I am thinking about starting a Bootcamp type exercise group in the park for Mums - it would be twice or three times a week from 9-10am in the park and would go for 6 weeks. I'm thinking about charging $10 a session so that works out at $120 if I made it twice a week or $180 for 3 times a week.
My questions...
Would you do it?
Would you pay that amount for it?
Would you pay more for it ($15/hour)
Would the term "Bootcamp" in the title turn you off?
Is that time of the morning right do you think?
The moeny would also include fitness testing and measurements before and after and maybe a t-shirt as well. I'll also advertise it as a great way for Mums to meet other Mums. If anyone has any other advice or suggestions, I would love to hear them!
Wow! Love it that you are self-starting, and I think this is a great plan.
Re your Questions: Sorry but Bootcamp just turns me right off. It represents everything that is unpleasant about exercise (IMO). If you're planning on working those mums until they vomit and then shouting at them to keep going then by all means "Bootcamp" is the name you need.
I think $10 a session is do-able, any more than that is too much. Later when you have a core clientele you could offer a longer session or value-add in some way to charge a higher tier of prices, kwim? You should also offer a discount if someone pays the full 10 weeks in advance to encourage up front payment. You need to start it a few minutes after 9 so the school drop off mums have time to get there.
Also, you need to make it clear whether it is pram &/or toddler friendly or not. If you have a park nearby with an enclosed playground that might help those mums who don't have care to bring their kids and keep an eye on them (?) If having kids there is not part of your plan, you need to think about how you are going to broach this topic.
Good luck, I think it's a FANTASTIC idea, look forward to hearing how it evolves and the success you create!!
I'm with MD on the bootcamp moniker. Maybe something more Mum friendly? I would pay $10 for sure - great price. Another thing too is just scout out the areas you would use and check with the local council about whether they will let you do that in the park or not - I've read now and then about some councils not letting people do fitness classes in the parks and the locals don't like it either.
As for the times, you know yourself that it wouldn't suit everyone cause of baby sleep times etc, but could you slot in maybe 1 afternoon session? It might get those who can't do a morning one, thus broadening your client base.
I would definately be in this ..... there isn't anything that I've been able to find in Melb that I can do when Peanut arrives but I would definately be up for it!
I think $10 is reasonable but anymore and I would personally think twice about it.
The Bootcamp title is a little much for me too..... before bub's wouldn't worry me but I am feeling a little fragile these days ....LOL
Is there anyone you could incorporate the kids into it - I once saw something on ACA where they were using their kids as weights ...hehehehehehe
I agree with MD I would probably start it about 9.30 just for the mums who need to do the school / kindy run.
I think this is amazing and I really hope it goes well for you - maybe you should move down to melb and start one down here for us!
Yes that is an awesome idea! Come to Sydney - you would make a mint!
But do not call it boot camp - like Marydean, turns me right off. "booty and bubs" or something to that effect.....
What happens if its a rainy day though? Would you offer a make-up class or a refund for that class?
Maybe you could offer a "card" system ie - twelve classes for $120, paid upfront - each client would then get a little card that you could put a hole punch in each time they came to a class, or $15 for casual classes?
I would also offer one or two afternon sessions if you can for mums to be able to work around.
Sounds great! I'm not a mum but thought I'd post anyway...
* yes i'd do it (if i were a mum!)
* I think $10 is a bargain, esp seeing as it includes fitness testing (are you sure that you're getting value for the money you'll earn? ie. amount of hours vs $$)
* Would probably pay more, but I think $10 per class is a good incentive for people to give it a go. Of course depends on each family's budget. Maybe once it's all established and you're up to your 3rd or 4th group you could increase to $15?
* Bootcamps are pretty common (in Melbourne anyway) so I don't think the term is off-putting. Maybe something like "Mama Bootcamp" or something with "mum/mummy" in the title
* Seeing as it's aimed at mum's, maybe 9.30 or 10.00 would be a better start time to account for child care/kinder/school drop-offs?
Awesome thank you! I was thinking about "Yummuy Mummy's Bootcamp" or something like that but after your feedback i'll definately drop the "bootcamp" and also "yummy mummy" is a bit cliche now isn't it!
So 9.30 starts...I was thinking no kids, I know it would put a lot of people off but i'm imagining jogs around the park etc and I don't think people can really get the full benefit if they have a child there. Don't you think most people would have someone they could leave the kids with for an hour??
I could also try looking for someone who would sit with the kids in a fenced playground or something and I would pay them - or even a partner...anyone interested lol!!!
I think I would have top get everyone to pay upfront to cover my start up costs but I owuld also do single classes for $15 or something. TBH I don't know if I would make money on $10 a class but if it means I get more clients then it would. Hmmm, this is hard...
Re the rainy days...toughy, I think I would say "suck it up and exercise in the rain" lol! But maybe I can find a park that has an undercover area if need be.
Afternoons are a bit tricky because then I would have my kids, plus I am thinking of another class involving parents and older kids (5+) in the afternoons which i'm going to start another thread about.
Thank you so much for all your input and please, please keep it coming. I have to find a way to make this work!!
CQ - I would definitely do it (actually I did do one just like that when DD was 9 months). The one I did was 3 sessions a week from 9.30 - 10.30 (allowed for school drop offs) and it was $10 a session if you committed to the entire course otherwise you could do ad hoc session for $15.
Mine was called a bootcamp but maybe Mummy Booty camp or something else would be more open to people who haven't done one before. The one I did was in conjunction with the gym so if it rained we could go inside but you could also find a park with a pavillion. Also we did a couple of the sessions at the local pool which was also a lot of fun.
Kids sometimes came along to the sessions - sometimes the older ones joined in but we would put the bubs on mats and work around them.
A friend of mine just did bootcamp and she has 2 little ones. The time of the sessions alternated, one was about 6am and the other 6pm. That way her DH could look after the kids for her. I know when I have gone to the gym etc I have had to rely on the creche at the gym, as I did not have anyone to help me out with childcare.
Maybe you could do different sessions at different times, one that is kid friendly and one that is not?
Well, personally I am looking for a group right now and I need to be able to take Jazz as I don't have anyone to look after her (except on days when Shel is home but then I like to spend time as a family...), and I know a lot of mums are in the same boat. But on the other hand, I'd love some time out too... Maybe you could offer like, 2 different classes... a gentle exercise class where mums can take their bubs if they want to, and a more intense session for just mums...? Then mums have a choice, you cater for everyone...?
TBH though, if I saw 'mum' in the title I'd assume you could take kids... Thats just me though... otherwise, well, what makes it different from any other exercise class? Unless you advertise that you do exercises to specifically work after-bub problem areas...
I would also pay more if I could take Jazz... it'd be like something for her too, and I don't have a problem spending money on her lol! If I could take Jazz I'd go 3 days. Actually, you could always have 3 sessions a week, and have two where you can bring your kids, and one as a mum only session? I'd probably do that...
I think 9.30 is a great time. 'Bootcamp' turns me off (images of PAIN run through my head!). Sorry I wouldn't exercise in the rain, ESPECIALLY if I was paying for it (unless it was a disgustingly hot day, then it'd probably be nice!).
Haven't had time to read all of the responses, but just my 2 cents quickly.
I just did a boot camp with 2 personal trainers - they charged $10 a session (or if you brought along 2 friends you ended up with one of the sessions for free). It was called boot camp, which didn't put me off at all. We all dressed up in cammo gear the last week and the 3 best dressed won P/T sessions (I was one of them, so very happy about that). The first week it was raining - and honestly that was the best week weather wise, 'cause it was pretty hot the other weeks.
There were no bubs at this one, which was really good, I've also done mum's and bub's exercise classes with these trainers, but this time it was good to be able to focus without having to worry about my DD.
Good luck and have fun - I know we had a blast and I'm really looking forward to the next one I'm doing in February!!
Oh, and we only did one session a week for 5 weeks - but I ended up losing 5cms off my waist!!! So definitely worth it (Yay!! - I'm back to a 75cm waist!!! )
Last edited by mum3girls; December 10th, 2008 at 08:35 AM.
Just a quick suggestion.. you mentioned finding someone to watch the kids in a fenced playground.. If that was doable then offer it as $1 per child.. I know if i was to do something like that I would not be able to find someone to watch my kids for me.. I would have 2-4 needing watching depending on the day kwim? so that would help cover some costs there.
I would love to come, I'm in Brissy so where abouts are you thinking of having it?
I work and my only day off I have my son - the idea of 2 seperate styles of classes is a fantastic idea - I have no one to watch him for an hour; it's really quite difficult when your family works etc.
I'd pay $15 for a one off class, that way I can or can't go if I so do wish. Making a small personalised home workout plan and eating plan would be a great incentive, to follow it all up at home once the course ends. Even an extra fee for that service could be considered.
umm i am looking for something like this in my area..
$10 seems resonable but if you were to do say 2 sessiona week gmaybe do like 3 for $25
Dont know if this has been mentioned ....one think i am worried about for you is your insurrance... say one ot the ladies hurt herself under your care? liability insurance is a bundle
I know so many people who pay way more than that for a personal trainer. So if thats what people are after (and so many more people are turning to PT rather than Gym work) they will LOVE it
I love the idea of Calling it Yummy Mummy Booty Camp
If you're going to do it register the business name NOW!
Would you do this
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(I was one of them, so very happy about that). The first week it was raining - and honestly that was the best week weather wise, 'cause it was pretty hot the other weeks. 
(Yay!! - I'm back to a 75cm waist!!! 
)
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