I'm thinking of setting up a side hustle...

[mynewsidehustle]

...and I'd love some feedback on it.

I'm a qualified spin instructor, living in London. I teach a little bit, on a freelance basis, and I go to lots of spin classes as a regular customer too.

I've noticed lots of spin classes are marketed as extreme exercise - crazy calories burned, thumping beats, thin people drenched in sweat etc.

I reckon there's a more 'friendly' way to do it though. I'm thinking of marketing to people in their 30s and 40s, using classes based around the music they danced to from the 80s, 90s and 00s. They would be all-levels classes which cater for absolute beginners to regular spinners.

I'd want them to be really open and friendly, so people get a chance to know one another and build a community. London can be a lonely place to live and I hope people could build new friendship groups around classes. After each class I'd announce I was going to a nearby pub for a drink and anyone is welcome to join.

Each class would be in the evening, around 6pm, or on a weekend morning. I can hire a studio for that time.

So in short - it's a fun spin class, focused on the love of music and making new friends. And if people get a workout along the way, so much the better.

In time, I'd want to run classes just for first timers, for women, and maybe lgbt+ people too, as well as regular mixed classes.

Just wondering if anyone on here falls in my target market, and if so, if you could give me some feedback. Thanks for reading.

That sounds bloody brilliant! My yoga studio is a bit like this, so friendly, fun and you feel like you’re part of a community. Just lovely.

go for it

I like the sound of this- a relaxed sociable class. But I would still definitely want the workout to be the main focus. A friendly welcome, introductions and a bit of chat at the beginning and end- and the opportunity to go to the pub afterwards - but not at the expense of the activity.

This sounds spot on! I wish I was still living in London and I would totally join!

I'm not your target market as I'm 60, but it sounds brilliant and I'd be there.

Thank you everyone, I'm really encouraged by these responses!

To @Quartzine's comment - that's really useful, thanks. The workout would definitely be the focus - so I wouldn't do chat between tracks and so on. I find that, once the class gets going, people get 'in the zone' and you try and not break that.

The class approach sounds great. Definitely something less intimidating would be welcome!

Not sure about going to the pub after though: not everyone drinks and some religious beliefs forbid even going. Might you consider nearby coffee shop instead, at least sometimes, to encourage chat in a more inclusive environment?

Would people want to go to the pub in their gym clothes after a spin class?

I think it sounds lovely. I presume you would hire a class in a gym, perhaps choose a gym with a nice coffee/drink area, and announce that’s where you’ll be after the class and very happy for everyone to come along for chat or discuss fitness/diet etc.

Maybe, the fee you charge includes a free drink!

Absolutely yes! I’m pretty fit (or was until recently having a baby) but spin classes always just looked so intimidating and I hate the idea of paying someone to shout at me. I would definitely be interested in something like this. I’m early 30s.

Ah I should have been clearer. The gyms have showers so people can get changed after class.

Ah thank you, that's a great shout. Don't know if we could find a coffee shop open in the evenings. But definitely the weekend classes could be in one.

I would definitely go to this!

Feel free to message me if you ever want help getting it off the ground - I do marketing for health and fitness type businesses

I don't drink alcohol so not fussed about a pub but the rest yes!

Yeah this would be good.

I'm a regular but new spinner, I wouldn't be interested in the pub afterwards thoguh, or any eating or drinking, fitness and losing weight will always be my goal.

I agree there could be more friendlier classes thoguh which build people up and encourage them to give it a go.

Thank you everyone, I'm really grateful for the feedback! Better book a spin studio...

I’d totally love this . I’m recovering from illness so all that loud pressure is note for me. I did a yoga class where he played laid back trendy music stuff and after the class had bowls of almonds, nuts, hummus and jugs of water with lemon/fruit in. So wander straight from your mat to the nibbles. Was really a good way to bond, and no breaking the vibe by showering, moving rooms etc. and the snacks suited the vibe more than institutional tea in plastic cups!

I gave up on spin as the music was always far too loud

Yeah I hear that a lot about the music. It's a tricky balance as an instructor because you want there to be a good atmosphere but you're right, it can't be deafening. Plus you need to make yourself heard!

Hello you lovely lot,

I posted a few months ago about setting up a side hustle and you were all very encouraging.

I just wanted to let you know I've done it! I've just got a new job which is quite busy, so just doing one class a fortnight while I find my feet. I learnt plenty of lessons creating a brand and setting the whole thing up but I really enjoyed it.

In case anyone is interested, the website hi-ride.co.uk.

Thank you again to everyone for the help, tips and encouragement!

Think the music idea is a great idea. I love the clubbercise classes cos the music is what I danced to when I was young. You could do specials - disco week/country music

The other thing I’d ask you to consider is doing a class for absolute beginners, the very unfit - everything these days is aimed at people with a certain level of fitness already and there is a huge population of people who could benefit from a shorter, less impact, just getting off the sofa class to start with

No, don't add the cost of a drink into the fee because then everyone ends up paying more whether they go for a drink after or not. People can just choose whether to go for a drink after or not or go for social element but not spend on a drink.

@mynewsidehustle it sounds like fun, the only thing is don't make them feel 'old' by the way you speak about 'their era'. 😱

I would have enjoyed what you're offering but my knees are fucked now & I can't 'spin' anymore 😥😥

Arghhhhh. I got sidetracked early in the thread & didn't realise it was an older thread 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

im glad it's gone well & hope you continue to enjoy it!! Get it up to once a week as soon as you can!

I’m in your target age range and I think it’s an excellent idea. Basically a sports club where everyone knows they won’t be champion athletes in this lifetime but that’s fine because winning isn’t why they do sports.

Edit: didn’t notice it was an old thread! Glad to hear it’s going well :)

Thank you! I'd be really happy to put on classes for absolute beginners, for sure. If you're London based and you have a group of friends who might be up for this, PM me and we can put on a special class if you like.

Thanks for the idea!

Thank you! You're very welcome to book on if you fancy it!