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Does anyone have any suggestions for how I could talk my gym into hanging onto BodyJam.  It's my favourite class and there are a core of members who always turn up, but they've decided there aren't the numbers and are getting rid of it entirely.  I'm writing a letter outlining some of the reasons I think they should keep it, but would be interested if anyone had anything to add... I'm sure there is a bunch of marketing solutions that go with the Les Mills programmes?  They only hold the class twice a week, once in the morning and one at night - usually the morning people can't come at night so people are only doing one class a week... because of the choreography I find that a lot of people give up after a couple of goes because they think it's too complicated, if they had it more often I actually think it would help.  Also, I think that BodyJam is one of those classes that is a bonus when people are considering joining a gym (which is surely how the gym makes money?)... it's the kind of class that a lot of people think they would love to do even if they never get round to it!  Anyway... any ideas would be great, I'm gutted as without this class (they don't have many other classes on at night) I don't think I'll renew my membership...

 

 

that is really a shame ....and what about the instructors who have put in all that time and expense(training , music releases etc.) to teach it? ..they are probably feeling left out in the cold as well for real. Our gym is currently licensed for Jam but no one to teach it yet....I know it would go over really well here at our gym too ...and have had several folk asked me about it....we have a high college age population in the area that it would really appeal to as well....good luck with your fight to keep Jammin!

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KIA KAHA! "for the strength of the Pack is in the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is in the Pack"...Rudyard Kipling

I have taken a list of participants for Bodyjam and noticed that many of them only come to the gym for Bodyjam.  They generally take any other classes.  They want to work out, but they want o have fun doing it, and the fun that is Bodyjam seems to help.  How long did your gym try it?  It has taken awhile, more than a year, for it to take off here in the mid-west of the USA, but those who want it are pretty vocal.  I did suggest (quitely) at the beginning of the year when the gym was renewing the contract that my participants submit comment cards explaining why they liked Bodyjam and expressing their hope that it continue to be offered.  I've taught with CBCJammer, and I love here suggestion to members, that they try it 3 times before giving up on it.  Good luck!

If it's a case where the participant numbers do not justify the licensing fee, then perhaps something can be worked out with Les Mills while you trial a different day/time or marketing strategy for a *very* short period of time.

I did my first Body Jam class today (technique class), my gym has been running 1 Body Jam class in the afternoon a week for awhile which I took no notice of, and to which my gym recently added a second body jam class (technique) the day before the actual BJ class. If it wasn't for this technique class, I would have had the confidence to enter a Body Jam class.. my biggest fears, were moves being too complicated and being under pressure to learn moves on the fly and looking clumbsy not able to remember the order of moves.

Maybe a body jam technique class might be the answer to get people into the class, as it was the answer in my case.

I'm sorry to hear that.  My gym has 4 classes a week, but as soon as they train more we'll have more.  I would definitely write the letter.  Maybe they can do a Saturday morning class?  The times are not convenient for me at my gym but they do offer a 1:00 pm Sunday class.  I hope everything works out.  Maybe you guys can sign a petition and state you won't renew your membership if they get rid of jam.

I would suggest writing a letter to the management & having the regular attendees sign it up. sorta like a signature campaign to keep bodyjam.

You need to get higher numbers! Our night calsses always have bigger numbers.

Ask everyone to bring a friend, put out flyers at dance schools!

Is there a University around? POST IT on there boards!

We even did a spot on the news...since everyone loves so you think you can dance!

Hope this helps!

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Tim

Wow...that's the saddest thing I've heard all week. I noticed this was posted in May...any updates?

We offer BJ 3 times a week. Twice at night (huge classes) and 1 in the daytime (much smaller). We even decided to pull the daytime Jam for the summer because it falls on a Sat. afternoon and peeps are doing other things. However, we added a Body Jam for Kids (30 min. format) and it is AWESOME!

Saying that, if you still can, remind your club that Body Jam appeals to all ages. I have high school age to people over 50. You can hang signs that advertise for "Date Night" too. I have several married couples, believe it or not, who leave the kids and come Jam. So damn cool. Someone mentioned posting at high schools, etc. Awesome idea!

Try adding a "Body Jam Breakdown" for 30 min. before class where members can come to learn the base moves of each track. I know that helped a lot when we launched the program. Instructors can stay with releases longer to give members more time to learn and really dance it.

Conside a TGIF BODY JAM PARTY! Shake the stress off from the week, start the weekend off right, maybe a raffle or two, and go somewhere for an off-the-record Happy Hour (optional of course, w/out advertising).

It's all about the PARTY in Body Jam and I truly think how your club sells it will make all the difference in the world.

Hope this helps and best of luck to you!

 

 

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Jeni Morrison