REDEFINING GROUP FITNESS: HOW SH1FT FITNESS IS HELPING CLUBS DO MORE FOR LESS
For decades, group exercise companies have forced highly experienced instructors to pay, train, and certify separately for every new format they want to teach, no matter how qualified they already were.
But in almost every other industry, from universities to professional bodies, prior learning and qualifications are recognised and respected. So why should the fitness industry be any different?
Enter SkillSync by SH1FT Fitness, a new programme that cuts through outdated thinking. It removes unnecessary costs, values what instructors already know, and makes it easier to teach new formats. It’s simple. It’s modern. And it’s exactly what the industry needs now.
WHAT IS SKILLSYNC?
At its core, SkillSync is refreshingly simple: certified fitness instructors can submit their existing qualifications, and receive free certification in the relevant SH1FT Fitness formats - eliminating the usual training fees, assessments, and time requirements. This streamlined process is facilitated through SH1FT's training platform and instructor app, which enables simple and fast onboarding.
SkillSync is available across all six SH1FT Fitness formats: HIIT, strength, mind/body, combat, step, and indoor cycling.
WHY NOW?
The traditional way of paying for every new certification has suited group exercise companies by keeping instructors locked into their systems. But it's created real barriers for instructors and increased costs for clubs – a model out of step with today's economic realities.
Group Fitness instructors are at the heart of this industry, yet they are forced to navigate a system that impedes their growth. Instructor burnout is closely related to financial pressures, and a major reason clubs struggle to find and retain talent.
“An instructor with a credible certification has already demonstrated the foundational skills needed to teach a group safely and effectively.”
”Making them pay again to prove what they already know simply doesn’t make sense - for instructors or clubs. That’s why we created SkillSync, a bold new approach to certification that’s faster, fairer, and more accessible.”
REIMAGINING GROUP FITNESS ECONOMICS
For club operators, SkillSync creates an unprecedented opportunity: every experienced instructor on your team can be certified in up to six SH1FT formats for free. This immediately expands your programming options without the substantial investment typically required for instructor training.
But the cost advantages don't stop there. SH1FT’s comprehensive overhaul of the traditional group fitness model extends to two of the industry's most persistent expenses: programme licence fees and music licensing costs.
LICENCE FREE PROGRAMMING: SH1FT's licence-free model eliminates the substantial monthly payments clubs have traditionally paid to Group Fitness programme providers.
SLASHING MUSIC LICENCING COSTS: Through SH1FT’s partnership with Pure Energy Music, clubs can now use rights-included music for all SH1FT workouts - completely bypassing PPL and PRS fees while delivering the high-quality soundtracks members expect.
This cost-effective approach to group fitness programming is central to SH1FT's philosophy of creating more sustainable operational models for clubs - a philosophy proven through their successful national rollout with PureGym in the UK, where they rapidly deployed multiple formats across hundreds of locations while maintaining quality and efficiency.
A FUTURE-READY SOLUTION
SkillSync is part of SH1FT's comprehensive approach to modernising group fitness. Their custom-built app gives instructors immediate access to hundreds of workouts, coaching tools, and teaching support in one place.
“We don’t just give instructors a choreography booklet – we give them a complete system,” explains Brereton. “Our technology guides instructors through each class, reducing preparation time by 90% while ensuring quality.”
For forward-thinking operators seeking to optimise group fitness economics while maintaining exceptional member experiences, SH1FT's combination of SkillSync, zero licence fees, and rights-included music presents an unmatched value proposition that is already transforming operations for leading clubs worldwide.