How do I start an Online Fitness Business in Singapore?
According to a report by Grand View Research, the virtual fitness market size was valued at USD 16.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.72% from 2023 to 2030. Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, the shift to remote working has resulted in an increased demand for home virtual workouts. As more and more people prefer the comfort and convenience of being at home, the fitness industry has to innovate with the times.
Not everyone has the capital to rent a physical space, or perhaps you’re looking to have a humble start by building an organic community. An online fitness business might be a good first step for you. In this article, we will be going through the steps needed to start you on your journey to becoming an online fitness entrepreneur!
Checklist
| Checklist | Considerations | Price |
| Type of Class | Yoga / Pilates / HIIT / Strength class | NA |
| Platform | Zoom Pro / Zoom Business | S$206.99 / S$275.99 per year |
| Facebook Live | Free | |
| Instagram Live | Free | |
| Video quality | Razer Kiyo | S$99 |
| Canonshot Powershot G7 X Mark III | S$1,250 | |
| GoPro Hero11 Black | S$572.67 | |
| Lighting | LED Ring Light 26cm | S$6.69 |
| FOTO Professional Studio Photography Softbox Light Kit Studio 4 Blade Light (50 x 70cm) | $24.96-$124.09 | |
| Booking system | vibefam | $60 per month |
*Prices for items were found on Amazon, Shopee and other platforms*
Type of Class
Before getting started, you must decide what kind of fitness classes you would like to conduct. Certain fitness categories may be more suitable for virtual classes compared to others. For example, classes that conduct bodyweight workouts such as cardio workouts or yoga, that only requires a yoga mat for instance. Take into consideration all these factors when selecting your fitness class category. Some of these categories include Yoga, Pilates, Strength and Cardio workouts. Fitness classes such as martial arts and dance may be a bit difficult as it requires the instructor to guide their members with physical form and technique.
Do conduct an online survey before deciding what kind of classes that you wish to provide. In that case, you will be able to find out which classes are in demand and have a rising customer base rather than a category that severely lacks customers.
Platform
Secondly, there are many online streaming platforms available in this current age. Platforms like Zoom are especially popular, but you can also consider other platforms including Skype, Facebook Live or Instagram live to conduct your livestreams. With the increasing popularity of social media especially among the youths, it will be wise to consider using such platforms to conduct your fitness classes.
One of the benefits of using Zoom is it allows the instructors to interact with their students. This allows the instructors to correct students’ form if necessary as well as making the entire workout session more interactive between the students as well as with the instructors.
On the other hand, Facebook Live and Instagram Live allows for more organic exposure and sharing as you can get more people to join if they have never heard of the studio before. This allows you to expand your reach and customer base. Social media also is also a rising platform for many fitness enthusiasts , especially among the youth, so be clear which target group you are focusing on and make the most suitable choice. Do take into consideration that Facebook Live and Instagram is free of charge while zoom pro or zoom business is not!
Lighting/Video Quality
Thirdly, it is of paramount importance that you ensure a high quality video in order for your members to have an enjoyable virtual experience. It is recommended that you invest in a good camera for live streaming. You can use your mobile phone for live streaming but do invest in a proper camera if possible to ensure the highest production quality. Consider cameras such as the Razer Kiyo, Canonshot Powershot G7 X Mark III, GoPro Hero11 Black and many others. Different cameras come at different specifications and prices, so do consider the one most suitable for you.
Good video quality comes hand in hand with good lighting. In addition to a proper camera, do conduct your classes in places with good natural lighting. If this is not possible (especially at night), consider investing in ring-lights or softbox lights to truly enhance the customer experience by allowing them to see the instructor clearly and their surroundings.
Booking system
Consider using a booking system for the ease of booking and scheduling of your fitness classes. Whether it is a virtual or physical class, a booking system would greatly reduce your administrative burden when it comes to collecting payments, tracking packages and keeping records of member bookings.
One such booking system is vibefam, a booking platform specially built for boutique fitness brands. The booking system allows members to access the virtual class link when booking their class, which will save you a lot of time from manually sending the virtual link to every member who signed up.
Conclusion
In the age of digitalization, it is paramount that every fitness studio, even physical ones have a strong online presence. Ever since the pandemic, an increasing number of gyms are conducting hybrid classes so they do a live broadcast of their physical group classes so they can engage members both physically and virtually. The power of social media can no longer be neglected and if done properly can allow your fitness studio to thrive in this competitive landscape.
In conclusion, there are many considerations to take into account when starting your very own online fitness business. Do make use of the checklist at the beginning of the article to guide you in order to ensure a smooth start to your virtual studio. If you are interested in articles similar to this, do check out our previous article on “How much does it cost to start a martial arts gym in Singapore?”
This article was written by Jayden Ling.