If you are one of the sensible gym owners, you surely want to be flexible and open to your fit clients’ needs. In today’s article, we will talk about the preferences for how clients give you money.
What is most convenient or safe for them? Are they constantly checking account balance and paying by card? Or do they prefer cash or ask for discounts?
How to adapt to the client so that they are happy? Do you accept cash even if you think this is not the easiest way?
How to talk about money to encourage more clients to visit, join and bring a friend? Let’s check what works for YOUR business!
Key Takeaways
- The way you charge money for exercise classes means a lot for the image of your business. The more paying methods you offer, the bigger target market you may reach.
- Make it easy for your tech savvy customers to pay by card but offer also cash or even check options, for example for seniors. Use a gym management software to streamline all the required operations.
- Create clear terms of charge (month by month, drop-in payments for one day workout etc.). Sign the membership contract (one page maximum, for the clients comfort) or make a contract online and remember to include the charge note in the document.
- No matter which paying option the client chooses, you may sometimes offer discounts for loyalty or according to your gym referral program. It lifts up a friendly image of your business.
Gym Membership Fee Payment Preferences
In the United States, gym customers exhibit diverse preferences. The gym membership fee payment choices are influenced by factors such as age, convenience, and technological adoption.
Here’s an overview of present trends in gym & fitness club business on how clients transfer their money for exercise:
Preferred Payment Methods
- Credit and Debit Cards: These remain the most common methods for gym memberships. Approximately 40% of U.S. consumers prefer using credit cards for traditional subscriptions like gym memberships, while 35% favor debit cards.
Source: gocardless.com and glofox.com
➡️It means for gym owners they should connect with bank systems for an easy credit card charge. - ACH (Automated Clearing House) Payments: According to accesspaysuite.com about 36% of gym-goers prefer automated billing directly from their bank accounts, valuing the convenience of recurring charge.
➡️It means for gym owners they should connect their gym billing software with bank systems for an easy automated charge. - Mobile Wallets: A growing segment, particularly among younger demographics, is adopting mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Approximately 16% of gym members prefer using mobile wallets for exercise charge. Source: accesspaysuite.com.
➡️For gym owners it means they should consider those more advanced methods of obtaining money for a membership fee. These solutions may cost a bit – both at the beginning and due to maintenance – but in a longer perspective it shall pay off. - Cash Payments: According to accesspaysuite.com, while still in use, cash is less favored, with only about 26% preferring to pay in person using cash or card.
➡️For gym owners it means they should accept cash when obtaining membership fee payments. Though it may seem uncomfortable and old-fashioned, some of the members still appreciate physical money.
It seems that, for gym owners, embracing a range of money transferring solutions – including mobile wallets, ACH transfers, and traditional card payments – can absolutely enhance member satisfaction and streamline operations.
Yes, initially this may involve a significant cost, but don’t make your door locked for those who value a different approach than yours. If you add a good gym payment system to this, it will definitely make financial operations easier and, in the long run, it will make huge sense for the business.
Demographic Insights
- Millennials and Gen Z Fitness Paying Preferences: These groups are more inclined toward mobile and digital payment methods. Over 85% use smartphones, and nearly 20% rely solely on mobile devices for banking and bill payments. Source: IDEA Health & Fitness Association.
- Older Adults: Fitness senior members (individuals aged 65 and older) tend to prefer traditional methods, with a higher likelihood of using cash, credit cards and checks. Source: finder.com and gocardless.com.
Importance of Payment Flexibility
Offering a variety of options is important to meet the diverse preferences of the gym target market. Limited payment choices can be a barrier, with 30% of gym-goers indicating that restricted payment options are an issue (according to accesspaysuite.com).
What We Recommend to Gym Owners:
- Limit unnecessary questions: offer flexibility in payment methods – meeting the customers’ needs shall always be your priority. Whether they prefer to pay directly and automated, from their checking account or by cash, the choice you give means a lot to them.
- Create clear and transparent terms of charge: they reduce confusion and slightly lower the chance of questions. Boost customer satisfaction and give gym owners greater peace of mind. No matter if you accept cash or account payments in your location.
- Grow client base: maintain constant contact with customers about their needs. Encourage your members to share with their friends how supportive your gym is regarding payments. Offer a branded gift, one free lesson, sauna entrance, anything 🙂
- Connect with bank systems: let your clients pay directly from their accounts, by credit cards or as a standing order. Keep the highest security of transactions. Looks too complicated? Implement a gym payment software like WodGuru. It is already connected with payment systems. Check now, for free!
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FAQ
Yes, most gyms offer pay-as-you-go options when required, though a guest visit is often more expensive than a regular membership contract.
Planet Fitness typically does not accept cash for monthly membership; payments are made through a bank account.
Some Anytime Fitness locations may accept cash for a gym membership, but it depends on the specific business policy – check locally.
