Brad Byrne

Top 10 marketing ideas for gyms & studios 

Marketing a gym or studio can be a challenge, especially in a crowded and competitive market. However, with the right gym marketing ideas, you can attract new customers and retain existing ones. In this blog, we will share 10 gym marketing ideas, with a focus on both online and offline.

Offer a free trial 

One of the most effective ways to attract new customers is to offer a free trial. This could be a one-day pass, a week-long pass, or a month-long pass, depending on your preference. Make sure to promote your free trial on your website, social media, and local review sites like Trustpilot. This will get people in the door which is often the hardest part of customer acquisition. 

Host events in your area

Hosting events at your gym or studio is a great way to engage with your existing customers and attract new ones. You could host a charity event, a fitness challenge, or a seminar on nutrition. Make sure to utilise all your promotional avenues as well on this one. Being at the centre of an event is a great way to place yourself at the heart of your local community. 

Utilise your social media

Social media is a powerful tool for your gym marketing. You can use it to share photos and videos of your workouts, promote your classes and engage with your followers. Make sure to use relevant hashtags and engage with your followers by responding to their comments. This one is a must-do to compete with all other modern gyms. If you want to learn more about how you can get the most out of your social media check out our blog

Offer referral discounts

Word-of-mouth is a powerful gym marketing tool. Encourage your existing customers to refer their friends and family to book a class or session by offering them a discount on their next membership. This will not only help you retain existing customers but also attract new ones. Your customers are already talking to other people in the community who may be interested in joining so why not let them do the work for you? It's a win-win! 

Start a loyalty program

A loyalty program can help you retain existing customers by offering them rewards for their loyalty. You could offer discounts, free classes, or other perks based on the number of visits or memberships they have. You can implement this gradually over time to ensure that the program grows with your business. This is a great way to give back to your loyal customers and create a culture of caring within your business. 

Team up with other businesses

Partnering with local businesses can help you reach new customers in your area. You could offer discounts or free classes to employees of local businesses in exchange for promoting your gym or studio. You could also offer a package deal between the two businesses so it's yet another win-win! Clothing brands, coffee shops, you name it the opportunities are endless! 

Highlight your business through video content

Video content is a great way to showcase your workouts and classes. You could create short workout videos, behind-the-scenes footage of your gym or studio, or interviews with your trainers. Make sure to share your videos on social media and your website. If you don’t have a website check out our blog on getting started! 

Make sure you are seen with local events

Attending local events, such as health fairs and fitness expos, is a great way to reach new customers in your area. Make sure to have promotional materials like brochures, business cards, and banners to promote your gym or studio. It puts you at the heart of what is trending in your area and is great for brand building and name recognition. It is also a great time to scout for new technology and ways to improve your business. 

Boost your online presence with a blog

Creating a blog can help you establish yourself as an authority in the fitness industry. You could write about topics like nutrition, fitness, and wellness. Make sure to promote your blog on social media and your website. You already have the experience/education so who is more qualified than you? By doing this you can also give back to the community and help those who are just starting out on their fitness journey! 

Maximize growth with a fitness management software

By implementing a fitness management software you have access to in-depth analytics on your business. This can be useful in a number of ways. You can collect your customer's emails and target them for future promotions. Use these analytics to post wins on your social media. You can send broadcast messages to all customers announcing big updates. The list is endless, we have even done a blog on this if you want to find out more!

To sum up

By incorporating a mix of these marketing ideas, you can create a well-rounded marketing strategy that will help you achieve your business goals. Remember to track the effectiveness of each idea and adjust your strategy accordingly. If you want to see more like this you can subscribe here or chat with one of our product specialists, if you want to learn more about LegitFit. Good luck with your gym marketing!