How do you make a professional workout video?

Posted by Tyler Spraul, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) on June 3, 2023 — Updated on November 14, 2023

Learning how to create a professional workout video is easier than ever, and more important than ever. With millions of people tuning in to online fitness videos every day, it’s essential to stand out from the crowd. In this guide, we’ll explore how you can create a professional workout video that not only motivates and inspires your audience but also showcases your brand and expertise.

Exercise.com has enabled our company to expand in ways we couldn’t imagine possible. It is much easier to get our programming out to not only our local clientele but also new clientele throughout the world as well as our professional athletes in different cities.

Eric Mahanke

Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Carr Elite

Once you learn how to create the best professional workout video, then if you want to learn how to monetize your fitness content and run an online fitness business with the best software for fitness influencers, the best software for gym management, and the best software for personal trainers, then see why Exercise.com is the best software to run your entire fitness business all in one place. You can sell workout plans online, run online workout groups, start fitness challenges, do online personal training, and more, all from your own custom-branded fitness apps.

Want to get started? Get a demo now!

Identifying Your Target Audience

Before you start filming, it’s crucial to identify your target audience. Are you creating a video for beginners, advanced fitness enthusiasts, or somewhere in between? Your target audience will influence the tone, intensity, and complexity of your workout routine. Consider providing modifications for various fitness levels to make your video accessible to a broader audience.

For instance, if you’re creating a workout video for beginners, you may want to focus on low-impact exercises that are easy to follow. On the other hand, if you’re targeting advanced fitness enthusiasts, you may want to incorporate high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or complex exercises that require more coordination and strength.

It’s also essential to consider the age range of your target audience. If you’re creating a workout video for seniors, you may want to focus on exercises that improve balance and flexibility, whereas a video for younger audiences may focus more on strength and endurance.

Setting Clear Fitness Goals

Define the specific fitness goals you want your audience to achieve through your workout video. Whether it’s building strength, improving flexibility, or weight loss, your fitness goals should be clear, specific, and achievable. Consider incorporating metrics such as heart rate, repetitions, and duration to track progress effectively.

For example, if your fitness goal is weight loss, you may want to create a workout routine that focuses on high-intensity cardio exercises. Alternatively, if your goal is to improve flexibility, you may want to incorporate yoga or Pilates into your routine.

It’s essential to communicate your fitness goals clearly to your audience. Let them know what they can expect to achieve by following your workout video and provide them with the tools they need to track their progress effectively.

Creating a Unique Workout Routine

Create a workout routine that aligns with your fitness goals and target audience. Incorporate creative exercises and techniques to keep your viewers engaged and excited. Introduce new and creative ways to challenge and motivate your audience to reach their fitness goals. Utilize personal training workout templates in the Exercise.com platform to deliver your workouts easily.

For instance, you may want to incorporate music into your workout routine to make it more fun and engaging. Alternatively, you may want to incorporate props such as resistance bands or exercise balls to add variety and challenge to your routine.

It’s also essential to keep your workout routine fresh and exciting. Consider updating your routine regularly to keep your audience engaged and motivated. You may also want to incorporate feedback from your audience to make improvements to your routine over time.

Choosing the Right Location and Set Design

Select a location and set design that aligns with your brand and fitness goals. The location and design should be visually appealing and conducive to filming high-quality video. Consider filming in a gym, outdoors, or in a studio to add variety and interest to your video.

For instance, if your brand is focused on outdoor fitness, you may want to film your workout video in a park or on a beach. Alternatively, if you’re targeting a more professional audience, you may want to film in a gym or studio with high-quality equipment and lighting.

It’s also essential to consider the background and lighting in your video. Choose a background that is visually appealing but not distracting. Ensure that the lighting is bright enough to see the exercises clearly but not so bright that it washes out the video.

Overall, selecting the right location and set design can help to enhance the overall quality of your workout video and make it more appealing to your target audience.

Assembling Your Production Team

Creating a high-quality workout video requires a team of professionals who can bring their expertise to the table. Here are some key players you should consider hiring to ensure your video is a success:

Hiring a Professional Videographer

Investing in a professional videographer is crucial to produce high-quality video content. A professional videographer will capture angles, lighting, and audio that amateur videographers may overlook. They will have the technical expertise to create a visually stunning video that will captivate and engage your audience.

When selecting a professional videographer, consider their experience and portfolio. Look for someone who has experience shooting fitness videos and can demonstrate their ability to create visually appealing content. Ask for references and check their reviews to ensure they have a track record of delivering high-quality work.

It’s also important to communicate your vision and goals for the video with your videographer. Provide them with a clear brief and storyboard to ensure they understand your expectations and can bring your vision to life.

Selecting a Fitness Instructor or Trainer

A great workout video needs a qualified and charismatic fitness instructor or trainer to lead the way. Your instructor should be well-versed in exercise techniques and modifications to cater to all fitness levels. They should be able to deliver clear, concise instructions and motivate your audience to reach their fitness goals.

When selecting a fitness instructor or trainer, consider their qualifications and experience. Look for someone who is certified by a reputable organization and has experience teaching a variety of fitness levels and styles. It’s also important to find someone who has a personality that resonates with your brand and audience.

Before filming, make sure your fitness instructor or trainer has a clear understanding of the workout routine and can deliver it with confidence and clarity. Consider doing a run-through or rehearsal to ensure they are comfortable with the routine and can deliver it flawlessly on camera.

Coordinating with a Sound Engineer

Investing in a sound engineer is essential to ensure high-quality audio for your workout video. High-quality audio is crucial to ensure that your audience can hear the instructions and follow the workout routine effectively. A sound engineer will have the technical expertise to optimize the audio quality and eliminate interference or background noise.

When selecting a sound engineer, look for someone who has experience working on video shoots and can demonstrate their ability to deliver high-quality audio. Consider their equipment and ensure they have the necessary tools to capture clear and crisp audio.

Before filming, work with your sound engineer to test the audio levels and ensure that all equipment is working properly. Consider doing a soundcheck before filming to ensure that the audio quality is optimal.

Collaborating with a Video Editor

Partnering with a video editor is essential to produce a polished and professional workout video. A video editor will have the expertise to edit and optimize the video to ensure optimal pacing, transitions, and video quality. They will also help showcase your brand and highlight the unique aspects of your workout routine.

When selecting a video editor, look for someone who has experience editing fitness videos and can demonstrate their ability to create engaging and visually appealing content. Consider their portfolio and reviews to ensure they have a track record of delivering high-quality work.

Before filming, communicate your vision and goals for the video with your video editor. Provide them with a clear brief and storyboard to ensure they understand your expectations and can bring your vision to life. Work closely with your video editor throughout the editing process to ensure that the final product meets your expectations.

By assembling a team of professionals who can bring their expertise to the table, you can create a high-quality workout video that engages and motivates your audience.

Filming Techniques and Equipment

Filming workout routines is a great way to share your fitness journey with others. To create engaging and effective workout videos, it is essential to select the right camera and setup, ensure optimal lighting, capture high-quality audio, and utilize multiple camera angles. In this article, we will dive deeper into each of these aspects to help you create high-quality workout videos that will inspire and motivate your audience.

Camera Selection and Setup

Choosing the right camera and setup is crucial to capture high-quality video content. A camera with high resolution will ensure that your video is clear and detailed. Additionally, opting for a setup that captures multiple angles will add variety to your video content and make it more engaging for your audience.

When selecting a camera, consider its stability and security. A shaky camera can be distracting and take away from the quality of your video. Invest in a tripod or stabilizer to keep your camera steady and avoid shaky footage.

Lighting for Optimal Visibility

Lighting is critical to ensure optimal visibility of your workout routine. Natural light is the best option, so consider filming during the day near a window or outside. If natural light is not available, invest in professional lighting equipment to ensure optimal visibility.

Proper lighting will also add visual interest to your video and highlight the unique aspects of your workout routine. Experiment with different lighting setups to find what works best for your specific routine.

Capturing High-Quality Audio

Capturing high-quality audio is critical to ensure that your audience can follow your workout routine effectively. A microphone that can capture sound from a distance and eliminate background noise will ensure that your audio quality is clear and consistent.

Test your microphone before filming to ensure that it is working correctly and that your audio quality is clear. If you are filming outside, be aware of any background noise that may interfere with your audio quality.

Utilizing Multiple Camera Angles

Utilizing multiple camera angles is essential to add variety and interest to your workout video. Filming from different angles will showcase the uniqueness of your workout routine and make it more engaging for your audience.

Consider filming from different angles, such as overhead, side, or close-up shots, to highlight different aspects of your workout routine. Multiple camera angles will add visual interest and highlight the creative aspects of your workout routine.

By following these tips, you can create high-quality workout videos that will inspire and motivate your audience. Remember to experiment with different techniques and equipment to find what works best for your specific routine.

“The Exercise.com team is amazing, and their all-in-one software is more than we ever expected! All of this is made possible by a high-quality team.”

Mike Boyle

Co-Founder, MBSC

How do I make my own workout video?

Creating your own workout video involves several steps: planning your workout routine, setting up your filming location, filming the workout, and editing the footage. Make sure to demonstrate each exercise clearly, offer tips for correct form, and keep your audience engaged with your energy and personality.

How do I record high quality gym videos?

Recording high quality gym videos involves using a good camera, setting it up on a stable tripod, ensuring good lighting, and capturing clear audio. Make sure to frame your shots well, focusing on the exercises being performed. Also, consider using multiple angles to give viewers a better understanding of each exercise.

How much does it cost to make a workout video?

The cost of making a workout video can vary greatly, depending on factors like the equipment used, whether you hire a professional crew, and how much post-production editing is required. It can range from a minimal cost (if you use your own camera and edit the video yourself) to several thousand dollars for a professionally produced video.

What camera settings are best for fitness videos?

Camera settings for fitness videos will depend on the specific conditions in which you’re shooting. However, here are some general tips:

Use a fast shutter speed to capture clear motion.
Keep your ISO as low as possible to avoid graininess.
Balance your aperture and lighting to ensure the subject is well lit but the background isn’t too distracting.
Consider using auto-focus to keep up with movement.

How do I create a digital workout program?

Creating a digital workout program involves designing a series of workouts that can be performed over a set period of time. Consider your target audience’s fitness level, goals, and available equipment. Once the program is designed, you can film workout videos, write workout descriptions, or use a combination of both. With a platform like Exercise.com, you can easily create, sell, and deliver your digital workout program.

Can you make money on YouTube with workout videos?

Yes, you can make money on YouTube with workout videos. Once you meet YouTube’s requirements for monetization (this includes having at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours over the past year), you can start earning money through ad revenue. Other ways to monetize include paid partnerships, sponsored videos, or directing viewers to purchase your workout programs, like those you can sell through Exercise.com.

Our overall experience with Exercise.com is a breeze. We love how easy it is to integrate this app with our current workflow while providing great fitness programs for our customers and save us time in the process.

Julie Ledbetter

Owner, Ledbetter Fitness

Create a Professional Workout Video

Creating a professional workout video requires careful planning, assembling a production team, and utilizing effective filming techniques and equipment. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can create a workout video that not only inspires and motivates your audience but also showcases your brand and expertise. Investing in high-quality video content is crucial in today’s digital age, and creating a professional workout video is a fantastic way to stand out from the crowd.

Want to get seeing how Exercise.com can help you get started taking your fitness business to the next level with software? Get a demo now!

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®). He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life.

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