Why Gyms, Fitness Centers, & Personal Trainers Should Develop An App
Whether you’re a gym, fitness center, or personal trainer, you should have a mobile app dedicated to your business and brand. This is true now more than ever. After the hit of the COVID-19 pandemic, gyms, fitness centers, and personal trainers everywhere had to shut down and halt in person services. It left many of them with no choice but to go digital, perhaps changing the fitness landscape forever. Many started offering virtual classes and online consultations. The pandemic also inspired many people to invest in home equipment. All of this increased the downloads of health & fitness apps, as people had to take matters into their own hands while being stuck at home and socially distancing. Downloads of health & fitness apps increased 46% worldwide. And, along with downloads, daily active users increased — which goes to show these apps weren’t just being downloaded and then forgotten about. Globally, daily active users on health & fitness apps increased 24%. What’s concerning for gyms, fitness centers, and physical trainers everywhere is not only the increased competition and challenges this created for them, but the amount of Americans actually enjoying it this way. According to a study done by OnePoll, 74% of Americans used at least one fitness app during quarantine and 60% plan on cancelling their gym memberships for good. Gyms, fitness centers, and personal trainers alike need to invest in a fitness app of their own if they want to keep up with the times, overcome obstacles, and compete against new challengers that have come into play. Keep reading to learn why gyms, fitness centers, and personal trainers should develop an app.
To Make Communication With Customers Simple & Seamless
It’s not possible for fitness experts or business owners to stay in touch with customers 24/7. But what is possible, and very important, is that they respond to customer queries in an acceptable time frame if they want to keep those customers, as well as make them feel valued and look forward to repeating business. In the era of increasing instant gratification via technology, people expect communication to be fast, full of options, and online. Having a mobile app will allow you and your customers to stay connected anytime, anywhere. It will also allow for easily communicating class updates, timetable changes, and more — so customers are always up to date and in-the-know immediately and conveniently. Many people live busy lives, so having a personal trainer in their pockets can be much appreciated. Not only can clients enjoy the connection that makes their workout more flexible and the service more efficient, but trainers can more actively attend to the demand of clients by providing coaching from a distance with the use of an app. When a personal trainer, gym, fitness studio, etc. goes digital, they are connected to clients all the time. With little effort, you can transform the work of coaching into a rich user experience. Mobile apps also give the opportunity to give real-time feedback to clients. If you see a client having trouble sticking to their meal plan, you can instantly send them a motivational feedback via push notification. This type of direct communication and motivation will boost your service level, as well as help you effectively change your clients’ lifestyles.
To Bump Up The Reputation Of Your Fitness Business
Because many people research a business before buying a product or service, it is crucial for companies to take proactive steps in managing their reputation. Mobile apps can link directly to places like Yelp, Google Maps, and Facebook where prompts can ask users to rate their experience and leave feedback. This functionality can be simply and seamlessly integrated right into the app interface. Building a fitness app for your brand or business with great features can help boost your gym or studio’s reputation and spread the enthusiasm of getting and staying fit to more people. Besides being more appealing to users, your mobile app will also serve as a reliable source of success in the long run. Through the app, you can convey the core messages of your gym, fitness center, or fitness business strategies that are followed by yourself, trainers, and staff to build a sense of trustworthiness and authority of your brand. Having a way for app users to rate your business is a great way to boost its reputation. You can leverage mobile app technology to show potential users why you’re the best and what your focus and message is. Providing ways for app users to comment on and rate your fitness business is a great way to boost reputation and increase newcomers to download your app and become customers. Having a fitness app can also provide a way to deliver educational and wellness information in order to further build your brand’s authority, trustworthiness, and can make your app the first place they’ll check when they have questions or needs. It’s also important to make sure your app is gaining a good reputation and popularity in order to increase its position at the top of the app store results. When people search for fitness apps, they’re already committed to downloading a fitness app. If your app doesn’t appear in the search results, how many customers are you losing out on, simply because they don’t even know you exist? A mobile app is going to put you in the mix. And, having reviews are super important. In fact, 77% of users read at least one review before downloading a free app, and 80% of users read at least one review before downloading a paid app. And, if you create a way for users to easily rate and review your app, it can cause you to rank higher in the app store. The more quality reviews, the better.
To Get More Customers, Easily
The popularity of mobile apps has been fueled by the increasing use of devices. Today, almost everyone is using an app regularly. Having your own fitness app for your business in the app store can connect you with new customers before they even knock on your door. Mobile apps help to create buzz of your brand. When customers start using your app, they’ll talk about how convenient it is and how easy it is to use. This positive word of mouth is a way to create new customers. Using mobile functionality to bring top-notch service to your customers allows you to get the edge on competitors. You can also leverage the analytics you receive from your mobile app to get to know your target audience better, improve your services, and bring new customers in. Technology is a large part of people’s lives, so in order to reach more customers, fitness business owners need to be a part of that technology. You have to be where your members and potential members are. Millenials are your main clients, and they are tech-savy and always on the move, which is why enabling your app to be integrated with wearable technology is also a good idea for differentiation and gaining customers. Technology and fitness have gone hand in hand for a long time, which is why it’s no surprise that the trend in using wearables for fitness tracking is popular and growing. Apps’ support for these devices, such a syncing and tracking progress, can go a long way in attracting and keeping new members. As mentioned before, having your app in the app store will help you connect with new users before they even walk in your doors, as well as giving your business more exposure. When thinking about your customer acquisition strategy, the way you get users to sign up with you is by getting them to walk through your doors. They come in with interest, so you give them a tour. You’ll need to rely on your staff to give a great tour and pitch a valuable offer. But if your staff isn’t trained properly, or something goes wrong, it could prevent people from joining. Additionally, many people find gyms or fitness centers intimidating, especially if they’re not a member yet. So, if you allow access to your business via the app store first, prospective users can see ratings and reviews, which shows you’re legitimate and can eliminate the intimidation process.
To Improve Customer Experience
In order to retain and gain new customers, especially in a changing fitness world, customer experience should be top notch. Developing an app for your fitness business can enrich the experience and make it easier and more convenient for users. For example, having your own fitness mobile app could eliminate the need for gym or studio members to carry around a membership, key tag, or show their ID. Your app can have a unique barcode that can be scanned for easy entry. A member may forget a key tag or ID card, but they likely won’t forget their phone! A mobile app can also be used to handle users’ payment methods quickly and conveniently. The ability to view and schedule classes in a mobile app is also useful to customers. Customers can have 24/7, real-time access to classes and class schedules where they can sign-up for specific time-slots with ease. If a class gets cancelled or rescheduled, users will be notified immediately and can make needed changes directly in the app. Dynamic scheduling is also a great feature, which automatically hides classes that are full. This is also a great place to promote your classes with descriptions, reviews, and trainer info. Take it a step further and integrate a payment gateway, so that when users sign up for a class, they can pay right away directly on the app. Apps additionally allow users to be aware of any upcoming events, promotions, offers, programs, and more — allowing members to get the most out of your services. The services a gym, fitness center, or personal trainer offers must now extend beyond 4 walls in order to be successful. Creating a mobile app for your business provides users with a complete package that can inspire and motivate them, inform them, and adds real-life value. For members who can’t make it to a class or rather stay at home, it’s important to capture that segment by offering virtual classes, whether live-streamed or pre-recorded. You should also provide videos of exercises, wellness tips, fitness plans, and other educational or motivational content on a regular basis that can be easily accessed via the app. Adding things like these can further strengthen your relationship and increase customer loyalty. Video is an essential for so many successful businesses of the future. These days, convenience dictates the decisions of many people, and choosing a gym, fitness center, or personal trainer can be merely a matter of distance. People need things that fit into a “near me” lifestyle. Goods and services are often searched for with “near me” following. When you provide an app, users have you wherever they go, making choosing your business a constant convenience. What else do users enjoy? A personalized experienced. Here, having an app allows you to better tailor fitness experiences to meet those users’ goals. You can employ virtual training, a real-time exercise planner, or even a pocket workout buddy. This sense of control and empowerment can be a major selling point for potential and new customers. Apps offer a way for fitness businesses to exceed member expectations at minimal cost and effort. The most reliable revenue stream for fitness businesses is from regular members and membership fees. Apps can help with retaining members by keeping them engaged outside the physical location’s walls. An app also makes renewals that much easier and convenient by allowing members to do it with one or a couple taps on their phones. Speaking of retention, one of the main reasons people quit gyms or training programs is because they fall out of the habit of going. An app can remind users to workout or train with gentle notifications. To further increase convenience and love of your app, you should (again) make sure that your app can integrate with wearables, creating added value. Wearable technology is used to maximize people’s fitness experiences. It’s estimated that there will be 560 million units of wearable devices by 2021. The analytics from the wearable technology can be combined with your services, allowing individuals to share, monitor, and measure success — which in turn, can have them enthusiastically returning to your business. As mentioned in the above section, you should also include features like customer reviews to get instant feedback from your clients, giving you the right information necessary for improving your services, and making members feel that their voices are heard and their suggestions taken into consideration. Lastly, let’s talk about leveraging the use of gamification in your fitness app. When, you provide clients with an app, a workout can become fun — which is essential for the motivation of your clients. This is because mobile fitness apps typically have an element of gamification to them. “Gamification is the application of game mechanics and game design techniques in non-game contexts.”[*] In fitness, it helps to engage and motivate people to achieve their goals. This can happen in many ways: challenges, rewards, points, and so on. This way, users get more motivated than they would be by just working out alone.
To Leverage Effective Push Notifications
We’ve mentioned the ability to send instant notifications to customers or clients a few times already — but that’s because this ability is so incredibly useful for gyms, fitness centers, studios, and personal trainers alike. With push notifications from a mobile app, you can automatically and conveniently send customers personalized messages, reminders, offers, suggestions, and more wherever and whenever! Unlike emails, customers are more likely to read your notifications in real time. It’s like a text message from your app. In one simple step, you can reach all your customers (or segments of customers for tailored messages) and inform or update them. In fact, push notifications boost a 98% open rate for everything from promotions and reminders, to last-minute updates. People love personalization, so being able to tailor notifications to specific segments of customers really helps with engagement and retention. People also like being able to be in control — so make sure you allow users a way to control notification settings. While notifications are a great help to your fitness business, don’t become annoying — it may drive customers away if you send way too many, way too often. You can also use push notifications as a way to boost sales of any in-store products and services you may offer. Drive sales by offering discounts or promotions (which can also drive more customers into your physical location!). Having a mobile app can also allow your customers to pay directly from their phone, so there’s no need to have their wallets on them while working out. So, what should you be sending? According to BuildFire, the top most requested notifications are:
1.) 48% special offers based on customer preferences
2.) 35% a breaking news alert
3.) 34% new content personalized to customer preferences
4.) 34% special offers based on customer location
To Leverage Videos for Increased Interest
Having a mobile app for your fitness business gives you the ability to provide a library of videos to customers and clients on a regular basis. The opportunities are endless. You can provide training videos to offer fitness help and insights. Your customers will appreciate having the convenient ability to get workout help wherever they are, as well as when they get back into the gym or studio. These videos can also introduce your trainers to customers, shed light on their expertise and experience, and inform viewers on the classes or sessions they teach. By doing this, you can encourage users to sign up for these classes or training sessions, whether in-person or virtual. Your videos can provide how-tos for certain workouts, proper form, stretches, wellness tips — you name it! You could even incorporate social media influencers into your videos for more reach on social platforms and the internet, which can in turn lead to more app downloads and customers. Remember to give users the ability to share your videos on social media to give you increased exposure! You can even take advantage of live-stream broadcasts through your fitness app, allowing users to experience your fitness business without leaving their homes. People like convenience and options, especially if they live a busy life or where schedules can change at any moment. And, if you provide great live-streaming experience and a great video library, users will be encouraged to workout and train in-person when their schedule allows for it or when they feel more comfortable doing so! Providing users with options and convenience is a win-win, especially in an increasingly tech-connected world.
To Give Customers & Clients the Ability to Get Expert Help Wherever, Whenever
By having a mobile application, you can connect your users directly with yourself and/or your fitness staff no matter where they are. Users will love being able to address a fitness expert with their questions and curiosities without having to call or go to a physical location. Think of it as instant messaging for yourself, your staff, and your customers. By managing communication through your fitness app, you can cut down administrative time as well as ease your regular tasks and activities. According to research, the number one reason why people don’t go to the gym is the fear of being judged. Some folks may be intimidated asking an expert in person for advice or know-how. Giving the option of instant messaging to potential or current customers provides a better experience for all.
To Stay Ahead of the Competition
In today’s crowded marketplace where fitness centers and studios and popping up all over the place, having a mobile app can give you the competitive edge. A mobile application provides you with the opportunity to value your customers. Creating a feature-rich fitness app will delight customers. Having an app will offer members and clients flexibility, options, and convenience. They can easily book classes, pay for things, check schedules, receive offers and updates, chat with experts, gain fitness knowledge, and more in real-time — no matter where, no matter when. Your app is also where you can create differentiation. Going mobile is a cost-efficient way to market to customers. You’ll be able to establish your brand and stand out amongst competitors. The world demands connection, so being connected isn’t even a differentiation anymore, but rather, and obligation. However, what your app offers to clients and customers will be the way you can separate yourself from others like you. Great technology is going to add value to your brand perception.
To Streamline Regular, Mundane Tasks
One of the great things that a mobile application can take care of for you is communication to your clients and members with automatic notifications you can schedule out. Customers won’t need to rummage through your site or their emails to get the information they need, because it can be placed clearly within your app. The ability to manage memberships and classes within an app also allows for optimized work. Let’s face it, having to manage a fitness business next to perhaps training or coaching can be challenging. But technology can bring solutions.You and your staff may get stuck spending a lot of time performing administrative matters, which cuts into time they could be spending training, coaching, or attending to customers. When you have a fitness app, you can automate portions of your business. It can free you and your staff from tasks concerning memberships, payments, scheduling, and so on. When more business activities can be performed in a way that maximizes ROI and customer satisfaction, you can reach operational excellence. And, with the move over to cloud-based software inside mobile apps, you can have the ability to check the progress of your business and your customers in detail, wherever you are and whenever you want.
To Increase Marketing Efforts & Results
Looking for a better and more effective way to promote your fitness business to prospective customers? A mobile app is a great way to do just that. When users download your app, they carry your brand around everywhere they go. Nowadays, over half of iOS and Android users discover new apps through the app store. Just your app being present in the app store is an additional way to market your brand and services. As mentioned before, a mobile app also adds another sales platform by marketing your services and products via your app. With an app in the app store, you’ll also provide another place possible customers can read reviews. You can even gain more reviews by prompting users through your app. And, the more quality reviews, the higher your app will appear in the app store and therefore, the more exposure you can get for your brand.
To Increase Social Presence & Community
Social media is everywhere — and we bet that most of your customers are on it in some form. It plays a major role in any fitness business’ strategy, as it is essentially their online face and personality. It’s what many potential members first interact with. Integrating your social sites with a mobile app is easily done and can offer great incentives. You can offer special deals just for “checking-in” on social media through your app. Ads just don’t always cut it anymore with the newer tech-savy millenial fitness enthusiast. They’re looking for tangible information they can trust. This is where you can leverage the connection of your app and social media. Your app can provide a way for users already engaged with your app to share your app content, such as personal training videos, live streams, an individual’s progress, and so on. As aforementioned, influencers can come in handy here, too. One research study found that influencer postings were 11x more profitable than banner ads. People trust influencers — in fact, 82% of people are likely to follow recommendations from influencer. That’s because they have higher engagement rates with their followers. Using an influencer to promote your fitness brand and app can increase conversion by more than 22%. Social media plays into the habits of those who tend to trust health & fitness content shared by their peers. Having your own mobile app can ensure that your personal fitness brand is what is being shared and trusted. Your app can also serve as a platform for member connection. You leverage it to allow members to share photos, success stories, progress, tips and advice, and more with one another through a community messaging board. Having these features add a community element, giving users a reason to spend more time on and engage more with your app. It can also serve as additional motivation for many users. Research actually shows that more than half of gym members use their smartphones during their workouts. Whether communicating with friends, checking emails, listening to music, or even posting about their workouts on social media. There’s a reason why people like to post about their workouts — and no, it’s not for bragging. It’s because it holds them accountable. According to research conducted by the Dominican University of California, 70% of people who shared their fitness goals with friends were able to reach those goals. Only 35% of people who didn’t share with their friends reached their fitness goals. With all the picture and video-taking going on by members at your physical location, members are effectively giving you free advertising. If you properly brand your gym, you can encourage them to continue to do so by running contests, promotions, giveaways, and more. In turn, the increase you’d see in social following could lead to more downloads of your app. This is why it’s important to encourage customers to use your mobile app while working out or training.
Need an easy, time-saving way to create an amazing, data-driven health and fitness app? Cardian can help. And, our scalable pricing makes Cardian super affordable because you pay as your business grows. Visit us online and learn more about our innovative platform.
