Hybrid Fitness Models: How to Compete with ‘Free’ Fitness Apps and At-Home Solutions
What to Do When Your Gym Is Competing with ‘Free’ Fitness Apps and At-Home Solutions
Many people have adjusted to the world of remote work and all-digital alternatives. In the fitness industry, gym owners face growing competition of gym vs at-home workouts and “free” fitness apps.. These gym-free alternatives may catch the attention of consumers who believe their convenience, flexibility, and affordability are impossible to ignore.
Since 2020, when many essentially shifted to a remote work environment overnight, some gym enthusiasts have found it tempting to also handle their fitness routines from the comfort of their homes. This shift has given gym owners and potential franchisees the challenging question of how to compete with digital-only experiences like free fitness apps.
At Snap Fitness, we recognize the importance of staying competitive in a saturated market. We believe the solution is to embrace the digital era and adopt a hybrid fitness model that blends the best of both worlds—in-club services and digital solutions like the Snap App. By offering a well-rounded fitness experience that integrates a digital experience, gym owners can meet the ever-changing needs of modern fitness enthusiasts’ expectations.
The Rise of Free Fitness Apps and On-Demand Fitness Solutions
Whether it’s strength training, cardio, yoga, boxing, or more – free apps offer a wide variety of exercises, making them appealing to people with busy lives or a tight budget. Additionally, the convenience of working out from home, without the need to commute to a gym, fits well into the daily routines of individuals juggling work, family, and other obligations.
At-home and on-demand workout solutions, often seen on platforms like YouTube or a brand’s proprietary platform like Peleton, have also grown in popularity, especially in the post-pandemic era. Some consumers find maintaining a fitness routine at home more accessible, fueling the demand for these options.
While this doesn’t make gyms obsolete, it does require gym owners to adapt to a hybrid fitness model by combining physical gym spaces with on-demand digital offerings. Embracing in-person and virtual fitness experiences lets gyms cater to members who appreciate flexibility but still value a physical gym's social and community benefits. While it may not be your original vision for a gym, you may find that a hybrid model may actually benefit your members and you as the gym owner.
A Proven Hybrid Fitness Solution: The Snap App + On-Demand Workouts
The Snap App offers gym owners digital experiences that can give members on-demand virtual fitness classes. This allows them to work out wherever they are—whether at the gym, at home, on vacation, or just feeling inspired while they are at the neighborhood park. This versatility expands your gym's offerings and keeps members engaged when they can’t attend the club.
Members can access the app’s personalized fitness plans and real-time tracking features, making it easier for them to track their progress, set goals, and stay motivated. By making an individual’s progress available on their device, the app creates a connection between them and their exercise routine at the physical club.
That’s why we want our app to be an extension of the in-club experience and create a more seamless and connected fitness journey as a result. One look at it, and you’ll be convinced.
Member Retention & Acquisition Through Hybrid Fitness Models
One of the most significant benefits of offering a hybrid fitness model is the potential to retain more members. Flexibility is critical, and members who can work out both in the gym and at home are more likely to stay committed long-term. Virtual fitness classes, personalized workout plans, and real-time tracking help to keep members engaged, even when they can’t visit the gym in person.
The Snap App offers a comprehensive digital fitness solution that goes beyond the typical free fitness apps. While free apps provide generic workouts, the Snap App delivers a personalized experience, allowing members to track their progress, connect their fitness devices (like Apple Watch or Myzone), and receive tailored workout recommendations.
Here’s what some users have to say about the Snap App:
"I’ve really enjoyed using this app to track my fitness. I love that I can connect my Myzone AND my Apple Watch to track my overall movements/activities, which gives me a better overall picture. I also enjoy that there are meal plans that I can go through to get new ideas for foods to try. Overall a very solid app!"
"I absolutely love using this app! Not only does it track my workout in the gym, but also outside of it. I can link my Apple Watch, which has been a true blessing. I love how it tells me my gym visits, that way I can track which days I have gone. This app is a great tool to help people stay on track!"
The timing couldn’t be better for a hybrid fitness model either. According to Fortune, traditional gym usage is on the rise to pre-pandemic levels and is predominantly driven by the Gen-Z consumer base. This growing consumer base, which is no stranger to digital integrations with physical experiences, will love a hybrid fitness model that gives a holistic gym experience inside and outside the fitness center.
The Snap App’s hybrid features help gym owners provide a unique hybrid fitness experience that can’t be replicated by free fitness apps, giving members more reasons to stay engaged and loyal.
Maximize Member Experience in the Club and Beyond
While free fitness apps may offer convenience and the illusion of affordability, they often lack the personal connection and sense of community that comes with belonging to a gym. Gym owners can capitalize on this by fostering relationships with members, creating an inclusive culture, and building a community within their clubs’ physical and digital environments.
Snap Fitness franchisees can use the Snap App to further these relationships by tailoring fitness experiences to each member’s goals. Members will feel supported by personalized workout plans or real-time performance tracking, available both in and out of the gym.
Additionally, offering virtual fitness classes through the app can help members stay connected with the gym, even when they can’t be physically present. This approach strengthens member retention and enhances the gym experience, making it more engaging than following a generic fitness app.
We’re not done either. Although our Snap App 2.0 has landed favorably with our users due to its enhanced UX/UI and advanced personal training feature, we’re still taking notes and feedback that we’ll use to improve upon Snap App 3.0.
What Sets Snap Fitness Apart from Competitors
When competing with fitness apps, gym owners must highlight what makes their services unique. Snap Fitness offers franchisees a suite of tools and resources to stay competitive in a market saturated with all-digital fitness solutions.
With access to physical gym spaces and digital fitness tools like the Snap App, Snap Fitness franchise owners can offer a complete hybrid fitness model, offering the flexibility expected by today’s fitness enthusiasts.
Join the Many Fitness Entrepreneurs Choosing Snap Fitness for Success
What are you waiting for? Now is the best time to start your gym business with Snap Fitness.
For gym owners and entrepreneurs looking to thrive in today’s fitness industry, Snap Fitness offers the tools, resources, and support necessary to build a successful hybrid gym experience. With the Snap App as a critical differentiator, you can offer a fitness experience that goes beyond what free apps provide, ensuring long-term member retention and business success.
Remember what you’ve always heard throughout your fitness journey.
“The hardest part of the workout is getting to the gym.”
In an era of at-home and digital-only fitness solutions that are easily dismissed for a night on the couch, a hybrid model supported by an app that combines physical and digital experiences might be exactly what people need to optimize their fitness journey.