How To Bring Additional Sales To Your Gym

As a fitness enthusiast and gym owner, you want to introduce more people to the physical and mental benefits of exercise. Of course, it's an added bonus when you make money in the process. The number of people joining gyms often surges around the new year, but many of those new memberships don't carry long into the year. If you're looking to bring in more people throughout the year, use these tricks to create additional sales.

Set Up Ecommerce Options

You may be asking yourself "what is ecommerce?". Simply put, it's online retailers. If you've ever bought anything online, you've participated in ecommerce. Many people tend to think of online shopping as only those things you can purchase and have delivered directly to your home. However, setting up ecommerce options on your gym website is essential for bringing in new sales. An increasing number of people, especially younger generations, are uncomfortable talking on the phone, which means it's harder to get people interested with a phone call. When you provide a detailed list of your membership plans online and allow people to sign up from your website, you are more likely to gain new customers.

Provide a Detailed Tour

Whether someone comes in to ask about a membership or you're showing someone around after they've purchased one online, it's important to make the most of your tour. After all, you want people not only to get interested but to stay interested in coming to your facility. Point out the equipment you provide, whether you offer specific classes, and any unique features you offer. Tell your members whether you provide personal trainers, how you help them meet their goals, and whether you offer complimentary personal hygiene products in the locker rooms. Be sure to detail how you keep members and their belongings safe both in the gym and in the locker rooms.

Consider Offering Childcare Facilities

Many busy parents never make it to the gym simply because they don't have someone to watch the kids while they work out. If you operate in an area that many young families call home, consider offering childcare at your gym. Many parents have no problem paying an extra fee for high-quality care. However, keep in mind that this method takes a bit of work first. You'll need to review the legal requirements for providing childcare in your area, ensure you hire trained and certified staff for the center, and purchase the right equipment to run a daycare area.

Create an Inclusive Environment

One reason some people are reluctant to join a gym is that they imagine everybody else as strong men or thin women who will judge them for not fitting the mold. Sometimes, minorities are also afraid to join gyms if they worry they won't fit in. When creating your website, posting on social media, and hiring employees, consider what kind of image you want to present to potential members. Show people of all shapes and sizes enjoying your classes and equipment. Hire models for your website who come from all ethnic backgrounds. Don't be afraid to hire people with multiple hair colors and tattoos. Ensure your gym is LGBTQ-friendly. Follow through with your image by providing a safe and welcoming environment once someone enters the gym. Being inclusive is more likely to bring in members, especially younger ones or those who don't fit the "typical" gym mold. 

Build a Rewards System

Who doesn't love to be rewarded for their hard work? Build a rewards system to keep members who have joined interested in renewing their memberships. Do you have an onsite snack bar? Offer rewards for purchases or for attending a specific number of classes. Has someone attended 5 classes in a certain amount of time? Give them a sixth class for free. As your gym grows, consider offering larger rewards. For example, consider raffling off cash and prizes or anyone whose been to the gym a specific number of times within a set time frame. This keeps people motivated to work out, which means membership renewals.

Above all else, be genuine. Consumers know when you're just doing something to take their money. Show your human side, be kind, and show that you have a passion for exercise and not just for the money that's in the business.