Benefits of a Hybrid Business Model in a Post-Pandemic World

How the combination of a Digital and In-Person Business Model increases reach and reduces costs for Gym Owners and Fitness Professionals

Intro

A few months back, I shared a post on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the virtual fitness market. In the post, I discussed how fitness consumers, considering the shutdowns, turned to digital, at-home solutions in place of their typical gym and studio routines. And as the world began to re-open, the virtual fitness market proved it was here to stay. So now, as we continue to return to our new normal, gyms and fitness professionals need to consider a hybrid approach to their business.

In my last post, I focused on the shift from mainly in-person to the new hybrid model and the opportunities this new hybrid model presents for fitness professionals. In this post, I will explore and highlight the benefits of the shift of fitness to virtual channels.

Benefits

The shift from mainly in-person fitness to a hybrid model that includes both in-person and virtual presents vast benefits to gyms and fitness professionals. Those benefits are reaching a larger audience and doing so at a lower cost. So, if you own a gym or a personal training practice, and you don’t have a digital option for your consumers, consider these benefits of starting one:

Reach: Digital platforms enable you to reach a larger audience than you already have. For example, let’s say you own a boutique Yoga studio. Your Yoga studio already has instructors, equipment, and live in-person classes. So, why not take that online to offer a virtual membership to serve existing customers better and reach new ones?

Costs: Continuing with the Yoga studio example, it’s relatively inexpensive to start a virtual studio. As an established business, you likely already have a website, so creating and maintaining your virtual classes will be affordable, especially compared to the costs associated with running your physical studio.

Takeaway: 

The pandemic shifted the fitness industry. People worked out mainly in person at gyms or with trainers in the pre-pandemic world. But amid the shutdowns, people turned to virtual fitness to stay active. As we acclimate to our new normal gyms and fitness professionals, we need to seriously consider the benefits of a hybrid business model as it presents the opportunity to reach a larger audience at a lower cost.

For more posts about marketing and business as a fitness professional, visit my blog.