Starting a gym or fitness business is exciting. But if you’re not a tech wizard, choosing the right tools can feel like lifting a 500-pound barbell with no warm-up. Don’t worry — we’ve got your back! This guide will walk you through the top digital platforms that make it easy for fitness startups to launch, grow, and thrive — no coding skills needed!
TLDR:
Not tech-savvy? No problem! This article highlights beginner-friendly tools for gym and fitness startups. Whether you need a website, a way to schedule clients, or a platform to sell memberships, we’ll show you where to start. You’ll get tools that are simple, affordable, and built for people just like you.
1. Wix — For Building a Website (No Coding Needed!)
First thing’s first — you need an online presence. Wix is a great platform for building slick, modern websites without writing a single line of code.
- Drag and drop design: It’s like sticking shapes on a cork board. Pick a template, move things around, add your logos and colors.
- Fitness-friendly templates: Choose from gym, yoga, and personal trainer designs made just for your industry.
- Booking plugins: Add calendars, client scheduling, and even online payments, all in a few clicks.
Plus, Wix handles hosting, mobile responsiveness, and SEO. That means your clients can find you on Google, and your site will look great on phones.
2. Mindbody — Fitness Management Made Easy
If you’re opening a gym, yoga studio, or bootcamp, Mindbody is a powerful all-in-one system. It lets you manage memberships, classes, trainers, and even marketing — no tech degree required!
- Online booking: Clients can schedule workouts from your app or website.
- Membership management: Keep track of signups, payments, and renewals.
- Integrated marketing: Mindbody offers email tools and even social media integrations to help you attract new clients.
It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s super popular for a reason. If you want everything in one place, Mindbody is worth considering.
3. Trainerize — For Personal Trainers Going Digital
Trainerize is perfect if you’re a personal trainer wanting to go online, work with remote clients, or add tech tools to your in-person sessions.
- Workout builder: Create custom plans and send them to clients via app.
- Nutrition tracking: Help clients stay on top of their meals and macros.
- Habit coaching: Support clients beyond the gym with reminders, accountability, and progress tracking.
Also, Trainerize integrates with PayPal and Stripe, so it’s easy to collect payments. You can even sync with MyFitnessPal and fitness trackers like Fitbit or Apple Watch.
4. Calendly + Zoom — For Online Classes & Appointments
If you’re running a small fitness business or just starting solo, keeping things simple is key. That’s where Calendly and Zoom come in.
- Calendly: An easy tool your clients use to book time with you. Set your availability; Calendly does the rest.
- Zoom: Host live training sessions, consultations, or recorded classes. Great for online sessions or hybrid workouts.
You don’t need fancy software to start coaching people virtually. Thousands of coaches and trainers run profitable businesses with just Calendly and Zoom.
5. Squarespace — Another Great Website Option
Not into Wix? Try Squarespace. It’s just as visual, sleek, and easy to use. Squarespace is built for people who want beautiful designs without spending hundreds on a web developer.
- Modern templates: These sites look like the brands you follow on Instagram. Super clean and professional.
- Built-in e-commerce: Sell classes, memberships, or digital products directly from your site.
- Blog and email tools: Share workout tips, send newsletters, and keep clients hooked.
If you’re brand-forward and want that high-end feel, Squarespace is your jam.
6. Kajabi — All-In-One for Selling Fitness Courses
Want to go big? Like creating your own fitness brand with online courses and programs? Kajabi might be the platform for you.
- Build courses: Upload video workouts, PDFs, meal plans, and more.
- Marketing tools: Email sequences, lead magnets, and sales pages are all built in.
- No tech needed: It takes care of hosting, security, even payments.
Kajabi’s pricing is higher than other platforms, but it’s a beast for serious business owners trying to scale up or replace in-person sessions with digital ones.
7. Vagaro — For Salons AND Fitness Studios
Don’t let the beauty industry branding fool you. Vagaro is a winner for fitness professionals too. It works great for small gyms, yoga studios, and any business with regular appointments or group classes.
- Client scheduling: Simple and smooth for both you and your customers.
- Point-of-sale: Collect payments, sell memberships or products, and track inventory.
- Mobile app: Your clients can book with you anytime on-the-go.
Think of Vagaro as a cool cousin to Mindbody — more budget-friendly, but with strong features even larger fitness businesses can rely on.
8. Stripe + Notion — DIY Combo for Budget Entrepreneurs
Looking to keep things simple and cheap? Try building your own light platform using Stripe for payments and Notion to deliver content.
- Create program pages in Notion: Add workouts, videos (via YouTube), FAQs, and more.
- Charge with Stripe: Set up one-time prices or subscriptions. Easy to share checkout links.
- Super flexible: Notion can act like an app, a dashboard, or an education hub.
This is great for startup coaches with limited budgets. It’s not fancy, but it works. Plus, it scales as you grow and learn.
Final Tip: Start Small, Then Upgrade
You don’t need to build the next Peloton overnight. Choose 1-2 tools, learn them well, and grow from there. Most platforms offer free trials, so try before buying.
Here’s a quick summary of the best platforms by purpose:
- Website building: Wix, Squarespace
- Full studio management: Mindbody, Vagaro
- PT & online coaching: Trainerize, Calendly + Zoom
- Course creation and scaling: Kajabi
- Budget-friendly DIY: Stripe + Notion
So go ahead! Pick a platform, start strong, and get those gainz — both muscular and financial!
