving you hanging, but,

uh, that's the, it is coming.

All right.

So.

Onto today's episode.

Uh, and I'm going to be reading.

My article.

That I wrote this week because I'm.

I had an email this week
from a trainer who said, Hey.

Uh, I love your emails.

I don't always have time to read them.

And I saw that you.

We're talking about that.

You're going to be reading.

Your articles or your emails.

So, uh, they said that would be awesome.

So I was like, all right.

Um, I'll keep that up.

And then what a great idea for
some good podcast episodes.

So here we go.

How to stay.

Motivated.

So like motivated in your
business with quarterly planning.

Uh, and I'm also going to have an
invitation on this few to join me.

To do your quarterly
plan in a live session.

So stay tuned for that.

Did you have that moment
when you made the switch from

personal training as a hobby to.

This is what I want to do full time.

Uh, when you then realize.

Wow.

I'm now running a business.

I remember that moment.

And it occurred to me around then around
that time that there are probably some

business things I should be doing.

Over the years running bootcamps
and training PT clients.

I learned a lot of those business things.

And today I want to share with you one.

Really simple business thing that
will help you stay organized.

Keep your fitness business growing and
help you continue to evolve as a trainer.

And self-employed person.

It's a simple process of
coming up with a super simple.

Oh, lots of simple as there.

Sorry guys.

Yeah, actionable.

Quarterly plan.

So why make a plan each quarter?

Three months is a great
period of time to plan ahead.

It's not too long.

Like 12 months where everything
is likely to change, you know?

New ideas come, new opportunities come.

Um, Global events.

Haven't.

And if when he gets thrown out the
window, um, and it's not too short.

Like a week.

Uh, so that you can actually tackle some
of your bigger dreams, like in a week.

It's kind of hard for us to
like kick some really big goals.

Uh, but when you look at things
over a three month period, You

can start thinking, oh, there's
that retreat up in wanting to run.

How can I start putting
the wheels in motion?

Um, to work towards that.

And here's why it works.

It keeps you focused on
what you can control.

One of the hardest things you will deal
with as a business owner is uncertainty.

A simple quarterly planning session will
help you focus on the things you can

control rather than, than just reacting.

It's really empowering.

Too.

It allows you to experiment and dream.

Three months is enough time to
look at some of the bigger dreams

you have for your business.

The dreams that you keep putting off.

Also in my experience, business is more
of an experiment than a sure thing.

So this gives you time to try things,
knowing that if they don't work,

you've got another idea the next month.

Ready to go.

And three.

It helps you let go
of, what's not working.

So taking stock every three months on how
things are going is a great way to notice.

Where you might be wasting
time, energy, money.

Uh, but you still keep going.

Um, this is a great time to
reflect and let those things go.

So.

Now, you know why it works.

You might be wondering how do I actually.

Do one of these quarterly plan things.

So I've got for you here, a
guide to quarterly planning

for fitness professionals.

If you go like open up Google
right now and search quarterly

planning, you'll find.

So many articles, templates and guides.

The reason I'm creating yet.

Another one that I want to
share with you is because.

Most quarterly planning templates, uh, way
too long and complicated, which usually

means that even if you take the time.

You know, to sit down and.

Fill out the.

The plan or the sheet,
whatever they've got.

Um, You very rarely actually
follow through because you've

created this plan that.

It's too big.

Two.

You know, like
procrastination just kicks in.

And you don't do it.

So, um, the other reason.

I'm sharing my implant with use
because most plans on the, that I had

as I was researching this article.

Uh, really generic.

So we need something specific
for self-employed fitness

professionals of businesses.

And.

Um, lastly, the other reason
I'm doing this article and this

podcast episode is because.

I'm running some sessions and workshops
to guide you through the process.

Uh, which means that this is
a quarterly plan that you'll

actually do and follow through on.

So, here's my five.

Excuse me.

So here's.

Uh, my really simple five step
framework for doing a quarterly plan.

One.

Reflect.

Answer this question.

What went really well over
the last three months?

And then just jot down like bullet point.

Three to five things that
you're proud of doing.

That occurred.

Um, you know, even if.

The outcome.

Wasn't what you hoped.

Focus on like, what actions did you take?

Uh, but you can also include things
here, like lucky things and got

a miracle things that happened.

Too.

Workouts.

Your product is the
sessions that you've run.

So need to spend some time in your
quality plan, thinking about that.

Choose a monthly theme for
your group fitness sessions.

So one.

Make sure you do one theme for each month.

So as I'm recording this the next three
months of July, August, Um, September.

Sorry.

Uh, so you would.

Pick a theme for July, a theme for
August the theme for September.

Um, these could be
training or event specific.

So you might do like a month on
boxing or like, Practicing some of

the more complicated kettlebell lifts.

Um, or perhaps it's like here
that'd be coming into spring,

which is like fun run season.

So perhaps like the, you got like
a month that's the theme is like

getting people ready for a 10 5k
or 10 K or whatever they're doing.

Um, or it might be more
general, like, Winter fun.

Like just fun, engaging workouts
to keep people going during winter.

Or you might just run even a month.

It's like, General fitness.

So there's no big.

Overarching goal.

Um, this is Kate.

For keeping variety in your sessions.

Like if you've got a different
theme each month, Wow.

Uh, and so I actually
going to, I'm going to do.

A podcast episode next week on this topic.

Um, speaking specifically, like how
to know which theme is good for one.

Monthly and which one's good for the
next one, but if you come to one of my

workshops, For doing a quarterly plan.

I'll cover that in the workshop as well.

Uh, so the third thing I want you to do.

Is marketing.

Pick one thing again, one thing
for each month that you'll

try out for your marketing.

So try and get creative here.

And actually there's a
resource I'll link to.

Which, um, it's a podcast.

Uh, about getting off social media.

So, and she's got, um, a
resource that's like a hundred

ideas to market your business.

That's doesn't use social media.

So there's like, you've got social media
already and I'm sure there's, there's

like, Um, resources out there that.

A hundred ideas to market your
business with social media.

So ideas are not the issue and
you probably have your own ideas.

What we want to do is.

Just pick one to focus on for the month.

So, um, Maybe it's like that you've got
a new social media strategy or maybe that

you want to run like a special offer.

That's worked well in the past or maybe.

You finally going to start
that email newsletter.

Um, So, yeah, again, while you may
have lots of ideas and what you want to

do with marketing few business, limit
yourself to just one thing for the month.

So you can really sink your teeth
into it and see if it's working on it.

Fourth step business systems.

Pick one area of your business, you
can streamline with a simple system.

So.

You could absolutely pick one thing
for each month, but realistically,

having worked with trainings for over
a decade, I know this kind of stuff

just falls low on the priority list.

So I'm going to say let's be
realistic and let's just try and

set up one system for the quarter.

So, um, the reason you want to
have systems in your business

is because they're like the
heartbeat of a thriving business.

Uh, and it's the first
area I always look at.

With trainers, uh, during coaching
sessions when they're struggling.

And usually it's because even if
they've set the systems up, they're

not actually following through.

On doing the systems, um, you know, just
little things like following up clients.

Uh, it was one of the simplest things.

That just falls off the radar.

So let's just pick one thing for
the whole quarter going to set up

a system and you're going to do
that system and make it a habit.

Um, again, if you need ideas on this.

I'll go.

I don't mean to be like, oh, you
got to come to the workshop, but

this is a short podcast episode.

Say, um, Whereas the workshop I'm
gonna allow like an hour and a half

for us to go through this stuff.

So.

Um, if you want.

Some ideas on systems that you
might assist him, you might

pick to set up next quarter.

Come along to that.

Um, but then again, you,
you might know as well.

If you've been reading my articles
and emails for a long time, Uh,

there's lots of different systems.

I often talk about some key ones.

Uh, and so the fifth step, the
last step, it's a bonus step.

So don't feel like you have to do this.

Uh, if this business is your side hobby.

You might be limited on time anyway.

So just having like the first four
steps might be plenty for you.

But this is something
I've found that helps.

And so the fifth step is education.

So Pico book.

Probably one that you've got
sitting on your bedside table

that you haven't read yet.

You know, Get get that read in a month.

Like read it for 10.

If you read for 10 or 15 minutes a day.

You will.

Crush through any book.

So, um, pick a book, pick a
course, pick a workshop to focus

on each month for the quarter.

Uh, and so that's going to be
your education element and.

Learning.

Is such a good motivator.

It's a great way to stay inspired.

Uh, and my other tip for this is
like, you'll learn best when you

focus on things you're curious about.

So say you've got these books
on your bedside table and you're

like, oh, I should read them.

And we need to pick one
that you actually excited.

At the thought of rating, but maybe
you just haven't been prioritizing it.

Um, or a course that you're
actually excited about.

But maybe you haven't been prioritizing.

So where's, where's your curiosity going?

Ask yourself, what am I curious about?

As a trainer, as a self-employed
person, as a business owner right now.

And that's where you should follow.

Your, um, Learning path.

It's really that simple as five steps.

So reflect.

Thimphu workouts.

Thank you for your marketing.

Business system you're going to work on.

And bonus step.

Something that you're
going to learn each month.

Um, In the past, I've done like a share,
like a done for you version of this.

Where I've actually gone through and
said, Hey, next month, I want you to

do this next month when you do this.

But the problem with that.

Is that.

Uh, doing someone else's plan,
doesn't take into consideration

again, coming back to that curiosity,
like, what are you curious about?

What are you excited about?

And that's so crucial when it
comes to following through.

So I can give you a plan and say, Hey,
do this over the next three months.

But just like with.

Uh, PT client of yours or a
bootcamp client, you know,

you can give them a meal plan.

You can give them a training plan.

It doesn't mean they're going to do it.

It doesn't mean they got to stick to it.

Uh, so I find there's so
much more success than this.

When I give you the framework.

And you do this for yourself.

And then of course like I'm here.

If along the way, if you hit, um,

Uh, obstacles and things like that.

.
The next thing I want to do
is invite you to join me for

a guided quarterly planning.

Workshop.

So as we're coming up to
the end of the quarter.

It's mid June right now.

I'm going to be running a workshop
where I'll take you through the

process of creating a quarterly plan.

Um, so I'm running these in a
couple of weeks from when this

comes out, I'll have the dates.

Linked below.

I want you to be realistic, like
while you know, they're doing this

kind of planning these business
things, as I talked about the thought.

Are important.

You probably write down on it after
listening to this, maybe you even

write down the steps and then you'll
just add it to a to-do list and

you'd be like, yeah, I'll do that.

But then you won't really do it.

So, um, that's why like I'm running
these live sessions so that if you

turn up to one of these sessions,
you'll finish the session with it done.

So you don't need to like, worry
about scheduling in time or

actually getting that to do loose
theme, just come to the session.

Follow the session in an hour and a half,
you'll have planned out your next month.

Um, and like I said, I'll share.

Plenty of ideas for.

You work out themes for your
marketing, for what business

systems you can put in place.

In the future, these workshops
will be part of the bootcamp

ideas, all access pass, but.

For this one, you're like,
oh yeah, what's the catch.

How much does it cost?

For this fund, it's going to be free.

Uh, so this is like a sampler, so you
can see the kind of things that we're

going to be doing in the Alexis pass.

Um, plus you'll get access to the
recording for seven days after seven days,

it's gonna, the recording's going to live.

On.

Um, in the all access pass portal.

Um, but up until then, you'll
be able to access that for free.

So if you can't make it to one
of the two times I'm offering.

Please sign up anyway.

Um, and there are limited spaces,
but I am happy also to put on another

session, if those spaces feel.

So even if you can't make it, please
sign up, um, to one of the times, try

and make it because then it's done.

Uh, again, you don't have to add, to
do, to do lists, watch the recording.

Um, But yet.

Uh, so if you're curious about.

What the BCA all access pass can
do for you and your business.

This will be a really good
chance to check that out.

That'd be a good chance to see.

Where.

What value there is in
here for your business.

So the two times I've got.

Uh, Uh, Monday the 24th
of June at 11:00 AM.

This is Melbourne time.

Or Wednesday, June 26th, 6:00 AM.

Melbourne time.

So if you're in the us, it's
going to be like the day or

like the night before that.

But the best thing to do is.

If you rating listening to
this inside the post, click the

book, your free spot button.

And it'll show the
times in your time zone.

Uh, it'll convert it automatically.

So you can see which one works for you.

Or if you're listening to
this in your podcast app, I'll

include the link near the top.

Again, just click through there.

It'll show the times in times only you can
just book in and register your spot there.

Uh, and another thing I'll say
on that is even if it's summer

for you right now, and I know.

That's a really busy time for
those of you in north America.

Uh, and it will, and the UK, like the
school's wrapping up and things like that.

And maybe your sessions are
required to, this is a great way

to keep your own motivation up.

Uh, and to work on some important behind
the scenes aspects of your business.

So I highly recommend.

Coming along doing this.

Um, and then just make that your focus.

Hey.

I've got a bit more time or
maybe I don't have as much time

because I've got the kids around.

So I'm going to think ahead.

And plan what I'm doing on
my business accordingly.

And some final tips.

I've got for doing a quarterly
plan, especially if you can't

make it to one of the workshops.

'cause I'll cover these in the workshops,
but here they are in case you can't.

One avoid planning too much.

Less is more, it can be tempting.

To add all of the things to your plan.

You need to get really excited about
the idea of like, oh, I can do this.

I can do this.

I can do this.

But that will just lead to overwhelm.

So stick to planning, just
the amounts I've suggested.

Two.

Allow things to change when inspiration
strikes like while this is a plan.

It's more of an intention.

Thin like, uh, Hard.

Um, thing you have to stick to.

So hold your plan in a loose
grasp because it will change.

This plan.

It gives you a starting
point and some focus.

Um, but it doesn't have to say rigid.

And three on the flip side of that,
watch out for shiny object syndrome.

Stay connected to why you picked
these things and don't just jump

ship right away as something else.

That seems more exciting.

Make a note, if you come across something
and you're like, oh, I really liked

the idea of doing this for my marketing
and my workouts make a note of it.

And then when you, when it's the
end of the quarter and you're doing

your next quarterly plan, you've
already got your ideas ready to go.

Uh, cause trust me, it'll be
here before, you know, it.

Alright, now I want to start
ending these podcast episodes of my

newsletters with a business workout.

So a business workout is a
workout for your business.

So you go, you train in
the gym, you go for a run.

So you do all the things every week.

You're a trainer.

I know you do the stuff.

But do you have the same
approach to your business?

Do you work out on your business?

So, this is what I want you to do.

Um, It's all good too.

Listen to things like
this and feel expired.

But the magic isn't following through.

So two options for you.

Option one is just, what I want to do
is book in to one of the workshops.

It'll take you a couple of minutes.

Uh, and then you can
just sit back and relax.

Make sure you come to the session.

And you'll have your workout.

Your sorry.

You'll have the industry business
workout, which is you'll have

your quarterly plan, all done.

Option to easily grab a piece of paper.

Or open a new document on
your computer or phone?

And go through the five steps I've
listed in this podcast episode.

And you can find them.

At bootcampideas.com/quarterly-plan/.

Uh, there's a link.

Uh, in the show notes for this.

You set aside a good, like at least 30
minutes, preferably like 60 minutes to

really go through each one and not just
come up with a topic, but like, what

does that entail a little bit as well?

Whichever option you choose.

You can look forward to July 1st, knowing
you've got a plan of what to focus on.

So I'll end this by saying
here's to a productive and fun.

Quarter next quarter for you.

And that's the end of episode.

If you liked this.

Um, podcast episode, don't forget to hit.

Like follow.

Or subscribe or whatever your podcast.

Um, play a does.

To get more episodes like this and
work out ideas and things like that.

Like I said, I've got
another episode next week on.

Picking specifically going
to be picking the theme.

For your.

Uh, H month and how to do that and how
to like, keep your clients progressing.

And then we're going to do this warmup
challenge, uh, going into the end of.

End of June, July, so
lots of fun stuff planned.

I would love this podcast
to reach more trainers.

Uh, and so one of the best ways
to do that is for you to like it.

To share it.

To forward it to friends who.

You know, you think it would enjoy
it like other trainers, you know, um,

If there's an episode, you really like.

And you want to share it in
like some Facebook group for

trainers are saying like that.

Like that would mean the will to me.

Um, of course don't feel like
you have to be all promotion.

If you genuinely feel like you
want to share this thing, maybe

you're like, I know I want to keep
this podcast is my secret weapon.

I don't want to share with other trainers.

Uh, I understand that as well.

Uh, so if that's the case, if
you could just leave me a review.

That would our rating.

That would also be awesome.

And finally, if you're new, if you,
if you're not familiar with bootcamp

ideas, Uh, we haven't used letter.

So each week I send out
the podcast episode.

Uh, I send out like article, like
a written version of the podcast.

Um, I sent it like a
summary of what's going on.

Any events, workshops, things like that.

We've got happening.

And of course, I try to include a
workout idea each week as well, to

help you stay inspired with your.

Sessions as you plan them.

So, yeah, you can find that
all on bootcamp, ideas.com.

That's the place to go.

Um, Again, it's a great resource for
train has been around for over a decade.

I'm really proud of the articles
we've got on there and the

resources we've got on there.

And that's it for this week, signing off
hope to see you in a couple of weeks.

At one of these workshops, um,
don't forget, you can find the

link in the show notes below.

And until then you stay classy trainers.