Embracing Interactive Technology: Positioning Your Group Exercise Department for Success in the Next Decade Presented By: Fred Hoffman, M.Ed., The Club and Spa Synergy Group Paris, France Biray Alsac, M.S., FITTmaxx Institute, Chandler, AZ, USA March 25 - 28, 2009 Health & Fitness Summit

Back to basics: Making group classes accessible and fun for all Decade of Trends: Fitness & Group Ex

How cultural change has influenced activities and programs Decade of Trends: Fitness & Group Ex

The emergence and growth of Web-based fitness Decade of Trends: Fitness & Group Ex

Web becomes user-generated and interactive , instead of information-driven and passive Decade of Trends: Technology

Broadband allows for more data exchange, increasing expectations of immediacy 24 / 7 Chat Decade of Trends: Technology

Wired-to-Wireless lets people be more mobile and less confined to specific spaces Decade of Trends: Technology

Exergaming 2 nd / 3 rd Generation Games – industrial, commercial applications Multi-Player, Multi-modal games More control over the game modules and programming for fitness professionals Diversification in games (fun to fitness) Coordinated Online Gaming tournaments, events and classes Simulated Culture (R-KAIDE TM ) Technology ‘Must-Haves’ in Group & Recreational Fitness

Exergaming

2 nd / 3 rd Generation Games – industrial, commercial applications

Multi-Player, Multi-modal games

More control over the game modules and programming for fitness professionals

Diversification in games (fun to fitness)

Coordinated Online Gaming tournaments, events and classes

Simulated Culture (R-KAIDE TM )

Online Social Networking Engaging (reviving) Group Community Enhancing Group Camaraderie Embracing the Group Culture Feedback / Tracking Sub-Groups (the steppers, the athletes, gamers) 2-way conversations Through existing online networks (Facebook, Gyminee) or by designing your own platform (Ning, web developers) Technology ‘Must-Haves’ in Group & Recreational Fitness

Online Social Networking

Engaging (reviving) Group Community

Enhancing Group Camaraderie

Embracing the Group Culture

Feedback / Tracking

Sub-Groups (the steppers, the athletes, gamers)

2-way conversations

Through existing online networks (Facebook, Gyminee) or by designing your own platform (Ning, web developers)

Online Social Networking Embracing the Group Culture Feedback / Tracking Sub-Groups (the steppers, the athletes, gamers) 2-way conversations Through existing online networks (Facebook, Gyminee) or by designing your own platform (Ning, web developers) Technology ‘Must-Haves’ in Group & Recreational Fitness

Online Social Networking

Embracing the Group Culture

Feedback / Tracking

Sub-Groups (the steppers, the athletes, gamers)

2-way conversations

Through existing online networks (Facebook, Gyminee) or by designing your own platform (Ning, web developers)

Podcasting New Format in Group Exercise Schedule Recorded Audio Package vs. Pre-Recorded Regular Broadcasts (or a combination of both) Aligning with existing fitness podcasting companies vs. Developing the *new* fitness instructor Training / Audition Tap into a new pool of instructors (Gen X/Y) Technology ‘Must-Haves’ in Group & Recreational Fitness

Podcasting

New Format in Group Exercise Schedule

Recorded Audio Package vs. Pre-Recorded Regular Broadcasts (or a combination of both)

Aligning with existing fitness podcasting companies vs. Developing the *new* fitness instructor

Training / Audition

Tap into a new pool of instructors (Gen X/Y)

Mobile to Mobility Using mobile devices to complement and enhance in-house & online efforts Deliver education and information Facilitate new programming (mobile Games, GPS/Geocaching) Engage Social Community Technology ‘Must-Haves’ in Group & Recreational Fitness

Mobile to Mobility

Using mobile devices to complement and enhance in-house & online efforts

Deliver education and information

Facilitate new programming (mobile Games, GPS/Geocaching)

Engage Social Community

Live Streaming or Video Broadcast Simulcast Classes Video stream on-demand (archived classes) Supplementary Programming Introductions of instructors Instructional demonstrations Interactive: Live Video and/or Audio Chat Additional Revenue Stream Technology ‘Must-Haves’ in Group & Recreational Fitness

Live Streaming or Video Broadcast

Simulcast Classes

Video stream on-demand (archived classes)

Supplementary Programming

Introductions of instructors

Instructional demonstrations

Interactive: Live Video and/or Audio Chat

Additional Revenue Stream

How tech-savvy is your staff? Survey to determine current knowledge Anticipate technology specific training Job descriptions get a new look (to include computer and web skills) Anticipate Generational ‘expectations’ Education and Certification in Exergames Recruit instructors from unexpected places Staffing Needs

How tech-savvy is your staff?

Survey to determine current knowledge

Anticipate technology specific training

Job descriptions get a new look (to include computer and web skills)

Anticipate Generational ‘expectations’

Education and Certification in Exergames

Recruit instructors from unexpected places

Free first, then upgrade to paid Create a short and long term budget plan because technology can be expensive Quantify to justify budget increases (technology tools will help quantify participation in your program) Budgetary Concerns

Free first, then upgrade to paid

Create a short and long term budget plan because technology can be expensive

Quantify to justify budget increases (technology tools will help quantify participation in your program)

Your current audience: technology challenged or not? Reaching untapped sources: who interactive technology can attract Prepare now for success later by talking to staff and upper management Marketing

Your current audience: technology challenged or not?

Reaching untapped sources: who interactive technology can attract

Prepare now for success later by talking to staff and upper management

Match the technology to your objectives. Know the culture surrounding a technology. Plan for the technology domino-effect. Lock-In Points

Match the technology to your objectives.

Know the culture surrounding a technology.

Plan for the technology domino-effect.

Any Questions? Fred Hoffman [email_address] Biray Alsac [email_address]