Fitness centers seem to be a dime a dozen these days. It’s challenging enough to entice new members to join.
However, an even more important issue is what steps you can take to keep them happy and motivated, ensuring that they will remain loyal for the long haul. Incorporating these strategies into your business plan can help your gym to become a powerhouse.
1. Reward loyal members.
Although health and wellness are benefits in themselves, your clients will really appreciate it if you recognize their accomplishments and milestones.
Use the customer management tools in your point of sale system to keep track of these details, and then celebrate achievements with incentives like a free protein shake or a discount on a massage.
Not sure how to get your loyalty program started? Your merchant account provider for gyms can give you some valuable tips that will enable you to configure your system quickly and effectively.
2. Take action to create a sense of community.
In spite of their best intentions, many of your members will become discouraged or disinterested over time. Working to curate and foster smaller cohorts of clients with similar goals can keep motivation high.
To that end, consider forming groups that focus on weight loss, strength training, or cardio and let like-minded people encourage each other.
3. Incentivize frequent visits.
If you help your customers to make going to the gym a habit and a part of their regular routine, they will be more likely to keep coming and even to bring other people with them.
To that end, use your gym’s customer management tools to keep track of visits. Reward a client when they have worked out for a predetermined number of days during the month.
4. Stay on top of trends.
As both technology and scientific research continue to evolve, the fitness industry is constantly changing. Succeeding for your gym means remaining aware of innovations and fads so that you can determine whether incorporating them into your business is the right move.
These developments run the gamut, from cutting-edge point of sale systems that offer more streamlined and flexible payment options to updated exercise equipment and methods.
Asking your members’ opinions about the improvements and enhancements they want to see is a great way to help you prioritize.
5. Optimize your communications.
Electronic and social media technologies give you numerous ways to stay in touch with members, even those who don’t show up regularly to work out.
Be sure that your social media pages are frequently updated with engaging videos and blog entries, and make it a point to feature motivating articles and fun content about your staff to help personalize your fitness center.
Email is another great way to stay in touch. Create a monthly newsletter that spotlights new exercise classes you are offering or profiles someone on your training staff.
Be sure that your articles cover the range of fitness levels of your clients so that everyone feels included.
When you make your gym into a place that welcomes members of all ages and abilities, you are giving them a reason to walk through your doors.
Further personalizing their experience while remaining attentive to industry trends and innovations will go a long way toward making them into loyal lifetime members.