Onboarding Basics:
Working with hundreds of gyms and CrossFit affiliates, means we understand the critical importance of effective member onboarding.
We believe that the initial experience sets the tone for a member’s journey and significantly impacts their long-term commitment and satisfaction. Not only that, they become a new voice and advocate for your gym!
In this guide, we outline our strategies for maximising gym member onboarding to ensure success for both your members and your fitness business.
Understanding the Importance of Member Onboarding
Member onboarding is the process of welcoming new members into your gym community and providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to achieve their fitness goals. It is a crucial step in fostering a positive relationship with your members and increasing retention rates.
Establishing Clear Expectations
From the moment a new member walks through our doors, strive to establish clear expectations regarding what they can expect from your facility and what you expect from them in return. This includes outlining your gym rules and etiquette expectations, membership benefits, class schedules, and any other pertinent information to ensure a smooth transition into your community. Ensure they are added to your FB community and any other communication channels you share.
You can do this via an automated email or printed welcome pack (or both!). Reach out to our design team if you need some help with this.
Building Personal Connections
We believe in the power of personal connections to create a sense of belonging and accountability among your members. Your onboarding process should include opportunities for new members to connect with staff and fellow members, whether through introductory sessions, group workouts, social events or buddying up with someone in the gym that can show them the ropes and intro them to their new community.
Don’t forget the new member intro in the gym for their first sessions, as well as welcoming them personally into your private FB group. The personal touches go a long way for a new member’s confidence!
Partner workouts are a great way to get a connection initiated and we want to make sure the newbie isn’t being left in the corner of the gym on their own.
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Crafting a Comprehensive Onboarding Program
Fitness Assessments and Goal Setting
You can begin the onboarding process by conducting comprehensive fitness assessments to understand each member’s current fitness level, goals, and any limitations they may have. Based on this information, work with them to develop personalised fitness plans tailored to their individual needs and objectives.
Do they need some nutrition support or mobility to assist them in their transition? Perhaps they are really looking forward to being pushed and challenged so an extras program may be a perfect fit for that athlete? Knowing goals at the beginning can lead to a deeper commitment, and longer stay in your gym – the ultimate member retention tool.
Ongoing Support and Accountability
The journey to fitness is not always easy, so ensure you provide ongoing support and accountability to your members every step of the way. Your dedicated team of coaches and trainers should be available to answer questions, provide guidance, and offer encouragement to help new members stay motivated and committed to their goals. Pass on personal details in a meaningful way with your coaches and management team so the change of shifts, does not negatively effect the new faces in the gym.
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Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Onboarding
In today’s digital age, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the onboarding experience for your members. Fitbox offers an extremely streamline processes for onboarding, offers improved communication through the app, and provides additional value to members through tracking numbers and viewing the programming inside the user friendly app.
Mobile Apps and Online Resources
Fitbox offers a user-friendly mobile app that allows members to access workout plans, track their progress, schedule classes, and connect with their community from anywhere, at any time.
Automated Reminders and Notifications
Reminders ensure that members stay on track with their fitness goals. Utilise automated reminders and notifications to keep them engaged and accountable. Whether it’s reminding them of upcoming workouts, scheduling follow-up appointments, or celebrating their achievements, leverage technology to provide personalised and timely communication. This can be done via the fitbox app, or using automations our team can set up for you. Contact us for more info.
Conclusion
Member onboarding is more than just a process—it’s a commitment to helping new members succeed. By prioritising clear communication, personalised support, and innovative technology, empower your members to reach their full potential and achieve their fitness goals.
Join us on fitbox today and experience the difference of a comprehensive onboarding experience and member management app designed for your success.
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