RISE UP: The Show

In this episode, Khaled Elmasri interviews Steven Trotter, the Director of Well-being at Eastern Carolina University, to explore his journey in the fitness industry and the transformative impact of group exercise on student well-being.

Together, they delve into the crucial role of creating a sense of community within group fitness classes and the influence of facility design on enhancing the overall fitness experience. They discuss the power of music, lighting, and instructor training in crafting a transformative and immersive fitness environment.

The conversation broadens to discuss the importance of engaging and immersive spaces within university recreation departments and the integration of campus recreation and well-being. Steven and Khaled touch on the challenges of resource prioritization and effective priority management, the shift towards a customer service approach in higher education, and the impact of the enrollment cliff on student admissions.

Steven emphasizes the need for universities to align their goals and objectives with the student experience, highlighting the importance of employee experience and rethinking assessment and evaluation processes. The discussion also covers rethinking marketing strategies in campus recreation, the importance of communicating through mobile devices, and using targeted marketing techniques like geotagging and paid advertising on platforms like YouTube.

Tune in to discover the significance of creating an engaging member journey, providing experiential opportunities for students, building a strong community within campus recreation, and being a benchmark for innovation and excellence in the field.

In this episode, Khaled Elmasri interviews Cesar Vasquez, a Les Mills instructor, about the behind-the-scenes of being a Les Mills instructor. They discuss the importance of social connection, the role of the instructor in creating a sense of community, and the impact of technology on human interaction.

They also explore the five key skills of being an instructor: workout plan, technique, coaching, connection, and performance. They emphasize the benefits of pre-choreographed workouts in creating consistent experiences for participants and saving time for instructors.

Finally, they delve into the three layers of coaching: foundational skills, cueing and motivation, and individualized coaching. The conversation explores the three layers of coaching in Les Mills programs: choreography and technique (layer one), observation and adaptation (layer two), and motivation (layer three).

The importance of establishing a connection with participants and understanding their needs and goals is emphasized. The role of floor coaching in high-intensity interval training programs is discussed, as well as the impact of instructors on member acquisition and retention.

The comprehensive approach of Les Mills in creating memorable fitness experiences is highlighted.

In this episode, Khaled Elmasri interviews Anastacio Torres, a fitness industry veteran with 19 years of experience. They discuss Anastacio's journey in the fitness industry, the importance of failure as a teacher, and the need for personal trainers to develop business acumen. They also touch on the evolving role of personal trainers as overall health coaches and the increasing focus on mental health in the fitness industry.

The conversation explores the excitement and passion for fitness equipment and trade shows. The discussion also delves into the differences between the nonprofit and for-profit sectors in the fitness industry.

The importance of community and member engagement is highlighted, emphasizing the need for genuine interactions and acknowledging members' interests. The significance of creating a strong community to differentiate from competitors is emphasized, particularly in attracting and retaining families.

Overall, the conversation emphasizes the value of personal connections and understanding members' needs and preferences. In this final part of the conversation, Anastacio Torres discusses the popularity of group fitness classes at the YMCA and the potential of virtual classes as a supplement.

They also explore the challenges and strategies for reinvigorating cycle classes. They then shift the conversation to leadership and the importance of learning from failure and seeking guidance from peers.

Anastacio shares his experiences at Lifetime Fitness and Gold's Gym and emphasizes the value of humility and collaboration in the fitness industry.

Welcome back to our series on onboarding new members! In this episode, Khaled Elmasri delves into the crucial role that routines play in helping new gym members stick with their fitness journeys.

Last week, we discussed the first two drivers of habit formation: quality motivation and enjoyment. This week, we focus on the third driver: routine.

Key Points Covered:

High Dropout Risk: New members, especially those with little or no exercise experience, are at the highest risk of dropping out. Statistics show that 50% stop attending within the first six months, primarily due to lack of added value, guidance, and poor induction.

Critical First Six Weeks: The initial six weeks are vital for introducing members to the club and integrating them into a program. Early engagement is essential for forming lasting habits and seeing results.

Five Key Areas to Focus On:

Goals and Motivation: Understand members' deep-rooted goals and what's driving them.

Availability: Help members block off time for exercise as they would for other important appointments.

Exercise Preferences: Know their preferred types of exercise, whether it's cardio machines, weightlifting, or group classes like Body Pump and Yoga.

Barriers and Self-Motivation: Identify obstacles that prevent members from exercising and gauge their self-motivation levels.

Budget: Consider both time and financial budgets to support their fitness goals.

Smart Planning: Utilize tools like the Les Mill Smart Plan to create a structured induction for new members in their first seven days.

Training the Team: Ensure your team is equipped with the right training and tools to effectively induct new members.

Next week, we’ll discuss reinventing the sales process to better support new member onboarding. Stay tuned, and don’t forget to like, share, and leave your feedback. We’d love to hear what strategies you’re using in your gym!

In this episode, Jenny and John chat with seasoned fitness professional Khaled El Masri. Khaled takes us through his inspiring journey, from starting as a personal trainer and rising to the role of Director of Fitness at a prominent health club chain. Later in the conversation, Khaled dives into his current role at Les Mills, highlighting the significant impact the company has on the health club industry and the exciting opportunities it offers for personal trainers looking to advance their careers.

Welcome to RISE UP: The Show, where we dive deep into strategies to make fitness a joyful and sustainable part of life!

In today’s episode, we explore three crucial aspects to enhance the gym experience and ensure members stick to their fitness goals with enthusiasm.

What you'll learn:

Intrinsic Motivation Over Extrinsic Rewards: Discover why the "no pain, no gain" approach is outdated and how starting with enjoyable, light activities can foster genuine motivation.

Embracing Variety: Khaled Elmasri sheds light on the importance of varying workout environments. Learn why taking the cardio outside or incorporating different settings can revitalize your workout routine.

Community Through Events: Find out how events, like the exciting quarterly launches at Les Mills, can introduce members to new classes in a less intimidating environment and boost both participation and club membership.

Join us as we unpack these transformative strategies that promise not just better workouts but a better approach to fitness culture in your gym.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights and leave a comment below sharing your own experiences with making workouts more enjoyable!

In this episode of our Les Mills series on gym member onboarding, we focus on the critical aspects of habit formation that can make or break a member's fitness journey. We dive into the first three of five key drivers designed to help members maintain their motivation and achieve their fitness goals:

Quality Motivation: We discuss the importance of setting realistic and time-bound goals right from the start. By employing the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound—we help members visualize and reach their targets.

Our Les Mills Smart Start program is highlighted as a practical tool to ease members into group exercises that align with their individual fitness objectives.

Goal Setting and Accountability: The power of writing down goals and sharing them with a support network is emphasized to bolster commitment and accountability. This strategy is essential in helping members stay on track with their fitness goals.

Setting and Achieving Incremental Goals: Breaking down large goals into smaller, achievable milestones is recommended to keep members motivated and engaged. We explore how setting monthly targets can make daunting goals like losing 20 pounds more manageable and less overwhelming.

We wrap up the episode with a reminder of the importance of these strategies in fostering long-term commitment among gym members.

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we will uncover the remaining strategies to keep your gym members enthusiastic and dedicated to their fitness journeys.

Join me over the coming weeks as we go through the Les Mills research and insights around Onboarding New Members.

In this first video, I share 3 reasons why members leave and the impact it will have on the retention of members at your club.

Welcome to our latest podcast episode where we explore the dynamic world of fitness through the expert eyes of Jarrod, a seasoned industry veteran with three decades of experience. Join us as we discuss evolving trends, personal insights, and the future of fitness.

Today, Jarrod Saracco talks about:

●Current Trends and Future Directions.

● Enhancing Fitness Experiences.

● Personalized Interactions and Member Retention.

● Observations from Ihrsa Trade Show.

● Integrating Recovery Practices.

● The power of gym culture.

● Leadership and Management Insights.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and comment with your thoughts or questions. See you in the next episode!

Dive into the heart of entrepreneurship with Khaled and Garth as they get real about their journey. This episode is packed with stories, lessons, and laughs, covering:

Startup Struggles & Successes: The raw truth about starting from scratch in competitive fields. It's all about the hustle, vision, and the patience to see it through.

Travel Tales: How hitting the road has shaped the business.

Building Confidence & Connections: Dves into the importance of believing in yourself, nurturing customer relationships, and why a personal touch can turn a buyer into a lifelong fan.

Leadership Lessons & Social Savvy: Garth gives a sneak peek into his upcoming leadership book and how platforms like LinkedIn play a crucial role in connecting and leading in the digital age.

Join Khaled and Garth for a dose of reality, inspiration, and a few good laughs in between. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just love a good success story, this episode's for you.