Author: Lisa S

Design Tips To Build A Great Fitness Website

Posted on by Lisa S

Building a custom website design is key in attracting new members to your gym and retaining existing members.Your website needs to stand out from other gyms’ websites and attract people who are looking for a place where they can get fit with other like-minded individuals without spending too much time or money on equipment or facilities.

By building an engaging website design for your fitness center that reflects its culture, you can establish an online presence that attracts customers who will stay loyal over time because of what it offers them socially as well as physically!If you’re wondering how to design a fitness website, here are some important web design tips you should make note of.

Make it visually compelling.
The first step to making a fitness website that’s well-designed is to make it visually compelling, and you do this by incorporating high-quality images and video throughout the site. The best fitness website designs use high quality photos that show your gym/studio or some of the exercises being performed by your clients so visitors can get an idea of what it’s like to work with you. If possible, try using video clips as well which will help showcase your facility better than any picture ever could!

Top fitness website designs also make sure to use white space in a clean and simple layout. White space is one of those things that gets overlooked on websites, but when done correctly can really make an impact on how people experience your brand online. Too often people think more content equals success – not just from a user perspective but also from businesses seeking leads and conversions because they feel like adding more information about their services makes sense for SEO purposes (search engine optimization). The truth is there needs to be just enough content for users without overwhelming them with too much information right away because this will reduce conversion rates or engagement levels overall which ultimately hurts our bottom line goals so always keep those considerations top-of-mind while working through wireframes / mockups before finalizing them into live designs!

Match the design and photography with the culture of your fitness studio.
Use images that are relevant to your fitness studio. Website designers always recommend that the photos you use throughout the website should be of your studio, or at least have a similar style. For example, if you have yoga mats for sale in the boutique of your studio, don’t place images of equipment on the page unless it’s being used by people who look like they’d actually attend your classes (i.e., no pictures of bodybuilders selling yoga mats). Use images that are relevant to your culture. If you’re a high-end boutique fitness studio that is all about community, use images that capture this message (think: photography of people doing their pushups together on their hands and toes) Remember to use high-quality photos: blurring and pixels will ruin your site!

Give users a way to contact you – easily.
This is probably the most underestimated design tips for websites. Your contact page should be easy to find, and it should contain your phone number and email address. Even better, provide a contact form so users don’t have to actually type an email message. Some people like maps, and if you’re a brick-and-mortar gym or fitness club where members meet for group sessions or personal training, add a map to your site. This way people can easily get directions to your gym.

If you’re looking for budget web design services for your fitness studio, My Best Studio offers comprehensive affordable website design and development services along with its fitness studio management software services.

Pole Dancing Offers The Best Health Benefits – Here’s How

Posted on by Lisa S

Pole dancing offers a wide range of benefits for your physical and mental health. Here are some of the benefits of pole dancing and the reason you should be heading to that pole dancing studio soon! Read on and you’ll  discover why the pole dancing business is flourishing.

Pole dancing burns mega calories.
 If you want to burn calories and get that ever-elusive, tight tummy and butt, pole dancing classes will do the trick. However, the number of calories that you burn depends on a few factors: your weight, how hard you work out, and if you have had anything to eat before class.

On average, a one hour pole dancing class could help you burn 500-700 calories. This is because the exercise is highly efficient in toning your muscles while burning fat.

To put it into perspective: 1 pound (454g) of fat gives approximately 3500 calories. So, if you take 3 one hour classes per week for 2 months (8 weeks), you will lose about 6 pounds (2.7kg) of fat!

It requires mental strength and concentration, which can help reduce stress.
 If you choose to learn pole dancing, then you are going to discover how much it can help improve your mental strength. Yes, the benefits of a pole dancing workout even extend to mental health. When you practice pole dancing techniques, you will be amazed at how quickly your ability to concentrate improves! Pole dancing requires concentration and physical control, and the mental benefits of pole dancing are real as dancers must be aware of their body positions and movements while they are performing throughout the entire routine.

You get a serious muscle workout.
There are multiple benefits of learning pole dancing, but the best of all is that it is a full-body workout. Not only are you using your arms, shoulders and core to grip the pole and maneuver your body, but you’re also using each major muscle group in your lower half. When done right, all of these muscle groups work together to make for a safer, more effective workout. While the primary muscles used involve pulling your weight up and around the pole, others come into play, too—especially those in the hips and lower back, which help with balance as you swing from side to side or hold yourself inverted on the pole.

You’ll be forced to focus on your breathing.
Breathing is essential for any physical activity, but it’s crucial when it comes to pole dancing—which involves dramatic movements that put your body weight on one arm! If you’ve ever tried a new exercise class, you’ll notice that the instructor often reminds you to focus on your breathing. This is because deep breaths help us relax and keep our minds clear. Pole dancing is no different. In fact, given how challenging pole dancing can be, focusing on your breathing will help prevent you from getting dizzy as soon as you flip yourself upside down. Many pole dancers recommend breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth while doing moves such as spins or tricks to build up strength and avoid injury.

Wondering how pole dancing changes your body?
Experience the benefits of pole dancing exercise. Find classes near you and sign up today!

Equipment & Essentials for An Indoor Cycling Studio

Posted on by Lisa S

Are you an entrepreneur looking to set up an indoor cycling studio?
Here’s a quick run-through of the main equipment and essentials you will need to get your cycling studio up and running in no time! 

 Bikes
 When it comes to indoor cycling essentials, the most important piece of indoor cycling training equipment is the bike. You can’t turn a wheel without a bike, so how do you choose the right one? You might think they’re all pretty much the same, but quite a few different types of bikes are available.

  • Upright: This type of bike mimics traditional road and hybrid bikes. The rider is seated with their legs straight down and their back at an angle to provide support while keeping their upper body open for breathing.
  • Recumbent: In this style of bike, the rider reclines into a seat that supports their entire body. They then push on pedals positioned in front of them rather than below them like on an upright bike.
  • Indoor cycle trainers: This type of stationary bike uses special software that functions as an avatar for your ride experience complete with scenery and other riders from all over the world. Some even have built-in resistance controls so you can adjust your workout intensity by “shifting gears.” It makes sense to invest in the best indoor cycling gadgets and equipment as that makes all the difference to the customer experience.

Flooring:
The flooring of your indoor cycling setup is vital to your business in that it should provide a non-slip surface for riders. It should also be elastic enough to absorb the shock of a cyclist’s movements, reducing the chance of injury. For example, if you plan to offer more low-impact cycling workouts such as recumbent or upright stationary bike group fitness classes, non-slip flooring isn’t as necessary. Flooring that absorbs sound and is comfortable to stand on for long periods would be more beneficial than non-slip in this scenario.

Sound system:
Another critical element of your cycling studio is the sound system. Music can be used as a tool to motivate your members and can be an additional safety measure in case of an emergency. It’s recommended that the sound system should output at least 100 dB of sound pressure level (SPL) at the furthest point from your speaker. Generally, speakers should be placed on either side of where riders will sit for class. If possible, speakers should be positioned about 8 feet off the floor and angled down towards riders to improve intelligibility.

Water bottles & Towels:
The water bottle and the sweat towel are two essentials that no cyclist should be without. It’s crucial to stay hydrated throughout your workout, especially when it involves high-intensity cardio like indoor cycling. Meanwhile, a sweat towel is essential because you will sweat—a lot. A few strategically placed towels around the studio will go a long way in helping members have a more enjoyable experience.

Cycling Studio Software: 
This is the key to running a successful indoor cycling studio. It allows you to manage bookings and payments, track class attendance, and provide members with the best experience possible. The most advanced class management software, like My Best Studio goes beyond simply taking bookings. It integrates other software systems like POS, allows you to automate communication, syncs with your website and more. This reduces manual work and gives you more time to focus on making sure your customers have an amazing experience when they ride at your studio.

Why Your Fitness Studio Needs A Brand Website

Posted on by Lisa S

You’ve put in blood, sweat, and tears to build and run your fitness studio, but you’re finding that it’s hard to attract new members. Have you considered how a brand fitness website could be the solution to your problem? Whether you are just starting out or are an established business owner, everyone needs a web presence. If you are an entrepreneur who owns a fitness studio, your website is the cornerstone of your business. Interested in knowing more about how to get your own brand website? Check this out

If a potential customer wants to learn about your studio and its services, it’s much easier for them to visit your site than pick up a phone and call, write you an email, or leave you a note on social media. Let’s face it. People are busy. They’re on the go and they need to know who you are and what you’re all about fast! Nothing screams instant credibility more than your very own branded website.A solid brand fitness website conveys everything about your business to viewers in one place. It’s all there: hours of operation, class schedule, location information, pricing and more. All the contact information they need is readily available too.

A professional brand website for your fitness business helps you communicate with the world.Your fitness studio’s website is the most important marketing tool for attracting new customers. A professional-looking site can set your studio apart from competitors, display a clean and inviting atmosphere, and enhance current members’ experience (and loyalty).

Most fitness studios are missing a huge opportunity by not having an online presence. With a fitness business website, you can continue your brand image outside of the studio walls so that consumers can find out more about you and your services.

Here’s a quick 3-point checklist to ensure a winning fitness studio website:
  • A clear, easy to follow and understand fitness website design that allows you to showcase your studio’s personality
  • Flawless user experience so your website is easy to navigate and explore
  • Clear call to actions that convert potential customers into paying ones.
  • Easy discover ability on search engines, so potential customers find you as the solution to their fitness needs.

Your fitness studio is one of your biggest investments. It’s the place where you go to fulfill your passion and help others fulfill theirs.Knowing how to get the most out of your website will help grow your business, increase revenue, and make life easier for you. Looking for health and fitness website design inspiration or end-to-end website design & development services for your fitness studio? Don’t waste another minute. Get started today.

Dance Fitness Classes Even The Worst Dancers Will LOVE!

Posted on by Lisa S

Dance fitness classes are a great way to get fit because it’s fun and active. When you dance, you are using your entire body for balance, coordination and body control. You work out more than just your legs and arms. Dance Fitness helps you burn fat, improve posture, tone muscles, reduce stress and get fit.Got two left feet? Don’t worry! Dance fitness takes away the pain out of dancing!

You know that exercise is important, but it’s hard to get inspired. That’s where dance fitness workout programs come in. You don’t have to be a great dancer.  You don’t even have to have any dance moves (but you will after you try it!). And best of all, there are no special clothes or shoes involved. While you’re still getting physically fit, you’ll also become more confident, learn to listen to your body and the rhythms of music, and maybe even make some friends along the way. Here are some popular types of dance fitness that even the worst dancers are guaranteed to love!

Cardio dance
cardio dance class will get your heart pumping and the sweat dripping. This fun and upbeat dance workout is the perfect way to get your heart rate up. Twerk it out to fun hip-hop music, plus get some good arm and leg work on with great music and a high energy instructor!The workout will improve your strength, flexibility and endurance. You will use your own body weight for resistance, which means it’s perfect for all fitness levels.

Zumba
Looking for dance inspiration? Zumba dancing is one of the most popular dance cardio exercises. Zumba combines fast and slow Latin and hip hop moves with simple dances to create a high-energy aerobic dance workout that is fun to do. It’s safe, effective, and easy to follow and the best dance workout program to potentially burn up to 1000 calories an hour!

Pole dance
Pole dancing is a fantastic way to get fit and gain strength while having a ton of fun.Whether you want to get in shape, burn calories, stay fit, or just feel feminine, it is the best dance workout program to effectively strengthen your core and upper body while also helping you achieve flexibility. A pole dance workout combines Pilates, TRX, yoga, and strength training. It is challenging, liberating and a great deal of fun!

If you’ve been searching for the right dance fitness classes online, we hope this article helps you make your decision. Get up, get fit, get moving!

How To Breathe Effectively While Working Out

Posted on by Lisa S

You’ve heard it said on the news, you’ve seen it in popular magazines, and you’ve watched it in those exercise videos — one of the important things you can do for yourself is learn how to breathe during workouts.  While most people have that part down, they don’t really understand what proper breathing really is. There are some people who take shallow breaths during their workouts, while there are others that take deep breaths. If you don’t breathe during workouts correctly, how are you going to get the results you want?

Breathing effectively is one of the most often overlooked aspects of a workout routine. Most people are taught that breathing matches their workout intensity, but that’s not always the case. Check out these tips that will teach you how to breathe properly during workouts and get the most out of your workout routine.

Breathing when you’re planking
As soon as you start an abdominal exercise, your muscles naturally begin to contract to prepare for movement. The rectus abdominis and obliques (the muscles on the front of your torso that are responsible for crunching your body in half or pulling your belly in tight) also contract to help maintain this balancing position. Breathing can help these muscles stabilize and prepare for the upcoming movement.

Breathing when you’re doing weights
 Often times, we’re too focused on what muscles we’re working instead of focusing on our breathing. Rather than focusing on your biceps, inhale as you lift the weight and exhale as you lower it. This is the best way to breathe during workouts. It will help with your focus, keep you from straining yourself and possibly hurting yourself, and get the most out of your exercise!

Breathing when you’re doing an HIIT workout
 When you’re performing high-intensity interval training, learning the proper way to breathe during workouts is key to getting the most out of your workout and avoiding injury. With high-intensity workouts, it’s common to feel out of breath fairly quickly. If you reach a point where you’re too out of breath and find that you’re starting to lose your form, slow down until you can resume again.

Breathing is one thing we tend to overlook when we’re working out, even though it’s the single most crucial tool to putting in a quality effort — and keeping the body healthy. And while you may have spent months or even years perfecting your squat technique or counting push ups at the end of a workout, you may be forgetting to take one factor into consideration: The importance of proper breathing.

So how do you breathe while working out? We hope this article has helped you identify any mistakes and breathe better!

What Features Should You Look for in a Fitness Management Software?

Posted on by Lisa S

Creating and running a successful fitness studio, health center, or small business takes a lot more than just training methods and enthusiasm. That’s where investing in a good fitness software comes in. Here’s what you should be looking for.

A software that helps you run your day-to-day tasks effortlessly
Fitness management software handles a lot of day-to-day tasks that management teams need to keep the facility running smoothly.It’s not hard to find software that lets you manage your fitness center. Most fitness software bundles include the major industry staples—member information, signups and billing, class scheduling, and daily operations like the cash register. It’s when you start adding specific needs that you need to look closely at what each vendor offers.There are so many features that you can look for in a fitness management software program. It’s important to ask yourself, what value will the added features bring?

A software that has the right tools & is easy to use
You’ll want to start by jotting down mental notes about what you want your fitness studio management software to be able to do for your business. Tools you should consider include: a client sign-up process, comprehensive reports, a logging feature for classes and personal workouts and/or training sessions, text messaging capabilities as well as e-mail integration, an interactive calendar feature, and an automatic payment processing system.Basically, you want it to be easy to use, efficient and advanced in technology, and holistic with new tools that aid in tracking your business’ progress. Now, before you go ahead and hastily choose a software service, remember to check that the price is both competitive and all inclusive. Many fitness software providers advertise a low sign up fee and then hide their most valuable features behind paywalls. Or they offer a fitness class scheduling software and nothing more! Don’t fall into that trap!

A software that offers dedicated customer support
Apart from the must have features, another key and often ignored aspect of fitness studio management software is customer support. Software often needs to be updated to fix bugs and ensure its running smoothly. Having access to either automated software updates or a dedicated customer support team can make all the difference and ensure you do not run into issues every now and again.

A software that is affordable and comes at a fixed price
The arena of fitness center software is quite vast. You can either opt for a comprehensive system that can help you with all your business needs, or you can go for scaled down features and find something more easily affordable. But to be honest, why should you have to choose one or the other? Why can’t you have both ?Are you looking for a fitness management software that has all of the features your fitness studio needs at an affordable price? My Best Studio is a leader in fitness software and provides many great features! Check it out here

Is CrossFit The Right Exercise For You? Find Out

Posted on by Lisa S

Are you looking to get fit? Get ripped? Build core strength while you shed fat? Cross fit may be the exercise you’re looking for. It can help any fitness-focused individuals meet their goals. The goal of CrossFit is to improve overall fitness and health through constant physical and mental challenges. The benefits of CrossFit are amazing. CrossFit workouts are often intense, rooted in functional movements–exercises that require you to use every single muscle in your body as you perform a task, like squatting, running, jumping, or pulling.

  • Is CrossFit for everyone?
    Is CrossFit good for health? Of course! Is CrossFit for everyone? CrossFit devotees say yes! Some of the best CrossFit exercises include plyometric jumping, kettlebells, explosive body weight movements, Olympic weightlifting and more.Read on to discover the benefits of CrossFit workouts and find out if its right for you.
  • Could improve physical strength
    If you’ve ever had strongman contests, you know that being strong is an event in itself. But because CrossFit relies on full-body movements and significant weight, it’s also a great way to burn fat and build muscle. CrossFits health benefits are multi fold. Its a high-intensity, multi-joint movement workout will give your muscles strength and stamina to perform daily activities better and make you feel more energetic throughout the day.
  • May improve agility, flexibility and balance
    The average person’s exercise routine doesn’t resemble life very closely. Instead of picking stuff up, putting it down, and bending over to tie your shoes, you may be running in circles on a treadmill or riding an exercise bike. CrossFit workouts often include functional exercises or exercises that mimic movements you do in everyday life, movements that can have a positive impact on your agility, balance, and flexibility. Many people look toward cross fit to burn calories, but the benefits are far greater than that.
  • Can help improve aerobic fitness
    Different from every other type of training program, CrossFit’s high-intensity power training (HIPT) may help increase your maximum oxygen intake (VO2 max), and improve your aerobic fitness.
    However, if you’re a beginner and new to CrossFit, its best to do it with a trained CrossFit instructor who can ensure you’re form is correct while doing the exercises. If you move through the exercises hastily or lift more than your body is able to handle, it could result in injury.
    The bottom line is, with CrossFit, you can’t lose. You might gain muscle, become more flexible, get in great shape, improve your balance and coordination, or lose weight. It all depends on your personality and how seriously you take CrossFit.

Best Yoga Positions For Pregnancy

Posted on by Lisa S

Can yoga help you get pregnant? The simple answer is ‘YES’. Although most women are aware of the physical benefits that yoga brings such as toning, strengthening and stretching, many do not realize the benefits of yoga for pregnancy. The postures taught in yoga classes for pregnancy can help a woman become pregnant and improve fertility.

Yoga’s benefits don’t stop at relieving stress and helping you shed the pounds. Ten minutes of the right poses in a day helps fight infertility, increases chances of conceiving, and also strengthens pelvic muscles to ease delivery.Pregnancy yoga positions have been shown to improve fertility in a number of ways, and many women who have trouble conceiving use yoga as an important part of their treatment.

Yoga for pregnancy is more than just exercising. It is said that 1 out of 3 women with irregular menstrual cycle becomes pregnant after practicing natural type of therapy like body alignment, meditation, and positive attitude. This is because these therapies optimize the energy flow that ultimately helps one achieve pregnancy easily

Here are 5 of the best yoga positions to get pregnant – positions that can help improve your fertility:

Chair pose
Chair pose one of the best yoga asanas to get pregnant. It strengthens your thighs and helps stabilize your knees. It is considered a strengthening and heat-building asana. Chair pose brings different parts of your body together into a powerful whole. In order to perform the chair pose properly, one needs to combine the strength of the legs, arms, and torso while lifting the core muscles and lengthening the spine.

Warrior pose
Warrior pose in yoga is termed as ‘Virabhadrasana’. Being one of the most effective yoga asanas, this posture improves blood circulation and makes the body flexible, which helps stimulate the reproductive system and helps women conceive more easily.

Bridge pose
Bridge pose is an excellent asana or yoga pose for women who believe in the power of yoga to become pregnant.Some of the benefits are stress relief and a sense of calmness, improved posture as it stretches the shoulders and upper back muscles. Most importantly it results in increased blood circulation in the body, especially to the abdominal region, thus helping in ovulation and conception.

Handstand
There’s so much that handstands do for women having fertility issues. Handstands help stretch the whole body, including loose shoulders and hips, tight hamstrings, tired back, and stuffed intestines.

Modified bridge
This is one of the easiest yoga asanas to conceive a babyand can significantly improve your chances of conception.This two-benefits yoga pose can help a woman conceive a baby as well as relieve her from common pregnancy complaints.The modified bridge pose is a great stretch for the lower abdominal area, pelvic area and hips, which are all key areas in getting pregnant.

If you are a yoga instructor, yoga studio owner or fitness entrepreneur who is passionate about showing women how yoga helps with pregnancy, click here to learn how you can help your business grow with the right support.

How To Choose The Right Fitness Studio Management Software For Your Business

Posted on by Lisa S

If you’re a fitness studio owner or you’re just starting one, catering to people’s current needs and preferences is the key to success. But with the rise of digitalization, managing your fitness offering, instructors and employees virtually is the way to go. And to help you manage everything conveniently and effectively, here are some things you should consider when choosing a fitness studio management software for your business. But first, let’s look at what exactly is fitness software.

Fitness software helps you manage all your activities, including client registrations and memberships, class scheduling & reminders, payment management and more.

Fitness studio software is designed to help fitness experts, gym owners and fitness trainers manage their gym operations in a more efficient way. Wouldn’t it be great to manage your gym or fitness club efficiently so you can do what you do best – help people with their fitness goals? Let’s dive into what exactly you should be looking for.

  • Be aware of your challenges and objectives
    As a gym owner, what are the challenges you are facing ? Do you want to get more members? Do you want your clients to stay? Is the rush in your gym at peak hours too much to handle? Is your staff (or you) spending too much time on administrative tasks? Look for a fitness studio software that aligns with your goals and requirements.
  •  Consider the software features you need
    Fitness software solutions vary in terms of features and functionalities. Some tools may offer basic client management and billing functionality, whereas others might be full-fledged ERP systems with payroll and financial management capabilities. Ideally, choose a comprehensive fitness studio management software that covers the entire spectrum of studio operations and simplifies your managerial tasks.
  • Ensure the software is easy to use
    It’s likely that you or your staff haven’t used a management software solution before. If the fitness class booking software you implement is complex to use, your team will spend a substantial amount of time figuring out how to use it. You certainly don’t want that to happen. So, ensure that the gym software you buy is user-friendly and easy-to-use.
  • Check the software pricing
    Fitness studio scheduling software can be a fairly significant investment. If you choose to spend your time and money on a software solution that’s too expensive, your profits may be insufficient to neutralize its cost. Also, be aware of software that seems too cheap, as it may require you to pay additionally to unlock certain features or may contain hidden charges. Try to find a solution that is a good value for the price you pay.