Across the U.S. and Canada, fitness studio owners are having quieter conversations.
They aren’t about programming.
They aren’t about instructors.
Instead, they’re about software.
These conversations usually happen casually. For example, they come up between classes, in Slack groups, or at industry events.
“Are you still on Mindbody?”
“We’re thinking of leaving Glofox.”
“Zenoti feels like too much for us.”
For a long time, these platforms were the standard. Most gyms, boutique studios, and wellness businesses used them by default. However, that pattern is starting to change. Today, more owners are rethinking their software choices. While cost matters, it isn’t the only reason. More importantly, many are asking whether these tools still fit how studios operate today.
Here’s what’s driving the shift.
1. North American Studios Are Leaner Than the Software Built for Them
Boutique fitness studios in the U.S. and Canada share several traits.
First, teams are small.
Second, studios are highly local.
Most importantly, they focus on community and experience.
In many cases, owners are involved every day. By contrast, many long-standing fitness software platforms were built for large gyms and multi-location brands. They assumed bigger teams, more admin staff, and more time to manage systems. As a result, smaller studios often feel friction right away.
For example, owners deal with:
- Crowded dashboards
- Features meant for franchises
- Workflows that don’t fit small teams
In other words, studios aren’t failing to learn the software. Instead, the software was never designed for them.
2. Pricing Pressure Is Pushing Studios to Re-Evaluate Tools
North American studios are facing:
- Higher rent
- Higher payroll costs
- Increased marketing spend
When software prices rise too, owners take notice. As a result, many studios leaving Mindbody, Glofox, or Zenoti say the same thing:
“We paid more every year, but used less.”
Although prices increased, daily use stayed the same. In fact, most studios relied on only a few features. Because of this, owners began to question value. Eventually, many started comparing their current systems with simpler platforms like Vibefam to find a better fit for smaller teams.
3. Member Experience Is a Competitive Advantage in North America
Today, member expectations are clear. In the U.S. and Canada, booking needs to be fast and easy. Ideally, it should take only a few taps. When the process feels slow or confusing, people notice. Over time, that friction adds up. As a result, fewer visits follow. Because of this, many studio owners turn to platforms like Vibefam. They’ve seen how extra login steps, slow booking flows, and outdated mobile experiences directly affect repeat attendance.
4. Less Admin Is the Real Upgrade
Most studio owners didn’t open a fitness business to manage software. Still, legacy systems often create extra work. Manual tasks, complex setup, and constant staff training quietly add to the daily load. Over time, that workload becomes draining. This is where platforms like Vibefam gain attention, especially in the U.S. and Canada. Instead of adding features, they focus on reducing admin through practical automation. For most studios, the goal isn’t better reports. Rather, it’s getting time back.
Conclusion
Fitness studios in the U.S. and Canada aren’t leaving Mindbody, Glofox, or Zenoti out of frustration alone. Instead, the shift reflects how the industry is changing.
Studios are evolving.
They’re choosing tools that:
- Match their size
- Respect tighter margins
- Improve the member experience
- Reduce admin instead of adding to it
Because of this, platforms like Vibefam are coming up more often in owner conversations. Not through aggressive marketing, but through word of mouth. In a market where time, focus, and community matter more than ever, the best platform isn’t the biggest one. It’s the one that fits.