In the gym, where energy, intensity, and focus are at their peak, creating compelling BTS content requires strategy and creativity. Here are my top tips on how to create captivating behind-the-scenes content that tells the story of a session while keeping your audience hooked.
1. Mix Up Your Shots: Close-Ups, Mid-Shots, and Wide Angles
Variety is key when it comes to creating engaging content. To make sure your BTS footage isn’t monotonous, capture a combination of close-up, mid-range, and wide-angle shots.
- Close-ups: These are perfect for highlighting the details—think sweat dripping off a brow, the tight grip on a dumbbell, or the contraction of a muscle during a lift. Close-ups help convey the raw intensity and focus that’s part of any workout.
- Mid-shots: These give context to the action, showing a bit more of the athlete and their movement. This is great for capturing the person in action, while still focusing on the specific exercise or equipment being used.
- Wide angles: Wide shots are essential to showcase the environment and the overall energy of the gym. Whether it’s a bustling gym floor or a quiet space where someone’s pushing through their final set, wide shots help bring the whole scene into perspective.
Mixing these shot types throughout the session helps to keep the video dynamic and interesting. It also ensures you’re telling the complete story, from the fine details to the big picture.
2. Tell the Story of the Workout Session
Every workout has a story to tell—whether it’s a personal best, a training routine for an upcoming competition, or simply the grind of staying fit. Your BTS content should reflect this narrative. Don’t just focus on the physical exercises; capture the emotions and the journey.
- Pre-workout: Start by capturing moments that show the preparation, such as warming up, stretching, or setting up equipment. This adds depth to the content by showing what happens before the intense workout begins.
- During the workout: Highlight the key exercises of the session. Capture the intensity of the moments when the athlete is pushing their limits. The heavier the weights, the harder the effort—let that shine through your footage.
- Post-workout: Don’t forget to capture the cool-down or post-workout moments, like catching their breath, reviewing their form, or talking with a trainer. These human moments are relatable and remind the audience that every intense session has a beginning, middle, and end.
If you can weave in moments of motivation, struggle, and triumph, your BTS content will feel more like a story than just a random collection of clips.
3. Fast Edits and Dynamic Transitions
When editing BTS footage, gym content works best when it’s fast-paced and energetic. Quick cuts between different angles, fast-forwarding through certain exercises, or using dynamic transitions (like whip pans or quick zooms) can keep your video engaging.
- Fast edits: These are perfect for showcasing the high-energy parts of the workout. Cut from one rep to the next, transitioning from close-ups to wide shots quickly, to create a sense of urgency and power.
- Slow motion: On the flip side, you can balance the fast edits with some slow-motion moments for dramatic effect—like a barbell hitting the ground or a kettlebell swing at the peak of its movement.
- Music: Pair your video with music that complements the energy of the workout. Fast beats and strong rhythms help build intensity and make the content more exciting to watch.
Remember, gym BTS content should feel intense, much like the workout itself. Keep your audience on their toes with quick edits, while still maintaining a clear narrative.
4. Focus on Authenticity
One of the most important aspects of BTS content is authenticity. Don’t over-polish your footage—let the rawness of the gym environment come through. Capture candid moments of focus, struggle, and even mistakes. Viewers love seeing real, behind-the-scenes action because it feels relatable and genuine.
It’s also important to highlight the imperfections that come with working out—like someone pushing through the last few reps or readjusting their form. These moments remind viewers that fitness is a journey, and it’s not always picture-perfect.
5. Capture Interaction
Behind-the-scenes content is more than just the workout itself. It’s also about the interaction between the trainer and the athlete, or the camaraderie between friends working out together. Capture these small, yet meaningful, moments.
A trainer giving feedback, someone cheering on their gym buddy, or even a quick laugh between sets can add personality to your content. These moments of interaction give viewers a fuller sense of what it’s like to be part of the session, making the BTS content feel more immersive.
6. Use Lighting to Set the Mood
Lighting plays a big role in how your BTS content will feel. Gyms often have a mix of natural and artificial lighting, which can sometimes make filming tricky. To enhance your shots:
- Natural lighting: If the gym has windows, try positioning yourself to capture natural light on your subject. This adds warmth and realism to the footage.
- Artificial lighting: Use the gym’s artificial lights to your advantage. If the gym has overhead lights, position yourself in a way that enhances shadows and highlights the athlete’s muscles during close-ups.
Playing with lighting can add a dramatic effect to your BTS content and give it a more professional feel.
Creating BTS content in the gym is all about telling a story through a blend of dynamic shots, fast edits, and real moments of intensity. By varying your angles, showing the full workout journey, and keeping the edits exciting, you’ll capture the essence of the session and keep your audience coming back for more.
Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, or content creator, nailing these behind-the-scenes shots will not only boost engagement but also showcase your ability to capture the authenticity of the gym experience. Now grab your camera, hit the gym, and start telling some incredible stories!