The fitness industry is thriving in the U.S. The health and fitness club market in the U.S., valued at $98.19 billion in 2023, is anticipated to achieve tremendous growth by 2030.
The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% and generate $172.99 billion in revenue by 2030. The growing concern for health and wellness is driving the market’s growth.
IBISWorld’s research shows that there were 113,326 gym, health & fitness clubs businesses in the U.S. in 2023. That’s a 2.3% increase from 2022.
With so many fitness businesses already on the market, attracting new members to your gym could seem impossible. But, believe us, it isn’t. There are several ways you can draw in potential clients and keep current members engaged.
In this article, we’ll share a few tactics that will help you pump up your client base and make your fitness center the go-to spot for fitness enthusiasts.
#1 Offer Virtual Classes
Virtual workouts are redefining the fitness landscape. More and more people are embracing it because of the convenience it offers.
Researchers predict that the global virtual fitness market size, valued at $16.4 billion in 2022, will generate a revenue of $106.4 billion by 2030. It’s anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 26.72 % from 2023 to 2030. Why don’t you start offering virtual classes and tap into this booming market? It can significantly expand your fitness center’s reach and boost revenue.
Virtual classes will appeal to individuals with busy schedules or who prefer working out from home. They will also attract those who live too far from your fitness center.
A reliable streaming platform and high-quality video equipment are all you need to offer virtual sessions. You can offer a variety of workout classes, from yoga and Pilates to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training, to cater to different fitness levels and interests.
Give people the flexibility to choose between on-demand training and livestream training. Also, create a virtual community where people can share their progress and motivate each other.
#2 Launch a User-Friendly Website
A website is no longer a luxury for businesses; it has become a necessity. About 99% of consumers use the internet to discover local businesses. Approximately 81% of consumers research a business online before making a purchase. That’s according to Zippia’s recent findings.
Your fitness center is losing a lot of money without a website since potential customers cannot find you online. Not having a website will give your competitors an edge over you, as your target audience will be diverted to their business. Hence, get a website built for your fitness center.
Launching a website has become easier than ever—all thanks to AI tools. Nowadays, AI-powered website builders can build websites from scratch within a few minutes. These tools also don’t cost a lot of money, unlike professional web developers. Thus, using AI to create your website will be a cost-effective option.
No coding knowledge is required to build a website, explains Hocoos. AI tools possess all the coding knowledge required to put together a website. All you have to do is answer the questions the AI wizard asks, and it will build a website tailored to your needs right away. Those websites, however, can be edited. Be it font or content, you can edit everything in just a few clicks.
Once your website is ready, include all details about your fitness center, such as class schedules, membership options, and instructor bios. Add your contact information, as well. Research has shown that 44% of B2B buyers leave websites of small businesses that don’t have contact information.
Optimize your site for search engines. It will help you attract organic traffic. Using relevant keywords, creating quality content, and getting high-quality backlinks can help your site rank higher in search engines.
#3 Create a Social Media Influencer Program
A sure-shot way to expand your fitness center’s reach is to create a social media influencer program.
Collaborating with influencers on social media will allow you to promote your health club. The biggest perk of collaborating with social media influencers is that their posts reach thousands of followers. This, in turn, will boost your fitness center’s visibility. This tactic, however, will be effective only when you choose influencers whose audience aligns with your target demographic.
Look for fitness enthusiasts, wellness bloggers, and local personalities with engaged followings. Reach out to these influencers with a personalized pitch, highlighting the mutual benefits of a partnership. They can share their workout sessions as well as the benefits of working out at your gym. This will encourage their followers to join your fitness center.
In return, offer them incentives such as free memberships, exclusive access to classes, or branded merchandise for their promotional efforts.
In a nutshell, pumping up your fitness center’s client base is not as difficult as it may seem. When not many new members are signing up at your gym, these tips can help you attract your target audience. Hence, implement them. Keep in mind that you can’t pump up your client base overnight. It will take some time, so stay consistent, and you will be able to build a loyal, thriving community committed to health and wellness.
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