We would like some feedback and insight into class leveling and limiting class sizes. There are particular class times that have been most popular among all students and we are reaching a challenging point trying to keep sizes to a limit. This not only puts a stress on the quality of coaching each athlete receives, but our equipment is limited to a maximum class size.
Do you have any tips or suggestions on how to implement levels, please share your experience and insight! We're interested in students response to your new class levels and the process you went about implementing and informing all students.
Hey Chris,
We experienced similar growing pains a few months back. We implemented levels classes and will officially begin levels testing with our members in February. In the meantime, we were very open with our members and let them know we are coming up with a solution for the large class sizes and how to ensure all members are working out at times that are convenient to their schedule, yet still allow for personal coaching in a smaller group setting. We opened more classes and recommended the classes that are smaller in number for those who would like more personal coaching. I feel that keeping the members in the loop of what we were trying to do for them, they were patient with us as we worked out a solution.
I think it will ultimately come down to what your suggesting. Complete transparency will be best. Since the goal is to set up the environment to achieve the best results for our members, provide an abundance of competition and camaraderie, and elite coaching standards; it would not be beneficial to solely cap classes and not implement the leveling system. Our other classes would fill, however the mixed experience of each athlete would effect the determination of many. Hopefully with the members understanding our position, we will not lose our following or cause complete turmoil by suggesting the stick to certain times of training.
I appreciate the insight. Seems to be the best way to get started.
After gaining some more insight from Andy, and reviewing all of the options for dealing with class crowding, we sent the following email to our members. Hope this helps with your similar cases. Will post majority responses from members and our implementation shortly.
Hey everyone,
We are writing you in regards to a survey we would like to conduct in an effort to improve your CrossFit programming. There has been a recent surge in attendance for specific times during the week, which is a great sign that the community is growing! However, we believe that classes in excess of 8 people will hinder your ability to excel, limit the attention to detail, pose safety issues, and not promote the most favorable atmosphere for your training. We have put together a few options to successfully improve your training here, please let us know which option you would like to see implemented:
1. Each class has a cap of 8 people, the first 8 to show up and sign in will be admitted to the class. First come first serve basis. (If a workout out permits us to take on additional athletes we will do so, however the safety, and quality of coaching will be evaluated in order to do so.)
2. Follow a testing format to permit select fitness levels (beginner/intermediate/ advanced) to enter specified classes only. There will be equal opportunity to train at selected times during the week for each fitness level. The leveling would be based on a pass/fail test for the exercises and movements displayed in the back of your journal. Your training level would be reflected by your ability to show a % of skills and movements displayed in accordance to weight training, basic gymnastics, and cardio aspects.
3. Add an additional 5:30 class to replace the 7:30 classes during the week. Additional classes will be added to the schedule on an as needed basis based on attendance needs.
4. Offer an online sign-up sheet that will permit you to log in and claim your attendance for a specific time slot. The web based sign-up will have a cut off time of 1 hour to cancel your spot. If you are scheduled to attend a class and do not attend, you will be charged a no-show fee. This will cause someone else to lose an opportunity to workout in your place if the spot is not cancelled in sufficient time.
Please consider we believe in highest quality training we can provide for you, the safety and efficiency of the movements you learn, and your overall satisfaction of your training environment. If you have an additional option to suggest, please send us your thoughts!
We have been having an overcrowding problem as well, especially with our 6PM class
to the point that I was getting nervous of someone getting hurt so we made a slight shift in
evening class times to make the earlier classes more accessable and we have just implemented class levels and online class booking with classes being capped at 9-12 per session depending on which
class it is. We had some grumbling and moaning from a few and we were actually going to fire One client
who made such a stink about the changes in front of other clients but in the end she came on board
and reserved her classes. so far it is working very well the overcrowded class has been relieved with
about 30% of them moving to the earlier class time.
After hearing out many of our members thoughts and responses to our email, we implemented the following and took note of the process. We found that about 50% of the members voiced their opinions, some proactive, others just their opinion with no say in the decision. However, many were appreciative to have an opportunity to have a say. It definitely made for an easier transition.
We saw a majority vote to add a class, due to crowding. Also, we stepped up our leveling recommendations to level out the class intensity, and skill levels. We also opted out of the online sign up do to limited support from members.
In the future we will follow a similar format for major changes in our gym structure. Found that everyone was more receptive, more willing to accommodate the changes, and felt more apart of their gym. We did not lose any members during the changes as well.
