Content provided in partnership with

Cut it short - shorter workout classes

American Fitness, Jan-Feb, 1998 by Marisa Abrignani

For Chicago salesperson Donna Raymond, lunchtime is also her workout time. She gathers her gym bag at noon and heads straight to the health club. After an efficient 30-minute strength class, she spends only a few minutes freshening up, relaxes with a turkey sandwich and juice, and makes it back to her office to check off one more item under her to-do list.

"I'm so busy I have to squeeze in my workout during working hours," says Raymond. "When I take a half-hour strength class, I'm working my muscles, and I don't walk out of the club dripping sweat or needing to spend another hour showering and getting ready all over again."

Most Popular Articles in Health: Fuel your workout: exercisers who eat before they work out have more energy ...; Soothe a dry, itchy scalp: 5 easy expert solutions; Cocktails and calories: Beer, wine and liquor calories can really add up. ...; The sour truth about apple cider vinegar - evaluation of therapeutic use; The, six best supplements you've never heard of: these secret weapons can ...; More »

Aerobics classes have traditionally lasted an hour or more. Though that's still an appropriate period, clubs are adding shorter classes to their schedules for new exercisers and customers pressed for time. The switch presents some obstacles, but the benefits help both the customers and club.

With busy lifestyles, those who love to exercise don't always have the typical hour or two to set aside, so convenience is a main reason shorter classes are becoming popular, according to Tatiana Kolovou, assistant director of the fitness wellness department at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. "It's easier for someone to come to a club, get a fast workout in and leave, she says. "It's quick."

Indiana University's student recreational sports center offers 30-minute Power Sculpt and Pure Stretch classes, half-hour to 45-minute cycling classes and 20- to 30-minute Resist-a-Ball classes. The Power Sculpt and Pure stretch classes are sandwiched between the cardio workouts to encourage people to take advantage of them.

At the Women's Club in Missoula, Montana, a two-hour long class called "A la Carte" gives clients the option to stay for any or all of six 20-minute sessions such as step, high impact, low impact and muscle sculpting. Aerobics coordinator Cathy Crane says clients enjoy the choice of separate sessions. "During lunch we offer a stretch class, which is popular because people come and they don't have to get all sweaty," explains Crane.

A 30-minute body sculpting class offered at Bally's in Greenwood, Indiana, is especially popular for women who don't venture into the weight room, according to aerobic coordinator Terri Brann. "Many women are uncomfortable, intimidated or unsure of how to use the machines, or they're afraid of bulking up," she says. "Using smaller bands, hand weights and tubes in the body sculpting class is more comfortable, plus the instructor is walking them through and explaining proper form."

New exercisers are also drawn to shorter classes. Karen Sablosky, a 21-year-old student from indianapolis, said she enjoys them because she isn't capable of taking longer ones. "They're a perfect option for my lack of endurance and knowledge," says Sablosky.

But shorter classes are also logistically challenging. How much do you charge for them? How do you pay instructors? Can you find instructors capable of squeezing in an effective, compound strength workout in 30 minutes? Kolovou suggests these questions be resolved before adding and promoting them.

Kolovou's club began offering shorter classes in 1996 to accommodate the budget and add variety and flexibility to the schedule. After six months, head counts had increased. "If you try something new, as a programmer you have to give it some time and promote it right," says Kolovou. "Make a plan of classes and stick to it, give the schedule a chance and allow participants an opportunity to test the classes."

If one club is more appealing than another because of the aerobics schedule, clients will be tempted to try it. The last thing a club wants is to lose clients. Kolovou insists offering a variety of classes will increase client retention.

Long-time members love the variety of 20-minute classes at Crane's club. "They get exercisers who have been exercising a long time out of the same old routine," says Crane. "It spices up their workouts."

"Variety is eye-catching," adds Michelle Miller, health and fitness coordinator for the YMCA of greater Indianapolis. "You're going to grab clients who can fit these classes into their schedule."

Raymond says she changed memberships because her old club only offered 60-minute aerobics classes during hours that clashed with her schedule. "I could never make it to a 4 p.m. low-impact class, she says. "So when I browsed around for a new club, I saw tons of different class lengths and times and immediately asked, "Where do I sign up?"'

Kolovou suggests clubs initially offer shorter classes as freebies, which is seen as a bonus by the members, and makes a strong statement about the program. "Adding shorter classes in the schedule also shows the fitness director's understanding of participants' challenges with time management and family/work responsibilities," she says.

Business is not the only thing that profits. Instructors who teach several classes each day feel a bit of relief. It's healthy for an instructor to teach some 20- or 30-minute classes instead. "They see the added benefit and promote them on their own to other classes," says Kolovou. Additionally, some clubs may pay instructors for a full hour.

Cut it short - shorter workout classes

American Fitness, Jan-Feb, 1998 by Marisa Abrignani

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Health

Most Popular Articles in Health

Most Popular Publications in Health