Whether you want to have more gym members or increase your revenue…

Running promotions is the answer.

You see, good promotions bring in new faces.

They can get current members to spend more.

They also put your gym at the top of Google searches.

But be careful.

Too many deals might make your gym look cheap.

The wrong offers could hurt your profits too.

So in this newsletter, you'll learn:

● 8 types of gym promotions that work

● Ideas for each month of the year.

● Timing your promotions (101).

And let’s start with the first point.

8 Types of Gym Promotions That Work

Here are the eight types of promotions:

1. Buy One, Get One Free: Two memberships for the price of one.

2. Refer a Friend: Reward members who bring in new people.

3. Free Trials: Let people try your gym for a day or week.

4. No Sign-Up Fees: Remove the cost barrier for joining.

5. Free Stuff: Offer gym bags, training sessions, or meal plans.

6. Free Upgrades: Move off-peak members to peak hours.

7. Extra Perks or Bonuses: Throw in personal training or supplements.

8. Discounts: Cut the price, but do it smartly.

These ideas create urgency and make people do something immediately.

The great part?

They're tested, and they work.

Next, we'll look at promotion ideas for each month of the year.

This way, you'll always have a fresh offer ready.

Calendar-Themed Gym Promotion Ideas

I created 12 themed ideas for promotions tied to important dates in the year.

These ideas can help you:

● Keep members.

● Get referrals.

● Find new customers.

JANUARY – What Makes You Different?

New Year's resolutions bring fitness to everyone's mind.

And your job?

Show why your gym is the best choice.

Do you have yoga classes? New machines? Friendly trainers?

Let people know what makes your gym different.

FEBRUARY – Collect 10 Stamps

Fewer people come to the gym after January.

So try a stamp card reward system.

Here’s how it works:

● Members get a stamp each time they visit.

● After 10 stamps…

● They get a free drink or training session.

This way, it can help keep people coming back.

MARCH – Referrals On Demand

With another peak in gym sign-ups, March is the perfect time for a referral promotion.

Make it easy for members to share online vouchers with friends and family.

Then, offer a range of rewards like a “Swim & Sauna Day for Two” or a “PT Starter Class Pass.”

APRIL – De-Stress

April is Stress Awareness Month, so highlight your stress-busting offerings.

Promote services like:

● Saunas.

● Yoga classes.

● Relaxation workshops.

OR you can offer a “de-stress” package for new members to attract and retain clients.

MAY – Summer Body

Summer is coming...

And people want to look their best.

You can:

Launch "summer body" promotions with enough time for members to see results.

JUNE – Fresh Fruit Flyers

Add a healthy twist to your marketing.

Hand out fresh fruit with attached gym passes in busy areas near your gym.

This creative approach can draw attention to your gym.

JULY – Boost Social Media Posts

July sees a small peak in gym membership demand, so take advantage by boosting your social media posts.

With targeted ads…

You can reach your ideal clients and convert leads into members.

AUGUST – Free Friends

August is typically quieter for gyms, so fill that space.

Offer your members a chance to bring friends for free.

Collect contact info from these guests and follow up to turn them into paying members.

SEPTEMBER – Autumn Relaunch

People often think about fitness as summer ends.

Use this time to introduce new products or services at your gym.

Let people try it for free or at a lower price to get them interested.

OCTOBER – Healthy Habit Challenge

It's getting colder, and people might exercise less.

The best move would be to begin a 30-day health challenge.

Ask members to do one healthy thing each day.

It could be drinking more water or taking a walk.

NOVEMBER – Black Friday

Black Friday is a great time for a big promotion that won't cheapen your brand.

Give a good discount on memberships.

You could even take 15% off the price.

Or give something extra—like free training sessions, if someone signs up for a year.

DECEMBER – Pay Nothing Until January

The holiday season keeps people busy.

But you can still attract new members.

You can offer a "Pay Nothing Until January" deal for new sign-ups.

This fills your pipeline for the new year and gets people in the door during a typically slow time.

Timing Your Gym Promotions

Remember:

Knowing when to run promotions is just as important as the promotions themselves.

Look at your gym's busy and slow times…

Think about holidays and seasons...

BUT don’t overdo it whenever you’re promoting.

Too many promotions can make your gym seem cheap.

So aim for one big promotion every three months.

This keeps things fresh without devaluing your services.

Conclusion

Now, you've learnt about promotions…

Next?

You need to put this knowledge to work.

● Pick a promotion that matches your gym's needs.

● If you want new members, try a referral program.

● To keep current members engaged, launch a fitness challenge.

Your next promotion could be the biggest move for your gym's growth.

Which type of promotion will you try first?