In today’s rapidly evolving fitness landscape, gyms and fitness centers face constant challenges when it comes to instructor gaps, scheduling and expanding reach. Whether due to staffing issues, instructor availability, limited resources, or the changing demands of members, managing and maintaining a consistent, high-quality class fitness class schedule that attracts new members and retains existing members can be a significant struggle.
Wexer Virtual is designed to tackle instructor shortages and scheduling conflicts head-on by offering a seamless, 24/7 fitness experience that keeps members engaged and facilities thriving. In addition, Wexer Virtual expands your reach by offering popular instructor-led classes to remote members in the community, giving access to those who may never visit your facility or don’t attend your facility on a regular basis.
Drawing from insights in our Year in Review report, we’ll showcase how Wexer’s platform revolutionizes the fitness industry by delivering consistent, on-demand classes that adapt to the needs of modern-day fitness enthusiasts anytime and anywhere.
Wexer Virtual Insights On The Most Popular Classes and Trends
The Wexer Virtual Year in Review report highlights key findings from the Wexer virtual usage data about the most popular virtual classes and emerging trends in the fitness industry. Understanding these trends can help fitness centers better cater to the preferences of their members and optimize their virtual offerings.
- Cycling is King: Cycling classes were the top choice on Wexer Virtual units, accounting for 50.8% of all classes played. This is likely due to the popularity of bike-only units and shared multi-functional studio spaces. With engaging, performance-based metrics displayed on-screen, virtual cycling classes provide a high-energy, motivating experience that keeps members coming back for more.
- Shorter Classes are Preferred: When it comes to virtual workouts, members prefer shorter durations. The most popular class length for conditioning, cardio, and mind-body workouts is 20-30 minutes. This allows members to fit in an effective workout without taking up too much time in their busy schedules. Interestingly, 50% of all virtual cycling classes were in the 40-50 minute range, showing that members still value longer sessions for certain disciplines.
- Peak Times for Virtual Classes: The report also highlights that the most active months for virtual classes were May, April, and January, with Wednesdays being the most popular day for workouts. Midday, between 12 pm and 5 pm, was the peak time for virtual class usage, reflecting the flexibility that Wexer Virtual offers for users to fit in their workouts at different times of the day.
How Wexer Virtual Tackles Instructor Shortages, Scheduling, And Expanding Reach
Staff shortages are an ongoing challenge across the fitness industry. Finding skilled instructors to lead group classes can be difficult, especially during off-peak hours, weekends, or holidays. Facilities may not have the resources to hire a wide range of instructors to cover every discipline, leaving gaps in the schedule or limiting the diversity of class offerings.
These shortages not only disrupt the member experience but can also lead to financial losses, as fewer classes or reduced variety can drive members away from the gym. This is particularly problematic in boutique fitness studios or smaller gyms, where a lack of instructors can severely impact the overall business.
Wexer’s Virtual Instructor Scheduling Solution
Wexer Virtual offers an innovative solution that directly addresses the problem of instructor shortages. With a vast library of high-quality, pre-recorded fitness classes, Wexer Virtual enables facilities to provide consistent, round-the-clock access to workouts without relying on the availability of live instructors.
1. 24/7 Class Availability
Wexer Virtual ensures that fitness classes are always available, no matter the time of day. Whether members want to attend a cycling session early in the morning, a conditioning class during lunch, or a yoga session in the evening, Wexer Virtual can deliver a top-tier workout at any time. This eliminates the need to schedule live instructors for every class, reducing dependency on staffing.
2. Diverse Class Options
Wexer Virtual offers a wide range of fitness classes, from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to mind-body workouts like yoga and Pilates. This variety allows fitness facilities to cater to different member preferences and provide classes across multiple disciplines without needing specialized instructors for each. This also helps attract and retain a broader audience by offering a rich selection of fitness experiences.
3. Consistent Quality
By using professional instructors to lead virtual classes, Wexer guarantees that members experience consistent, high-quality workouts every time. This eliminates the variability that can occur with live instructors and ensures that the experience meets the same high standards across every session, regardless of when it’s taken.
4. Addressing Scheduling Gaps
Another major issue facing fitness centers is managing scheduling conflicts. Members lead busy lives, and it can be difficult for them to attend classes that align with their schedules. Traditional gym schedules often favor peak hours, which can limit attendance for those with non-traditional work hours or other commitments. At the same time, facilities may not have enough members to justify scheduling live instructors during off-peak times, leading to empty studios and underutilized spaces.
How Wexer Virtual Resolves Scheduling Gaps
Wexer Virtual helps fitness facilities overcome these scheduling conflicts by offering on-demand access to classes, empowering members to work out when it’s most convenient for them. Check out the key ways Wexer tackles scheduling challenges.
1. On-Demand Classes
One of the biggest advantages of Wexer Virtual is the ability for members to access workouts on their own schedule. Members can choose from a vast library of pre-recorded classes and play them at any time, ensuring that there is never a scheduling conflict. Whether they want to work out during the early hours of the morning, late at night, or in the middle of the day, Wexer’s platform offers the flexibility to meet their needs.
According to our Year in Review report, 75.9% of all virtual classes played on Wexer’s platform were on-demand. This shows just how popular and convenient on-demand workouts have become for users, allowing them to stay consistent with their fitness routines without worrying about missing a class due to time constraints.
2. Scheduled Classes for Peak Times
While on-demand workouts provide flexibility, Wexer Virtual also supports scheduled classes for facilities that want to maintain a traditional group exercise schedule. This is particularly beneficial during peak hours when live class attendance is higher. With scheduled virtual classes, members can enjoy the social aspect of working out with others, while still benefiting from the consistency and quality of a virtual instructor.
3. Maximizing Studio Usage
By offering both on-demand and scheduled classes, Wexer Virtual helps facilities maximize their studio space. During peak hours, fitness centers can continue offering live or virtual classes, while off-peak hours can be filled with on-demand virtual options. This ensures that studios remain active throughout the day, boosting member engagement and making better use of facility resources.
Enhancing Member Engagement with Innovative Class Setups
Wexer Virtual’s platform goes beyond simply offering fitness classes—it also enhances the member experience through creative and engaging virtual class setups. Whether it’s immersive cycling experiences or dynamic on-screen performance metrics, Wexer’s approach ensures that virtual classes are just as motivating and effective as live ones.
Popular virtual cycling classes, for example, offer multiple visual setups, including “road” footage that simulates outdoor cycling and studio settings with on-screen instructors and performance metrics. This provides members with a more engaging experience, making virtual workouts feel immersive and interactive.
For mind-body classes like yoga or Pilates, Wexer offers visually stunning studio setups that create a calming atmosphere, ideal for relaxation and focus. By providing a range of environments and formats, Wexer Virtual keeps workouts fresh and exciting, helping members stay motivated and engaged over time.
Expand Your Reach with Wexer Virtual Remote Access
In addition to solving in-house scheduling challenges, Wexer Virtual opens up new opportunities by extending your fitness offerings beyond the walls of your facility. With Wexer, you can deliver your most popular and star instructor-led classes to remote members in the community. This means potential members who may not have the time, transportation, or proximity to visit your physical location can still participate in your classes. By offering virtual access, you increase your facility’s visibility, attract new members, and create a more inclusive fitness community, all while maintaining the quality and energy of your in-person experience.
The Future Shows Virtual Enhances Reach, Instructor Access, And Scheduling Options
Wexer Virtual is transforming the fitness industry by addressing three of its biggest challenges—instructor shortages, scheduling conflicts and how to increase membership. With its 24/7 virtual platform, Wexer enables fitness facilities to offer a wide range of high-quality, on-demand classes that fit seamlessly into members’ lives. By eliminating the need for constant instructor availability and offering flexible workout options, Wexer Virtual ensures that fitness centers can thrive, even in the face of staffing and scheduling challenges.
Are you ready to future-proof your fitness facility? Download our Year in Review report to explore these trends in greater detail and learn how Wexer Virtual can help you overcome the obstacles of today’s fitness landscape. Get the full report now!
Check Out The Virtual Group Fitness Market Industry Report
- 72% of surveyed adults use digital fitness resources.
- 57% of members expect to be offered digital experiences from their club.
- The virtual fitness market growth will be from USD 108.3 billion in 2024 to USD 189.2 billion by 2032