5 Ways That a Custom-Branded Studio App Can Help Boost Your Business
Last Updated on 14 October, 2025
The advent of smartphones has changed the landscape of the modern world. As a fitness studio owner, you’ve probably noticed that many of your clients keep their phones close at hand. Why not tap into that resource and make sure that your clients can easily access your studio from the device that they almost always have with them?
A mobile app keeps you in contact with your clients and gives them the latest updates on your events. Keep reading to learn how they can help turn new clients into regulars.
Benefit #1: Custom-branded apps increase online class sales and sign-ups
A mobile app can help you generate more long-term members, meaning more revenue for your studio.
Your studio’s app makes it easy for your clients or potential clients to view class schedules, workshops, events, and more from wherever they happen to be at the time. An app also makes it simple for your clients to sign up for classes or events. They can even pay or upgrade their monthly membership fees online.
Benefit #2: Custom-branded apps improve member communication
Getting your message out to your clients is imperative to keeping them coming through the doors of your studio. Your clients can’t come to special events or take advantage of promotions if they don’t know that they are happening.
Your app can help to keep your customers in the know by notifying them when something exciting is going on. By using SMS messages or push notifications, you can instantly alert your customers to upcoming appointments, payment reminders, and even sales. A mobile app also gives customers an easy and effective way to communicate with you and your staff members. It’s much even easier for you to meet all of their fitness needs when you know what they are.
Benefit #3: Custom-branded apps increase reward program engagement
Mobile apps make it easy to keep track of customer loyalty programs. Their apps can allow clients to easily register each purchase or booking, without having to remember to bring a rewards card. They can also track how many points they have and their current rewards in the app.
Push notifications tailor the alerts and texts to that particular client’s interests. This particular kind of tracking allows you to keep track of what your customers need, making it easier for you to come up with great reward programs to incentivize your clients to keep coming in.
Benefit #4: Custom-branded apps increase member retention
You’ve probably seen new members come in and have a promising start, only to have them fade away and stop coming due to the hectic pace of life in the modern world. A mobile app can remind clients that they haven’t been to your studio in a while and suggest a class they might like. For regular clients, it can help keep them motivated and more likely to stick to their fitness routine.
Apps can also connect to the client’s personal fitness tracker, helping them and your staff to keep track of their routines and goals.
Benefit #5: Custom-branded apps stand out from the crowd
Embracing mobile technology will help you attract new customers and support loyal clients. As the fitness industry continues to grow, you want to stand out from your competitors. A mobile app with personalized features specific to your gym will help your studio continue to gain more clientele and retain them.
Apps also make it easier for your clients to check in, which also makes it more likely that your studio will pop up on search engines when potential clients are searching for nearby fitness studios.
Easily Create Your Own App With WellnessLiving
All of those benefits of having a mobile app sound great, right? While coding a custom app can be a full-time job itself, and pre-made options often come with hidden fees, those aren’t your only options! WellnessLiving allows you to easily set up a customized app that your clients can use to interact with your studio.
A custom-branded studio app is a direct channel to your members that drives engagement, retention, and growth. They’re an easy and affordable option for independent studios like yours. WellnessLiving apps even integrate with our full suite of business management tools for gyms and fitness studios. With your new app, you’ll be ready and able to manage your fitness studio in the modern tech-savvy world.
WellnessLiving can help streamline your gym’s business operations while saving you money every month in unnecessary software and credit card fees. Click here to get your free demo or call us at 1-888-668-7728 today.
FAQs about custom-branded apps for gyms and fitness studios
Focus on features that make life easier for your clients: class booking, mobile payments, and automated reminders. Add engagement tools like push notifications, loyalty rewards, and progress tracking so members feel connected to your studio and your brand.
If you’re not sure where to start, create a poll (in-studio or on social media) asking your clients what features they would value most.
Promote your app everywhere: in-studio, on your website, and through social media. Encourage new clients to download it at sign-up, and offer small incentives like discounts or rewards points. To keep members active, use timely push notifications, exclusive content, and app-only offers.
Make sure not to overload your clientele with too many notifications, which can cause them to mute your app. Offer them options to be able to tailor the notifications to their comfort level.
Keep the interface simple and intuitive. Use short tutorials or welcome screens to guide members through essentials like booking a class. Train your staff to introduce the app during in-person sign-ups. You can also follow up with an email or video walkthrough for extra support.
Building an app in-house requires significant time, money, and technical expertise. A third-party solution is faster, easier, and comes with built-in support. For most smaller studios, third-party apps offer the most value for your money.
WellnessLiving’s custom-branded fitness studio app gives you everything you need (booking, payments, loyalty, push notifications, and more) all fully branded to your business and backed by our all-in-one platform. It’s the simplest way to create a professional app without the headaches of building one from scratch.
