How gyms and fitness studios get more members from Google

Set up your profile for what people search

• Primary category: the most specific that's true, such as a boxing gym, yoga studio, martial arts school or dance school, rather than a general gym category if that's not what you are.
• Services: each class type and offer, from personal training to beginners' courses and kids' classes.
• Hours: staffed hours and any 24-hour access, kept accurate on bank holidays.
• Attributes: wheelchair access, changing rooms, parking, women-only sessions, whatever is true.

Let people book a trial straight from Google

Appointment-based businesses, including fitness studios, can show a booking button on their profile by connecting a supported booking provider or adding their own booking link. Many studio booking tools support this, though availability varies by country.

Show the real space and the people

• The floor, equipment and studios, in daylight and when they look their best.
• Classes in action, with members' permission.
• Your coaches, with their names on your website.
• Posts for new timetables, challenges, open days and events, with a booking button.

Reviews from members

1. Ask new members after their first few weeks, when they've seen results, and longer-term members after milestones.
2. Send a direct review link by text or email; a QR code at reception works for people who prefer to do it later.
3. Don't run review competitions, offer free sessions for reviews or ask members to name a coach. Google's policies don't allow these.
4. Reply to every review, and handle complaints about cleanliness or crowding quickly and publicly polite.

Answer every enquiry fast

Gym enquiries often arrive when your team is coaching. 75% of US consumers decide which local business to use within 30 minutes, so an unanswered message is often a lost member. Missed-call text-back and one inbox for messages make sure every enquiry gets a reply.