We all love a simple, handy checklist.​​ You might want to print this one out and post it at your front desk (or tape it to your fridge.) 

Keep reading for details on how to turn these steps into action...

​Take students’ temperatures upon entry with an FDA-approved digital thermometer. Require masks (have extra on hand for anyone who arrives without one) and require and enforce a six-foot/two-meter minimum distance between customers. It’s easier to enforce social distancing measures if you post clear signage communicating your studio’s policy. 

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Create a procedure regarding the reporting of COVID-19 positive tests and known exposures, and clearly communicate it.  You'll need to train staff on how to effectively report cases.

Ask all students to report a positive COVID-19 test to your business if it occurs within two weeks of a visit. Have an action plan for how you will contact your local health officials, if necessary, and students and staff who were exposed. You'll want to call or email the attendees of classes where a contagious person was present.

Adjust your expense planning to include increased spending on special cleaning supplies and staff time related to longer check-in’s and cleaning between classes. Remember, you are responsible for the safety of your staff and students, and it will be your job to provide masks and gloves where necessary.

​Just as students forget water bottles and towels, they’re sure to forget their masks on occasion. Be sure to have extra protective gear on site. This is also no time to run out of hand sanitizer or surface cleaner. ​

In addition to using the recommended bleach and alcohol-based cleaners, make sure to have hand-sanitizing stations throughout your facility for your customers' use.

Pro tip: Remove any hard to clean equipment. This might include foam rollers, bands, blocks, straps or cloth bolsters. Ask students to bring their own.​

Be sure to schedule classes far enough apart so that students have extra time to check in, find their spot, and ask questions, as well as depart in a socially-distanced fashion. Even if you’re operating at a lowered capacity, tape off the floor so that students know exactly where to go without having to ask. You don’t want everyone crowding up into one area of the room.
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Be sure to let students know by email and social media that they will need to pre-register for classes well in advance. Consider requiring prepayment and not allowing last-minute cancellations.

​Communication is key. Keep reaching out, and make your communications fun and welcoming to lighten the mood and help everyone feel comfortable with the new rules without feeling too restricted.
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You have limited capacity, and you should make the most of it.  Use the sense of urgency and limited capacity to create excitement and FOMO-based demand. Soon it will be a special treat to get a spot in a studio class, and students will be lining up online to pre-register early. 

Be sure to keep your community informed and encouraged by sending out frequent emails and social media messages letting everyone know about the sold-out classes.  This will help build positive energy around those opportunities to sign up and participate.

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​Consider offering a friend referral bonus with a discount code or free class for friends or family of your members/students/community. You can create a discount code and send it to your most loyal members with a coupon to share with their contacts.

Social media advertising is a great way to boost your audience and get your deal out to a broader audience. You can pair your discount code with an eye-catching ad that you and your teachers can also share to your friends and followers.

Give some special love to those members you lost to paused and cancelled memberships or expired passes during the COVID shut down. This means sending out inviting, welcoming phone calls and emails.

You can run a report showing all your current members and pass holders. If you have passes that expired after a certain time -- for example, six months -- you may need to extend the expiration date for the amount of time that you were closed.

You will also want to review all auto-pay membership holds and cancellations that have occured since March to identify members who made COVID-related changes. We suggest sending an email announcement about your new class schedule, health and safety policies, and any pricing changes.

Keep it fun and celebratory by offering online and in-studio specials and giveaways. Be sure to include a strong call to action to rejoin your community, perhaps paired with an intro offer. Keep making follow up phone calls to your customer list.

This is the time to keep your revenue streams diversified and continue building your online audience and programming. Many of your students will be looking to get back into shape after their COVID-related isolation.

Consider launching a fitness challenge with in-person training and online live streams, paired with social media support groups and pre-recorded classes for a "no excuses - come back" experience. Keep it fun and give away prizes like t-shirts, home props, or an Apple watch.

Workshops and series that address both mental and physical well being are a great way to support your customers during this challenging time. Combine mindset coaching, meditation, nutritional programming and other lifestyle content with your fitness class and training routines. ​

These tools will help you execute your plan

Remember that there’s a lot of uncertainty for everyone right now. Running your business with confidence is about balancing smart planning and thorough health and safety measures with compassion and fun.

Your community will be grateful for your efforts. They need you more than ever right now.

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