TRANSCRIPT: GROUP FITNESS TRIPLE THREAT SERIES

 Welcome to the group fitness, triple threat. Before we get into today's episode, I wanted to just note that we're officially halfway through this triple threat series. 

We've already shared a lot of information and action tips with you, and we've got so much more to come. But, the last thing we want to do is to make you feel overwhelmed. So let me be clear. We absolutely don't expect anyone to action every tip that we suggest. That's completely unrealistic. Instead, we urge you to listen to every episode and decide which ones resonate with you in terms of who you are as an instructor and what changes you could make that would align with your aspirations.

And as a reminder, if you haven't already, We recommend downloading the free Triple Threat Guide via the link in the show notes, as this has a brilliant action plan which will help you to narrow down exactly what you want to focus on without feeling the overwhelm. Now let's get on to today's episode.

Wearable tech is everywhere. Smart watches, heart rate monitors, fitness trackers, people are tracking everything. Steps, calories, sleep, even stress levels. And if you're teaching group fitness, your participants are bringing that data into your class.  But here's the challenge. No two people are necessarily using the same device.

Some are on an Apple Watch, some have a MyZone, some have a Fitbit. So how do you, as an instructor, make wearables work for you, instead of getting lost in the noise? Today, we're talking about how wearables are shaping group fitness, what matters, and what doesn't, and how to use them to improve motivation and engagement in your classes.

Let's go. 

So let's start with the industry data. Wearables are still the number one trend in fitness.  The ACSMs 2025 Worldwide Fitness Trends Report ranks wearable technology as the top trend. And it's been high on this list for much of the past decade. People expect data. A MindBody survey found that 72 percent of gym members want access to performance tracking in their workouts, whether it's through wearables or in gym tech, and heart rate tracking is huge. Platforms like Orange Theory and MyZone have built entire workout models and methodologies around live heart rate zones. Personalized data increases retention. Studies show that people who track their workouts with wearables stay more engaged. But only if they understand what the data means and how to use it.

The takeaway? People want data, but they don't always know what to do with it. And that's where you, as an instructor, can step in. So here's the good, the bad, and what you actually need to know about  wearables as a group fitness instructor. First up, they can boost motivation if used correctly. Heart rate zones, calorie tracking, and effort scores can be great engagement tools, but only if framed properly.

The key? Make it about personal progress, not about comparison. Next up, not all wearables are created equal. Some devices overestimate calorie burn, and some under report heart rate. The key thing here is not to let participants obsess over exact numbers. Get them to look at the trends over time. 

Next up, challenges build community. MyZone, Strava, and other platforms are thriving because of their gamification elements. If you're running a challenge, encouraging participants to track and share progress is a great way to get them involved.

Last up, it's most likely that you won't control the tech. Unlike a boutique gym that mandates a single wearable system, most group fitness classes will end up with participants having a mix of devices. So instead of relying on a specific brand, focus on teaching people how to interpret their data, no matter what this is.

So, here's the actionable tip about wearable tech, how you can avoid getting lost in the noise and incorporate them into your classes in a way that works.

First up, acknowledge them. Ask your class, who's tracking their stats today? Show that you're aware and engaged with this top trend.

Encourage progress tracking. So instead of fixating on one session's numbers, Help participants look at trends over time. 

Use them for engagement, and not for pressure. Remind participants that wearables should enhance their workout, not define their success. 

I recommend that as an instructor you get a working knowledge of how most of these wearables work. You can do that by doing a quick Google check or using your AI assistant which we're going to talk about in a future episode. 

But make sure you don't get too caught up in any one device. And full disclosure, I'm one of the many people who just will not wear a wearable. I do like tracking my heart rate sometimes when I go to a spin class or a fitness class, but generally I steer away from classes where tracking is something that is done.

The reason for this is because I go for the fun and I don't need the stress of the tracking. I also know that I already am an anxious person and so if I start doing things like tracking my sleep I'm just going to get myself into an absolute state about why it's not where I want it to be. So remember that there will always be people in your classes who are not using wearables and it shouldn't be the primary focus of any class unless you're teaching at Orange Theory.

The bottom line, wearables are here to stay. But they're not a threat to instructors.

They're a tool for engagement. But, how you frame the data is what makes the difference between an overwhelmed participant and an empowered one. 

That's wearables wrapped up for you. Next week we're exploring why digital fitness is declining while live fitness classes are stronger than ever. If you want the full strategy guide for handling all of these member changes, download our free triple threat guide using the link in the show notes.

And don't forget to send this podcast series to a friend in the industry who needs to hear it.

See you next time on the group fitness triple threat.