Modern gyms are powered by technology. From workout-tracking equipment to 24/7 member access control, the clever use of tech can seriously enhance the member experience, while reducing staff workloads and offering owners greater control.
Booking and scheduling tools are another example. They form a key part of the best gym management software, allowing members to quickly and easily schedule, cancel and reschedule their own classes and training sessions.
In 2024 your fitness business has a wealth of options when it comes to membership management and scheduling software. But which tool is the best?
In this guide we’ll let the end users do the talking. We’ve collated fitness software reviews from the gym owners who use them, to give you a clear and unbiased view of what the best booking systems might be for your fitness business.
Why Choosing the Right Booking Software Matters for Your Gym
The best online booking system for your gym may be different to the best software for a competitor, because every gym and fitness studio is different. You should aim to find a tool that meets the unique needs of your fitness facility, the members that use it and the fitness professionals who work there.
The right gym business software helps owners easily schedule classes and training sessions. It then makes it easy for members to book those classes and trainers, and to cancel or change those bookings should they need to.
Personal training software can see the trainer book and reschedule a session on a client’s behalf - when the next training session is locked in as soon as the last one is finished, it can significantly improve member retention.
All-in-one software can offer a wealth of functionality beyond bookings too: 24/7 access control, membership management, marketing assistance, integrated billing and even a member and gym management app.
But for the purposes of comparison, we’ll predominantly focus on the booking and scheduling aspect of fitness management software, to understand what a business owner might look for in the perfect tool.
Honest Reviews from Gym Owners on Top Booking Software
What do owners think of modern gym management software? What is the best management software for fitness businesses, according to those that use these tools?
Let’s compare the 7 best gym booking and scheduling tools, based on owner reviews, to find out.
GymMaster
“The portal was extremely easy to navigate and use! Never had any issues with the hardware. Thanks to the GymMaster team for all their support and helping our family run studio grow.” - Jill S
“I found GymMaster and was thrilled that their upfront costs were so much less expensive. Easy to install and use and their launch program provided one-on-one guidance. Most importantly, their customer service is extraordinary. I have been an international consultant in the health and fitness industry for 30+ years and I would highly recommend them to anyone–and I’m not getting a dime to say any of this. Literally, I am a customer.” - Casey C
“When we switched software (a potential disaster) GymMaster took the time to make sure it all went as planned. The GymMaster team has been so incredibly friendly and caring. I have and will continue to recommend GymMaster to anyone contemplating a software change. They are a great group of people and the software is so user friendly, I would put it up against any other system. It is clean and easily manageable and maneuverable.” - Tosha S
“I love GymMaster and so do my clients. I couldn’t ask for a better product. The website and app are easy to navigate and set up classes.” - Nick R
“I found the GymMaster software to be extremely user-friendly - very easy to use, visually pleasing, great features which are regularly updated and improved upon, and the user end integrated seamlessly into our website. Customer service was always incredibly responsive and helpful, with a very quick turn-around time” - Lora J
Pros: Customer service, ease of use, integrated billing and member access control
Cons: Some users have had issues with the access control feature
SimplyBook.me
“I’ve been with SimplyBook.me for about a year and a half now, and unless a cheaper option with similar features and quality were to come along, I don’t see myself changing. I really love the customizable features and that I can select the ones I need most depending on my plan. I don’t like that I can’t over-book myself as an administrator.” - Jai M
“I find SimplyBook.me to be a very different product from what I’m used to. It offers powerful functionality, but it does take some time to learn and understand the system when starting out. The integration of business processes is also very straightforward. Overall, the user experience is excellent, and it’s the most suitable platform I’ve found for my needs.” - Elsie L
“They have a very wide set of features for users that are using their scheduling interface. The API seems to be quite robust as well handling many of the core scheduling features in it. The pricing is based on features and number of bookings which is very scalable for our use case that has lots of people that require a calendar but may never use the booking features that are provided by this integration.” - CTO of a small fitness business.
Pros: Simple, cost effective, good customer service via live chat
Cons: Lacks key features, not gym-specific
Zen Planner
“10/10 would recommend. We have had a great experience and enjoy using the software. We have been supported the entire way with their superior customer service. Everything from set up to troubleshooting tech issues, the staff at Zen Planner have been there to support and guide us in our day to day operations. A must for managing martial arts studios” - Damien C
“The on-boarding team is fantastic and truly went out of their way to ensure we had every available resource for success. I’d give it a B- on a grading scale. The customer support is outstanding but any time you want to go beyond just keeping track of how many students you have, things become way too complicated.” - Jen S
“Zen Planner takes care of our membership tracking, payments, scheduling. It can be a powerful tool if you know how to use it.” - Colin D
Pros: Customer support, feature-packed
Cons: Comparatively complicated and confusing, steep learning curve
PushPress
“PushPress is simply the best! Their service and their software have totally changed our gym to where we now feel like we are actually able to do work with the tracking of leads, at risk members, and just our community as a whole.” - Jason H
“First, their customer service is AMAZING! You can tell they’re also gym owners and understand our problems. Second, it’s just so easy to use and their reporting is really, really, good.” - Chris M
“It’s been fantastic. I really enjoy the ease of use and responsiveness, whether I’m in front of my computer, or on the go. The customer service is phenomenal, and they’re constantly working to improve their product.” - James E
Pros: Customer service, implementation and ease of use
Cons: Slightly clucky web UI, difficult to generate customized insights
Wodify
“Wodify is as close to perfect as possible. Wodify is easy to use for me, my coaches, and my clients. Recent updates to the Wodify app have transformed the ease at which my clients do business with me on a daily basis.” - Bryan W
“My business switched over from another software 6 months ago. While it is more expensive than the one we were using, it is well worth the money. Wodify takes care of everything from payment processing to letting you know which clients are at risk from cancelling (a fantastic feature), to scheduling events all in one area.” - Leslie C
“Great software for our martial arts business. Overall our experience has been extremely amazing with Wodify. Wodify helps us to easily keep track of all aspects of our business, including finances, attendance, and communication with our members. This software does everything we ask it to do, and they are constantly improving and adding features.” - George B
Pros: Payment management, record keeping, analytics
Cons: Customer service calls have to be scheduled, billing and payment integration issues
Mindbody Online
“Overall, MindBody is great and I don’t think I’ve even used half of the features after several years of regular use. There is a way to do anything, and tech always provides good help.” - Emily K
“Mindbody offers exemplary customer service. I have been with them for more than 10 years of the 15 years that I have been in business. It’s user friendly, innovative and helps business owners to automate their work.” - Sharmila M
“Overall, this product is a good solution for any gym or membership based company. I have not been able to find an option out there that has as many capabilities as Mindbody does, so I’ve chosen to stick with it. While it does have some inconveniences, it is a very reliable flexible software, which at the end of the day is the most important thing anyway. The sheer range of things this program can do is extremely impressive.” - Lauren W
Pros: Ease of use for members, feature-packed, ability to track clients
Cons: Expensive, refund processing issues, less intuitive on the back end
GymDesk
“Overall, I am VERY happy with the decision to begin using GymDesk for our membership management. It is easy for us and our members, the price is very reasonable, and the value is DEFINITELY there!” - Paul S
“I absolutely love this software. The customer service, how user friendly the software is, the troubleshooting support, and all of the different functions that the software offers is amazing.” - Sabrina M
“Super responsive and helpful customer service. Our questions/problems are usually resolved within a few hours of submitting a request. A clean UI: easy for both us and our members to navigate the software. It provides all the features you’d need to run your school: billing, belt/skills tracking, attendance tracking, etc.” - Yen Y
Pros: Customer support responsiveness, simple and intuitive
Cons: Lack of customization, reporting and integrations
Key Factors to Consider Before Selecting Booking Software
What considerations should you make when choosing gym member management software in 2024? The reviews above hint at the handful of key factors that you should focus on in order to choose the best gym management system for your business:
- User-friendliness: The software should be easy for you, your staff and your members to navigate and use. The user interface should be intuitive, and the learning curve should be small.
- Mobile optimization: Your staff and members should be able to use the tool on the go, whether through a mobile-optimized web portal or a dedicated app.
- Customization options: Look for software that be customized with your gym’s branding, to build brand awareness and consistency while offering a high-end member experience.
- Integration and automation: Choose software that can seamlessly integrate with your current tech stack, including any payment processing, CRM and marketing tools you use, so you can set up automations that reduce human error and save you serious time.
- Data reporting: Look for gym business management software that offers deep data reporting and analysis, to reveal booking trends, levels of member engagement, popular classes and peak times.
- Access control: The best fitness software will grant you total control over who visits and when. Bluetooth access control lets you run your gym 24/7, and ensures only paid-up members are granted entry.
- Pricing: Last but not least, you’ll want to find the best value club management software - one that does everything you need it to, that can grow your gym and scale alongside it, and that delivers a genuine return on your investment. Look for software providers that offer tiered pricing, so you can choose a level of functionality that matches your needs.
Conclusion – Which Booking Software is Right for Your Gym?
Ultimately the best booking software for your gym will be one that does what you need it to at a price you can afford. Reviews from other gym owners can give you an unbiased perspective on the best tools available, so it’s wise to check what fellow businesses are saying about a solution before making the call.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, the best tools will also offer a demo or free trial period, so you can try before you buy.
By doing this due diligence, you can find a solution that helps you to deliver a better member experience, and that ensures your gym keeps growing in one of the world’s most competitive industries.
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