Are you a gym owner? So you have probably already noticed how different the clients who go to the gym are. Some of them come for self improvement, the others for cardiovascular health or just any kind of physical activity.
Watching the types of people at the gym is a very interesting social observation. We also know that there are different customers in different gym types. But is that all? Well, of course not!
Use your knowledge of the different types of gym goers and “gym personalities” to know how to encourage them to:
- come to your gym,
- become your customer,
- buy long term memberships,
- and even be persuaded to stay if they want to quit.
Key takeaways
- There are many types of gym goers but the most popular are: casual users, selfie queens, wellness seekers, busy professionals or tech geeks.
- Learn to recognize and engage the different types of gym personalities.
- A good gym management software can be helpful in many aspects of improving your gym service.
Gym Goers Types
Below we present a list of some most popular types of people at the gym. From the ones who are at the beginning of their fitness journey to those who have been lifting weights or attending yoga classes for years. Who is actually your gym target market?
Find out how to understand and market to them!
1. Early Bird
The Early Bird is a gym member who consistently arrives at the gym as soon as it opens, often before the sun rises. These individuals prioritize their fitness routine and prefer to get their workouts done early in the day, setting a positive tone for the rest of their activities. They appreciate the quiet, less crowded environment of a gym in the early hours. So don’t offer them group fitness classes.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Early Morning Classes: Offer a range of early morning classes, such as yoga, HIIT, spin, or boot camps, to cater to different fitness preferences. Ensure these classes are consistently available at the same times each week to help members establish a routine.
Don’t worry about gym availability if your staff is not ready for working early. Introduce a gym pos system and gym check-in system which will allow your members to come and check-in anytime. And read more about 24 hours gyms. It is an incredibly efficient idea for gym owners who have early birds as clients!
2. Casual User
The Casual User is a gym member who visits the facility sporadically, without adhering to a strict or regular routine. These individuals may have fluctuating schedules, varying levels of motivation, or other commitments that prevent them from establishing a consistent workout regimen.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Flexible Membership Options: Implement a gym point of sale where members can pay for individual visits or weekly passes. Offer month-to-month gym memberships without long-term commitments thanks to gym membership management software.
Diverse Programming: Offer a wide range of classes at different times to cater to varying schedules and interests. Provide on-demand or live-streamed classes for at-home workouts thanks to a custom branded fitness app.
3. Wellness Seeker
The Wellness Seeker is a gym member who views fitness as just one component of their overall health and well-being. These individuals are interested in a holistic approach to wellness that encompasses physical fitness, mental health, nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle balance. They see the gym not just as a place to exercise, but as a hub for comprehensive wellness support and education.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Holistic Wellness Programs: Develop comprehensive programs that combine fitness, nutrition, stress management, and mindfulness.
4. Complainer
Yes, as a gym owner you know that some of your gym members seem to force themselves to come and exercise. They are constantly tired and complaining during classes. It is a bit confusing, because we are adults and free people…
But has it come to your mind that it could be a hidden tactic? Most probably this kind of gym member demands attention because he is not a valued person. He needs praise and the coach’s attention to his successes. So now you probably know how to talk to him, right?
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Personalized attention: Have trainers check in with them regularly during workouts.
Positive reinforcement: Create a “Member of the Month” program to highlight individual achievements. You can do it thanks to the gym check in system which will show how many times the complainer didn’t skip workout sessions.
Goal-setting and tracking: Help them set realistic, achievable goals.
Implement a visible progress tracking system.
5. Selfie Queen / Selfie King
This type of member is known for frequently taking gym selfies to share on social media. Their workout sessions are often interspersed with snapping pictures or videos, capturing their progress, or showcasing their fitness outfits and routines.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
To keep the Selfie Queen/King engaged and loyal to your gym, create visually appealing, Instagram-worthy spots throughout the facility. Read also about Motivational and Funny Gym Quotes you can place on your walls and Social Media Gym Captions that may be used by your members in their posts.
Additionally, consider running regular social media contests that encourage members to post their gym selfies using a specific hashtag.
6. Chatterbox
The Chatterbox is a gym member who enjoys socializing as much, if not more, than working out. They can often be found engaging in long conversations with fellow gym-goers, staff, or even strangers. While the friendly nature of this social butterfly can create a nice atmosphere, it can also be distracting to those who are focused on their workouts.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Consider designing designated social areas separate from the main workout spaces. These areas can be outfitted with comfortable seating, tables encouraging members to chat and connect in a relaxed setting. It will help minimize distractions in the workout areas, allowing other members to focus on their fitness routines.
7. Class Hopper
The Class Hopper is a gym member who is passionate about group fitness and is eager to try every class available. They go to the gym to try variety and enjoy the social and motivational aspects of group workouts. From yoga to high-intensity interval training, dance classes to spin sessions, these members are always the first to sign up and are enthusiastic participants in every class they attend.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
To keep the Class Hopper engaged and excited about their membership, it’s essential to offer a diverse range of classes. Regularly update the class schedule with new and innovative options to keep things fresh and interesting.
Introducing new classes periodically can reignite their enthusiasm and provide them with new challenges and experiences. Additionally, consider offering specialty workshops, guest instructors, and themed classes to add an extra layer of excitement.
8. Injury-Prone
There are some special kinds of people at the gym who frequently nurse minor injuries. They come for a workout and have accidents more often than usual members. But then they come back to buy gym memberships, yet requiring a bit different treatment by their personal trainer. For example lighter training sessions or wellness workshops.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Offer injury prevention workshops and partner with physical therapists.
9. Family Fitness Enthusiast
Brings kids to the gym or attends as a couple. These members value family time and often look for opportunities to integrate their fitness routines with their family life, seeking activities and facilities that accommodate both adults and children.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
To cater to these members, provide family-friendly amenities such as childcare services, family workout classes, and couple-focused fitness programs.
It can enhance their overall gym experience and loyalty.
10. Busy Professional
The Busy Professional is a gym member who squeezes in quick workouts between meetings, work commitments, or during short breaks throughout their busy day. They often need workouts that can be done swiftly without compromising on intensity or effectiveness.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Offer efficient 30-minute workout programs and express classes designed to deliver maximum results in a short period.
Provide resources like on-demand virtual classes or quick workout guides that they can access anytime, ensuring they can stay on track even with the most hectic schedules. check how to create a fitness app which will help your busy member be in touch and quickly choose the workouts.
11. Tech Geek
A Tech Geek loves trying the latest fitness gadgets and machines, often staying updated with the newest trends in fitness technology. They enjoy incorporating advanced tools and devices into their workouts to enhance their performance and track their progress in detail.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Regularly update equipment with the latest technology. Introduce, especially for this kind of gym members, a custom fitness app which will hold your gym’s name and logo.
12. Group Exercise Fan
A Group Exercise Fan is a gym goer who thrives in a social and motivational environment, preferring to participate in group fitness classes rather than working out alone. This social butterfly enjoys the energy, camaraderie between the people at the gym, and structure provided by group workouts, which help keep them engaged and motivated.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Continually update and expand the group exercise schedule. It is a good idea from a financial perspective for fitness business owners. The earnings increase in proportion to the number of participants, with one trainer, in one room and at one time.
Read more about a dedicated group training software.
13. Transformation Seeker
A gym goer aiming for significant physical changes, often with a specific goal.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Provide before-and-after photo services and celebrate member transformations.
14. Cardio Bunny
Cardio enthusiasts prefer cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling, and aerobics. They perceive them as the most effective because they are the most tiring in a short period of time.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Offer diverse cardio classes and maintain state-of-the-art cardio equipment.
15. Busy Bee
Those gym goers have limited time and prefer quick, efficient workouts. Can be a busy mom coming back home to her children or a yuppie.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Offer express classes and flexible, short-term membership options thanks to a gym membership software.
16. Student
Young individuals balance studies and fitness expenses. They want to achieve their fitness goals but look for wallet-friendly group classes or meetings with a budget personal trainer.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Offer student discounts and study-friendly spaces.
17. Rehabber
Another type of fitness industry clients is a member recovering from injury or surgery, focused on rehabilitation. They require both specialized classes and specialized programs.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Collaborate with physical therapists and offer rehabilitation programs.
18. Night Owl
The Night Owl is a gym member who prefers to exercise late at night, often taking advantage of the quieter, off-peak hours. These individuals might have unconventional schedules due to work, personal preferences, or other commitments, and they enjoy the tranquility and solitude of a nearly empty gym. They appreciate the flexibility of 24/7 access, allowing them to fit their workouts into their unique routines without the crowds, group fitness classes and hustle typical during the day.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Fully Operational Gym: Ensure staff are present and ready to assist members as soon as the gym opens. This includes having trainers available for early morning personal training sessions. Don’t worry about gym availability if your staff is not ready for working late. Introduce a gym pos and gym check in system which will allow your members to come and check-in anytime. And read more about 24 hours gym. It is an incredibly efficient idea for gym owners who have night owls as clients!
19. Competitor
They are motivated by challenges and competition. Partner workouts are the best idea for these competitive athletes.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Host regular fitness challenges and competitions. It may even be a competition for the highest attendance at classes, which you can check quickly thanks to gym reporting software.
20. Homebody
This type of gym-goer primarily exercises at home but maintains a gym membership for occasional use. They value the flexibility of home workouts but appreciate access to specialized equipment and classes when needed.
Their gym visits might be sporadic, often driven by specific goals, social opportunities, or a desire for variety in their fitness routine.
Actionable Tips How to Engage Them
Offer online classes and a hybrid membership option. Offer educational resources from a fitness expert if your members prefer to learn that way.
FAQ
There are many types of gym goers but the most popular are: casual users, selfie queens, wellness seekers, busy professionals or tech geeks.
The target audience for a gym includes:
- Fitness Enthusiasts: Regular exercisers focused on maintaining fitness.
- Weight Loss Seekers: Individuals aiming to lose weight and improve health.
- Strength Seekers: People focused on building muscle and strength.
- Busy Professionals: Those needing quick, efficient workout options.
- Seniors: Older adults looking to maintain health and mobility.
- Families: Parents and children seeking family-friendly amenities.
- Tech-Savvy Individuals: Members who enjoy using fitness technology.
- etc.
Gym customers are diverse, including fitness enthusiasts, weight loss seekers, and strength trainers. They are united by their interest in health and fitness, seeking convenience, community, and comprehensive wellness support.
