ClassPass is a fitness subscription service that offers its members access to a wide range of fitness classes and activities at studios and gyms worldwide. With a ClassPass membership, you can book everything from Yoga and Spin to Pilates, HIIT, and more—all at your fingertips.
It provides the ultimate flexibility and variety for fitness enthusiasts, allowing them to explore different workouts without the need for multiple gym memberships. Plus, with a range of membership plans, it’s a cost-effective way to maintain an active and diverse fitness routine.
What Does ClassPass mean for Gym Owners?
For fitness studio owners like yourself, the ClassPass app can act as a powerful marketing tool. It connects your studio to a broader audience of fitness enthusiasts who may not have discovered your classes otherwise. By listing your classes on ClassPass, you can maximise your class capacity, attract new clients, and boost visibility for your studio.
However, while ClassPass can drive traffic and introduce potential loyal clients to your studio, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Factors such as revenue-sharing models, pricing adjustments, and whether it aligns with your long-term business goals should be considered.
So now, back to our main question: should gym owners like yourself list your classes on ClassPass?
Benefits of ClassPass
1. Enhanced Visibility
Listing your classes on the ClassPass app or website can give your fitness studio a significant visibility boost. With your studio featured on a platform used by fitness enthusiasts worldwide, you can attract new clients who may not have discovered your studio otherwise.
This acts as a form of marketing, showcasing your classes to a wide audience without the added cost. With engaging classes and excellent service, you can potentially convert these members into loyal clients who eventually decide to purchase a package and book directly through your studio. This allows you to build a dedicated client base beyond ClassPass.
2. Additional Revenue Stream
ClassPass provides you with an additional revenue stream by paying you for every user who books and attends your classes. This makes it an effective way to fill unused class capacity and generate additional income. With the right fitness booking system in place, you can seamlessly integrate ClassPass bookings into your schedule, optimising your class capacity while maintaining your studio’s profitability.
Read more about the different fitness booking systems that are integrated with ClassPass to make the most out of your ClassPass listing!
Drawbacks of ClassPass
1. Profit Margin Considerations
One significant concern with ClassPass is its revenue-sharing model, where the platform takes a substantial percentage of the earnings for each member attending your class. Reports suggest ClassPass may claim up to 50% of the revenue in some cases, posing challenges to your studio’s financial sustainability.
On top of that, the payout process can feel opaque, with ClassPass relying on a dynamic algorithm to determine pricing. This makes it difficult to track and reconcile your earnings accurately. Studios that depend heavily on ClassPass for bookings risk seeing their profit margins erode over time, which is something to carefully consider.
2. Class Availability
Popular time slots—such as evenings or weekends—are often booked quickly by ClassPass users, leaving your loyal, long-term members at a disadvantage when trying to secure their preferred classes. This can lead to frustration and may even affect their commitment to your studio.
Relying heavily on transient visitors from ClassPass can also make it difficult to foster a strong sense of community among your regular members. These fleeting interactions with short-term attendees can dilute the member experience for your most dedicated clients, which is vital for maintaining long-term relationships.
Looking for tips on balancing ClassPass and direct bookings? Check out our blog for actionable strategies!
3. Loss of Control
Partnering with ClassPass often means giving up control over your pricing and scheduling. The platform may set its own rates and terms, which might not align with your studio’s business model or profitability goals.This loss of control can have ripple effects on your business, from impacting your brand image to creating inconsistencies in your pricing strategy. For example, your regular clients may feel frustrated if they perceive that ClassPass users are paying less for the same services, potentially undermining their loyalty.
The Verdict
Ultimately, the decision to integrate with ClassPass should align with your studio’s unique goals. While ClassPass can offer valuable exposure and an influx of new clients, it’s crucial to consider the potential trade-offs, such as reduced profit margins or challenges in maintaining a loyal community.
With the right fitness management system, you can overcome the challenges associated with ClassPass and preserve your studio culture. Unlike many platforms, vibefam offers seamless integration with the ClassPass app and website, allowing you to take full control of your ClassPass bookings. With vibefam, you can easily adjust class capacity, track attendance, and ensure your studio’s operations align with your business objectives.
Take the guesswork out of being a ClassPass partner—schedule a call with one of our experts today to learn how vibefam can support your studio’s success.
This article was written by Jaren Wong.