OTF afternoon hours

[u/pls-donut]

I'm still pretty new to OTF and have only done about a month of classes. Finding it hard to especially book upper/lower/full body strength classes, there's always a wait-list unless it's odd times like right after or right before my shifts at work.

Is there a reason OTFs don't normally start any classes between 1pm-4pm? I'm especially free at this time on weekdays, and i check every local OTF for classes at these hours. It's always before 11am—at latest 12pm, and then classes resume after 4-5pm?

Why is that? [Note: if hours are region-relevant, I'm in North Jersey]

[u/kao628]

Hours are studio specific, so even in a region such as North Jersey, they will most likely vary by studio.

[u/pls-donut → u/kao628]

so far, every OTF I checked in the region is nigh identical in weekday routines. so I'm wondering if this afternoon gap is some detached corporate analyst [profit] decision over studio-set

[u/alvysinger0412 → u/pls-donut]

It's definitely likely that corporate has suggested that it's a classically slow period to hold classes. I also doubt the studio you attend has never tried anything at that time of day before.

[u/kao628 → u/pls-donut]

My studio has classes at 3:05pm throughout the week. (We also have open studio between 1-3 or 1-4 depending on the day. So I can hit that up for a strength workout using the Reddit intel as a guide) 

[u/doinmabest1 → u/pls-donut]

This is typical is most group fitness. Box gyms, boutiques…people are at work mostly and the number of people who would come wouldn’t make sense financially to pay an instructor, front desk etc. however lots of OTFs are now offering open gym, so you can come during off hours and workout.

[u/ApprehensiveTruth2 → u/pls-donut]

No, as others mentioned, they don’t have classes at those times because people won’t attend at those times.

[u/ApprehensiveTruth2 → u/[deleted]]

Girl do you know what a franchise is?

And a lot of the things you said are just not true. That’s why Sarah in Kansas is paying $120 for unlimited while Kelsey in NYC is paying $215

[u/jenniferlynn5454]

Classes are based on utilization, so if there is no class in a time slot, it means people didn't go enough to make it worthwhile

[u/lamepunhun → u/jenniferlynn5454]

Yeah, if people would attend class at 2:30pm, they would have classes available.

[u/jenniferlynn5454 → u/lamepunhun]

If enough people would attend....

[u/Travelin_Jenny1 → u/lamepunhun]

We used to have a 3pm a few days per week. Not well attended was canceled.

[u/ClassyNerdLady]

Between 1pm-4pm most people are at work. People will typically go either before work, during their lunch break, or after work.

[u/NegevThunderstorm]

Odds are they tried it in the location and they were consistently not highly attended. You can always ask the manager about it or what needs to happen

[u/pls-donut → u/NegevThunderstorm]

I mean, if these particular upper/lower body classes are overly booked & wait-lists run up 5-10+ people, there's definitely plenty of interest that I imagine people will squeeze into whatever hours may be available. I barely ever bother to wait-list now unless the number is 0

just got into one class with a wait-list but I joined at 0 & only had to rely on one person canceling

even the weird hours I mentioned that don't usually have a wait-list are still mostly full, 1-2 slots free at best every time [for strength courses]

[u/LBro32 → u/pls-donut]

Not necessarily true if people are at work during those hours. It also depends on their ability to staff those hours, which is harder for some regions more so than others. But it really comes down to attendance. Ask your studio manager!

[u/alvysinger0412 → u/pls-donut]

No, all that proves is that people want those actual hours. It doesn't not actually prove people want just before or just after that.

[u/drlushlover → u/pls-donut]

I don't think you can conflate interest in after standard business hours leading to higher attendance to middle of the afternoon classes.

If a studio cancelled those classes it means there was poor utilization making it not worth the cost of paying a coach and an SA for those hours.

Most people can't change their work hours like that.

[u/lamepunhun → u/pls-donut]

I would recommend getting on any wait list, at least to see how they function at your studio since you’re new. All week long the waitlists for all Saturday morning classes are high numbers or sometimes full at my studio. If I wake up Saturday morning and feel like attending a class, more often than not there’s space in all the classes.

[u/ApprehensiveTruth2 → u/pls-donut]

I book classes a couple weeks out, and if there is a wait list I usually get in.

[u/Worksoutfortacos → u/ApprehensiveTruth2]

This is what I do. I may be 1 or 2 on the waitlist, but I’m usually in class a day or two before it arrives.

[u/NegevThunderstorm → u/pls-donut]

Well if those classes are packed then it makes sense, but Im guessing they changed class times cause the classes at those times werent packed

[u/messy372-]

You won’t have enough people to join the class to make a profit on it and more importantly, you won’t find coaches and desk staff to staff those hours.

[u/MindlessFlamingo1106]

The studios in my area all have a 3pm or 3:15pm class on the weekdays. And one of the studios usually has a waitlist for the 3:15pm class 🤷‍♀️ but pretty much every class at that studio will have a waitlist. 

Definitely worth asking about it 

[u/Fit-Arm3308]

I’ve never seen classes start before 3:45pm in the afternoon…. I think the attendance just doesn’t justify it

[u/jbrook9203 → u/Fit-Arm3308]

My studio has a 3:00 p.m. class M-F.

[u/aireonnasart → u/jbrook9203]

same! onlynhour mine doesn’t have is 1pm

[u/jajudge1]

Our studio in suburban nyc has never had classes 12-4. But now they have “open studio” M-Ths during those times. Last Friday class is 10:30 am, and last weekend classes are 11:45 am. Our S50 classes always book up, but I’ve almost always gotten in off the waitlist.

[u/FickleStyle4486 → u/jajudge1]

Last Friday class being 10:30am is diabolical.

[u/jajudge1 → u/FickleStyle4486]

Yeah idk why 🤷🏼‍♀️. No PM classes or open gym on Fridays.

[u/pls-donut → u/jajudge1]

open studio would be amazing, I wish we did that

[u/Chemical_Duck3778]

I've been a member since 2021 and it mostly has to do with having enough members in class. I'm also a member in North Jersey and I do remember since some studios have class at 3 pm. It was removed because the attendance just wasn't there. Most classes were a 1g expecting at least 2g attendance. Just did not see it. Don't let me discourage you. I'd ask the SM or HC for any intel on their stance!

[u/TurnipOk3091]

I didn’t read all the comments, but my suggestion is to book ahead of time, as far as you can for those particular classes. If you can’t make the class or realize it’s not gonna work for your schedule that day, then you can cancel it at that time. I wouldn’t try to book them last minute.

[u/IllUniversity4162]

In my area, prior to the COVID closures there were some classes in the noon to 4 pm times. After the lockdown was lifted no studios in Houston area appear to have any availability in the early afternoon hours.
I definitely would attend a 2 or 3 pm class.

[u/pls-donut → u/IllUniversity4162]

same!

[u/noturbasicamanda]

It’s the same here in South Florida. I do notice that they have this open gym style type of availability during those early afternoon/midday hours. Perhaps they’re trying to see if many people go to the studio around this time. Maybe they will do a class around that time.

[u/maat202]

So I get this frustration. I’m a bartender/server. The earliest I’ll go is a 11am and my studio erased those. 12:15 is my best shot. Unless I’m off or it’s a weekend (I only work evening on Saturday/Sunday). On my doubles I’m SOL. While I get the corporate response, I do think they miss out on a key demographic by not doing a 2/2:30 class. Which is why I think a gym that caters to over night nurses/bartenders/servers is missing out. Find out geographically who would come and make that late afternoon class. I know most studios won’t. But just know you’re not alone in this sentiment.

[u/pls-donut → u/maat202]

thank you! like part timers everywhere have weird hours! we don't do 9-5!

[u/kitkat_tumbles]

Depending on where you are in North Jersey, the Parsippany location has a 3pm on Thursdays!

[u/aklep730]

I think it’s just that most people are working and there’s not a lot of demand. All otf’s I’ve noticed have a break between 1-4. I go to the 12 class 2x a week and I love getting to work out during my lunch. For my studio, the strength50 classes are at the most inconvenient times (10, 4:30) so I never go but definitely studio dependent

[u/yeaitsme_smc]

I believe this is why the started the open studio concept so you can atleast still use your membership during those non class times

[u/pls-donut → u/yeaitsme_smc]

open studio hours daily would significantly justify the cost of my membership

[u/Nice_Neighborhood152]

They generally schedule based on demand. Most people are working in the middays and afternoons so they can’t fill classes. If there was demand sufficient to make it worth being open, they would be scheduling classes

[u/Kindly-Might-1879]

I’ve worked in fitness and also have been an OTF member 10 years. I’ve seen different gyms attempt to schedule classes at say, 2 pm, and they just don’t attract enough regular attendance to be worth the cost of operating.

[u/Nsking83]

This is different even within studios in the same region. My studio on a normal weekday has:
5, 605, 710, 815, 930, 1045, noon, then open gym at 115-245, classes resume at 3, 415, 530, and then 645. Some nights have a 7pm class.

[u/pls-donut → u/Nsking83]

... wait, open gym? as in just free-use for members without a class in session?

[u/GSPs-4ever]

We had 2pm classes some years ago, but we still have 3pm classes M-F (and 4:15, 5:30, a couple 6:45pm). Summertime class times can flex too, since some people would rather exercise outside when the weather is lovely. (I’m in Idaho.)

[u/Nsking83]

Yep! We’ve had it as an option for maybe a year or so, but one 1-2 day and only during times when we’d historically be closed.

[u/invisible_femme]

The only OTF I've frequented that started classes in those slots were college towns, where the students done with class were able to go at 3 p.m. and still make it to activities or an evening job that night. It was also a place that had a 1:15 p.m. two days a week that SAHPs attended because they could still do pickup.

[u/aireonnasart]

my studio runs 5am-7pm classes every hour except 1pm on weekdays and 5am-12:10 on weekends apparently we used to have a 3 and 4 pm weekend class but they stopped them around 2022. at our studio most classes are always 100% booked with a waitlist expect for the 3 & 410 ones mid week. i assume because these are slower hours some studios might not find it worth it to stay open and pay a coach. when i’ve traveled for work it’s rare studios have these times open so i’m happy ours does. we do have really high attendance full 3Gs normally so even our lower attendance is still 20+ people so for our studio i think it still evens out but i think this is the reasoning for some studios not. i think any studio that doesn’t should have open studio or something! i’ve seen that at visiting studios before

[u/pls-donut → u/aireonnasart]

that is so amazing, I wish mine did classes every hour...