TRANSCRIPT: GROUP FITNESS TRIPLE THREAT SERIES

Social media is warping our perception of what's actually working in fitness classes, as well as everything else. TikTok is driving fitness trends like never before. One viral clip can make an old school workout blow up overnight.

Case in point, the headline that Step Aerobics is back.  The hashtag Step Aerobics has over 78 million views. And rollerblading is making a comeback too. But before you go to dust off your Reeboks and your ankle socks, let's talk about what's real growth versus social media hype.

Are these trends actually returning? Is it something you should follow, or is it just another fitness fad that looks bigger than it is? Let's break it down. 

Let's look at search. Searches for step aerobics are up by 124 percent in the last year.

And rollerblading has surged by 123%. That's major growth on paper. Social media is fueling this resurgence, but is it actually showing up in gym schedules? Well, not really. Let's take Les Mills Auckland City, one of the biggest group fitness hubs in the world, and without a doubt a fantastic litmus test for what is and isn't working in group exercise.

Out of 320 plus classes per week, only 5 are step aerobics. That's just 1. 5 percent of the schedule. Sticking with Les Mills, the Body Step program, which is honestly one of my first loves in group fitness, has struggled for years, and I suspect it might not be around too much longer. This also aligns with what we find at SH1FT, where our step based format, R1ZE, is the least popular of our six formats.

But here's where it gets interesting. Niche step brands like Xtreme Hip Hop Abs. Meccca, with three C's, and Club Cardio NC have built huge, highly engaged online communities. They're thriving, but on a small scale compared to the mainstream market. 

So, is Step back? Yeah, but from an incredibly low base. The three providers I talked about above are absolutely smashing it. I love watching their classes on social media. They've created an amazing community, and at the end of the day, STEP is a fantastic workout. 

As I said, it was one of the first classes that I taught and it remains something that I love to do. But, it's gaining traction within these specific pockets that are doing it oh so well, it is not a mass market revival. And I think it's important to look at how this so called popularity of step versus its actual popularity in the wider world of fitness should impact the way we view social media trends in general.

So, here's the analysis. What does this mean for instructors? There are three key takeaways. 

First, social media skews reality. This is something you probably already knew. Just because a hashtag is trending online doesn't mean that it's filling gyms. Social media and things like TikTok reward what looks good, not necessarily the stuff that gets long term participation, and gym member retention. 

Next up, be able to identify the difference between a viral class or instructor and a viral genre or format.

A few standout instructors can build a cult following around something like Step. And as I said before, it's awesome to see.  But that doesn't mean that Step as a format is back in a big way, nor that every gym goer suddenly wants to see it on the schedule.

Look at the real value of social media. The smartest instructors are harnessing what we've just talked about and using TikTok and Instagram not to chase fads but to market what they already do. It's a visual tool for visibility. Not a reason to overhaul your programming overnight. So, the actionable tips.

Here's how to make the most of this without getting sucked into the hype cycle. 

Use social media to showcase your classes. Whether or not your format is trending, you can tap into viral energy by sharing dynamic, engaging clips. Experiment, but don't overcommit. If you see a TikTok trend that fits your teaching style, try it out. Just don't build your whole brand around something that might disappear next month.

And remember, sustainable trends make money, while fads fade. Your time and money is  better spent mastering formats that have long term demand. Look at what we talked about at the start of this series in terms of strength, Pilates and circuit. Bottom line, social media can be a huge asset if you use it smartly.

But don't mistake a viral trend for real industry growth.  Know how to spot the difference.

And that wraps up our series on the three biggest shifts in group fitness. If you haven't already, make sure to download our free triple threat guide using the link in the show notes. It's got specific action steps for everything we've covered across all 10 episodes.

And the conversation doesn't stop here. If you found this series valuable, share it with another instructor who needs to hear it. The fitness industry is evolving fast, and the instructors who stay ahead will be the ones who thrive. So take what you've learned, apply it, and keep pushing forward, because the biggest shifts in fitness are happening right now, and you don't want to get left behind.

And speaking of staying ahead, this is exactly why we created SH1FT.  We're for instructors by instructors and always have the needs of instructors at our central core. That's why we have no expensive licensing fees, no rigid pre choreography. Instead, you get simple, effective programming that puts you in control.

You can adapt it for any audience, add strength elements where needed, and create the exact experience your members want. Plus, our pricing is designed to give instructors maximum return on their investment.

If you're ready to take advantage of these industry shifts and future proof your career, check out SH1FT using the link in our show notes. We've created what we believe is the most flexible, instructor friendly format in the industry, and we'd love to show you why. Thank you for being part of the Group Fitness Triple Threat.

Here's to evolving with the industry and thriving in 2025 and beyond.