If you’re a gym owner or personal trainer looking for fun, fresh, and creative group fitness class ideas for your gym, then look no further! Group fitness classes are important because they offer numerous benefits, including increased motivation, accountability, and an exciting social environment!
Incorporating diverse class workout ideas into your regular schedule can boost retention levels, as well as attract new members through unique experiences. Let’s take a look at these 10 class workout ideas!
- Themed Group Fitness Classes
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Group Fitness Classes
- Circuit Training Group Fitness Classes
- Dance Cardio Group Fitness Classes
- Bodyweight Exercise Group Fitness Classes
- Core Conditioning Group Fitness Classes
- Stability Ball Exercise Group Fitness Classes
- Functional Training Group Fitness Classes
- Outdoor Bootcamp Group Fitness Classes
- Yoga Group Fitness Classes
1. Themed Classes
Level up your fitness class engagement with exciting and immersive fitness themes! Themed workout classes can engage participants and interject a sense of creativity into your sessions. Just a fun prompt can influence the class playlist, what people wear, and decorations! Hosting themed class workout ideas creates a sense of community among members. Whether it is a holiday or just for fun, here are a few themed class ideas:
- Holidays
- Decades
- Films and Television Shows
2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become increasingly popular! If clients are seeking a workout that boosts fitness levels, burns fat, and preserves muscle, HIIT is perfect. Out of all the group fitness class ideas, HIIT exercises might just be one of the ultimate choices! These exercises consist of quick and intense workouts followed by short recovery periods. HIIT group fitness classes push participants to their limits while keeping the workout fresh and exciting. These group fitness class ideas are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing members to go at their own pace. Exercises may include:
- Jump Squats
- Burpees
- High Knees
- Mountain Climbers
- Push Ups
- Sprints
3. Circuit Training
Circuit training offers an interactive and effective way to structure a group fitness class. It involves switching through a series of exercise stations, targeting different muscle groups and fitness components. Whether clients are looking to gain strength, endurance, or flexibility, Circuit training fitness class ideas have it all! Circuit training is a team-based challenge without direct competition. Since many people are involved in the workout rotations at once, this creates a fun atmosphere, making it one of the most enjoyable group fitness class ideas. Below are some circuit training station ideas:
- Box Jumps
- Jump Rope
- Kettlebell Deadlifts
- Russian Twists
- Bicycle Crunches
- Medicine Ball Slams
4. Dance Cardio
The key to a successful group workout is keeping things exciting and engaging, and dance cardio does just that! Although dance cardio exercise classes may not be for everyone, there are many people who enjoy both the physical and mental health benefits from it! By blending rhythmic movements with heart-pumping exercises, dance cardio classes make members forget they are even exercising. Class workout ideas that involve dance, improves cardiovascular health, agility, and coordination, and is a powerful mood booster for group participants! Below are a few dance cardio routines to incorporate in your next group fitness class:
- High-Hop Jumps and Turns
- Shimmy and Shuffle Combos
- High-Knee Dance Steps
- Salsa or Merengue Steps
5. Bodyweight Exercises
As the name suggests, bodyweight exercises use the body’s own weight as resistance to build strength, endurance, and flexibility. Group fitness class ideas that incorporate bodyweight workouts create an empowering environment where everyone feels capable of participating, no matter what their age or fitness level is! You can incorporate bodyweight exercises however you want, and they can be performed anywhere… even without equipment. Members can challenge themselves at their own pace, while the group-class atmosphere keeps everyone motivated! Below are a few bodyweight exercise examples:
- Squats
- Lunges
- Push-Ups
- Bear Crawls
- Superman Holds
- Tricep Dips
6. Core Conditioning
Many group fitness class ideas consist of different training styles! Core exercises are accessible to everyone, and they can be tailored to any level of intensity. Especially when in a group setting, core conditioning allows members to feel the burn together, creating a sense of community. These types of workouts often require focus and precision, so the shared environment encourages participants to stay engaged and push their limits. Members like to motivate each other, which enhances the overall experience of the group workout class! Below are a few core conditioning workouts:
- Mountain Climbers
- Plank Variations
- Bicycle Crunches
- Russian Twists
- Leg Raises
- Flutter Kicks
7. Stability Ball Exercises
Group fitness participants regularly request ab workouts, but it can get boring to do the same sit-ups and crunches each class! One of the best ways to add excitement to group fitness classes is by adding fun equipment… that doesn’t break the bank! Stability ball exercises focus on improving balance, core strength, and coordination by using an unstable surface, forcing muscles to engage more actively. As with many group fitness class ideas, stability ball exercises are not only highly effective, but they add an element of friendly competition! Below are a few stability ball exercises that are a crowd favorite:
- The Rainbow
- Sit-Ups with the Stability Ball
- Push-Ups on the Stability Ball
- Stability Ball Plank
- Wall Squats with Stability Ball
8. Functional Training
Did you know, functional training has been ranked as one of the top fitness industry trends over the last few years? And it is only gaining popularity! The biggest benefit of functional training classes is that they are appropriate for all fitness levels and can be done in a variety of settings, both with and without equipment. Functional fitness training is a type of workout geared toward better function when performing everyday tasks. These tasks might include putting a heavy object on a high shelf, bending to pick something up, or even bringing the groceries up a flight of stairs!
Offering functional fitness group training classes creates a sense of purpose for your members. The dynamic, full-body movements keeps the class excited, and allows for a collective feeling of effort and accomplishment. Out of many of the group fitness class ideas, functional training is highly beneficial for participants. Below are a few functional training exercises:
- Kettlebell Swings
- Farmer’s Carry
- Squat to Overhead Press
- Medicine Ball Slams
- Single-Leg Deadlifts
9. Outdoor Bootcamp
Outdoor fitness classes have grown rapidly in recent years. In a recent survey, over 70% of gym members said they would achieve their fitness goals through running and outdoor activities. As outdoor group fitness class ideas continue to gain popularity, outdoor bootcamps are now in high demand! Participants can come together to compete and feed off each other’s energy, creating an exciting and competitive environment. Plus, the outdoors adds an extra layer of fun to the workout. Begin with a quick warm-up and then begin a series of strength, cardio, and agility exercises. The outdoor bootcamp exercises may include:
- Push-Ups
- Hill Sprints
- Squat Jumos
- Burpees
- Bench Dips
- Plank Variations
10. Yoga
Lastly, are yoga based fitness classes. Even if your business is not strictly a “yoga studio”, there are still a lot of great benefits to offering group yoga classes! Group fitness class ideas should be versatile for all fitness levels. Yoga is a centuries-old practice that combines physical postures, breath control, and meditation. Whether you offer yoga as a 15-minute warm up before a workout class or offer an entire yoga group class, it is the perfect addition! It enhances flexibility, builds strength, and promotes relaxation. Beyond the physical benefits, yoga fosters a sense of community and shared mindfulness. When in a group setting, there is both a personal and collective experience, making it an effective group fitness idea! Below are a few yoga poses to practice in your next group yoga class:
- Child’s Pose
- Warrior II
- Downward Dog
- Tree Pose
- Triangle Pose
- Mountain Pose
Easily Manage your Classes and Appointments with RhinoFit’s Gym Calendar!
Are you ready to start offering these group fitness ideas? Let RhinoFit do the heavy lifting! Manage your class calendar with confidence using RhinoFit’s class management software! We provide you with all the tools needed to create a class schedule and manage it effortlessly. Add classes, appointments, and events to your calendar. If you run a class-based gym or offer appointments with service personnel, like personal trainers, our calendar will work perfectly!
Take your class workouts to the next level with RhinoFit gym management software!
