It’s hard to believe but it is time to nail down holiday promotional ideas for upcoming season. Below, we sketched out six easy and affordable ways you can boost business for your fitness club!
1. Design gift baskets for your gym
Do you sell supplements, branded apparel, or nutritional meal services? Bundle them by theme, and show them off in colorful baskets, wrapped in ribbon and bows. This easy-to-do holiday promotional idea moves product off the shelves and becomes a convenient gift-find for your gym members.
2. Run a sale for current and new members.
So simple, right? But evidence proves it works. Lowering your monthly rate for the short-term can drive membership during this slow season. Additionally, cross-selling discounted services to your current base also wins fans. Remember, the purpose of a sale is to build memberships and increase revenue. By bumping up the revenue-per-customer, you are generating more cash, without the costs of acquiring a new gym member.
Additionally, when you install the right software, these short-term sales promotions gain extra power. How so? Insight lets you to add a sign-up link on your social media. Prospects can sign up for your club and start working out as soon as they want. With our Digital Keytag technology, you don’t have to meet them at the gym to give them a key.
3. Host a gym competition
Our long-term client Rosamond Health and Fitness in California awards cash to winners of a weight-loss competition. Meanwhile, The Cardio Club in Delhi, NY, markets a “Live Fit” six-week challenge.
These friendly rivalries work on so many levels. First, they encourage gym member participation and friendships. Second, they build club loyalty and provides a ton of social media posts. They may also reignite interest in fitness for those members ready to stop for the holidays.
4. Offer free samples of your favorite upsells
This works great at retail giant Costco, and it will for your gym, too. Fit Factory in Preston, ID*, gives away a 12-week training program with every new sign-up. Naturally, of course, this requires full buy-in by a trainer and some planning. Fit Factory breaks down their workout program choices to: Bodybuilding Fit, Strength Fit, Functional Fit, and Ladies Fit.
Meanwhile, giving away free samples builds interest in specialty items, too. For example, Cardio Club bundles a free sauna service with every apparel purchase. In this way, the owner generates sauna sales by drawing in clients who have never considered a hot detox.
5. Create an event that everyone can enjoy.
Basic, yet special events encourage attendance, build club loyalty, and generate positive word-of mouth. Kage Gym in Mundelein, IL, holds super fun arm-wrestling competitions. However, there are dozens of other opportunities – especially at this time of year.
Holiday activities can include:
- Coordinate a volunteer day.
- Sponsor a food/pantry drive.
- Hold a healthy Thanksgiving meal and expo.
- Host a meditation retreat or, conversely, for example, a boxing exhibition.
Gym Insight’s Members App makes promoting these events a breeze. Our Members App allows for mass messaging and two-way individual messaging. This way, your gym can promote events to your client base without worrying about breaking any FTC/FCC communication rules.
6. Bonus employees for drawing members.
Run an internal membership drive and extend it to all your employees. Give each employee a cash bump for every new sign-up they bring into the gym. The approach gives employees a chance to shine and grows your client base. It is here that Gym Insight’s retention tools come in especially handy. Your best employees can dig into the database of faltering and lapsed members and possibly re-sign them to a new membership or book a body-changing training program.
7. Build a gratitude wall
Nothing brings people together quite like graffiti. Post-it® sells an amazing over-sized whiteboard product that peels on and off your walls with ease. These roll-out wall boards need only a dry eraser to become the central spot for positive comments and holiday thanks. Post-it® products can be bit pricy, though. For a cheaper solution, buy brown paper rolls from your local hardware store. Then just cut, tack up, and let the holiday wishes fly.
Holiday Promotional Ideas — It’s a Wrap!
We hope our suggestions spark and kick start a successful campaign this year for you. Have fun and enjoy this most glorious of seasons!
Gym Insight
We are a privately held gym management software firm established in 2008. Our affordable software features unbeatable sales tools, 24/7 digital key tag solutions for door access, and a Members App for up-to-date communication. We also offer a suite of reports and gym management tools sure to create a well-managed, smooth operation. For a free demo, call us today at 855-FOR-GYMS (855-367-4967) and ask for Natalia or Anthony. Our U.S.-based sales team and customer service group are here to serve you every day.
*All businesses mentioned use Gym Insight software.