Managing reservations in a fitness club

Group classes are an integral part of fitness club operations. People who train in sports clubs appreciate having an alternative to strength training. The variety of available classes increases the club’s attractiveness to clients. However, the more classes there are, the more difficult and time consuming their management becomes. Therefore, fitness clubs that base their offer on group classes need an efficient system for managing reservations.

A growing trend is the implementation of systems that enable customers to independently book classes and cancel reservations when necessary. Nowadays, when smartphones are an inseparable part of everyday life, it is worth ensuring that reservations can also be made via mobile devices.

When talking to our clients, we often encountered the belief that creating a mobile app for booking classes in a small fitness club is too difficult. That is why, as experts in developing such solutions, we decided to create a dedicated mobile application that even small facilities can easily implement. After providing us with the necessary branding materials, GYMMANAGER takes care of the entire process of launching a personalized application.

We conducted an interview with one of our clients: Magda – the owner of Mięta Fitness Studio, for which we recently implemented a dedicated mobile application. We asked her how the implementation process went and how managing class reservations looks now with the app.

Q: How do clients react to the information that the club has its own mobile application?

A: The information that our club has a dedicated mobile application is received very positively. Nowadays, clients appreciate such conveniences. Many people are surprised that as a relatively small fitness studio we have our own fully customized application. We often get questions about how we did it, when we had time to implement such a solution, and who developed it. As the owner, I am most pleased that the application looks as if we created it ourselves, while in reality it is provided by GYMMANAGER, and we don’t have to worry about any technical aspects.

Q: Is the tutorial shown during the first login sufficient for clients to learn how to use the app?

A: Absolutely. I personally used the tutorial after logging in for the first time to see how everything works, and I had no problems navigating the app afterwards. There has not been a single situation where a client reported issues with using, downloading, or installing the app. It is very intuitive and clear, so even people who are not very familiar with technology can use it without problems.

Q: Do clients prefer booking classes via the app rather than through the Client Panel?

A: Yes. When I talk to clients, they say that booking classes in the app is much more convenient and faster. Nowadays, everyone always has their phone at hand, so reservations can be made in just a few seconds. With the app, clients don’t need to log in every time – they simply click the club’s icon and immediately have access to available classes and bookings. I also often check the app myself to see updates, availability, and it works very quickly.

Q: Has the number of unattended reservations decreased thanks to the ability to cancel bookings?

A: When clients have the option to cancel their attendance in the app, they are more likely to do so. Just like booking, canceling takes only a few simple steps, so it doesn’t require much time from the client.

Q: What has changed since introducing the dedicated mobile application in the club?

A: The most important thing for us is that everything runs more smoothly, which additionally encourages clients to visit the club more often. We also greatly appreciate the ability to register new clients through the app. They can create an account in just a few simple steps, which increases the chances that they will sign up for classes and, most importantly, become long-term clients.