The Group Class Opportunity
When done right:
- High revenue per trainer hour
- Member engagement boost
- Competitive advantage
- Retention improvement
When done wrong:
- Empty classes, wasted resources
- Instructor frustration
- Member disappointment
Class Selection
High-Demand Classes (India):
- Zumba (most popular)
- Yoga (growing)
- Aerobics (steady)
- HIIT (trending)
- Spinning (urban)
- CrossFit-style (niche)
Consider:
- Local demand
- Available instructors
- Space requirements
- Equipment needs
Scheduling Strategy
Peak Times:
- 6-8 AM (morning crowd)
- 6-8 PM (after work)
- Saturday mornings
Off-Peak:
- 10 AM - 4 PM
- Sundays
- Special populations
Schedule Framework:
Mon: Zumba (7PM) | HIIT (6AM)
Tue: Yoga (7PM) | Strength (6AM)
Wed: Aerobics (7PM) | Spinning (6AM)
Thu: Zumba (7PM) | Yoga (6AM)
Fri: Dance (7PM) | HIIT (6AM)
Sat: Yoga (8AM) | Zumba (10AM)
Sun: Rest or special class
Pricing Models
Model 1: Included in Membership
- Premium memberships include classes
- Differentiates membership tiers
- No direct class revenue
Model 2: Pay-Per-Class
- ₹200-500 per class
- Flexibility for members
- Complex to manage
Model 3: Class Packages
- 10 classes: ₹2,500
- 20 classes: ₹4,000
- Monthly unlimited: ₹3,000
Model 4: Hybrid (Recommended)
- Basic: Gym only
- Standard: Gym + 8 classes
- Premium: Gym + unlimited classes
Instructor Compensation
Per-Class Payment:
- ₹500-1,500 per class
- Based on experience
- Premium for specialized
Minimum Guarantee:
- Guaranteed pay if class runs
- Regardless of attendance
- Ensures instructor commitment
Revenue Share:
- % of class revenue
- Motivates promotion
- Aligned interests
Breaking Even
Calculate:
- Instructor cost: ₹800/class
- Space cost: ₹200/hour
- Marketing: ₹100/class
- Total: ₹1,100/class
At ₹300/head:
- Break-even: 4 attendees
- Profit from 5th attendee
Filling Classes
Marketing Tactics:
- Free first class
- Bring a friend days
- Challenge weeks
- Instructor celebrity
Retention Tactics:
- Loyalty cards (10 classes = 1 free)
- Regular slot booking
- WhatsApp reminders
- Community building
Class Quality
Must-Haves:
- Great instructor (most important)
- Good music/sound system
- Proper AC
- Clean space
- Timely start
Instructor Selection:
- Certification required
- Demo class mandatory
- Energy level high
- Regularity commitment
Tracking Performance
Per Class:
- Attendance
- Capacity utilization
- Member feedback
- Instructor rating
Monthly:
- Popular classes
- Underperforming classes
- Peak vs off-peak
- Revenue contribution
When to Cancel a Class
Warning Signs:
- Average <5 attendees
- Declining trend
- Instructor quality issues
- No promotional response
Before Canceling:
- Try different time slot
- Different instructor
- Promotional push
- Member feedback
Scaling Classes
When Successful:
- Add more slots
- Larger spaces
- Premium versions
- Instructor training program
Conclusion
Group classes require investment in great instructors and strategic scheduling. Get these right, and they become your most profitable per-hour service.
WTF Powered includes class scheduling, booking management, and attendance tracking.