So you have your business in the competitive fitness industry. Do you want to stand out in the crowd of fitness clubs and gyms, but you don’t have a lot of funds? Read this article – get inspired by famous and unique brands. Trust your commitment and creativity. You can do it!
Key Takeaways
- To have an outstanding gym’s reputation and attract your target audience, you need to offer exceptional customer service, be flexible in scheduling, offer both personalized and group fitness classes, but also have excellent fitness equipment.
- If you don’t have enough money to run one of those luxury gyms, be creative and fully engaged: implement a gym software, perform DIY repairs, provide excellent customer service to make the clients feel at home.
- To run your gym effectively, be active on social media platforms, host community events which can be a kind of advertisement for you, and don’t forget about caring for fitness enthusiasts who may bring new members to your place.
Make Your Gym Stand Out - 15 Tips
Here are ideas to help your gym stand out from competitors. By incorporating these strategies, your gym can create a unique experience that keeps members engaged, motivated, and loyal.
Tip 1. Introduce Easy Payment Methods
Use gym billing software to offer flexible, hassle-free payment options:
- monthly subscriptions,
- automatic renewals,
- overdue payment reminders,
- pay-as-you-go plans,
- credit card payments,
- bank transfer payment,
- payment in cash.
What if you have no money?
Check out the WodGuru system, a gym management software that is extremely wallet-friendly and very effective in reducing time-consuming administrative tasks. Up to 10 clients, you don’t pay at all, and above that number the price of this solution increases proportionally, but will never exceed $149.
Manage your gym
like a pro
Get more online bookings and increase your gym profit
Tip 2. Organize Gym Events & Themed Workouts
Organize fun events like themed workouts, holiday parties (e.g., Christmas, Summer), anniversary celebrations, community meet-ups, and charity competitions to engage members.
What if you have no money?
There are still plenty of creative and low-cost ways to engage your members and create a sense of community.
- Themed Workouts: Create themed workouts that tie into holidays, fitness trends, or fun events like “Summer Sweat,” “Fitness Fiesta,” or “Throwback Thursday” (where members do a retro workout). Members can participate in these events for free as part of the regular schedule.
- Free Social Meetups: Host informal social events like “coffee after class” or “group walk or jog” at a local park. These require minimal resources but create an opportunity for members to connect outside the gym.
- Member-Led Events: Encourage your members to lead events or challenges. For example, a member could organize a fitness challenge or host a “potluck workout” where they share their favorite routines with others.
- Free Charity Events: Host a charity workout event where participants donate their time or efforts instead of money. This could be a “workout for a cause” or a community fitness event where members participate for free in exchange for bringing non-perishable food or clothing donations for a local charity.
Tip 3. Use Membership App for Easy Communication
Implement a gym membership app that allows for easy communication, class bookings, personalized workout plans, and instant updates.
What if you have no money?
Take a look at the WodGuru system, a highly affordable gym software that significantly reduces time-consuming administrative tasks. For up to 10 clients, it’s completely free, and for larger numbers, the cost increases proportionally, with a maximum fee of $149.
Manage your gym
like a pro
Get more online bookings and increase your gym profit
Tip 4. Use CRM to Make Members Feel at Home
Use a gym CRM to track member preferences, achievements, and birthdays, creating a personalized experience that helps members feel valued and connected.
Tip 5. Invent Funny & Outstanding Workout Names
Name your classes creatively and humorously (e.g., “Legends of the Squat,” “Cardio Inferno”) to spark interest and make workouts more fun. Look how TMPL from New York did the job!
Source: tmplclubs.com/classes
What if you have no money?
You don’t need an expensive marketing specialist to come up with catchy and funny workout names. If you don’t have that kind of creativity yourself as a gym owner, ask ChatGPT or conduct a gym survey among your members.
When you choose a client’s proposal, announce it on your social media and reward the name ideas with a small gift. It won’t cost you much to offer one free workout, and the client will be happy and feel honored with such a gift anyway.
Tip 6. Have a Unique Interior Design
Create an inviting atmosphere with unique gym layout, motivational wall art, and mirrors that make the space feel modern and inspiring.
Look how David Barton’s Gym perfectly used this idea to stand out from the crowd.
Source: athletechnews.com
What if you have no money?
Take a look, and you might discover that renovating your interiors and adding a more luxurious touch could be more affordable than you think.
Renovating your gym’s interiors to give them a more luxurious feel doesn’t necessarily require a large budget. With some strategic planning, you can make cost-effective upgrades that significantly elevate the overall atmosphere.
For example, opting for high-quality, yet affordable, materials like stylish flooring, modern lighting fixtures, gym mirror ideas, or sleek furniture can instantly transform a space. Small details that attract new gym members, like fresh paint, decorative mirrors, and carefully chosen artwork can also add an upscale vibe without breaking the bank.
Tip 7. Stay on Top of Fitness Trends
Continuously update your offerings to include new fitness trends (e.g., HIIT, functional training, recovery rooms) to keep your gym fresh and exciting. To attract new members you can introduce new elements of the offer. Sitaras Fitness, one of the most expensive gyms in America, offers highly personalized training according to their patented method related to the data driven approach.
Source: yelp.com
What if you have no money?
You don’t have to come up with revolutionary solutions and file them with the patent office right away. It’s enough to buy one technological innovation to start with, e.g. a scale for measuring water in the body. Remember to mention it in each of your advertising campaigns and publicize this element of your offer.
Tip 8. Introduce Loyalty Programs
Reward long-term members with discounts, free classes, or exclusive merchandise to encourage retention and word-of-mouth marketing. For example, see how Alpha Gym does it in their marketing strategy:
What if you have no money?
If you have no money for loyalty programs, here are cost-effective ideas. These concepts build loyalty through recognition and connection, without requiring a big budget.
- Member Recognition: Feature loyal members on social media or in the gym to make them feel valued.
- Referral Rewards: Offer free classes or guest passes for members who refer friends (new members who bring money, right?).
- Exclusive Content: Share workout plans or special classes with loyal members.
- Tiered Membership: Create membership levels with non-monetary rewards like priority bookings or shout-outs.
- Social Media Contests: Run contests with non-financial rewards like recognition or free classes.
- Points System: Start a simple points system that rewards attendance and fitness goals with small perks.
Tip 9. Offer Exclusive Members-Only Perks
Offer members-only perks like early access to new classes, VIP event invitations, or special discounts at local businesses.
These perks create a sense of exclusivity and belonging, making members feel valued and appreciated. You could also offer priority booking for popular classes, personalized fitness assessments, or access to special training sessions.
What if you have no money?
As a gym owner you can partner with local businesses to offer discounts or special deals further. It strengthens community ties and enhances the overall member experience, all while keeping costs low.
Look how Crunch Fitness did that:
Source: thecalaisschool.org
Tip 10. Organize Fitness Challenges & Competitions
Host monthly fitness challenges or competitions (e.g., “Most Push-Ups in a Minute”) with prizes to motivate members and foster a sense of community. Look how International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation does it on their website:
Source: ifbb.com
What if you have no money?
Organizing gym challenges without spending money is possible by focusing on creativity and engagement. Here are some budget-friendly ideas. By focusing on the community spirit, motivation, and creativity, you can run engaging gym challenges that energize members and build camaraderie – without needing to spend money.
- Fitness Milestones: Set challenges based on personal fitness milestones, such as “100 push-ups in a week” or “X miles on the treadmill.” Members can track their progress on their own or through the membership app.
- Social Media Challenges: Encourage members to post their workout progress or achievements on social media using a specific hashtag. Offer shout-outs or feature winners on your gym’s page, creating visibility and excitement with no cost.
- Free Class Challenges: Offer a challenge where members commit to attending a certain number of classes in a month. Members who meet the goal can be rewarded with recognition, like a “challenge champion” spot on the gym’s wall or a certificate.
- Team-Based Competitions: Create teams of members who compete against each other in fitness tasks, such as collective reps or group workouts. The team with the most points could win a small, non-monetary reward like a free group session.
- Fitness Bingo or Points System: Create a fitness bingo card or a points system where members earn points for completing specific tasks (e.g., attending a class, doing a set number of squats). Offer a “grand prize” for those who complete the card (could be a gym shout-out or a free private training session).
- Charity Challenges: Host a fitness challenge where participants pledge to complete a workout goal, and the “reward” is the sense of giving back, with proceeds or efforts supporting a local charity.
- Skill Challenges: Organize challenges around specific skills like “best plank hold” or “most improved squat.” Members can compete or track their progress over time, and the challenge can be ongoing.
- Leaderboard or Wall of Fame: Create a leaderboard or “Wall of Fame” in the gym to track the top performers in different fitness categories (e.g., squats, cardio, push-ups). This creates friendly competition and motivation without any financial cost.
Tip 11. Offer Premium Equipment & Amenities
How can your gym stand out from the crowd in terms of premium interior and machinery, like Equinox does? Invest in high-quality, best gym equipment brands and offer premium amenities such as clean, stocked locker rooms, sauna, or towel service.
Source: ft.com
What if you have no money?
If you don’t have the budget to invest in the best equipment for a gym or premium amenities, there are still ways to create a great experience for your members.
By focusing on maintaining a clean, welcoming, and organized environment and offering small yet thoughtful perks, you can create a high-value gym experience without needing to make large investments in expensive equipment or amenities.
- Maintain Existing Equipment: Regularly maintain and clean the equipment you already have to keep it in top condition. A well-maintained gym, even with older equipment, shows that you care about the member experience.
- Focus on Cleanliness: Prioritize cleanliness and organization in all areas of the gym, especially locker rooms and workout spaces. Members will appreciate a spotless environment, which can create a premium feel without extra cost. Implement a gym cleaning checklist.
- DIY Upgrades: Small, inexpensive improvements like fresh paint, new signage, or decorative touches (e.g., plants, motivational quotes, or functional storage solutions) can make a big difference in how the gym feels.
- Create a Cozy, Welcoming Environment: Focus on creating a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere where members feel like they belong. You don’t need fancy equipment for this—personalized interactions, a friendly atmosphere, and creating a community will help.
- Leverage Community Support: Consider a “members help members” model where loyal customers help maintain the gym, such as volunteering to clean or organize. This fosters a sense of community and ownership among your members.
- Offer Personalization: Personalized attention, even if it’s just through regular check-ins or custom fitness tips, can make a huge difference and give members the premium experience they’re looking for without requiring expensive equipment.
Tip 12. Keep Your Social Media Presence Interactive
Engage with members and prospects through interactive social media content like live workout streams, fitness tips, and member success stories.
This is how LA Fitness engages the members to react on facebook – they post funny reels that just NEED to be commented:
LA Fitness Facebook Funny Film
What if you have no money?
Even if you don’t want to hire an expensive gym social media specialist, there are still plenty of cost-effective strategies you can use to keep your audience engaged.
By being creative with content, focusing on your gym community, and utilizing free tools and strategies, you can keep your social media presence active and engaging – without spending money.
- Leverage User-Generated Content: Encourage your members to share their workout photos, progress updates, or success stories on social media and tag your gym. Reposting their content creates authentic engagement without any cost.
- Share Member Testimonials: Post short testimonials from happy members about their fitness journey or what they love about your gym. You can gather these through informal interviews or even written submissions from your members.
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your gym – like setting up for a class, cleaning equipment, or staff preparations. This helps humanize your gym and builds a connection with your audience.
- Fitness Tips and Advice: Post simple, actionable fitness tips, workout ideas, or healthy recipes that don’t require expensive graphics or video production. You can create these using free tools or even just simple text posts.
- Motivational Quotes: Share motivational fitness quotes or member success stories. These can be easily designed using free online tools like Canva, and they tend to get shared, boosting your gym’s visibility.
- Host Free Challenges: Run free fitness challenges (e.g., “30-day squat challenge”) on social media and encourage members to post their progress. This fosters engagement and community without needing a budget.
- Collaborate with Local Influencers: Partner with local fitness influencers or active members who are willing to promote your gym in exchange for free membership or other non-monetary perks. Their posts can help generate buzz without a cost.
- Live Streams and Q&A Sessions: Host live workout sessions, fitness Q&A, or “Ask the Trainer” events using your phone. These can create interaction in real time and build a sense of community.
- Create Polls and Surveys: Use Instagram Stories or Facebook polls to ask your followers fun fitness-related questions or get their input on new class ideas. It’s a great way to engage with little effort or cost.
- Share Member Achievements: Celebrate member milestones like personal bests or anniversaries with your gym. It’s a simple and effective way to show appreciation, and it encourages others to stay motivated.
Tip 13. Organize Health & Wellness Workshops
Offer regular workshops on topics like nutrition, injury prevention, or mental health to help members improve their overall well-being. Look at the example of Empowering Athletes LLC:
Source: empoweringathletesllc.com
What if you have no money?
Just think out of the box and try to arrange nice cooperations. For example:
- Collaborative Fitness Days: Partner with local gyms, trainers, or wellness brands (even without spending money) to host a “fitness day” where different businesses provide free classes, tips, or demos. This helps to create buzz without any major financial investment.
- Non-Monetary Partnerships: Reach out to local companies and propose a barter-style arrangement. For example, a local healthy cafe might offer discounts to your members in exchange for free gym access or fitness classes for their staff. It’s a win-win without any cash exchange.
Tip 14. Offer Flexible Class Schedules
Provide a variety of class times, including early morning, lunchtime, and evening sessions, to accommodate different schedules. Hybrid Fitness, for example, offers “A Flexible Schedule for Busy People”.
Source: hybridfitnessgym.com
What if you have no money?
Yes, offering flexible schedules means additional classes and paid staffing, but there are still several ways to accommodate members’ varying needs and create the perception of flexibility.
By focusing on maximizing your current resources and engaging your members in creative ways, you can create the perception of a more flexible gym schedule without the financial burden of additional classes or staffing.
- Use a Sign-Up System: Implement a sign-up system for classes (using low-cost software like WodGuru) so members can book in advance, ensuring classes don’t become overcrowded and allowing for better management of existing schedules.
- Create a Virtual Option: If possible, live-stream a few of your classes or record them for members to access at their convenience. This gives members more flexibility to engage with content without needing additional resources.
- Open Gym Hours: Offer open gym hours where members can use equipment freely outside of structured classes. This doesn’t require additional staff and allows members to workout on their own schedule. Observe how 24 hours gyms operate – they probably have a gym POS (point of sale) that enables members to come anytime they want without extra staffing.
- Extended Hours During Peak Times: If you can’t change the overall schedule, consider slightly adjusting your operating hours to accommodate early birds or night owls, focusing on the most popular times when members are most likely to attend.
- Host On-Demand Workouts: Record your workouts (with basic equipment like a smartphone) and post them on your gym’s social media or website for free access. This allows members to follow along at their own convenience.
Tip 15. Collaborate with Local Businesses
Make your gym stand out and be recognized in the community by partnering with a local health food cafe, juice bar, apparel brand, or wellness services (e.g., massage therapists). Offer exclusive discounts and foster a sense of community.
What if you have no money?
By being creative and focusing on mutually beneficial relationships, you can still offer great perks and build valuable partnerships with local businesses, all without needing to spend money.
- Organize Community Events Together: Host a free community event like a fitness class, wellness day, or charity run in collaboration with local businesses. The business can promote their products or services during the event, while your gym offers a fun and engaging experience for both parties.
- Offer Fitness Classes or Workshops for Business Employees: Offer a free class or fitness workshop for employees of a local business in exchange for their support in providing your members with a special offer, like a discount or other perk.
- Promote Their Business for Exposure: Offer to feature local businesses on your gym’s social media, website, or newsletter in exchange for perks for your members. This helps businesses get exposure while providing your members with valuable discounts or perks.
- Cross-Promotion: Work with a local business to run joint promotions where you promote each other’s services. For instance, a local juice bar or health food store might offer a special deal for your gym members if you promote their products in your gym or on social media.
FAQ
Get inspired by well known brands in the gym industry, but also think out of the box, be creative and engaged. Especially when you don’t have money, consider providing exceptional customer service, introduce innovative training techniques and create a unique gym culture.
Introduce personalized training plans, create a unique business brand and have a well equipped gym. Find your perfect member thanks to targeted advertising. Remember that the gym’s success depends on what the gym offers.
To make your gym successful, focus on cleanliness, create a welcoming atmosphere, offer engaging and specialized classes, and build a strong community. Personalize experiences, maintain high-quality equipment, and stay active on social media to showcase your gym’s unique vibe.
