Learn to Run Dynamic Fitness Classes Despite Low Attendance

Summer is here, and the chilly weather that keeps people from working out is far in the rearview. The sweat is flowing, warmups are a breeze, and the vibes are high—only, your fitness classes seem kind of… empty? As it turns out, the “summer slowdown” is a common challenge for yoga and Pilates studios, as well as small fitness businesses. There are plenty of reasons behind these seasonal dips in attendance, but the good news is that there are also simple ways to keep your classes dynamic, your clients engaged, and the energy strong—no matter the headcount. Below, we’ll cover six strategies to help you do just that.

Reasons For Summer Attendance Dips

If January is a peak in gym and fitness class attendance, then June through August represents the valley. This “summer slump” can be due to many reasons, though there are two we want to focus on.

(Check out these New Year’s marketing strategies for dealing with post-resolution drop off)

Outdoor Fitness Activities

The thing about pleasant weather is that it’s—well, pleasant. Even your most active and dedicated clients may choose to take their yoga or Pilates mats to the park rather than your indoor studio. They might power through their AMRAP circuits at home in the backyard or with the garage door open (who can resist putting on a show for passing neighbors?). Then again, they could be biking, hiking, running, swimming, or diving into other outdoor activities instead.

Vacations & Family Time

Chances are, your clients are at the beach, on vacation, or out of town visiting friends and family. They’re probably attending concerts, music festivals, professional sports games—things that interrupt their normal routines and temporarily reroute their “leisure activity” budgets.

Many are also spending more time with their kids, who, let’s not forget, are on their annual extended summer break. Depending on their children's ages, this can significantly disrupt a regular workout schedule.

While it can be tricky to keep the momentum without an energetic crowd, it’s far from impossible. Once you understand what pulls people away in summer, you can adapt your classes and services to remain effective—even with smaller turnouts.

1. Make Smaller Classes A Perk, Not a Problem

Lean into your smaller class sizes this summer. Emphasize that smaller classes can be a benefit to attendees in that they allow more personal attention, provide space for deeper connections, and give time to refine techniques or modify them for individual goals.

In other words, when attendance numbers go down, quality should go up. Encourage your instructors to provide a more high-touch experience by:

Offering more individual adjustments, modifications, or hands-on support (when appropriate)
Tailoring sequences to the people in the room—ask what they’re working on or need that day
Giving deeper feedback or mini goal-setting moments before or after class

This personal attention builds loyalty, even if clients aren’t attending as frequently in summer. When advertising these classes on your website or social media accounts, use language in marketing like “intimate,” “customized,” “limited spots for a tailored experience.”

2. Add Variety to Your Classes

When was the last time you refreshed your class offerings? Keeping your schedule dynamic and engaging is always important—but it’s especially crucial during this time of year. Variety isn’t just about novelty; it’s about sustaining energy, giving clients a reason to return, and helping them stay excited about their fitness routines amid the summer chaos.

This is your opportunity to shake things up in ways that feel intentional, creative, and aligned with your brand. Here are a few easy ways to get started:

Take Things Outside: Offer a few classes outdoors to mix up the routine and take advantage of the season, adding novelty to otherwise familiar formats. Imagine Sunrise yoga or Pilates sessions in a park or weekend “pop-up” bootcamps or mat classes at scenic spots nearby.
Offer Seasonal Class Formats: Summer is the perfect time to experiment. Consider offering fusion classes that combine modalities to create something new, like “Pilates + Stretch”, or “Core & Restore” (HIIT + deep stretch). Or think bigger with 3–4-week themed programs (e.g., “Build Your Backbend,” “Reformer Foundations,” or “Balance + Core Intensive”).
Embrace Themes: Infuse structure and intention into your class calendar by using themes that tie sessions together. For example, July can officially be “Core Confidence Month,” followed by “Ground + Glow” August, with a focus on grounding poses, mindfulness, and heat regulation.

Remember, you aren’t alone in adapting your classes for the season. Give your instructors the freedom to try new class plans or styles they’ve been wanting to test. Their excitement will naturally boost class energy and client interest.

3. Keep The Energy High

When a class that normally has 15 people suddenly has 5, it can feel… a little deflated. But small classes don’t have to feel low energy. Encourage instructors to bring extra enthusiasm and presence, keeping things upbeat, intentional and motivating.

Music Sets the Mood

We all know how important music is to a good workout. It can transform a “low turnout” vibe into a private party. Create seasonal playlists loaded with client favorites. Some genre Ideas include:

Chill summer acoustic for yoga
Upbeat tropical house or Latin beats for mat Pilates or strength work
Client-curated playlists (ask clients for song requests—they love hearing “their” music in class)

If you’re unsure about specifics, take to social media, or music streaming platforms to see what’s trending (and remember who your primary client demographics are!).

Add Interactive Elements

With fewer people, there’s room to experiment with interactive elements. This transforms clients from passive participants to co-creators of the experience—and helps build connections, not just sweat.

Here are a few simple examples:

Partner or team-based moves (e.g., paired balance work, mirrored flows)
Group circuits or stations if space allows
Check-in questions at the start of class (“What’s one area you want to focus on today?”)

4. Offer Scheduling Flexibility

It’s no secret that your class attendance can take a hit during summer, thanks to vacations, events, and shifting priorities. Weekends tend to fill up quickly, and early mornings can become complicated now that the kids are home from school.

Add Shorter, Time-Efficient classes

Add express formats to your schedule—30- or 45-minute sessions that still deliver impact but respect clients’ time. Shorter, more intense classes never lag or lack energy, whether you’ve got 5 signups or 25. These could be:

“Lunch Break Flow” (30-minutes of movement + breath),
“Quick Core Burn” Pilates sessions
“Sunrise Stretch” early morning mobility classes.

Offer Summer Seasonal Passes

Create a seasonal class pass designed with summer in mind. This kind of pass caters to clients who can't commit to memberships but still want to stay active when they’re in town. They might look something like:

A 5- or 8-class pack that doesn’t expire until fall
A “Bring a Friend Free” option once a week
Drop-in rates slightly discounted to encourage spontaneous visits

5. Focus On Community Building

People may skip workouts in the summer in favor of concerts, block parties, barbecues—or even smaller things like “Wine Wednesdays” with the neighbors. The takeaway? They’re far less likely to miss out on a space where they feel connected, seen, and supported.

So how can you recreate that sense of community at your studio? Start by putting a few seasonal social events—big or small—on the calendar. These gatherings can give clients a reason to stick around after class or reconnect outside of it. Here are a few low-effort, high-impact ideas:

Post-class smoothie or iced tea socials (partner with a local café)
Sunset stretch + wine night
Weekend coffee walks or hikes for wellness outside the studio
"Bring a friend" community classes where clients can share the vibe

Even if attendance is modest, these events deepen bonds between clients and instructors.

6. Test-drive Your Fall Programs

This one’s more for you, the business owner, than anyone else. Smaller class sizes create the perfect opportunity to test out new class styles or programming ideas you’ve been considering for the fall and winter. Frame it to your members as a “sneak peek” of what’s coming—and let them know you need their help to shape it.

After class, send a quick follow-up email with a simple feedback form asking what they liked, what didn’t land, and what they’d love to see more of. The insights you gather can help you fine-tune your schedule, class length, pricing, and format—so you can nail the rollout when the busy season returns.

The summer slowdown doesn’t have to mean a dip in value, vibe, or vitality. With the right mindset and strategies (and some creativity), small classes can offer big results. With the right tools at your disposal, you should be able to easily create packages, memberships, and individual classes and events that meet the seasonal needs of clients. Reports that monitor attendance, revenue, and other data will enable you to test their effectiveness over time. Vagaro’s software for yoga, Pilates studios, and fitness centers fully equips businesses for success in all seasons. Start your 30-day free trial and see for yourself.