How Mobile Apps Are Revolutionizing the Fitness Industry
The world is trending in a mobile direction.
Mobile applications are penetrating every industry, and the fitness industry is no exception.
If you own a gym or you’re a personal trainer, you need to have a mobile app.
That goes for every type of gym, including gyms for weightlifting, boxing, mixed martial arts training, basketball, swimming, CrossFit, and every other type of fitness specialty. Even your yoga studio can benefit from a mobile app.
Key Takeaways
- Universal Need: Every gym, regardless of size or specialty, can benefit from a mobile app.
- Customer Engagement: Apps help gyms engage with customers and increase app downloads.
- Convenience Factor: Mobile apps allow potential members to explore and sign up without visiting the gym.
- Reputation Management: Apps with good reviews can enhance a gym’s reputation and attract more members.
- Enhanced Experience: Apps improve customer experience by integrating with wearable tech and managing memberships.
There’s no fitness business that’s too big or too small for a mobile app. Whether you’re a solo personal trainer or own a chain of gyms across the country, you need an app.
Fortunately, if you’re reading this, it sounds like you’ve already identified the possibility of getting an app. You might even be in the development phases or have a gym app that just launched.
That’s great news. This guide will also help you improve your gym app, engage with your customers, and get more people to download your app.
It’s also an educational tool for anyone who is on the fence about building an app for your gym.
Mobile apps are transforming the gym world. 58% of people with a smartphone have downloaded an app related to health and fitness.
I’ll explain why you need one and how your app can be used to make more money. Here’s what you need to know.
Mobile apps help gyms acquire new customers
Think about your existing target market and customer acquisition strategy. I’m willing to bet that your current and prospective members are tech-savvy.
They’re using mobile applications on a daily basis. Having a mobile app available in the app store will help you connect with people before they even step into your doors.
Take a look at how the vast majority of people discover apps.
So people are browsing the app store on a daily basis to fulfill their needs. This can create a larger exposure for your gym.
Think about your current customer acquisition strategy. How do you get customers to sign up for a gym membership?
You need them to walk through your doors. They say that they’re interested and you give them a tour. You’ve got to rely on your staff to give them a great tour and pitch a valuable offer.
But if your staff isn’t trained properly and something goes wrong during the tour, it could turn people away from joining. Plus, gyms can be intimidating, especially for a prospective member.
The number one reason why people don’t go to the gym is for the fear of being judged. Having a personal trainer who is in great shape give gym tours can hurt the self-esteem of someone who may want to join.
They may feel like they are out of place and won’t fit in. Even if the tour goes well, then the new customer has to sit down and go through a lengthy sign-up process. If you’ve ever joined a gym, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
But with a mobile app, people can discover your gym and sign up without having to come in. Provide pictures and videos to showcase a virtual tour. This is convenient for the customer and makes things easier for you as well.
You don’t have to worry about wasting time on tours and having to staff extra members of a sales team. Your employees can spend their time doing other tasks instead.
When someone wants to get in shape, they can search for the kind of gym that they’re looking for in the app store. Then they’ll get connected with your location. Maybe they didn’t even know you existed before.
This is great for all gyms, but it’s especially important for gyms in niche markets. Having an app will also help improve your reputation.
As you can see from the data, people read reviews before downloading an app.
So when a user browsing the app store comes across your app, they’ll see your ratings and reviews. This shows them that you’re legitimate.
Your gym app will improve the customer experience
Mobile apps are convenient for your members.
Your app can eliminate the need for your customers to carry around a key tag or membership card. Instead, they can have a membership barcode within the app get it scanned whenever they enter your location.
The app can also be used for members to manage their payment method. They can easily change credit cards directly within the app.
They may feel more secure about this than having to give their credit card information to one of your employees at the gym or to a representative over the phone. Plus, people don’t want to have to bring their wallets with them to work out.
Set up your mobile app to give members relevant information. Upload your weekly class schedules. Here’s an example of what that can look like.
Think about your current method of promoting classes. Lots of gyms have schedules posted on the walls or have flyers available for members to take home.
But those can easily get misplaced and they won’t be available in the members pocket at all times like their smartphone is.
Plus, sometimes things happen. If a class gets canceled or an instructor gets changed, all of this information could be updated in the app. But you can’t update the schedule on a piece of paper that’s in the glove compartment of your member’s car.
An app is great if you upcharge members for attending classes. They can sign up to attend the class and get charged instantly using their card on file in the app.
Use this platform as a way for members to manage leagues as well, such as basketball or racquetball.
People participating in these leagues can have access to standings, teams, game schedules, and everything else that they need to know.
When it comes to improving the customer experience, you’ve got to consider why people are at the gym in the first place. They join and show up to get in shape.
People use wearable technology to maximize their fitness experience. It’s estimated that there will be 560 million units of wearable devices by 2021.
If your app can support these wearable devices, such as a Fitbit, it will be great for your customers. Their fitness progress can be tracked and monitored with every workout.
They can always refer back to this information as well to get a more personalized workout experience.
Leverage other mobile apps to promote your brand
Look around your gym. How many people are using their phones right now?
If members aren’t in the middle of a set or taking a class, I’m willing to bet they are staring at their phone. In fact, research shows that more than half of gym members use their smartphone during a workout.
They’re checking emails, communicating with friends, listening to music, and even posting about their workouts on social media.
There is a reason why people like to post about th
Frequently Asked Questions
How can mobile apps help gyms attract new members?
Mobile apps allow gyms to connect with potential members before they visit the gym. Platforms like Buildfire make this straightforward by offering features such as virtual tours and easy sign-up processes.
What features should a gym app include to enhance customer experience?
A gym app should include features like membership management, class schedules, and integration with wearable devices. Buildfire, for instance, offers customizable solutions to incorporate these features seamlessly.
How do mobile apps improve gym reputation management?
Mobile apps can showcase customer reviews and ratings, which are crucial for reputation management. Tools like Buildfire allow businesses to easily manage and display these reviews.
Can a gym app help with customer retention?
Yes, a gym app can improve customer retention by offering personalized experiences and convenient features like class bookings and payment management.
What role do mobile apps play in gym marketing strategies?
Mobile apps are integral to gym marketing strategies as they provide a direct channel to engage with members and promote services, events, and offers.
How is your gym using a mobile application to increase profits and improve the member experience?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should my gym have a mobile app?
A mobile app can enhance the customer experience, streamline the sign-up process, and provide a platform for community engagement and promotions.
2. How can micro influencers benefit my gym?
Micro influencers can promote your gym and mobile app to their followers, increasing brand awareness and potentially boosting membership and app downloads.
3. What type of content should I include in my gym’s app?
Include workout videos, community message boards, promotional offers, and features that allow members to track their progress and connect with others.
4. How can I use push notifications effectively?
Send push notifications with special offers, class sign-ups, and promotions to keep members engaged and encourage additional purchases.
5. What are some ways to monetize my gym’s app?
Offer merchandise, food, and drink sales through the app, and use it to upsell classes and memberships with exclusive discounts.