Providing an engaging gym environment is paramount for gym owners to maintain member retention. It's not only about the quality of the equipment but also about the overall atmosphere, which includes the motivational strategies implemented. Here are ten unique ways to inspire and motivate your gym members, based on scientific research and psychological factors.
1. Fostering an Engaging Environment
Highly successful gyms function like retail stores where the gym experience is the main product being sold. According to Dr. Paul Bedford, a renowned gym retention expert, creating an engaging environment in the gym can significantly contribute to member retention.
Here's where digital signage screens come into play. They can be used in multiple ways to create a dynamic atmosphere, such as displaying a 30-second countdown for High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), featuring inspirational quotes or broadcasting exercise classes live to the gym floor.
2. Prioritizing Intrinsic Goals
Gym goers are primarily driven by two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic gym goers are self-motivated, while extrinsic ones need external factors or rewards to keep them motivated. A study in 2011 discovered that people who set intrinsic goals experienced higher levels of enjoyment and much lower levels of tension and pressure than those who set extrinsic goals.
Gym owners can use social media walls to display user-generated content from their customers, such as Instagram and Facebook posts to motivate new members. Reviews from Google and Yelp can also be featured to enhance motivation.
3. Encouraging Friendly Competition
Offering guest passes or "bring a friend for free" vouchers can serve as powerful motivational tools. Studies show that 95% of people who started a weight loss program with a friend completed it, compared to 76% who did it alone.
Gym owners can instigate friendly competition among members by holding classes where live data is input into a Dashboard. Data such as reps count, erg distance over a set time, or sets completed can be visualized to inspire competition.
4. Facilitating Habit Formation
Turning gym attendance into a habit is another effective strategy for ensuring member retention. Research by Phillippa Lally, a research associate at University College London, suggests that forming a habit takes an average of 66 days.
One way to facilitate this is by encouraging members to join exercise classes. These classes not only require a fixed schedule, promoting habit formation, but they also introduce elements of shared success and group accountability.
5. Implementing the Zeigarnik Effect
The Zeigarnik Effect is a psychological phenomenon that suggests that people remember incomplete tasks or events more than completed ones. Gym owners can leverage this effect by using a Count Up Timer to display the number of days since a member missed a class. This can motivate everyone not to break a winning streak.
6. Promoting Loss Over Reward
When it comes to exercise, losing a reward is a bigger motivator than gaining one, according to a research study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. Gym owners can utilize this insight by creating offers linked to specific exercise goals, with the caveat that these offers will be withdrawn if the goals are not sustained.
7. Transforming TV Screens into Information Radiators
TV screens in gyms should not be mere distractions; they can be transformed into information radiators that provide bite-sized, genuinely helpful information. Instead of displaying the same content repetitively, gym owners could use these screens to broadcast a variety of motivational and informative content.
8. Using Motivational Quotes
Words of wisdom from successful people can be highly motivational. Gym owners can display motivational quotes from notable figures such as sportspeople, entrepreneurs, world leaders, and famous thinkers. These quotes can serve as a source of inspiration for gym goers and boost their morale.
9. Installing Workout Quotes Wall Decals
In line with the previous point, gym owners can also consider installing workout quotes wall decals in their fitness center, exercise room, or yoga studios. These decals can serve as constant reminders and motivation for gym goers to push themselves harder and achieve their fitness goals.
10. Employing LED Signs
One of the more modern and attractive ways to motivate gym goers is through the use of LED signs designed for a gym. These signs can be customized to display motivational quotes, health tips, reminders, or even members' achievements, adding a dynamic and vibrant touch to the gym environment.
In conclusion, these unique strategies can go a long way in motivating gym goers and boosting member retention. Gym owners can experiment with these methods, tailor them to their specific needs, and evaluate their efficacy over time. The key lies in creating an engaging, motivating, and rewarding environment that encourages gym goers to persist in their fitness journey.