Introduction

Group exercise is a very popular way for people to exercise today.  Programming these classes in order to meet the needs of the participants is important in keeping numbers high in classes.  Trends for classes are continually changing so it is important to know what your participants want.  According to Bret FitzGerald, variety, time-efficiency and mind-body led the way for group exercise in 2002 (Club Industry, 2002).  The purpose of this survey was to get feedback from Ball State University aerobic participants in order to offer the most well-designed and specialized group fitness classes. 

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Procedures

The user survey was given to all BSU-Fit Instructors to pass out to their participants during the week of February 2-8, 2003.  The instructors were told to pass out the survey after their class was over.  After the surveys were filled out the participants were to place the completed survey in an envelope that was located in the check-in binder.  Participants were also informed to only fill out the survey one time.  

The responses to all of the questions in the survey can be found by clicking here.  

Sixty-four surveys were completed.  During the week of February 2-8 total individual attendance for BSU-Fit Aerobics was 208.  Therefore, only 31% of the potential respondents completed a survey.    56% of the surveys returned were from participants who were participating in the aerobics program for their first semester.  

Of the 64 surveys that were returned 44% rated the Aerobics Program as Excellent, 55% as Above Average, and 1% as Average.  No one rated the program Below Average or Unsatisfactory.

Many of the participants found the classes to be a good workout and fun.  They also found the classes to be challenging, which some thought as a good thing while others did not like.  

No one rated the equipment or music/sound/mic used in the classes as Excellent.  No one rated the music as Above Average either.  16% of the participants rated the equipment as Unsatisfactory, while 13% rated the music/sound/mic as Unsatisfactory.

Most participants noted that 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. were the most ideal times for them to participate in Aerobics.  However, in the additional comments section one person noted that more morning classes were needed.    

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Since only 31% of the potential respondents completed the survey I think that a large percentage of the participant's thoughts about the Aerobics Program are not represented here.  If this survey were to be conducted again I think there would be a better response rate if participants were given 5 minutes at the end of class to fill out the survey instead of waiting until the class is over.  However, the responses that were given were extremely informative and will be used in order to provide a better service for our participants. 

As for those who did complete the survey, the majority of the participants are satisfied with the Aerobics Program overall.  However, the equipment and music/sound/mic rated very low.  

One reason I believe the equipment was rated so low is because the equipment is starting to get old and worn.  The mats, in fact, do "smell like mildew" as one participant noted.  New mats for the program have been ordered.  

As for the music/sound/mic rating, I believe much of the problem comes from the microphone.  Oftentimes the instructors cannot get the microphone to work.  This is not due to instructors not knowing how to work the microphone, but due to technical difficulties with the microphone.  It is evident that this is a bother to the participants.  Therefore, it is my recommendation that there be a new investment in microphones. 

It was also evident by many of the participants that they wanted a wider variety to the classes.  Because of limited instructors it is hard to offer a huge variety of classes.  However, the thoughts and ideas of the different variety of classes will be taken into consideration for future classes. 

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User Survey 

BSU-Fit Aerobics Survey

Please take a few minutes to complete the following aerobic program evaluation.  Your answers and suggestions will be used to improve the quality of the program.  Thank you! 

1. Name of the BSU-Fit class you are now in?

2. What do you like about this class? 
   

3. What do you not like about this class or what improvements could be made?
   

4. How many semesters prior to this semester have you participated in the BSU-Fit Aerobics Program?
   

Circle the appropriate number for questions 5 & 6 based on the following scale: 1=Unsatisfactory 2=Below Average 3=Average 4=Above Average 5=Excellent  

5. Overall, how would you rate the equipment used during classes?  If unsatisfactory or below average, why?

 1          2          3          4          5 

6. Are you pleased with the music, sound quality, and instructor’s microphone during class? If not, why?

1          2          3          4          5  

7. How many times a week do you attend aerobics classes?    
            

8. To help us plan future semesters, please indicate in general the ideal times and days for you to participate in aerobic classes?  Check all of the days/times that apply: 

 you feel the aerobics      9.  Do you feel the aerobics schedule is balanced  
          enough to help you achieve your fitness
          goals?  If not, what would you suggest?

10.  Overall, how would you rate the aerobics
              program?   
        5 = Excellent
                                                                                            4 = Above Average

                                                                                                        3 = Average

                                                                                                        2 = Below Average

                                                                                                        1 = Unsatisfactory

        11.  Additional Suggestions/Comments:

Responses to Survey

1. Name of the BSU-Fit class you are now in?

Step II - 21
Kickboxing- 15
Final Cuts – 7
Funk - 9
Step & Cardio -12 

2. What do you like about this class? 

• I liked it a lot, very adequate!
• Upbeat music
• Instructor is energetic
• Always different every time I come
• It has been a good workout
• you can work at your own pace
• Adequate.
• give you modifications if you want it easier or harder
• I like them hard and instructors are good at modifying them
• Generally really good
• Since I am a beginner, they have been challenging.  Not too hard.
• Adequate
• I really like it.  It is never too easy.
• I liked the fact that they were just hard enough
• I loved them all – we can adjust the workout to our level
• Classes have been great. Tiffany and Jenn mix things up well
• I have liked them both.  Very challenging
• Step II always has new routines that with Patricia are fast, fresh, and intense J
• All the classes I’ve been to have been good, fun workouts!
• Good balance and variety overall
• Great! I loved them!  They could even be harder and it would be great!
• Motivating, adequate – I make them harder by working harder
• Very challenging
• Really like Sunday night
• Challenging
• I can adjust the workout to the intensity that works for me
• Good workout (12)
• Fun (24)

3. What do you not like about this class or what improvements could be made?

§         I didn’t like kickboxing because I’m not in shape enough to keep up.  I really like step I, Funk, and Step II

§         Jason’s classes are sometimes too hard, others are just about right.

§         sometimes instructors need to give more notice in step classes for the next move before it happens.

§         A little too easy

§         Too hard for first time

§         Microphone didn’t work so it was hard to hear the instructor

§         Too hard

§         Needs better music – more variation

§         Too easy (18)

§         Nothing (38)

4. How many semesters prior to this semester have you participated in the BSU-Fit Aerobics Program?

One semester – 36 people 
Two semesters – 20 people 
Three or more semesters – 8 people 

Circle the appropriate number for questions 5 & 6 based on the following scale: 1=Unsatisfactory 2=Below Average 3=Average 4=Above Average 5=Excellent  

5. Overall, how would you rate the equipment used during classes?  If unsatisfactory or below average, why?

6. Are you pleased with the music, sound quality, and instructor’s microphone during class? If not, why?

7. How many times a week do you attend aerobics classes?              

    8.  To help us plan future semesters, please
         indicate in general the ideal times and days for
         you to participate in aerobic classes?  Check all
         of the days/times that apply: 

-No – too much early in week.  Need more R-Sat.

-No, have you thought about a bootcamp class?  These were very popular in Arizona.

-I need more at night.  And I have knee & back injury that classes don’t really accommodate for – especially water aerobics!  It’s extra on top of the regular classes! Bummer!

-Longer classes, not back to back – leave enough time for people to go to two classes a night.

-More classes in the morning.  Please don’t schedule classes back to back, leave 15 min. in between so people can attend two classes a night.

-For the most part

-Not so much – later is better

-Somewhat

-Could be more varied

-Somewhat…The classes I attend are the only ones I can fit in my schedule, so they are step heavy.

-I would like one more day a week.

-I would like to have another late class each week besides just Wednesday

 11.  Overall, how would you rate the aerobics program?   
5 = Excellent - 28
                                                                                          4 = Above Average - 35
                                                                                                3 = Average – 1 
                                                                                                2 = Needs Improvement-0
                                                                                                1 = Unsatisfactory - 0

 12.  Additional Suggestions/Comments:

-         J

-         Funk class or a hip hop type of aerobics class!  With great music @ a good time! Yeah!

-         I really enjoy student instructors

-         You should offer more variety of classes – Thai chi, pilates, yoga

-         More kickboxing in evenings – Tues. & Thurs. Yoga? Pilates? More ball classes? I love variety and loathe step, which seems to be huge out here!  I would like to see a bootcamp class.

-         Patricia works hard and makes sure you understand everything that is going on.  Great job Patricia.

-         I have really enjoyed taking these classes!  It has helped relieve a lot of stress!  I will certainly return next semester Thanks!

-         Sometimes mic is off.  Need new mic

-         Mop floor, I nearly fall off my bench

-         New mats, they smell like mildew.

-         Free ones during finals should be at 5:15 or 5:30 so staff can make it.

-         Survivor Challenge program kept me motivated. Thanks.

-         Survivor Challenge was a good program.  It got me motivated.