Quick answer
Gym management software with a member app lets members check their plan, dues, attendance, workouts and diet plans on their phone, while the data stays in sync with your gym’s system. Members mostly use it for workout plans, membership status and payment history. A shared app costs far less than a fully branded one and is enough for most single-branch gyms.
What do gym members actually use a member app for?
Members do not install a gym app to explore features. They open it for a few specific reasons:
- Workout plan: “What is my routine today?”
- Membership status: “When does my plan end?”
- Payments: “Did my last payment get recorded?”
- Diet plan: “What should I eat this week?”
- Attendance and progress: “How consistent have I been?”
Gym management software with a member app is useful when those answers come straight from your gym’s records. If the trainer updates a plan, the member sees it. If the desk records a payment, the member sees the receipt.
Branded app vs shared app vs no app
| Option | What it is | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| No app | WhatsApp and PDFs for plans | None | Very small gyms |
| Shared app from your software vendor | Members download the vendor’s app and log in to your gym | Usually included in the software plan | Most single-branch gyms |
| Branded or white-label app | An app with your gym’s name and logo in the stores | Higher setup and yearly costs, plus developer accounts | Premium gyms and chains |
A branded app needs its own store accounts. Apple’s Developer Program costs US$99 a year, and Google Play charges a one-time US$25 registration fee. There are also design, publishing and update costs. For most gyms, a shared app delivers the same everyday value.
What should gym management software with a member app include?
| Must have | Nice to have |
|---|---|
| Membership status and expiry date | Class or slot booking |
| Payment history and receipts | Progress photos and measurements |
| Workout plan from the trainer | Challenges and leaderboards |
| Diet plan | In-app store for supplements |
| Attendance history | Referral rewards |
| Gym announcements | Online payments |
Start with the must-haves. Gamified features only help after members already use the app every week.
How to get members to actually install the app
The best app in the world fails if members do not install it. Gyms with strong adoption do a few simple things:
- Install at admission. Set it up on the member’s phone before they leave the desk.
- Put workout plans only in the app. If plans also go out as PDFs, members will not open the app.
- Ask trainers to use it on the floor. “Open your app, let us update today’s workout.”
- Send the link on WhatsApp to existing members, with a short video on how to log in.
Member app vs WhatsApp: do you need both?
Yes. They do different jobs. WhatsApp is for messages that must be seen, such as fee reminders, renewal alerts and urgent announcements. The app is for things members look up, such as plans, history and progress. Do not move reminders into app notifications only. Many members turn notifications off.
Read our guide to WhatsApp fee reminders for gyms.
Questions to ask about any gym member app
- Is the app included in the plan, or is it an extra charge?
- Is it available on both Android and iPhone?
- Can trainers update workout and diet plans that members see instantly?
- Can members see payments and receipts?
- Is it a shared app or a branded app, and what does branding cost?
- What happens to member data if we stop using the software?
The G10 Fitness member app
The G10 Fitness member app gives members access to their plans, coaching and account activity, connected to the same records your team manages. Workout and diet plans, membership details and gym activity stay in one place, so trainers and members see the same information.
Ask the team to show you the member app on both Android and iPhone during your demo, including exactly what your members will see.
Explore the member app feature, workout plans and diet plans, or check pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Do gyms need a member app?
Not every gym does, but an app helps once trainers give workout and diet plans regularly. It gives members one place to see plans, membership status and payments. Very small gyms can manage with WhatsApp until they grow.
How much does a branded gym app cost?
A fully branded app needs its own developer accounts. Apple charges US$99 a year and Google Play charges a one-time US$25, plus design, publishing and maintenance costs from your vendor. A shared app included with your gym software usually costs nothing extra.
What features should a gym member app have?
The essentials are membership status and expiry, payment history, workout plans, diet plans, attendance history and announcements. Booking, challenges and in-app purchases are useful later, once members use the app regularly.
How do I get gym members to use the app?
Install it for members at admission, deliver workout plans only through the app and have trainers use it on the floor. Send existing members the download link with a short login video on WhatsApp.
Can a member app replace WhatsApp reminders?
No. Many members disable app notifications, so important reminders like fee dues and renewals should still go on WhatsApp. Use the app for information members look up, and WhatsApp for messages they must see.
