So you are a gym owner and you are looking for some new ways to increase your revenue?
You surely know that there are still some areas to arrange. What are these? Ask yourself: when is the gym least busy? Saturday mornings? Friday nights? Entire weekend? Something else coming from your experience of when gyms tend to be empty?
You just need to make better use of the quiet hours in the gym. Our tips and ideas rely on gym statistics. Find out what to do to earn more, read on!
Key Takeaways
- There are many ideas on how to increase your earnings during generally quieter times when not so many gym goers come.
- The ideas are, for example: special quiet hour membership, wellness programs for companies or recording online classes to sell them further.
- All activities during the times when fewer people come must focus on using the gym space. They can be space rental or fitness events hosting.
- To make it easier for gym members to sign up for classes, get on the waitlist and improve client-gym communication, a great idea is to introduce gym management software.
When Is the Gym Least Busy?
The gym is typically least busy during the following times:
- Late Morning (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM): After the early morning rush, the gym tends to quiet down as most people head to work or school.
- Early Afternoon (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): This is one of the quietest periods, with fewer people taking midday breaks to work out.
- Late Evening (8:00 PM – 10:00 PM): After the after-work crowd clears out, the gym usually becomes less crowded again.
10 Tips to Make the Most of the Gym Least Busy Times
Remember that your customers go to the gym with some personal fitness goals in mind, but also to have fun. People avoid crowds and prefer quieter times, but on the other hand – they don’t have time for workouts at night or on the weekends. So, what can you do?
Make their life AT the gym and WITH the gym as comfortable and attractive as possible. Maybe you will change their attitude to lack of time? And yet it will turn out that they can spare a moment for a visit in the morning or in the middle of the day?
Use the ideas from our 10 main tips list, and a huge bonus at the end of the article. Here are the first 10 big ideas of what to do during not so busy hours.
1. Introduce Personal Training Sessions
Offer discounted personal training during off-peak hours to attract gym people who prefer a quieter gym experience.
2. Offer Specialized Classes
Run niche fitness classes (e.g., yoga, mobility, or beginner classes) that cater to specific groups like seniors, new moms, or beginners.
Remember there are dedicated kinds of management software to run different kinds of classes:
- dance studio software
- yoga software
- pilates studio software
- and many others by WodGuru.
3. Create Corporate Wellness Programs
Partner with local businesses to offer midday wellness programs or group sessions for their employees during off-peak times.
4. Offer Exclusive Membership Packages
Offer off-peak-only memberships at a reduced rate to attract members who have more flexible schedules. You can make it more attractive and luxurious, with available nice gym amenities (like towels or premium lockers) like in top luxury gyms.
5. Run Small Group Training
Host small group training sessions (3-5 people) during quieter times for a semi-private training experience at a lower price than one-on-one.
6. Host Workshops and Meetings
Run skill-based workshops (e.g., lifting technique, nutrition, or injury prevention) during slower hours, charging a premium for specialized knowledge.
7. Record Online Classes
Broadcast live classes or training sessions from the gym during off-peak hours, monetizing your audience digitally. Record them to sell afterwards! Read more about: online fitness business.
8. Rent Gym Space
Rent out the gym space during quiet times to nutritionists, fitness instructors, personal trainers, or wellness practitioners.
9. Host Events or Challenges
Run fitness challenges, competitions, or themed events during off-peak hours to engage members and charge entry fees.
10. Partner with Local Influencers
Invite local fitness influencers during off-peak hours to create content at your gym in exchange for a fee or cross-promotion, driving awareness and attracting new members.
Use a gym membership app or a gym booking system that allow members to book classes and let the gym owner make the use of the trends, observed thanks to gym reporting.
BONUS: When Is The Gym Least Busy & What to Do
We would like to show you some morning and afternoon slump gym membership statistics. They provide a snapshot of gym attendance trends in the USA for 2024.
By understanding these quieter times, owners can make better use of their resources, enhance customer satisfaction, and attract a different segment of gym-goers.
Here are 10 numeric data points and statistics about the least busy times at gyms in the USA in 2024, along with tips on how gym owners can leverage this information.
Quiet Gym Time Statistics | What Fitness Business Owners Can Do |
Only 10% of customers use gyms between 10 PM and 4 AM. Source: Gitnux Market, WorldMetrics | Offer 24-hour access or night-shift discounts to attract late-night exercisers. Streamline entrance-leaving processes thanks to a gym check in system, to minimize staff requirements and enhance member satisfaction. |
Mid-afternoon (12 PM to 3 PM) is the least busy time for most gyms. Source: The Barbell | Schedule equipment maintenance, offer lunchtime deals or quieter sessions for beginners during these times. The last idea may create an increase in gym membership purchases. |
Fridays after 5 PM see a significant drop in attendance. Source: WorldMetrics | Promote Friday evening as “quiet workout hours” with special discounts. Gym owners can schedule less gym staff via their gym staff management software during these times to assist not numerous members. |
Sunday mornings before 10 AM are among the quietest times. Source: WorldMetrics | Target early risers with morning wellness or mindfulness classes. |
Only 18% of gym-goers attend during late-night hours (10 PM to 3 AM). Source: Gitnux Market | Highlight the calm atmosphere for those seeking peace and quiet during these hours. |
Attendance drops by about 60% after 9 PM. Source: Gitnux Market | Use this time for cleaning, repairs, or running small-group fitness sessions. |
Less than 10% of gym memberships are used between 10 PM and 4 AM. Source: Gitnux Market | Market exclusive night memberships to cater to non-peak users. Develop loyalty programs or incentives for members who consistently attend during the gym least busy times to encourage gym membership retention. |
Sundays are the least busy overall day for gym attendance. Source: The Barbell | Introduce family or community-oriented gym events to boost Sunday activity. |
Saturday evenings after 6 PM have lower attendance rates. Source: WorldMetrics | Host themed workouts, or special events to attract those avoiding crowds. |
Early mornings before 7 AM are also quiet. Source: WorldMetrics, TheBarbell | Run early-bird specials or corporate wellness programs for employees who prefer morning workouts. |
Research highlights that fitness facilities often experience lower attendance in December, as people prioritize holiday preparations and social activities over their fitness routines. Source: 2PeakKnowledgeBase | To encourage clients to use your gym during this difficult time, introduce Christmas fitness ideas. |
FAQ
Gyms are least busy during mid-afternoon, typically between 10 AM and 3 PM on weekdays, as most people are at work or school.
In commercial gyms, the least crowded times are typically:
- Late Morning (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM): After the early morning rush, most people are at work or school, making this a quieter period.
- Afternoon Early (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): After lunch and before the after-work crowd, commercial gyms are generally the least busy during these hours.
- Late Evening (8:00 PM – 10:00 PM): Once the after-work rush clears out, many commercial gyms quiet down again.
The quietest time to go to the gym is typically late morning to after-work times, between 10 AM and 3 PM on weekdays, when most people are at work or school.
The times when most people avoid going to the gym typically align with non-peak hours. These are usually mid-morning, lunch breaks, early afternoon, and late evening. Overall, mid-morning and early afternoon are the least crowded times for most gyms, while early mornings (6:00 AM – 9:00 AM) and after-work hours (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM), early evening tend to be the busiest.
