13 Nov 2018
Consumer launch of Class Finder confirmed for 'early 2019'
BY Tom Walker
EMD UK will launch its Class Finder database – described as ‘an Expedia-style group exercise platform' – to consumers in the new year.
Class Finder will look to provide the largest ever online resource of group exercise classes, promoting instructors’ classes across multiple sites.
Among the features of the service is a class search function, providing users access to more than 45,000 weekly classes using data accessed through Open Active – including classes from operators such as GLL, Bookwhen and Fusion Fitness.
Class Finder also enables instructors to list all their class details in one place, which can also be accessed and shared by other open data publishers.
EMD UK, the national governing body for group exercise, said it has "invested heavily" in the development of the online database.
"This will revolutionise the way in which instructors reach potential customers," EMD UK said in a statement. "They no longer have to manually log and update their classes in multiple places, which will reduce the administrative burden and also publicise their classes with a much wider audience."
Class Finder will also be supported by the new Moving Medicine tool, launched by Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK, which targets healthcare professionals with the latest evidence and information to talk to patients about the benefits of physical activity.
“We want to make it easier for the public to find their local group exercise class options and get involved in a healthier lifestyle," said Ross Perriam, CEO of EMD UK.
"We believe that using open data is crucial to making that happen.
“Class Finder is an incredible development for the industry as it will enable instructors to increase their visibility and reach a wider audience resulting in more people attending their sessions."
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