Marketing Automation for Gyms: Set It and Grow

<small>5 minute read</small>

Stop sending emails manually. Let automation do the heavy lifting.

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Why Automation Matters

Every gym has the same marketing to-do list: welcome new members, remind people about classes, win back dropouts. The difference between thriving gyms and struggling ones is often whether these tasks happen consistently.

Automation ensures the right message reaches the right member at the right time—without you lifting a finger.

The Essential Automations

1. Welcome Sequence (Days 1-14)

New member signs up → trigger:

• Day 0: Welcome email + quick start guide
• Day 1: SMS reminder about first visit
• Day 3: Check-in email ("How was your first workout?")
• Day 7: Invite to a group class
• Day 14: Feedback request + referral offer

This sequence alone can improve 30-day retention by 25%.

2. Class Reminders

Class booked → trigger:

• 24 hours before: Email reminder with class details
• 2 hours before: SMS reminder (optional)
• After class: Feedback request or next class suggestion

3. At-Risk Member Outreach

Visit frequency drops → trigger:

• After 1 week inactive: Friendly check-in
• After 2 weeks: Personal offer (free PT session, class invite)
• After 3 weeks: Manager reaches out directly

4. Win-Back Campaigns

Membership cancelled/expired → trigger:

• Day 7: "We miss you" email with special offer
• Day 30: Survey + incentive to return
• Day 90: Final win-back attempt

The Referral Engine

Happy members are your best marketers. Automate referrals:

• After 5th visit: Unlock referral program
• Referee signs up: Reward both parties automatically
• Monthly leaderboard: Top referrers get recognition

Segmentation Is Key

Not all members are the same. Segment by:

• Membership type: Different messaging for premium vs basic
• Activity level: High-frequency vs at-risk
• Interests: Class lovers vs free-weight enthusiasts
• Tenure: New vs long-term members

Generic blasts feel like spam. Targeted messages feel personal.

Measuring Success

Track these metrics for each automation:

• Open rate: Are subject lines working?
• Click rate: Is content compelling?
• Conversion: Did the action happen?
• Unsubscribe rate: Are you annoying people?

A/B test subject lines, send times, and offers to continuously improve.

Getting Started

You don't need to build everything at once. Start with:

1. Welcome sequence (highest impact)
2. Class reminders (easy win)
3. At-risk outreach (prevents churn)

Then expand as you learn what works for your members.