Men in fitness classes.

[5more]

Why are group fitness classes almost always dominated by women? Any ideas for attracting more men to these types of classes. Some of the men who have come have said it's one of the hardest workouts they've ever done, Bootcamp/boxing/spinning/abs/core. These are all classes some men come to. But ratio is 10:1 for women. I would like to target a new demographic here. Any thoughts? New types of classes, marketing ideas? I know many guys who are into p90x perhaps a class similar? I think maybe it's just the "group" thing. ?

[Lasharm]

At our club, we teach a class called "Powerhouse". It basically is a version of Les Mills "BodyPump" and seems to draw in more guys.

[X-Mark-X]

Honestly I think it's the nature of the classes as well as the names. If you think about it, most guys in a gym are lifting weights, they want to put on muscle. Most girls are doing cardio or pilates or abs or something like that.

When a gym offers classes like "ultimate step", "power yoga", "body buff", "anti-aging", and "ball play", who do you expect is going to show up? These are all actual classes offered by one of the gyms I go to, by the way. These names sound feminine and the activities they are geared towards are things that most girls do at the gym, but not most guys.

On the other hand, classes with names like "power house", or "half hour of hell" are probably more likely to attract men. Also, classes that focus more on lifting weights and less on step benches, balls, yoga, cardio, bands, etc. are more likely to attract men as well.

I also think having a male instructor for the class would attract more men. I am the ONLY guy at my gym who has ever taught a class, and I got about 50/50 men and women. It was simply named bootcamp. All of the other classes there get 10/1 women to men.

[vanfreak]

Why are group fitness classes almost always dominated by women? Any ideas for attracting more men to these types of classes. Some of the men who have come have said it's one of the hardest workouts they've ever done, Bootcamp/boxing/spinning/abs/core. These are all classes some men come to. But ratio is 10:1 for women. I would like to target a new demographic here. Any thoughts? New types of classes, marketing ideas? I know many guys who are into p90x perhaps a class similar? I think maybe it's just the "group" thing. ?

Hi 5more!
You raise a really good point and something that I am trying to change as well.When I teach all the guys come-or at least more than normal.I think considering from where both of us are from a big part of it is the very nature of Group Fitness and the way our Provincial body wants it taught....there is no module for 'Bootcamp' or 'Athletic Conditioning'..they want people to learn how to freakin dance and 'keep to a beat'..any man I know will turn and walk the other way.
I have a huge problem with this and would love to see this changed. but as usual here in BC we are years behind the times..they have not kept up with the times, the Globe and Mail just did an article at the beginning of the year on fitness trends and the trend is now to have peoples asses kicked with bootcamps etc.. With a lot of the men I talk to they would never th'ink of going to a group class because its perceived as not being tough enough- just dancing..I am trying to organize a class where I work called 'Daddy Don't Dance' an athletic conditioning class using a step for men only who hate traditional step classes..[drills etc. plyo AND NO CHOREOGRAPHY] its in development.
B.C. is waaaaaay behind the times and a lot of men who would like to teach and are very good at it are put off by these archaic and out of date 'Group Fitness Modules'..
Your thoughts?

[5more]

Vanfreak, I agree. I go to Spokane WA for training often, because of this. The only problem I see with your "Daddy don't dance" class is the word daddy. I know guys who are afraid of that word lol. Perhaps dude don't dance? Or something like that.

[NYkarate]

As a male consumer, here is my perspective. No way you are ever getting me to a Zumba class. I do take yoga though. It is great for and has a lot of simularities to karate. That said, I don't think most men are boasting to their buddies about the length of time they can hold a downward dog though. I can see spinning and cardio kickboxing a bit more appealing to men. I have never taken either class.

I believe men like to think they know better and as such like to do things on their own. It is no different than how many men don't like asking for directions when lost driving.

[vanfreak]

Vanfreak, I agree. I go to Spokane WA for training often, because of this. The only problem I see with your "Daddy don't dance" class is the word daddy. I know guys who are afraid of that word lol. Perhaps dude don't dance? Or something like that.

Good point...You've raised a really good issue and it needs to be explored more....Where do you go in Spokane?
By the way I am contemplating hitting the Tactical Strength and Conditioning conference [NSCA] in Las Vegas in April.........That's more like it!!!

[WoofieNugget]

Men as a general rule do not participate in groups unless it is something like a sport which already has lots of other male participation - and there are no women. Most men will prefer to work by themselves or with maybe one partner where they can control the intensity. It is simply the nature of the beast.

You can't cater to both sexes at the same time, so why try? Attract more women = full class = more revenue. What do you need men for?

[Simmo0508]

What type of men are you talking about? What goals?

Most average guys in a gym just wanna lift heavy and get bigger, with minimal cardio. Group classes are cardio based and not focused on heavy bodybuilding style workouts.

Group classes like the ones you mentioned are seen as 'light weights, a few toys, and targeted towards beginners'. Not exactly what most guys care about. You'll get a few *******s (srs) going to those classes though. The girly group classes are seen as for noobs (when it comes to most guys' perspectives).

I teach an MMA class here at our gym, and I get on average 6-7 blokey blokes coming every week. Muscle men just wanting to get some cardio in without the pansy style that is aerobics or Zumba or boring low intensity treadmill. I advertise it internally under the guise that it's not for poofs and not for babies, and that's it's for guys who like to fight etc. (we do striking, wrestling, ground transitions, ground n pound, strength and conditioning circuits, and submission technique) When i teach it, i go Commando on them. That's the only style that's suitable. When you train guys like that, you don't do the calm gentle approach. You have fun, slap em around a bit, joke around, get em angry, get noisy etc. (there's a promo vid for my MMA class on my YouTube channel if you wanted to check it out, with actual workout footage, albeit the Commando style instructing isn't there because i was because i was the one filming )

It's all about the class content and the instructor imo, and how you spread the word of the class. The instructor has to match the type of class that's being taught. If it's a class about something that guys like - it'll work, like my MMA class. If it's a class about something guys don't care about- it won't work. Vice versa in terms of gender. If it's a class about something girls care about (dancing and prissing around for example, Zumba) - it'll work. If it's a class about something girls don't care about - it won't work.

Also, girls like group classes because of the social atmosphere. They see going to the gym as a social event. Guys, don't give two chits about social atmosphere when training. They don't see it as something that has to be "funnn, yayyy!". They just wanna train hard and do what they gotta do, and get out.


strong generalisations throughout i know, but these are the tendencies i've noticed throughout my years in this business

[PerFit]

They are targeted towards women usually. Most guys dont want to do a "girly class"

Also comes down to guys not wanting to be told want to do/do their own thing.

Obviously you get some legit guys in there but many times guys go to these classes to pickup.

[brspecialists]

Why are group fitness classes almost always dominated by women? Any ideas for attracting more men to these types of classes. Some of the men who have come have said it's one of the hardest workouts they've ever done, Bootcamp/boxing/spinning/abs/core. These are all classes some men come to. But ratio is 10:1 for women. I would like to target a new demographic here. Any thoughts? New types of classes, marketing ideas? I know many guys who are into p90x perhaps a class similar? I think maybe it's just the "group" thing. ?

Perception is reality for people. People tend to think that classes are for women, and since women have historically been the attendees the class programming has been tailored for that clientele. Could you imagine doing step to 'metallica'?

Try doing a "Bring your hubby" day. Find ways to focus on guys and get them attending sometimes. Once they attend and see that bodypump is brutal and yoga is an ass kicking workout they will be a bit more likely to attend again. Just like it takes years for people to join a gym sometimes because they are intimidated, this can be the same thing.

[Human Rocket]

Why are group fitness classes almost always dominated by women? Any ideas for attracting more men to these types of classes. Some of the men who have come have said it's one of the hardest workouts they've ever done, Bootcamp/boxing/spinning/abs/core. These are all classes some men come to. But ratio is 10:1 for women. I would like to target a new demographic here. Any thoughts? New types of classes, marketing ideas? I know many guys who are into p90x perhaps a class similar? I think maybe it's just the "group" thing. ?

Of all the classes I see offered at our local YMCA, kettle bell is the one I'd consider taking.

[regl8r]

I've tried a number of group classes simply out of requirement pilates, zumba, step, and went to yoga on my own. Doing this once in a while is a good experience, and a good way to meet girls BTW. After a while I just get plain bored.

For example, I get NOTHING out of pilates. After 2 classes I was able to do every exercise with ease and simply had to sit there and listen to the god awful instructor(Point, Kick and Reeeeaaaccchhh)...longest hours of my life.

Agree w/ everyone else about marketing too.

[tovlakas]

Hi 5more!
You raise a really good point and something that I am trying to change as well.When I teach all the guys come-or at least more than normal.I think considering from where both of us are from a big part of it is the very nature of Group Fitness and the way our Provincial body wants it taught....there is no module for 'Bootcamp' or 'Athletic Conditioning'..they want people to learn how to freakin dance and 'keep to a beat'..any man I know will turn and walk the other way.
I have a huge problem with this and would love to see this changed. but as usual here in BC we are years behind the times..they have not kept up with the times, the Globe and Mail just did an article at the beginning of the year on fitness trends and the trend is now to have peoples asses kicked with bootcamps etc.. With a lot of the men I talk to they would never th'ink of going to a group class because its perceived as not being tough enough- just dancing..I am trying to organize a class where I work called 'Daddy Don't Dance' an athletic conditioning class using a step for men only who hate traditional step classes..[drills etc. plyo AND NO CHOREOGRAPHY] its in development.
B.C. is waaaaaay behind the times and a lot of men who would like to teach and are very good at it are put off by these archaic and out of date 'Group Fitness Modules'..
Your thoughts?

I SAW that article and did a double take when I saw it say BOOTCAMP was going to be the biggest trend in 2011... what?! In the US bootcamp is totally overplayed... they even have YOGA bootcamp now (what the **** is that supposed to be???) Not to mention, bootcamps have been around in these parts for over a decade and everyone and their mother has participated in at least one.