15 Types of Workouts Gym Owners Should Offer

Last Updated on 11 September, 2025

Growing your fitness business starts with offering variety. The right mix of training formats, facilities, and tech can turn casual visitors into loyal members and create multiple ways for your gym to earn more. 

In this post, we’ll cover 15 types of workouts gym owners should offer to attract new members, keep your current ones engaged, and open up new revenue streams.

Key Takeaways – Types of Workouts for Gym Owners

• Offering a variety of workouts attracts more members, improves retention, and increases revenue potential.
• Specialized programs can set your gym apart and help you reach niche audiences.
• WellnessLiving’s all-in-one software makes it easier to schedule, market, and manage every class you offer.

Attracting a broader audience to your gym

Different people are drawn to the gym for different reasons. Some want to lift heavy, others want to move mindfully, and plenty just want to sweat out a stressful day. The American College of Sports Medicine’s 2025 trends analysis confirms that targeted programming for specific needs and populations is a top fitness industry priority, reinforcing why offering a mix of training styles means you’re not turning anyone away at the door.

1. Strength & resistance programs

Offer a combination of free-weight zones, power racks, and selectorized machines. These appeal to dedicated lifters and beginners alike, and they create opportunities for personal training upsells and branded equipment sales.

2. Cardiovascular zones

Treadmills, rowers, and spin bikes work for solo cardio sessions and group circuits. They keep your space active during peak and off-peak times, and you can boost engagement with features like live stat tracking.

3. Mind-body formats

A dedicated, peaceful studio offering classes like yoga, Pilates, and barre with experienced instructors lets you charge premium rates and attract members who value balance, flexibility, and overall wellness.

Related Post: 31 Yoga Statistics Studio Owners Need to Know

Maximizing revenue and engagement

Getting someone to sign up is one thing. Keeping them excited to show up week after week—and spending a little more while they’re there—is where the real magic happens. The following types of workouts create buzz, build community, and give you more ways to earn from the same square footage you already have.

4. HIIT & circuit training

Short, high-intensity classes require minimal space but deliver strong returns per square foot. They’re high-energy, results-driven, and perfect for creating a sense of community.

5. Functional & cross-training rigs

Turf lanes, sleds, and modular rigs are ideal for CrossFit-style training or general functional fitness. They appeal to clients who want variety and a challenge.

6. Virtual & on-demand classes

Live streaming and recorded sessions help you reach members who can’t make it to the gym. With WellnessLiving, you can run these directly through the platform without extra tools.

7. Personal training & small group training (SGT)

These formats allow for premium pricing and stronger client relationships. Offering beginner and intermediate options ensures trainers can maximize their time while keeping sessions targeted.

8. Outdoor bootcamps

Outdoor workouts add variety and can boost your brand identity. Farm Girl Fitness doubled revenue by combining unique outdoor formats with WellnessLiving’s booking, marketing, and reporting tools.

Niche exercises you should offer

Sometimes the fastest way to stand out is to go deep, not wide. Offering specialized programs gives members something they can’t get at every other gym in town. The workout types listed below can attract new audiences, open doors for partnerships, and position your gym as the go-to spot for unique, results-driven training.

9. Flexibility & mobility sessions

Stretching and mobility classes improve recovery and reduce injury risk. They’re also a great entry point for corporate wellness partnerships and referrals from physiotherapists.

10. Balance & stability tracks

BOSU balls, wobble boards, and light resistance tools appeal to older adults and anyone focusing on joint health or injury prevention.

11. Recovery & wellness add-ons

Designated recovery spaces or scheduled guided sessions (i.e., foam rolling, assisted stretching, or mobility flow) keep members coming back. They also create upsell opportunities for retail recovery tools such as massage balls, resistance bands, or percussive therapy devices.

12. Workshops & specialty clinics

Host skill-focused events like kettlebell workshops or nutrition clinics. They strengthen your community, position you as an authority, and generate additional income.

13. Performance training

Turf lanes, hurdles, and plyometric setups attract athletes and weekend warriors who want to improve performance, sharpen coordination, and build explosive power. These sessions are also ideal for sports teams in the off-season or members training for events like obstacle races and charity runs.

14. Family or youth programming

Sessions for kids (like junior strength training or youth sports conditioning) or parent-child classes such as weekend family yoga can fill off-peak hours and build long-term loyalty.

15. Seasonal or themed fitness challenges

Short-term programs such as “New Year Kickstart” or “Summer Shred” boost engagement and can be marketed as premium upsell opportunities.

Related Post: Benefits of Gym Software That Make Running a Gym 10x Easier

How WellnessLiving automates your gym operations

Your gym thrives when operations run smoothly. WellnessLiving’s gym software gives you the tools to keep members happy and classes full without juggling multiple systems.

• Class Scheduling, Book-a-Spot™, Waitlists Automatically fill spots, manage waitlists, and reduce no-shows without spreadsheets.
• Member App and Website Widgets Clients can book, pay, and check in from your branded app or site widget.
• Payments, POS & Reporting Manage memberships, passes, retail sales, and services from one place. Jessie from Farm Girl Fitness says:
  • “Our [WellnessLiving] reports are everything for us. It allows us to understand what’s going on in our business and, at a glance, see if we need to make adjustments.”
• Marketing Automation Create campaigns to welcome new members, re-engage those who’ve lapsed, or promote specialty classes via email and SMS.

Ready to Grow Your Gym Business?

Offering a variety of workouts—from high-intensity formats to niche recovery sessions—helps you reach more people and keep them engaged. Pair that variety with streamlined scheduling, payments, marketing, and reporting, and you’ll have the structure to grow your business without burning out.

Book a free WellnessLiving demo and see how our all-in-one platform can help you fill classes, keep members coming back, and create more time to focus on what you do best.

Frequently asked questions about types of workouts for gyms

How often should I change my gym’s workout schedule?

Most gyms benefit from reviewing their schedule every quarter. This gives you time to track attendance trends, gather member feedback, and test new formats without overwhelming your trainers or your members.

What’s the best way to promote new workout classes?

A mix of in-gym signage, email announcements, and targeted social media ads works well. You can also offer a free “try it” week to encourage members to sample the new class and bring friends.

What types of workouts work best for beginners?

Start with formats that focus on proper form, gradual progression, and confidence-building like beginner strength training, low-impact cardio, or foundational yoga. These help new members feel successful early on.