New Year, New Gains: 10 Ways to Attract Clients to Your Fitness Business in 2025
The start of a new year brings a surge of motivation as people commit to their goals with newfound determination. For fitness professionals, this period presents an unparalleled opportunity to welcome fresh faces and inspire long-term loyalty. With everyone eager to jump-start new routines, it’s time to flex your fitness marketing muscles and boost bookings.
Here are powerful strategies to help your fitness business—whether your niche is bodybuilding, cross-training, mindfulness, HIIT, prenatal, or nutrition—attract clients and make 2025 your strongest year yet.
1. Flex your social media game
Social media is the modern-day word-of-mouth, and fitness professionals can’t afford to skip it. Post engaging content like health and fitness tips, short exercise videos, and eye-catching visuals of your space. For example, a yoga instructor can share a 10-minute flow for better sleep, while a personal trainer might post an ab burner reel or show clients how to meal prep. A gym can give a glimpse of their rooms, group classes, and equipment alongside special offers that bring clients in to get (and stay) active.
To maximize reach and engagement, hop on trends like “New year, new me,” create challenges like “21 days to zen,” or use custom hashtags like #TrainWithTaylor as you grow your audience.
Pro tip: Use your social channels to promote any free resources you offer, like downloadable workout plans, in exchange for email sign-ups—then nurture those leads with targeted emails.
2. Make online booking a breeze
Clients will go elsewhere if booking feels like a chore. Simplify the process by enabling 24/7 online booking, automated reminders, and flexible payment options. That way there’s no need to go back and forth over the phone or email to find a time to train and get compensated for your hard work.
Acuity Scheduling user Big Apple Ballroom made the switch to online booking and never looked back:
“Many ballroom studios rely exclusively on taking phone calls to book appointments and new students, but many people in today’s era prefer to make an appointment by booking online by themselves.”
Pro tip: Get booked through social media as soon as your followers are inspired. Curate your link in bio with a Bio Site, then add your scheduling page link to direct them to book online. Acuity integrates with Facebook and Instagram for even more seamless scheduling. Add a “Book Now” button to your profile to convert more followers to new clients in no time.
3. Kickstart client commitment with packages and memberships
Everyone loves a good deal, especially when motivation is high. Create enticing offers like discounted packages and memberships that inspire long-term participation. For instance, a dance instructor might sell a package of 10 classes for the price of 8, while a studio can offer a membership plan with exclusive benefits like “Bring a friend for free” once a month. These offers don’t just provide great value—they encourage consistency and ensure clients stick to their routines.
Pro tip: Use Acuity’s packages, subscriptions, and integrated payments to easily add these offers to an online scheduling page for clients to purchase. Highlight their value compared to booking single sessions, and inspire FOMO with clear calls to action.
4. Prioritize convenience
Offer flexibility to accommodate busy schedules and client preferences. This could mean hybrid training options (in-person and virtual), on-demand workout videos, or flexible class times. A Pilates instructor can host virtual group classes for clients who prefer to practice at home or live too far from the local studio, while personal trainers can offer early morning or late-night sessions.
Pro tip: If you choose to offer hybrid or virtual fitness options, Acuity Scheduling makes it easy to manage them. With flexible calendar settings and video conferencing integrations, you can deliver a great experience anywhere.
5. Revamp your client intake process
Clients value feeling seen and supported—and every one is unique. Take time to understand their goals and offer tailored solutions. Use intake forms to gather information before you meet so you can personalize their journey.
Consider asking clients questions like:
What are your primary fitness goals? (e.g., weight loss, muscle gain, increased flexibility, improved overall health)
What motivates you to work out? (e.g., mental health, improving performance, social interaction)
What is your current activity level? (e.g., sedentary, occasional workouts, regular workouts)
Are there any specific milestones you'd like to achieve? (e.g., running a 5k, mastering a yoga pose, reaching a target weight)
Do you have any current or previous injuries, medical conditions, or limitations that we should be aware of?
6. Build community with goal-oriented programs and events
The New Year’s resolution crowd craves structure and community, making goal-oriented programs and engaging events the perfect duo. Offer specialized plans like a 6-week bootcamp or a 30-day path to flexibility. Pair these with workshops or events that educate and motivate, such as "Mastering the Basics of Strength Training" or "Yoga for Stress Relief."
Consider programs that are inclusive and beginner-friendly to attract clients who are just starting their fitness journey or making a comeback after a long break.
Pro tip: Use these programs and events as an entry point—offer discounts to attendees who book follow-up sessions or packages to keep up the momentum. So what if it’s a little past January? It’s never too late!
7. Share social proof to boost confidence
Incentivize clients to share their secret to getting in shape—you! Use a custom form for new bookings to ask how they found you and who sent them, then reward your clients for their referral with a special discount.
On your website and social channels, highlight client testimonials, before-and-after photos, or video shoutouts. A personal trainer, for example, might share a short clip of how they’re working with an existing client to hit a big milestone. When you let your success stories do the talking, you can motivate people with similar goals to seek you out.
Pro tip: Automate follow-ups after each class or session. Thank clients for attending and encourage them to leave a review to strengthen your reputation and draw in new clients.
8. Partner with local businesses
Team up with complementary services to expand your reach and elevate client experiences. For example, collaborate with a nutritionist to offer bundled fitness and meal-planning packages. Gyms might partner with local shops for post-workout perks, like discounts on smoothies.
Pro tip: Cross-promote each other’s services on social media to maximize exposure.
9. Track progress and adapt
Keep an eye on what’s working and be willing to pivot. Generate reports from your booking software or use social media insights to measure success and refine your strategy. If you notice more clients booking virtual sessions, for instance, you may want to expand your online offerings. Or, if you notice high attendance in beginner classes, consider adding more slots to meet demand.
10. Get your schedule in shape with the right software
Our final, but most essential, fitness tip? Choose scheduling software that’s as flexible as you are.
Acuity Scheduling is built to support fitness businesses of all types and sizes, from solo trainers to gyms with multiple staff or locations, and any services you want to book—1:1 coaching, group classes, virtual training, in-person sessions, and even sports camps.
Just look at how Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club improved bookings:
“With Acuity, we booked 5 months of lessons in 2 hours. Not 2 hours a month. Just 2 hours. Being able to quickly reschedule individual lessons, or a series of them, or change a coach’s availability has made running my business so much easier.”
Learn more about the features that fuel fitness businesses.
It’s time to transform
The new year is for fresh starts—for many, this is the time to embrace change and seek expert guidance to meet their goals. By combining strategic fitness marketing with seamless scheduling, you can position your business as the solution. With a little creativity and a lot of care, you’ll be ringing in new clients faster than you can say, “One more rep!”
Start your free trial of Acuity scheduling today.
