Running a fitness studio without the right tools can be stressful. In an average day, you might face competing class schedules, incorrect bookings, and missing merch. Save the sweat for your classes by investing in fitness studio management software that helps you manage your studio more effectively and creates a great member experience.

When it comes to choosing your management software, proceed with caution. No doubt, you are looking to streamline your daily operations, rather than overcomplicate them. It can be easy to make mistakes when you are overwhelmed by choices and information. Trust us: the right software can change your life, but you need to be sure you’re getting what you need.

Let’s break down some of the common mistakes studio owners make when choosing their management software and how you can avoid them.

1. It Doesn’t Offer an All-in-One Solution

Imagine going through the work of setting up your new management software, only to realize it’s missing the features you need. This is an unfortunate situation many studios find themselves in when they purchase the wrong software. By that time, it’s often too late.

Your studio management platform should impact operations across your entire fitness center, rather than just solving one issue. Be wary of selecting software that doesn’t provide an all-in-one solution, because it will lead to further software purchases down the road. This is a costly mistake that many studios suffer from, as they wind up paying for multiple different programs, add-ons and subscriptions.

Instead, look for management software that works as an all-in-one solution for your business operations. For example, our fitness studio management software easily manages payments, bookings, schedules, check-ins, and marketing all in one place!

2. It Fails to Enhance Client Experience

The goal of your software is to make things easier for your business and that includes making things easier for your students.

Happy clients are the goal for all business owners, so do not overlook key features aimed at supporting them and avoid clunky interfaces and confusing layouts. Automation and digital solutions can be great resources, but only if your clients can understand and benefit from them.

Look for studio management software that boasts easy-to-use features like online booking, self-check-in, and allows members to easily track their classes and payments. These features help you connect better with your clients and fulfil their needs.

3. It Overlooks Automations & Integrations

Software that lacks the ability to automate your daily tasks will leave you struggling through a heavy workload. Remember: the goal is to make things easier for you and your team, not harder.

Knowledge is one of the most valuable assets a business owner can have. Your studio software should include artificial intelligence and machine learning that allows you to extract valuable insights from your business.

Automated marketing is another feature that will set your fitness studio apart from the crowd. Win your clients’ attention and keep it with automated messages and push alerts that keep your classes full by offering the right packages and memberships in advance.

When it comes to your digital solutions, the saying that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” applies. Choose software that seamlessly integrates with popular programs and platforms. Our software allows for multiple integrations, such as offering your classes on ClassPass for expanded reach or video conferencing through a Zoom integration that makes virtual classes a breeze.

4. It Has a Complicated Interface

The goal of your fitness studio management software is to increase organization and efficiency. While it’s great to purchase software that’s loaded with features, it can all go to waste if the software is too complicated for your team to understand.

It shouldn’t take a team of rocket scientists to fully leverage your new software. It should be user-friendly from the moment it’s installed.

The best software for your fitness center will be intuitively designed and increase accessibility for both your team and clients. Look for a solution with a clean, customizable dashboard that allows your team to read data reports, edit schedules, and send marketing emails in just a few clicks. Remember: the more time you save, the more time you can invest in what really matters: helping your clients reach their goals.

5. It Lacks Scalability

If your team has switched management software in the past, you know how painful it is to migrate everything from one software to another.

Avoid long hours of data entry and training by choosing studio management software that will grow with your business.

It’s a fantastic feeling to watch your business grow from one location to multiple, but you’ll run into trouble if your software is unable to transfer and grow across all your locations. This is a mistake many studio owners run into as they realize they are quickly outgrowing their software.

That’s why our fitness studio management software is cloud-based, meaning you can access important business data from any location, any time. Our software is designed to grow with you and provides constant support and timely updates to keep you ahead of new fitness industry trends and more importantly, the competition.

Why Management Software Is Worth Investing In

Fitness studio management software is designed to automate and streamline the operations of fitness centers. Automating time-consuming daily tasks like class scheduling, payment processing, and data entry allows your team to spend more time helping your clients become their best selves.

Digital solutions for fitness studios and gyms are becoming increasingly important. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the popularity of digital fitness classes by 81% with 72% of fitness clubs now offering on-demand options to their members.

Investing in high-tech software is no longer an option; it is a necessity for your studio to remain competitive.

‍Reports say 75% of gym-goers plan to return to their pre-pandemic routines. You want to do everything in your power to make sure they choose your studio. A great software can do just that by:

• Making it easier to land on your potential clients’ radar with automated marketing.
• Increasing repeat visits through a scheduling platform and online booking system that makes it fun and easy to try new classes.
• Enhancing your clients' fitness experience and inspiring them to return time after time.
• Improving your organization and accessibility so you can use your time more effectively.  

Integrating studio management software is a no-brainer for all fitness studios and gyms. Whether you run a yoga studio or health club, management software will ease your operations and reduce stress - for both you and your staff.

How to Choose the Right Fitness Studio Management Software for You

There’s really only one thing to keep in mind while choosing your fitness studio management software: it should make your life easier.

If the software you’re considering is confusing, lacks features, and is unable to reduce your daily workload, then it isn’t the right software for you.

Stay ahead of trends and your competition with management software that automates your marketing efforts and scales with your business. Avoid falling into the trap of software that comes with bells and whistles, but ultimately lacks a user-friendly interface and relevant business integrations.

Fitness studio management software can and should be a wonderful tool for your fitness business - increasing your productivity, efficiency, and client satisfaction.

Finding an all-in-one cloud-based solution like our fitness studio management platform will streamline your operations and increase your business’s success.

‍To learn more about the benefits of fitness studio management software read our blog on eight ways fitness studio management software will save you time.