December can be a tricky month for gyms and fitness clubs, as members often have busy schedules and festive season commitments. So how do you continue to attract new members and keep your current ones engaged? We’ve pulled together five effective Christmas gym promotion ideas to help you keep your facility buzzing throughout the festive season.
1. 12 Days of Fitness Challenge
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- Engage members with a fun fitness countdown: Create a “12 Days of Fitness” challenge that encourages members to complete a different workout each day leading up to Christmas. Each day could have a unique theme, such as strength training, cardio, or a boxing circuit, and even include bonus activities like a group workout or partner circuit.
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- Offer rewards to incentivise visits: Members who complete all 12 days or certain milestones could earn prizes, such as guest passes, branded gym gear, or discounted membership renewals.
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- Promote on social media: Invite members to share their progress online, tagging your gym and using a unique hashtag (e.g., #12DaysOfFitness), which will increase your gym’s online presence and encourage their followers to visit as well.
2. Festive Membership Specials
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- Run a limited-time membership discount: December is a prime time to offer a short-term membership promotion, such as “Join Now, Pay in January” or “Get Your First Month Free.” This appeals to those who are motivated to get fit before the New Year but might feel hesitant about holiday spending.
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- Gift-able membership packages: Offer gift certificates or bundled packages that people can buy for friends or family members. Promote these as unique, health-focused gift ideas and include options like personal training sessions to attract diverse audiences.
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- Promote an exclusive referral offer: Add a festive twist to your referral program, such as “Bring a Friend for Free Fridays” in December or discounted rates for members who successfully refer someone to join. This not only brings new people in but also rewards your current members.
3. Festive-Themed Group Classes
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- Introduce seasonal class themes: Create festive-themed workouts, such as a “Santa Circuit” boxing class using the BOX12 rolling ‘boxing for fitness’ circuit, “Jingle Bell Yoga,” or “Winter Warrior Bootcamp.” These themed classes can be designed to cater to all fitness levels, making them inviting for both current members and newcomers.
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- Festive dress-up days: Encourage members to dress in holiday gear like Santa hats, ugly Christmas sweaters, or red and green activewear for certain classes. Reward participants with small treats like a free smoothie or a discount on merchandise to create a festive atmosphere and motivate more sign-ups.
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- Promote on digital platforms: Use your social media and email channels to promote these themed classes, sharing photos and videos of members enjoying them to generate interest and inspire others to join.
4. “Get Fit Before the Feast” Workshops
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- Organise pre-Christmas workshops: Host workshops or mini-events that teach members how to stay active and healthy throughout the festive season. Topics could include “Healthy Festive Eating,” “Quick At-Home Workouts,” or a “Stress-Busting Boxing Session.”
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- Partner with local wellness brands: Collaborate with local businesses to offer attendees exclusive deals or sample products, such as healthy snacks, smoothies, or fitness gear. This not only enhances the workshop experience but also supports community businesses and provides more value to your members.
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- Use email marketing to drive attendance: Send targeted emails to your members and prospects with an invitation to the workshops, and consider adding a small fee that can be applied as a credit toward a membership or personal training package.
5. Social Media Giveaways and Countdown Contests
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- Host a festive countdown giveaway: Run a Christmas countdown on social media where each day you give away small prizes, such as branded merchandise, guest passes, or discount vouchers for gym services. To enter, members can be encouraged to like, share, or comment on your posts, boosting your gym’s reach.
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- Festive photo contest: Create a contest where members post their favourite gym photo from this year, tagging your gym and using a festive-themed hashtag. The post with the most likes by the end of the month could win a free month of membership or personal training session.
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- Advertise your giveaways in-club and online: Make sure members know about these contests by posting signs around the gym, sending out emails, and promoting on social media. These small gestures go a long way in keeping members engaged during the busy festive season.
Wrapping Up
December may be a challenging month to drive gym visits, but with the right Christmas gym promotion ideas, you can keep members motivated and attract new faces to your facility. From festive-themed classes and workshops to social media contests and referral incentives, these ideas will help you create an inviting festive atmosphere that members will appreciate.
To discuss how BOX12 can help drive member acquisition and engagement at your club during the festive period and beyond, get in touch with us here.
