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Ok guys, I just passed my BV module training and wanted to share my opinions on this programme.  I've been reading the comments about BV6 and BV's Image with interest over the past week.

I was actually FORCED to go as the Studio Manager was away so I had to step in. So I went expecting to hate it, as a seasoned BC and BP Instructor, it just WASN'T going to be my thing.

Things didn't improve after the first Masterclass on morning 1. We all kinda looked at each other thinking "God how cheesy and some really naff moves".....HOWEVER!  I opened up my mind (as one should!) and I really enjoyed the 3 days. BV won me over when I saw the benefits. We were all surprised how we actually were sweating and could adjust the workout to raise intensity.  Sure the music is cheesy but you can kinda have fun with it.  I still think some of the moves are a bit 'girly' which is most definitely going to put ALOT of men and even some women off. But I can see that the programme is still learning and hopefully still listening to feedback, so it can only improve.

One major thing however (although I notice most have said this already).... I wish they wouldn't market it for over 40'/50's etc. as it should be aimed at ANYONE who is either exercise inexperienced, can't do the POUND of Attack or Combat, pre-natal people, people recovering from injury, or people who just want a less intense workout than the aforementioned programmes, RATHER THAN saying 'seniors' or 'older' people, as that puts THOSE people off as they think they are being pigeon-holed (and thus, insulted!) and also puts the younger ones off as they think they'll be laughed at going to what is seen as an 'oldies' class.  That will be major challenge, getting my team to market it right, although I already heard my stupid Studio Manager telling a more 'mature' member that it was a workout for OLDER people, and I saw the woman's face - it wasn't one of enthusiasm, for the reasons I stated above (it leaves you banging your head against a brick wall when you have trained staff specifically NOT to say certain things, but that is maybe the fault - in a way - of the marketing so far of this programme, as the BV6 leaflet states 40's/50's/60's on it, so that makes my job ALOT harder.

One thing that helped sell Body Vive to me COMPLETELY was when I got back and taught my next Body Combat class, I noticed my hip flexor's on the round house set-up, were nowhere near as tight.  I've been trying to sort them out for years!!!  SOLD!

I look forward to continuing to read other people's comments on this new programme and seeing how it develops.  And I'll be doing my best to sell it as a workout for everyone, including those who don't want to bounce off the walls.  I won't ever mention anything about OLD or OLDER people.  For goodness sakes!!!

Agree, 100%, Mr_Step.   Even the website says:  "wise head on a hot body"...what??? Kinda insulting, really. 

The program is great...the songs could have more of a mixture of current songs...but the marketing is NOT WORKING, for us. 

One of the things that I don't think is focused on enough is the innovations with this format.  The reclining bicep curls with the tubes and the assisted hover in #5?  The pilates moves and hip work...almost the whole of BV6 is great stuff!  People are working smarter, not necessarily harder.  I track my calories burned with my HRM...its almost as much as a BP class!  (not quite...but I'm fitter than the class)  We can definitely say that its a challenge for many. 

Our attendance is so low that I'm afraid that we will drop it...we launch this weekend with #6 so I'm praying for a good turnout.  I hate that its not doing well because we really need a program like this for variety.  We are the only Les Mills gym in town with this format and I had hoped we could use it as a draw...the numbers don't show it. 

 

I would love to hear more about calories burned in this class, because people are interested. And our club ggx and pt teams are talking about calories burned in classes. I do, however, know that this is not the only benefit of Vive. I think because it is a new program and Les Mills is working on finding the fit for it, we are going to need to combine our heads as instructors and contribute to each other (and steal from each other:D) marketing ideas. What works, what doesn't. I love the ideas and comments I'm hearing. I'm going to share them with my team. Working smarter. I like that. 

Geezermama, I'd love to hear how your launch turnout was. This was our 3rd launch of Vive, and the numbers were way up from the last time. It was good to see. I've said it in another thread, but when our club brought in other LMI programs as new, they struggled with numbers for about a year each. Then they really began to take off. After 2 years, our Combat and Jam programs are flying. After 1 year, Attack is amazing, and RPM even took a while to catch on, but now it's full. My GFM is standing by Vive as we work to grow it. It's hard because as last on board, we did not get the choice spots. Bummer. But we do have a devoted team working above and beyond to find ways to connect and market the program. A little patience will help. 

Some of my ideas are to reach out to families as a family program through the local school system. Our GM and GFM are into outreach programs, and I am going to jump on that. I think mom and me classes during the summer will be something else we try to push. Keep your child fit through summer. This is accessible to older elementary kids, easily.

We are also going to go to community centers and places like that to promote ourselves. Another option we are working on is playing Vive DVDs in the lobby with a Vive instructor there ready to educate people about the program. We are also promoting it to the aqua people and Flow people who could use other fitness options.

Anyone else have ideas? Cuz I'd love to hear them!

 

So far, the feedback from the classes on BV6 is great...they really like it.  However, they already like the program...I didn't get anyone new in for this launch.  Until we start pulling some numbers, this class will get no respect.  I had eight people in class today and it was day one of the new release.  I had 4 women about 50, 2 women about 40, and 2 women in their 20's...a great mix but not enough.  I'm sad.