## Personal Training, Gyms, Yoga, Dance Studios & More

Fitness businesses can benefit big time from the ability to charge deposits, which protect your income and your business resources, including equipment and site amenities. Essentially, [deposits are a way to safeguard your facility,](/learn/client-deposits-what-they-are-how-to-use-them) business amenities, and equipment and place a value on the time of your service professionals. [Deposits increase client investment in their services,](/learn/top-3-reasons-to-require-deposits-for-services-or-classes) access, or memberships, [decreasing the probability of no-shows, late cancellations, and non-payment.](/learn/use-deposits-to-nip-cancellations-and-no-shows-in-the-bud) Deposits can also be used to secure classes or training reservations, memberships, and more. For example, you can use deposits to book new clients and members or to protect your investments in your equipment and business amenities. In many professions—fitness included! – charging deposits upfront is a standard practice. Here are sample scenarios for gyms, personal trainers, specialized fitness instructors, and dance studios for using deposits to safeguard your valuable time and resources.  
  

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## Gym and General Fitness Center Deposits

- Charge deposit fees for new memberships to safeguard site amenities, anything from equipment services to key fobs and WiFi access.  
      
    
- Use deposits to secure reservations for classes, group fitness, personal lessons, and specialized workshops. With deposits in place, you'll decrease cancellations, no-shows, and non-payment for services booked in advance.  
      
    
- Collect deposits for organized events such as leagues, camps, tournaments, or other athletic events.  
      
    
- Secure deposits for facility usage, including climbing wall area, court reservations, pool, hot tub or sauna access, spas, steam rooms, or massage beds.  
      
    
- Protect your facility assets by charging deposit fees for amenity usage, including locker rentals, towels, access key fobs, childcare, or WiFi access.  
      
    
- Offer equipment rentals with a deposit, for items such as racquets, basketballs, kickboards, fins, snorkeling equipment, goggles, chalk balls, shoe rentals, belay equipment, protective eyewear, bats, clubs, or cleats.   
      
    

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## Client Deposits for Personal Training



  
Personal trainers, nutrition coaches, teaching pros, and other fitness instructors depend on clients showing up for classes and services they’ve reserved in advance. Deposits place a value on your time, knowledge, and schedule.  
  

- Collect deposits from new clients to increase their investment in the training hours they book with you.  
      
    
- Use deposits for private instruction reservations, nutritional coaching sessions, one-on-one lessons, exercise strategy meetings, and wellness coaching to ensure that even if clients don’t make their appointments or cancel last-minute, you’ll be able to recoup revenue for your time.  
      
      
    

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## Yoga, Pilates, and Barre Studio Deposits



  

- Streamline class and session reservations with deposits! When you charge a deposit for classes and workshops, you minimize the chance of no-shows and empty spots in workshops. This helps your business ensure you've got the right number of instructors available, as well as adequate class space and equipment.  
      
    
- Put a value on instructor time with deposits! Memberships deposits minimize the frequency of cancellations, no-shows, and non-payment by getting clients invested in the time they've booked, and assigning a value to their booking.  
      
    
- Ensure class space, instructor time, and prevent the loss of revenue on high-cost instruction and certification courses with deposits! If your business offers instructor certification courses (Yoga, Pilates, Barre, etc.), deposits are a must!  
      
    
- Protect your equipment investments with deposits! Use a deposit to safeguard costly, specialized furnishings in your studio, such as stability chairs, balance balls, fitness chairs, reformers, trapeze tables, Wunda chairs, or ladder barrels. Deposits can be customized to be refundable or non-refundable, so you can tailor equipment deposit fees to suit your business needs.  
      
    
- Rent equipment to clients with deposits! If your studio provides gear or accessory rentals, use deposits to protect your gear. Examples include yoga mats, blankets, blocks, bolsters, straps, wheels, toning rings, balls, TheraBands, foam wedges, zafus, or sandbags.  
      
    

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## Using Deposits in a Dance Studio



  

- Use enrollment deposits to prevent non-payment or late cancellations on class registration.  
      
    
- Increase student investment in private instruction, camps, intensive/advanced workshops, or courses with limited capacity, and place a monetary value on instructor schedules through deposits!  
      
    
- Make deposits a standard practice for dance ensembles, recitals, costuming, dress rehearsals and stage rehearsals.  
      
    

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Ready to start collecting deposits to safeguard your time and revenue? [Sign up for Vagaro today!](http://bit.ly/2P9rmGS) Or, if you’re already a Vagaro professional, [sign in and apply for VMS to get started](https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/230401007-United-States-Activate-Credit-Card-Processing).  
  

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Header Image: Giorgio Trovato via Vagaro  

[Cooper Sports Performance](https://www.vagaro.com/coopersportsperformance), Dublin, CA  

Icon Images: [dDara](https://www.flaticon.com/authors/ddara "dDara") and [photo3idea\_studio](https://www.flaticon.com/authors/photo3idea-studio "photo3idea_studio") via [www.flaticon.com](https://www.flaticon.com/ "Flaticon")


Using Deposits in Your Fitness Business


NCBI studies show [fitness gamification is more than just a passing fad](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4307823/), indicating a shift in how people approach fitness. That means there’s changing consumer expectations on the horizon! Because July 8 is National Video Game Day, we’ll be showing fitness professionals how to gamify your facility. Don’t compete with video games to get clients in the doors—capitalize on the popularity of gaming to boost your business. Here’s how to gamify your gym and stay ahead of the curve!

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## 

What Is Gamification?



**Gamification** means [applying gaming structures to non-game situations](https://www.precor.com/en-us/resources/gamification-in-your-facility). By introducing the element of "play," it promotes user motivation, engagement, and loyalty. Essentially, turning an activity into a game makes it more fun! According to multiple studies, [gamifying exercise improves motivation](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/turning-exercise-into-a-game-can-make-fitness-more-fun-and-effective), making fitness programs more effective. In fact, a [2017 study by JAMA Internal Medicine journal](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2655242) revealed that fitness gamification promotes engagement and challenge, sustaining long-term motivation. Accordingly, personal trainers report that [gamifying strategies create more consistent results](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/06/16/how-fitness-gamification-will-change-the-way-personal-trainers-get-results/#4e8073b5c527).

##

**Why Gamify Your Gym?**

When compared to other technological applications in health and fitness, [studies show gamification has innate advantages](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782916300380) motivating behavioral change. Namely, games are fun! Gamified gyms stand out from the competition because of the added elements of entertainment and novelty. Additionally, it attracts a whole new customer demographic—gamers! Remember, the interactivity and community of gaming is what boosts member retention. As a result, you’ll activate another revenue stream, creating opportunities to monetize your space. Finally, gamification presents new ways to market group training, equipment rentals, and integrations with your existing gym equipment.

## 

3 Ways to Gamify Your Gym or Fitness Center

## 

Level Up Your Equipment



Gamification equipment expenses are an investment in your business. With that in mind, look for equipment with Bluetooth capability and integrations for smart phones and wearable fitness devices. Likewise, [Virtual Reality (VR) equipment is a cutting-edge addition](https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/17/health/virtual-reality-fitness-staying-well/index.html) you can add to set yourself apart from the competition. Keep in mind, many of the gamified applications listed below include the required hardware with purchase of a service subscription.

## 

Get the Apps



In our World Bicycle Day post, we covered gamified cycling programs ([CycleOps](https://www.cycleops.com/virtualtraining/overview), [Zwift](https://zwift.com/), and [Peloton](https://www.onepeloton.com/bike)) that are easy to integrate with existing equipment. Here are some more gamified fitness additions you can bring to your fitness center. After all, upgraded equipment and programs keep regulars motivated and get new members in the door!

- **[Zombies, Run!](https://zombiesrungame.com/)** A game that’s literally what the name suggests: you run away from zombies!
- **[VirZOOM.](https://www.virzoom.com/)** An established name in VR fitness, VirZOOM integrates easily with stationary bikes. Requires a one-time hardware purchase and purchase of a membership to access VZfit programs.
- **[Holodia’s Holofit™.](https://www.holodia.com/)** Holodia VR offers a variety of multisport immersive cardio workouts and is compatible with most standard fitness equipment. Initial setup includes VR headset, compact PC, and accessories. Requires internet access and an electrical outlet.
- **[Goji Play.](https://www.bluegoji.com/gojiplay)** This 2016 Red Dot Award Winner transforms ordinary cardio equipment into immersive game stations! Compatible with ellipticals, steppers, or stationary bikes. Sample games include DinoFense, Parkour Runner, GoWings Safari, PunchBeat, and Cardio Racers.
- **[Lü](https://www.play-lu.com/)** and **[Lumo Play](https://www.lumoplay.com/).** Developed with kids in mind, but ideal for all “kids at heart!” Lü and Lumo Play use giant wall projections, 3-D cameras, and light/audio systems to turn regular gym floors into an interactive, live-action game.

## 

Gamify Your Classes and Workout Spaces



Make sure to include staff and trainers when you gamify the gym! Brainstorm how you’ll help members reframe perceptions about both fitness and gaming. For example, create classes that transform solitary, sedentary activities into live play. Have a space that doesn’t see much action? Consider re-purposing it into a dedicated “video fitness” area with gaming systems and workout games. Keep in mind that community, competition, and encouragement drive gamification’s success. So while it’s true that members could play fitness video games at home, don't discount how motivating a gym setting (not to mention ample space) can be! Next, try posting suggested fitness apps near equipment where members might switch up their routine. For example, post suggested running games near treadmills, or cycling apps near the stationary bikes. From there, meet with staff to develop new classes around the gaming upgrades you’re adding into your gym.

## 

Use Vagaro to Help Customers Find Your Gamified Gym

A gamified gym is a differentiated gym! With that in mind, when adding fitness gamifications and equipment, make sure to [update your service menu](https://youtu.be/YDfXBgNajTU) so members know they’re available. Let members know you've upgraded by [using Vagaro’s email marketing to send a message](https://youtu.be/53rR6Kmgi4c)! Want to get gamers in the door for the first time? [Try a Daily Deal!](https://youtu.be/BdTWyk82z3Q) This builds awareness of your gym’s upgrades, gets new members in the door, and lets you monitor how your gamified fitness programs perform. Or, if you really want to make a splash, use [Get Featured](https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004515974-Become-a-Featured-Business) within the Vagaro [fitness business app](/en-gb/pro/fitness-software) to land your gym on the front page of the Vagaro Marketplace. By transforming tedious activities into a game, you'll convert new customers who need extra motivation!

 Have you brought gamification into your gym? Tell us about it on social media! We’d love to hear how you’ve turned the fitness grind into a game, and how your members are engaging with a gamified fitness center!

Header Image: @criene via Twenty20

Level Up! 3 Tips to Gamify Your Fitness Center 

While your workout routine always carries the possibility of a sudden twisted ankle or wrenched back, the lurking risk of injury from repetitive movements often goes overlooked. That’s why “tennis elbow,” also known as “golfer's elbow,” is a common lament for those plagued by aggravated tendons and ligaments.

Fortunately, adding a few nutrients to your daily routine can help lower the risk of getting - or aggravating - these common complaints.

## **The Risk of Repetition**

If you’re feeling pain anywhere between your lower arm, elbow and wrist while swinging a club or a racket [tendonitis](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tennis-elbow/home/ovc-20206011) (aka golfer’s or tennis elbow) is the likely culprit. The condition comes from repeatedly flexing your muscles in order to grip a racket or club -- or from frequent use of a knife,hammer or paintbrush, depending on your job or hobbies.

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Over time, the tendons in your forearm may begin to tear, resulting in swelling and pain. Among those most likely to suffer from repetitive movement injuries are women in general, and both genders after the age of 30. Aging plays a role, both because of the accumulation of repetitive movements, as well as the unfortunate fact that connective tissues don’t bounce back as quickly in older people.

## **How Supplements Can Help**

While there’s no “magic bullet” to prevent or combat golfer’s elbow, adding certain nutrients that attack the problem on multiple fronts can help. Focus on those [supplements](http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/tendinitis), as well as [foods](https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/vitamins-and-minerals), known for promoting tissue repair (for quicker healing) as well as those which have anti-inflammatory properties (to reduce pain and swelling).

- **Tissue Support**. Vitamins C and A, calcium and magnesium all play a part in promoting the healing of damaged tissues. You can add more to your diet through foods like almonds, leafy greens, orange vegetables and citrus fruit, while also taking supplements with these nutrients.
- **Anti-inflammatories**. Vitamins C and E, along with turmeric, fish oil, evening primrose oil and bromelain all help reduce swelling. Along with supplements, eat more citrus fruits, almonds, orange vegetables and sunflower seeds for these vitamins, and add turmeric to your cooking.

The quick takeaway? If you take only one supplement for tendonitis concerns, consider making it Vitamin C, which accomplishes both.


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