It’s easy to get comfortable and send a new member on their way once a contract is signed and you have finalized their membership through My Enrollment, but don’t just take their money and let them figure out the rest because chances are, they still have a lot of questions, feel very insecure, and experience gym fright.
According to FOX News, the perception that fitness clubs are looking a little less crowded is because gym fright is starting to sink in. Aside from gym memberships being too expensive, three out of the five reasons people are already giving up on their fitness routines have to do with self-esteem issues and not knowing how to operate gym equipment.
Consistent guidance and follow-up are not only key to helping your members overcome gym fright but are also crucial to keeping them long-term. Here are some ways you can achieve that.
TALK WITH YOUR MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR FITNESS GOALS
As an owner, there’s a lot to keep track of and you probably don’t know all of the details about a member at top of your head, but you can talk with them about what they hope to achieve, take notes and keep that information in their membership file. Ask them questions, get a feel for their specific needs, and make suggestions about different things their membership entails or how our gym software could benefit them. Use our retention cards as a personal touch to continuously make them feel welcome in your facility.
SUGGEST GROUP CLASSES OR PERSONAL TRAINING
One of the most common reasons for people cancelling their memberships is because they aren’t seeing results, and that can derive from gym intimidation. Whether that means the member is doing certain exercises incorrectly or they are afraid to try new machines, it can usually be avoided by introducing them to motivators like personal training or group classes where they will be around others, won’t feel so lost and will have more customized workouts.
WALK THEM THROUGH ALL NECESSARY GYM SOFTWARE
Members need a strong balance between details and efficiency, especially if they have specific fitness goals. That starts with teaching them how to use all of the tools that will help them be successful. First and foremost, introduce them to our Mobile App. Then in My Club Business, show them how to sign up for classes and personal training sessions using My Scheduler and Rapid Class Check in. Make sure they are aware of everything their membership offers along with any other add-ons they might need like supplements or childcare. A lot of the time, members don’t take full advantage of everything their gyms offer because they weren’t informed from the get-go.
GIVE NEW MEMBERS A TOUR OF YOUR FACILITY
New members usually have a lot of questions, one of them being where everything is located. According to FOX News, 49 percent of people are intimidated by the thought of the gym. Based on that statistic alone, it’s more than likely that many of your members avoid certain areas of your facility solely because they don’t know what they’re doing. As you show them around, walk them through how to check in, where lockers are and ask them if they have questions about classes or how to use certain equipment. Member money is valuable, and you don’t want them wasting it because they’re too intimidated by the weight room or they’re curious about using an elliptical but are too self-conscious to try it. If they feel limited, it’s likely that they will eventually cancel their membership, or it will expire and never renew. It is your responsibility to reassure them of why they signed up with your gym in the first place and to keep them coming back.
OFFER GUEST PASSES THROUGH OUR PASS-A- FRIEND PROGRAM
Facing fitness fears with a friend is a lot easier than doing it alone, and new members especially will benefit from this and be a lot more likely to step out of their comfort zones with a workout buddy. Not only does our Pass-a-friend program benefit the member with four guest passes, but it’s also a great opportunity for you as a club owner to gain prospects.
Bottom line is that happy members are lifelong members. The more comfortable they feel, the more they will take advantage of, which will lead to consistent usage of their membership and a greater chance of renewing their contract.
