If you are running out of ideas on how to get more clients for your gym, check out the topic of gym referral programs. It is a simple solution, thanks to which you will attract new members through the network of your current clients. At the same time, everyone will feel happy and appreciated thanks to free training sessions or gifts.
So do you want to learn how to create your first referral program? Read about it in our article today!
Key Takeaways
- A gym membership referral program is a marketing strategy in which existing members are rewarded for recommending a new one.
- In order to create a successful referral program, a gym owner should: offer appealing rewards, make the referral process simple, promote the program consistently, set clear conditions, monitor and adjust the program.
- Examples of a fitness referral program are: financial incentives for both the referring member and the new one, free training period for existing members thanks to the recommendation, valuable gifts for the person who attracted a new member.
- Track the referral program through a membership app and inform your current and new members about the program using a gym CRM system.
Best Fitness Referral Program
The best fitness referral programs are those that offer simple, valuable rewards for both the referring member and the new member, creating a win-win situation. A standout program typically includes:
- Generous Incentives: Referrers earn meaningful rewards like free memberships, discounts, or exclusive perks (e.g., personal training sessions or branded merchandise).
- Easy-to-Use Referral System: Members get a unique referral link or code to share with friends, which can be tracked easily online or via an app.
- Attractive Benefits for New Members: New sign-ups often receive discounts, free trials, or waived sign-up fees as a thank-you for joining through a referral.
- Tiered Rewards: The more successful referrals a member makes, the better the rewards, incentivizing ongoing participation.
What is a Gym Referral Program?
A gym referral program is a marketing strategy where existing members are encouraged to refer new members to join the gym, typically in exchange for rewards or incentives. These rewards can vary but often include things like:
- Free Membership – Members may get a month or more of free membership for each successful referral.
- Discounts – Referrers may receive a discount on their membership fee or services like personal training.
- Free Merchandise – Some programs offer branded gym gear or products.
- Exclusive Access or Perks – For example, priority access to classes, special events, or extended hours.
- Cash Rewards – In some cases, gym members might receive a monetary reward for referring others.
The new member who signs up through the referral link or code may also receive a benefit, like a discount on their first month or additional perks. The goal of the referral program is to incentivize word-of-mouth marketing and to grow the gym’s membership base. To have a better control over the subject, we highly recommend introducing a gym member management software.
Would you like tips on how to take advantage of such programs or set one up for your own gym? Read on!
How does a gym referral program work?
A fitness referral program works by incentivizing current gym members to refer new people to join the gym. The idea is to leverage word-of-mouth marketing from existing members who are already familiar with the gym’s offerings.
By making it easy for members to share, tracking referrals effectively, and offering enticing rewards, a fitness referral program creates a win-win situation for both the gym and its members.
Would you like to dive deeper into setting up a gym referral program or maximizing its impact? Here’s how it typically works:
1. Program Introduction
- The gym launches a referral program and communicates the details to current members, either through in-person announcements, email newsletters, social media, or on the gym’s website.
- Gym members are usually given a unique referral link, code, or card to share with potential new members. You can do it easily thanks to a gym membership software.
2. Referral Process
- A current gym member (the “referrer”) gives the referral link, code, or card to a potential new member (the “referee”).
- The potential member signs up for a gym membership, either online or in person, using the referral code or link provided by the referrer. Read more about Ambassador Program performed by the best gym management software provider on the market – WodGuru.
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3. New Member Enrollment
- The new member (referee) joins the gym and begins their membership. In many cases, they receive an incentive for signing up through the referral program, like a discount on their first month, waived registration fees, or a free trial.
4. Reward for Referrer
- Once the new member (referee) successfully joins and starts their membership, the referring member (referrer) receives fitness rewards or incentives. This could be:
- A discount on their next membership payment
- Free membership for a certain period (e.g., one month free for every five people they refer)
- Gym merchandise, such as T-shirts, water bottles, or towels
- Cash rewards or gift cards
- Additional perks such as free personal training sessions, exclusive access to classes, or priority booking
5. Program Terms and Conditions
- Many gym referral programs have specific rules or limitations. For example:
- The referred member might need to sign up for a minimum term (e.g., a 3-month membership).
- The referrer might only receive a reward after the new member has been active for a certain period (e.g., 30 days).
- Rewards may be tiered, meaning more rewards for more successful referrals (e.g., 1 referral = free class, 5 referrals = free month, 10 referrals = cash bonus).
- Some gyms have caps on how many rewards a member can earn.
6. Tracking and Reporting
- The gym will track the success of the referral program, often through a gym reporting software that logs who referred whom, and ensures that both the referrer and the new member receive their respective benefits.
- Referring members can often check the status of their referrals through their online accounts, membership app or by speaking with a gym representative.
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Benefits for the Gym:
- Increased membership: Referral programs are an effective way to attract new members without spending money on traditional advertising.
- Customer loyalty: Members who refer others often feel more invested in the gym’s success, making them more likely to remain loyal.
- Community building: Referrals help strengthen the community aspect of the gym, as new members are often more likely to join when invited by friends or family.
Example of How Referral Marketing Works:
- Step 1: Sarah, a gym member, receives a referral link that gives her a unique code.
- Step 2: Sarah shares the referral code with her friend, Jessica, who is interested in joining.
- Step 3: Jessica signs up for a 6-month membership online using Sarah’s referral code.
- Step 4: Jessica receives 10% off her first month’s payment as a reward.
- Step 5: Sarah receives a free month of membership as a reward after Jessica successfully signs up and pays.
How to Create a Gym Referral Program - Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a successful gym referral program involves careful planning and execution. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up a gym referral program that may motivate members to bring in new clients, while rewarding them for their efforts.
By following this step-by-step process, you can create a well-structured and attractive referral program that will motivate your current gym members to bring in new sign-ups, boosting both engagement and membership growth and finally to increase gym revenue.
Step 1: Define Your Program Goals
- Determine your objectives: Is your goal to increase membership, boost retention, or promote specific services (e.g., personal training)?
- Set measurable targets: For example, “Increase membership by 20% in 6 months” or “Gain 50 new sign-ups through referrals in the next quarter.”
Step 2: Choose the Right Incentives
- For referrers: Decide what reward you will give to the member who refers others. Examples include:
- Free months of membership
- Discounts on membership fees
- Free classes or personal training sessions
- Gym merchandise (t-shirts, water bottles)
- Gift cards or cash rewards
- Tiered rewards for multiple referrals (e.g., 1 referral = free class, 5 referrals = free month).
- For referees (new clients): Consider offering an incentive for those who sign up through a referral. Common rewards include:
- Discount on the first month of membership
- Waived registration fees
- Free trial period or class
- Free gym merchandise
Step 3: Set Up a Referral System
- Create a unique referral link or code: Make it easy for members to share their referral link or code with friends and family. This can be generated through your gym management software or manually if necessary.
- Referral tracking system: Ensure you have a system to track referrals and reward both the referrer and referee. This can be through:
- Gym software or apps (many membership management systems have built-in referral tracking)
- Manually logging referrals through a spreadsheet or CRM if your gym is small or just starting.
Step 4: Establish Terms and Conditions
- Eligibility criteria: Define what qualifies a referral. For example:
- The new member must sign up for a certain membership tier or commit to a minimum number of months.
- The referrer must be an active member to receive a reward.
- Reward release conditions: Clarify when rewards are given, such as:
- After the new member’s first payment is received.
- Once the new member stays for a specified period (e.g., 30 days).
- Rewards for the referrer are given after the new member’s account is fully processed.
- Limits: Set a maximum on how many referrals a member can make (optional) or cap on how many rewards they can earn in a given time period.
Step 5: Promote the Referral Program
- Announce the program: Promote the referral program across multiple channels, such as:
- Email: Send an email to all members explaining the program and how they can get started.
- Gym social media: Post about the referral program on your gym’s social media accounts.
- In-gym signage: Use posters, flyers, and digital displays in the gym to make members aware of the referral program.
- Incentivize participation: Consider running a promotion like a “Referral Week” or “Double Referral Reward” to give a short-term boost in participation.
Step 6: Make Referring Easy
- Online and offline options: Allow members to refer friends both online (through their phone or computer) and offline (e.g., handing out physical referral cards at the gym).
- Referral reminders: Send periodic reminders to members via email, text, or app notifications encouraging them to refer their friends, especially when they’ve enjoyed the gym’s services.
Step 7: Track and Reward Referrals
- Monitor referrals: Regularly check the number of successful referrals in your tracking system to ensure everything is running smoothly.
- Reward promptly: Make sure the rewards are given quickly after the terms are met, showing your members that you appreciate their effort.
- Communicate the success: Let referrers know when they’ve earned a reward and thank them publicly (with their consent). This encourages others to join the program.
Step 8: Collect Feedback and Optimize
- Feedback from members: After a few months, ask both referrers and new members for feedback. Did they find the process easy? Was the reward worth it? What could be improved?
- Adjust rewards if needed: If the program isn’t generating the desired results, consider adjusting the rewards or the conditions for qualifying (e.g., make the rewards more enticing, or offer additional perks for a higher number of referrals).
Step 9: Measure Success and Iterate
- Analyze results: Compare your program’s performance against the goals you set in Step 1. Are you hitting the membership targets? Are you seeing increased engagement?
- Optimize: Tweak the program based on the data, testing new strategies (e.g., higher-value rewards, or changing how the program is promoted) to make it more effective.
Examples of Referral Program Ideas and Timeline
Referral Program Ideas for Inspiration:
- Free month of membership for each successful referral.
- Discount on next month’s membership fee.
- Exclusive access to premium classes for referrers.
- Free personal training session for each referral.
- Referral leaderboard with prizes for top referrers.
- Gym merchandise (t-shirts, water bottles) for successful referrals.
- Cash or gift card rewards for each new sign-up.
- Double referral rewards during specific months (e.g., January).
- VIP status or priority booking for top referrers.
- Free guest passes for referrers to share with friends.
- Referral milestone rewards (e.g., 5 referrals = free month).
- Free nutrition or fitness plan consultation for successful referrers.
- Free upgrade to a premium membership tier for multiple referrals.
- Exclusive events or meetups for members who refer.
- Charitable donations made in the referrer’s name for each referral.
- Free fitness class bundle (e.g., 5 classes) for each referral.
- Special “Bring a Friend” day with rewards for all participants.
- Referral-based sweepstakes for a big prize (e.g., a trip or gym equipment).
- Partnered local discounts (e.g., café, clothing store) for referrers.
- Birthday gift or celebration for members who refer multiple times.
Example Timeline for Setting Up a Gym Referral Program:
- Week 1: Define goals, set up rewards, and establish a referral tracking system.
- Week 2: Create referral codes/links, finalize terms and conditions, and set up promotional materials.
- Week 3: Launch the program with a big promotion (email, social media, in-gym signs).
- Ongoing: Monitor, reward, and optimize the program, collecting feedback along the way.
Real Gym Referral Program Examples for Inspiration
1. Free Membership Gym Referral Program
A gym referral program can be implemented in the form of a free membership for a current client who refers someone new. This successful referral program idea was introduced by Crunch Fitness.
In their gyms, there are posters promoting the program, presenting the terms of cooperation and a QR code for more details. Additionally, the whole campaign is publicized through social media.
2. Growing Incentive Gym Referral System
Gold’s Gym introduced the idea of a growing reward for the increasing number of new clients referred. And in this way, a customer can receive from a free month to up to 3 years of free training.
3. Gift Card/ Financial Reward Gym Referral Program
A referral program can also be a discount for existing customers and new customers. Crunch Fitness introduced this idea: “Refer a friend to Crunch Fitness and earn $40, plus your friend gets $20 off their membership! 🏋️♂️ Let’s get fit together!”. The campaign is being promoted through social media.
4. Referral Program with Gifts
Strength School, in celebration of subsequent years of brand loyalty, gives its clients gifts if they recommend someone new. Loyal members can get a +100$ membership credit and apparel items, supplement packages, physical therapy sessions or custom nutrition programs.
5. Flexible Choice Referral Program
The Kage Gym, knowing that each client may have different needs, has focused on flexibility.
For recommending a new client, they reward the person recommending with a reward of their choice. For each mentioned number of new clients, there is a choice of:
- 1 month free or a T-shirt,
- 3 months free or 3 sessions with a personal trainer,
- and for recommending 5 new clients: a whole year of free training and sessions with a PT.
FAQ
To build an effective gym referral program, keep it simple, rewarding, and easy to share to grow your gym through referrals:
- Offer Valuable Rewards
- Simplify Referrals
- Promote Widely
- Clarify Terms
- Reward Quickly
- Optimize.
To incentivize gym referrals, make it easy for members to refer and ensure rewards are attractive and achievable to drive participation. Offer rewards like:
- Free Membership
- Exclusive Perks
- Gym Merchandise
- Cash or Gift Cards
- Tiered Rewards
To create a gym referral system, keep it simple, valuable, and easy to share!
- Set Goals: Define what you want to achieve (e.g., increased membership, higher engagement).
- Choose Rewards: Offer appealing incentives like discounts, free months, or gym perks for referrers and new members.
- Create Referral Process: Provide easy ways to refer, like unique codes, links, or referral cards.
- Track Referrals: Use a system to monitor referrals and ensure rewards are given when conditions are met.
- Promote: Announce the program via email, social media, and in the gym, and remind members regularly.
- Optimize: Collect feedback and adjust rewards or processes for better results.
