{"id":13897,"date":"2025-11-27T10:12:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T10:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/?p=13897"},"modified":"2025-11-27T10:12:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T10:12:11","slug":"grow-your-fitness-business-with-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/grow-your-fitness-business-with-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Grow your fitness business with social media"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Rachel Holmes, group exercise expert and fitness industry veteran looks at how to stand out, increase engagement and grow your fitness business with social media<\/h2>\n<p>Social media isn\u2019t just about posting workouts or class details \u2013 it\u2019s about building a community, attracting clients and retaining members. Here are the latest strategies:<\/p>\n<h4><strong>1. Master short-form video content <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Gain visibility with platforms like Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Post engaging, high-energy content that captures attention quickly:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mini workout demos<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 30-60-second previews of group fitness sessions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Behind-the-scenes <\/strong>\u2013 Show how you prepare for classes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fitness myths vs facts<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Quick, engaging, debunking clips.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Client transformations<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Before and after stories.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u2018Day in the Life\u2019 vlogs<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Give followers an inside look at your routine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Use trending audio tracks and hashtags to increase reach. Repurpose one video across multiple platforms with different captions and calls to action.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>2. Leverage stories and polls for engagement<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Stories disappear after 24 hours, making them perfect for daily updates and real-time interaction:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Class updates and availability<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Let clients know when spots are open.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Q&amp;A sessions<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Use the question sticker for \u2018Ask me anything\u2019.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Polls and quizzes<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Example: What\u2019s your fave workout \u2013 HIIT or strength?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Countdown stickers<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Build anticipation for upcoming events.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Save important stories as highlights.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>3. Use Google Business Profile to increase local visibility<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Google Business Profile helps your business appear in Google Search and Maps, so locals can find you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Add class schedule, pricing and location.<\/li>\n<li>Post updates and promotions weekly.<\/li>\n<li>Encourage reviews \u2013 five-star reviews boost rankings.<\/li>\n<li>Use high-quality photos and videos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Link your website directly to your profile to drive bookings.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>4. Geo-tag every post for local exposure<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Social media platforms love local content, making geo-tagging a must:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tag your gym or studio location on every Instagram and Facebook post.<\/li>\n<li>Use local hashtags such as #LondonFitness or #ManchesterWorkout.<\/li>\n<li>Encourage clients to check in on Facebook and tag your business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This makes your content more discoverable, increasing bookings.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>5. Create a Facebook or WhatsApp group for community engagement<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Facebook groups provide a private space for interaction, motivation and client retention:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Share class schedules, challenges and fitness tips.<\/li>\n<li>Post client wins and progress updates to keep members motivated.<\/li>\n<li>Encourage discussions and accountability check-ins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep your group exclusive to paying members for added value.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13913\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13913\" class=\"wp-image-13913\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FITPRO-LIVE-2025_D1_C1_P1010708-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"getting social media working for your fitness business\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FITPRO-LIVE-2025_D1_C1_P1010708-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FITPRO-LIVE-2025_D1_C1_P1010708-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FITPRO-LIVE-2025_D1_C1_P1010708-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FITPRO-LIVE-2025_D1_C1_P1010708-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FITPRO-LIVE-2025_D1_C1_P1010708-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FITPRO-LIVE-2025_D1_C1_P1010708-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13913\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rachel Holmes at FitPro LIVE 2025<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong>6. Automate Responses with ManyChat (Instagram &amp; Facebook DM Bots)<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>If you receive DMs about classes, ManyChat can automate responses:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Instant replies to FAQs such as \u2018Send me your class schedule\u2019.<\/li>\n<li>Automated follow-ups for people interested in classes.<\/li>\n<li>Lead collection \u2013 gather emails and phone numbers for promotions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Use a call-to-action like \u2018Comment \u201cBOOK\u201d below to get my class schedule\u2019 to trigger ManyChat.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>7. Cross-promote with local businesses<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Partnering with local businesses like therapists and health stores expands your audience:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Host a joint fitness event like a Pilates Brunch with a restaurant.<\/li>\n<li>Cross-promote services (e.g., a juice bar offering your clients discounts).<\/li>\n<li>Tag each other on social media for mutual exposure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>8. Go live and answer fitness questions<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Live video boosts engagement and builds audience trust:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Live Q&amp;A<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Answer common fitness questions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mini workouts<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Show a 10-minute class preview.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Guest speaker live<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Collaborate with another fitness professional.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Announce your live session 24 hours in advance to increase viewers.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>9. Encourage user-generated content (UGC) and client tags<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Encouraging clients to post about your classes expands your reach organically:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ask them to tag you in post-class stories.<\/li>\n<li>Run a social media challenge like \u2018Post your sweaty selfie and tag us!\u2019<\/li>\n<li>Feature top client posts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Offer incentives like discounts or shoutouts for members who engage online.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>10. Post consistently and schedule content <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>To stay visible, consistency is key:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use scheduling tools like Meta Business Suite for Facebook and Instagram.<\/li>\n<li>Batch-create content by filming multiple workouts in one day.<\/li>\n<li>Plan a content calendar to avoid stress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Read more of Rachel&#8217;s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/start-a-local-community-fitness-class\/\"> insights and tips for group exercise<\/a> on the FitPro blog<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13760\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13760\" class=\"wp-image-13760 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/author-blog-size-1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/author-blog-size-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/author-blog-size-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/author-blog-size-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/author-blog-size-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/author-blog-size-1-140x140.jpg 140w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/author-blog-size-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/author-blog-size-1-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/author-blog-size-1.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13760\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rachel Holmes<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>RACHEL HOLMES\u00a0<\/strong>is an industry veteran who has been teaching, presenting and\u00a0innovating in the fitness industry for 37 years. You can join her\u00a0Supporters Business Group, where she helps 450+ instructors improve\u00a0their business, marketing, sales and social media skills.\u00a0 Rachel Holmes Fitness <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rachellholmes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@RachelLHolmes<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rachel Holmes, group exercise expert and fitness industry veteran looks at how to stand out,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13912,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[860,23],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-13897","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"category-group-exercise"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13897"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13897"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13897\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13915,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13897\/revisions\/13915"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}