How to Live Stream Fitness Classes in 2023 (Step-by-Step)

Are you a fitness trainer looking to reach a wider audience for your classes? Or maybe you run a fitness business and want to increase your profits without the overhead costs of a physical location. 

If so, live streaming fitness classes could be the solution you’ve been looking for.

With just a few simple steps, you can start streaming your workout videos online and reach a global audience at home, from the comfort of your living room.

Think of it as having a virtual gym, where anyone from around the world can attend your classes at any time. 

And the best part? You don’t need any fancy equipment or a production team to get started. With just your phone and a stable internet connection, you can start broadcasting your fitness classes to the world.

In this article, we’ll cover the main benefits of live streaming fitness videos and guide you through the main steps to get started with live streaming your fitness classes. We’ll also recommend the best platform to use for live streaming your fitness content.

But first…

Why should you live stream fitness classes?

Live streaming fitness classes has become increasingly popular over the past few years. With the growth of the smartphone era, live streaming allows you to reach a wider audience and has numerous benefits over delivering classes in person. 

Here are some of the various reasons why live streaming your fitness classes is a smart move.

Ability to reach a wider audience

With live streaming, viewers are not limited by geographical restraints – they can access your content from anywhere in the world, at any time. This means that you can grow your following beyond your local community and attract a global audience.

Save money on space and equipment

You do not need expensive fitness studio equipment or space for running your classes. Instead of renting a physical location, you can stream your workout routines from the comfort of your own home, which means less overhead costs for your business.

Ability to create evergreen content

By recording your live streams, you can make them available as video-on-demand (VOD) recordings later, creating content that can be used year-on-year. This means that you can build up a library of workout videos that your viewers can access at any time, even when you’re not live streaming.

Save time on video production

Compared to releasing pre-recorded fitness videos, live streaming workouts helps you save time editing videos, as all your content goes out live. Additionally, by keeping to a regular streaming schedule, you can maintain a routine for your viewers, helping to build a sense of community and loyalty around your brand.

Ability to interact with the audience

Live streaming fitness programs gives you the power to address viewer questions and comments in real-time. This enables you to build a rapport with your audience and create a sense of engagement that can be difficult to replicate with pre-recorded videos. 

The result? Faster growth in your following and a loyal fanbase for your brand.

Of course, there are some downsides to producing all of your content live. Live streaming is more prone to mistakes or technical issues, such as your internet connection dropping, and it can be more difficult to scale as you can’t run unlimited live classes. 

Additionally, live streaming may not be well suited to tutorials where you want to ensure you complete every exercise perfectly.

However, if you choose the right streaming platform, you can stream both live content and pre-recorded videos, allowing you to combine the two formats and get the best of both worlds. 

From reaching a wider audience to saving money on overhead costs, and creating evergreen content, live streaming is a smart move for any fitness business looking to grow their brand and increase their profits in the fitness industry.

How do you live stream fitness classes?

Now that we’ve covered the benefits of fitness streaming classes, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of how to make it happen. 

Let’s walk through the main steps you need to take in order to start live streaming your workouts, from selecting the right equipment to choosing the best platform for your business.

Step 1: Plan your classes

With so many different types of fitness classes out there, it’s important to choose the type of session that best suits your audience and your business goals.

Some popular fitness class options for streaming include:

• Pilates
• Cardio
• HIIT
• Barre
• Yoga
• Strength training

However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all on-demand workouts will translate well to a virtual setting. 

If you’re already running in-person sessions and have a class plan in place, consider how you’ll need to adapt your home workouts for live streaming, such as:

• How much time do you need to leave between exercises?
• How will you interact with your remote audience? 
• How will you ensure your instructions are clear and easy to follow?

For example, you might need to modify certain exercises to make them more suitable for a virtual setting or include more verbal cues to help your remote audience follow along.

The key is to choose classes that will engage and motivate your audience, while also aligning with your brand and business goals. 

By carefully planning your classes ahead of time, you’ll be better equipped to create high-quality live streaming content that will resonate with your viewers and help you grow your business.

Step 2: Gather your equipment

Before you start live streaming your online fitness classes, it’s essential to ensure you have the right equipment to create high-quality videos that will engage and retain your viewers.

If you’re looking for specific recommendations, we have a complete guide on the best streaming equipment for a range of budgets. Here’s an overview of the basic equipment you will need:

Camera

You don’t necessarily need an expensive professional-grade camera to create high-quality fitness streams. You can use a smartphone camera or a laptop webcam to get started. 

However, if you want to create a more professional-looking stream, you might consider investing in a DSLR camera. Some cameras also have built-in Wi-Fi, which makes it easier to stream content.

Consider the angle of the camera that is best suited for the type of online classes you want to offer. If you are offering Pilates or yoga classes, it is essential to have a camera that can capture you and the entire mat from the side. On the other hand, for HIIT classes, you might want to change the angle to capture multiple movements in a single shot.

Microphone

A microphone is an essential piece of equipment for live streaming your fitness classes. Viewers want to hear the instructions and keep up with the movements, and clear audio will make your sessions more engaging and interactive. 

You can use the built-in microphone on your smartphone or laptop, but it might not offer the best audio quality during your live video.

An external microphone like a clip-on Bluetooth microphone is an excellent option for improving the audio quality of your stream. It will help eliminate background noise and ensure that your viewers can hear your instructions clearly.

Encoder

An encoder is a device that converts your raw recording footage into a streamable format that can be viewed on a computer or mobile device. There are two types of encoders you can choose from – hardware and software encoders.

• Hardware encoders are dedicated devices that are specifically designed to encode video signals. They are generally more expensive than software encoders but are generally more stable and offer higher-quality video output.
• Software encoders are computer applications that enable you to encode your video signal. They are more flexible and upgradable than hardware encoders and offer more customization options. Some popular software encoders used for live streaming include OBS Studio, Wirecast, and vMix.

Lighting

Good lighting is crucial to ensuring your viewers can see you clearly and improve the overall quality of your stream. Natural light can be a good option while live streaming on-demand fitness classes, but if you are filming indoors, you might need to invest in external lighting.

Ring lights are an affordable option for creating professional-looking lighting for your stream. They provide even illumination and reduce shadows on your face, which will make it easier for viewers to see and follow your movements.

Step 3: Choose your live streaming platform

There are many different live streaming platforms available, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Before choosing a platform, it’s important to consider what you want to achieve with your fitness live streams and your budget.

As a starting point, we recommend that you check out our guide on the best live streaming platforms in 2023 for an in-depth view on the top streaming solutions available. To summarize, here are some factors to consider when choosing a live streaming platform:

Control over content and branding

In order to grow your following and build your brand, you’ll want full control over your stream’s content and appearance. Look for a platform that allows you to customize your branding as a personal trainer, including the logo, colors, and fonts. 

Some platforms also allow you to create a custom domain or embed your stream on your website, which can help reinforce your brand identity.

Monetization options

If you are looking to build your own online fitness business around your workout videos, your chosen platform will need to support a range of monetization strategies. At the very least, you’ll want to be able to offer subscriptions and pay-per-view streams. 

Some platforms also offer additional monetization options, such as advertising, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Keep in mind that some platforms charge a commission on your earnings, so be sure to factor this into your budget.

Flexibility

You’ll want the best live streaming platform that works well with your streaming setup and offers all of the additional features that you require to make your stream interactive and engaging. 

Look for a platform that offers a range of customization options, including the ability to switch between multiple cameras, add overlays and graphics, and integrate with other tools and software. 

Some platforms also offer built-in features like chat, polls, and Q&A, which can help you engage with your audience and make your streams more interactive.

Choosing the right live streaming platform is a key step in live streaming fitness classes. Consider what you want to achieve with your streams, your budget, and your technical savviness before you pick a platform for live streaming.

Which platform should you choose?

When it comes to live streaming fitness classes, choosing the right platform is essential to success. There are two main categories of streaming platforms – social media platforms and professional streaming platforms.

Social media platforms 

Social media platforms have the advantage of a large built-in audience, with platforms like Facebook and Instagram having billions of active users. They are also typically free and very easy to set up, with no technical knowledge required. 

However, the disadvantage is that you will be subject to the content guidelines of whichever platform you choose to use, and will have limited options when it comes to branding and monetization.

Professional streaming platforms

These platforms offer greater control over your stream content, branding, and monetization in exchange for a one-time or monthly subscription fee. The biggest advantage of these streaming solutions is they allow you to build your own platform to share your fitness live streams by enabling you to stream on your own website.

One major advantage of streaming on your own website is that you won’t be subjected to restrictive content guidelines. In the context of fitness live streaming, this enables trainers to add mainstream music to their workout streams to create a more engaging viewer experience without fear of their streams being taken down or demonetized.

This gives professional streaming platforms the edge over social media platforms like YouTube, where adding popular music to your streams can lead to content takedowns or demonetization.

When it comes to live streaming fitness classes on your own website, WpStream is a great choice of streaming platform. Built for WordPress, WpStream is a powerful plugin that enables you to start streaming on your own website in a matter of minutes.

Here are some of the advantages of using WpStream.

• WpStream works with any streaming setup, from a phone or laptop webcam to professional broadcasting hardware/software. 
• The platform is easily extendible and customizable through integration with many of the most popular streaming software solutions via RTMP connection.
• It is a good fit for fitness trainers who may not have a lot of technical knowledge but still want to be able to stream high-quality video content to their audience.
• It supports all major monetization strategies, such as pay-per-view, subscriptions, or donations. 
• Through integration with WooCommerce, the plugin supports all major payment gateways and models, including free streams and donations through GiveWP. 
• It can help fitness trainers to build a sustainable business model around their live streaming content, generating revenue and building their brand at the same time.
• WpStream offers total control over content and branding. As a white-label platform, WpStream allows you to add your own branding elements to your streams and website, helping you to build a cohesive image for your online fitness website.
• WpStream has flexible pricing plans designed to be a perfect fit for all shapes and sizes of streaming websites. Fitness trainers can choose a plan based on variables like the amount of streaming data and recording storage you require and your expected concurrent viewer numbers.

WpStream enables fitness trainers to build a cohesive brand identity around their live streaming content, helping them to stand out in a crowded market. 

Whether you’re building an online yoga studio or a virtual gym, whether you’re starting out or have an established online fitness brand, WpStream is the perfect platform to help you take your business to the next level.

Step 4: Promote Your Stream

Creating a successful online fitness business requires not only great content, but also effective promotion of that content. 

Simply streaming your fitness classes is not enough to build a loyal following and generate revenue. It’s essential to reach out to your target audience and make them aware of your streams.

Here are some ways to promote your live stream.

Social media promotion

With billions of users worldwide, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok offer an ideal way to reach out to potential followers. You can create engaging posts that highlight the benefits of your fitness classes and encourage users to join your streams. 

You can also use hashtags and other tagging features to increase the visibility of your posts and attract more viewers. 

For instance, if you are streaming a yoga session, you can use hashtags such as #yoga or #fitness to target users interested in these topics.

To make the most of social media, make sure to research your target audience and understand their interests and priorities.

Paid advertising solutions

Google Ads or Facebook Ads can help you reach a wider audience by placing your ads on popular websites or social media platforms. You can choose to target users based on demographics, interests, or behaviors, ensuring that your ads reach the right people.

Email marketing

Email marketing helps you offer free incentives like taster sessions or downloadable workouts, or wellness plans to gather contact details from potential leads. 

Once you have their email addresses, you can send out regular newsletters highlighting your upcoming streams and encouraging them to join in. You can also use email marketing to upsell your premium services or products like merchandise, nutrition plans, or fitness courses.

Influencer collaborations

Collaborate with other fitness influencers or brands to promote your streams. For example, you can partner with a popular fitness influencer to host a joint stream and tap into their audience. You can also approach fitness brands to sponsor your streams, which will help you to increase your visibility and reach.

The bottom line is, you need to be proactive and creative with your marketing efforts to attract more viewers, build a loyal following, and grow your business.

Step 5: Go live!

You’ve done all the preparation work, and now it’s time to take your online fitness classes live! 

Going live is the ultimate test of your preparation and can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. But don’t worry, with the right tools and mindset, you can have a successful and enjoyable live stream.

Here are some tips for going live:

• Test your equipment and connection to ensure that everything is working correctly. Whether you’re using a mobile phone or a professional-grade camera, it’s essential to ensure that your audio and video quality is top-notch. If you’re using WpStream, you can test your setup and stream on your website to make sure that everything is working correctly.
• Make sure you’re in a quiet and well-lit room with no distractions. Dress appropriately and make sure that you’re comfortable with the content you’re going to cover. Remember, your viewers are counting on you to deliver valuable and engaging content.
• Once you’re ready to start your class, make sure to engage with your viewers. Encourage them to ask questions and give feedback, and answer their queries during your session. This will help to build a connection with your audience and make your classes more interactive and fun.
• In addition to going live on your own website, you can also go live on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok. This can be an excellent way to gain new followers and reach a wider audience. Make sure to promote your upcoming stream in advance and let your followers know when you’re going live.

The key to a successful live stream is preparation, engagement, and flexibility. 

If you need more help, follow the tips and strategies outlined in our complete guide to streaming on your website. This will help to ensure that you deliver high-quality fitness classes that your viewers will love.

Stream your way to fitness with WpStream

Live streaming your fitness videos can be a great way to expand your reach and build an online community of followers. By providing your audience with a personalized and convenient way to participate in your classes, you can help them achieve their health and wellness goals while also growing your online fitness business.

When it comes to choosing the right streaming platform, WpStream is hands down the best option available in the market.

With WpStream, you get complete control over your content and branding, while also having access to all major monetization strategies. Its flexible pricing plans make it accessible to all fitness content creators, irrespective of their size or setup. 

WpStream is also easy to use and extendible, allowing you to choose any streaming setup you prefer, from mobile phones to professional broadcasting hardware/software.

So why wait? Head over to WpStream’s pricing calculator and choose a plan that suits your needs. Ready for a more hands-on approach? Try out the plugin for yourself with our free trial. 

Start streaming your fitness videos on your own website and build your own online fitness empire today!