As we move in on the month of March, many of us have already thrown the towel in on our New Year's resolutions. "Be healthier" is what many of us told ourselves in various ways, shapes and forms - but have given up somewhere along the line. A healthy body makes for a healthy mind, and Group Team Exercise Leader at
Rachel Verdusco shares with Rapid Growth how to keep that momentum going.
Rapid Growth: ‘New Year, New You’ is a campaign (or something similar) that barrages everyone around this this time of year. From dieting, fitness, and other health-related things. What sort of marking tactics typically go into this - from a gym’s perspective?
Rachel Verdusco: Every January, gyms or fitness studios see a surge of memberships due to people’s New Year’s resolutions.
MVP does a great job of welcoming new members with experienced trainers and group ex instructors ready to assist them. During the month of January new primary members received free Polar heart rate monitors to participate in our
Zone Training classes, it also helps them become more efficient in their workouts. Each time a new member signs up for a membership they receive a “game plan” which is a complimentary session with a certified personal trainer. New members also have the option to sign up for annual memberships which commits them to a year membership with no enrollment fee.
RG: Now that we are over a month into the new year, have you started noticing people dropping out of their programs?
RV: We have actually seen our attendance and class participation increase from January to February which is fantastic.
RG: What are some key things that can help people keep the momentum going?
RV: I think one of the most important ways to stick with your fitness goals is to participate in group exercises classes, train with a certified personal trainer or find a workout buddy with goals similar to yours. Having someone hold you accountable makes is harder to slack off or skip workouts. MVP’s trainers and instructors always strive for members to succeed in meeting their resolutions and goals which help keep the momentum going.
Setting a workout schedule each week also helps. Treat each of your designated gym times or group exercise classes as if it’s a work meeting or doctor’s appointment.
RG: Are there specific things - or programs - that MVP has implemented to help reduce this drop-off?
RV: MVP delivers amazing service as well as a friendly, caring and motivating staff. We have implemented a “health point” system in which members receive prizes, guest passes and gift cards for checking into the club, taking group exercise classes, participating in personal or group training sessions and reaching 10,000 steps with a FITBIT. All new members also receive a “game plan” session that helps kick start their exercise regiment.
RG: We’re seeing more and more ‘boutique-style’ workout facilities pop-up throughout the greater Grand Rapids area. What does that say for overall fitness trends?
RV: This is a great thing for the fitness world. This is allowing more people to become physically fit and healthier. Boutique style fitness facilities are great for people who want to exercise in one specific way or add to their current routine. The good thing about MVP is we encompass an all inclusive club that allows members to try different workouts without having to go somewhere else.
RG: With MVP being an all-inclusive gym, how does it compete with these niche facilities?
RV: MVP invests a lot of time into the training of our trainers and group exercise instructors, which creates a positive experience each time someone enters the club. MVP Metro is able to offer over 50 classes a week, while our other locations are able to offer over 100 classes per week. In addition to classes members can also utilize the club with a trainer or by themselves at their convenience.
RG: How did you end up in your role as Group Team Exercise Leader at MVP?
RV: Throughout my life I have always been active with sports and exercise but I never participated in any group exercise classes until 2007. I was a member of a local gym and began to take step aerobics classes. I was terrible at the class but was in awe of the instructor. Her presence, energy and motivation got me hooked on classes and a few months later I became a group exercise instructor. I taught as much as I could at gyms and fitness studios before moving to Grand Rapids in 2012. I was hired at MVP Metro as a Fitness Advisor and was once again hooked on their variety of classes and became certified to teach in as many as possible. As our location and company grew the Group Exercise Team Leader position opened and I immediately applied. I wanted to be able to help grow and educate instructors and also create the best group exercise classes and fitness environments for members to participate in.
RG: What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your position?
RV: The way members appreciate you is one of the most rewarding aspects. Hearing members rave and compliment our classes and instructor’s makes you feel like you are succeeding in helping them reach their fitness goals. Being a part of someone’s journey to great health is extremely rewarding.
I love to help guide and motivate our instructors as well. They are always looking for ways to grow their classes, stay educated in fitness trends and also grow their certifications. We are always striving to help motivate and educate as many people as we can and I am honored to help them do that. I am surrounded by highly motivated and driven people which motivates me to be the best I can, I truly love coming to work every day!
Jenna Morton is the RapidChat correspondent for Rapid Growth Media.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.