10 ways to engage your members outside of the class

If you already use email, a simple weekly message can go a long way. Share updates, tips, shoutouts, or anything that keeps your members feeling in the loop. Maybe you want to nominate a star of the week? Or provide specific info after a question was asked in class. Email is a great way to show your members you’re paying attention and show your appreciation and expertise. 

A WhatsApp group is one of the easiest ways to build community. You can share class reminders, celebrate wins, or post quick motivational messages. Your members can share their own pics and progress too. Just be sure to get permission before adding people in, and keep the tone light and inclusive.

Even one or two Facebook posts a week can keep your name and classes front of mind. Use it to share photos, class updates, behind-the-scenes clips, or a midweek tip. Encourage your members to engage by asking questions or using polls. 

Pro tip: Share your posts to stories to be featured at the top of your members’ home feeds. 

Noticed someone attend five classes in a row? Or take part in their first session after a break? Celebrate it! A small shoutout in class or on Facebook makes people feel seen – and it encourages others to stick with it too. Maybe your gym or class space has a pinboard you can use to host a leaderboard? As your members walk by, they’ll be reminded of your class even when you’re not in the session.

Try a hydration tracker, step count challenge, or five-minute morning movement goal. Challenges keep people motivated between classes – and give them a reason to check in with you (and each other). They don’t all need a smart watch to do it. Most people carry their phones, and there are lots of free tracker apps available. 

Connection deepens when you move beyond the workout. Invite your class to hang around after your session for  a quick coffee after class, a casual walk, or a monthly brunch. This can help your class become more like community, and the community feel more like friends. It doesn’t have to be fancy – just friendly.

You have a lot of expertise and it pays to share it, because when your class feel looked after with advice, they build trust and allegiance to you as an instructor. If you’ve got a favourite stretch sequence or a smoothie recipe, post it in your WhatsApp group, Facebook page and/or email. It’s little extras like these that add value and show you care about your members’ wellbeing beyond the workout.

Every once in a while, add a poll in your WhatsApp group or ask a quick question on Facebook.  What class times work best? What music do they love? Asking questions will help your members to feel listened to and will help you to respond to their needs better, creating a class they’re more likely to enjoy and keep coming back to.

How do you feel when someone remembers a detail about you, like your birthday? It makes you feel seen, doesn’t it? What if you missed an appointment for something and they check-in with you? These are the things that people remember, so check in if someone missed a class,  remember birthdays, mention a win they shared. That way you’re building connection that goes beyond the gym floor.  

You don’t need to do everything, and you don’t need to do it daily. Start with a rhythm that works for you. One message a week in WhatsApp, one post on Facebook, one casual meet-up a month. Keeping it consistent builds trust.