Steal These 30 Gym Story Ideas

Carousels and reels aren’t enough.

You need to use Stories too.

They hold the best spot on Instagram—right at the top of the screen where everyone starts their scroll.

Open Instagram right now.

Notice what you see first?

That's where your gym's Story will appear.

Members click through Stories faster than they scroll posts.

Because they love to answer:

● Polls.

● Respond to questions.

● Message you directly about your offers.

Now, in this newsletter…

You'll learn how to make Stories work for your gym, packed with 30 ready-to-use Story ideas.

Stick till the end, and you'll never guess what to post again.

How Instagram Stories Will Work For You

When you use Instagram stories the RIGHT way, you’ll experience these:

● Instant Visibility – Your gym appears at the top of Instagram feeds, making you one of the first things members see when they open the app.

● Community Building – Get people talking and participating with fun polls, questions, and quizzes that build your gym's community.

● Viewers into Leads – Turn viewers into leads by adding links that take them straight to your website, contact page, or email signup. 

● Stronger Connections – Build real connections with members by showing them behind-the-scenes content, introducing your staff, and celebrating their achievements.

● Sales Momentum – Drive quick sales with urgent, limited-time deals and special offers, complete with countdown timers that motivate people to act fast.

30 Gym Instagram Story Ideas

Now, we’re at the exciting part.

Below are 30 ideas you can start using today.

Each one is simple to create, and proven to engage your audience.

Mix and match these Story formats to keep your content fresh and your followers coming back for more.

Idea #1: Behind-the-Scenes

Take your audience behind the scenes of your gym. Showcase trainers preparing for classes, the cleaning process, or the setup of a new workout area. This humanises your gym and makes it more relatable.

Idea #2: Client Success Stories

Showcase members who've hit their goals through before-and-after photos and genuine testimonials. Real results from real people prove your gym delivers on its promises.

Idea #3: Quick Exercise Demos

Break down simple exercises or quick workout routines that viewers can do at home or in the gym. Use a trainer or staff member to demonstrate proper form.

Idea #4: Nutrition Tips

Share quick nutrition tips or healthy recipes. These could be related to pre-workout meals, post-workout snacks, or general healthy eating advice.

Idea #5: Challenge of the Day

Create daily or weekly fitness challenges and encourage your followers to participate. For example, a plank challenge or a certain number of squats per day. Ask them to tag your gym in their attempts.

Idea #6: Motivational Quotes

Overlay motivational quotes on gym-related visuals. Positive affirmations can inspire your viewers to stay dedicated to their fitness journey.

Idea #7: Event Previews

If your gym hosts events, workshops, or classes, tease them through Stories. Show glimpses of the preparations and generate excitement among your followers.

Idea #8: Interactive Polls and Questions

Use interactive features like polls and questions to engage with your audience. Ask them about their fitness goals, favourite workouts, or what kind of content they’d like to see more of.

Idea #9: Staff Introductions

Introduce your trainers and staff members. Share their expertise, achievements, and what makes them passionate about fitness. This helps in building a personal connection.

Idea #10: Member Spotlights

Celebrate members' achievements by sharing their journey, workout routine, and time with your gym. It makes featured members feel valued while showing others what's possible.

Idea #11: Equipment Highlights

Feature one piece of equipment per Story. Show proper use, common mistakes to avoid, and specific benefits. It makes intimidating machines more approachable and shows the value of your gym's setup.

Idea #12: Themed Days

Dedicate specific days for certain types of content. For instance, Monday Motivation, Wellness Wednesday, or Fitness Friday. This consistency can help your audience know what to expect from your Instagram gym Stories.

Idea #13: Gym Etiquette Tips

Share quick tips on gym etiquette, from wiping down equipment to re-racking weights. Educational content is valuable and appreciated by your audience.

Idea #14: Limited-Time Offers

Create a sense of urgency by announcing limited-time promotions or discounts exclusively for your Instagram followers. Include a countdown sticker to remind viewers of the deadline.

Idea #15: Exclusive Content for Followers

Tease exclusive content such as workout plans, nutrition guides, or access to special classes for your Instagram followers. Encourage them to DM (direct message) you for exclusive access.

Idea #16: Free Trial or Class

Promote a free trial session or class for new members. Use Stories to showcase snippets of what participants can expect, making it enticing for potential customers.

Example:

Idea #17: Membership Benefits

Break down specific benefits of joining your gym. Highlight what makes your gym unique. It could be your trainer consultations, class variety, or extended hours that set you apart. Make it clear why joining your gym is a valuable investment.

Idea #18: Referral Programs

Promote referral programs where existing members can earn rewards or discounts by referring new clients. Share success stories of members who benefited from the referral program.

Idea #19: Flash Sales

Drop your flash deals on memberships or training packages. Keep offers short and sweet with clear value, like "Next 5 signups get two free PT sessions."

Idea #20: Run Surveys Using Polls

Use polls to gather insights on what potential customers are looking for in a gym. Ask about preferred workout times, types of classes, or fitness goals. Tailor your offerings based on the responses.

Example:

Idea #21: Virtual Tours

Take your followers on a virtual tour of your gym. Showcase your facilities, equipment, and the overall ambiance. A glimpse inside can create a connection and make them more likely to visit in person.

Idea #22: Countdown to New Classes or Programs

Build excitement for upcoming classes or challenges. Share daily sneak peeks of workouts, instructor prep, and member benefits. Don’t forget to include a countdown sticker to drive registrations.

Idea #23: Exclusive Member Discounts

Surprise current members with special deals on PT sessions, merchandise, or shake bar items. Makes members feel valued while boosting secondary revenue streams.

Idea #24: Membership Anniversary Celebrations

Acknowledge and celebrate the anniversaries of your members’ joining dates. Share their fitness milestones, accomplishments, or even throw in a small surprise gift or discount as a token of appreciation.

Idea #25: Member-Only Events

If your gym hosts events or workshops, create exclusive events just for current members. Promote these events through Stories and emphasise the exclusivity factor, making members feel privileged to attend.

Idea #26: Trainer Takeovers

Let trainers run your Stories for a day. They share workout tips, nutrition advice, and daily routines. Helps members connect with trainers and understand their teaching styles.

Idea #27: Gym Community Stories

Feature member-submitted workout clips and transformation photos. Use 'Add Yours' sticker to collect more content. Shows the real, active community at your gym.

Idea #28: Fitness Quizzes

Post health and fitness-related quizzes to your gym’s Instagram Stories. These are a great way to educate members about different topics and generate lots of engagement too.

Idea #29: Wellness Tips

Share practical advice on sleep, stress management, and recovery. It shows you care about members' overall health, not just their workouts.

Idea #30: Member of the Month

Feature a “Member of the Month” in your Stories. Share their fitness journey, goals, and achievements. Offer them rewards like free personal training sessions.

Turning These Ideas Into Results

Ideas are just the start.

● Pick one idea tomorrow.

● Post it, see how your audience responds.

● And adjust based on what works.

But to execute it effectively…

You should keep these seven principles in mind:

● Plan your content – Use a content calendar to plan your Stories in advance and ensure they align with your broader marketing goals.

● Cater to your target audience – Share Stories that align with their interests, challenges, and preferences (rather than just what you want to promote).

● Make full use of Story features – Use GIFs, stickers, emojis, and interactive elements like polls and questions to add creativity and interactivity to your Stories.

● Include swipe-up links – If you have 10k+ followers or a verified account, use the swipe-up feature to direct viewers to external links, such as your website or promotional offers.

● Use consistent branding – Maintain a consistent visual style across all Stories or use branded templates or filters to make your Stories instantly recognisable as your business’ content.

● Measure and adapt – Use Instagram Insights to track the performance of your Stories by analysing views, interactions, and website clicks, then adapt your content strategy based on what’s proven to work well.

● Engage with your audience – If viewers ask questions or respond to polls, engage with them promptly—acknowledging their responses will help build a sense of community.

And you know the best part about Instagram Stories?

They’re temporary.

You can experiment endlessly.

Try out different content styles and formats to see which generates the best results.

Conclusion

Now, these 30 Story ideas place your gym right where it matters:

At the top of Instagram.

Where members start their daily scroll.

Each idea connects with your audience differently:

● Some educate.

● Some engage.

● Some drive action.

You've got all the tools, strategy, and guidance to make Stories work for your gym.

Now, it's your turn to show up where your members already are.

Thank you for reading Behind Wellness’s newsletter. I hope you found this week’s edition valuable.

Until next week,

Samara

P.S. If you have any questions, shoot me an email at [email protected], and I’d be happy to help.

P.P.S. Follow me on LinkedIn for bite-sized content and marketing tips.