Switching to Daxko Zen Planner: Q&A with MBS Fitness Studio

At Daxko Zen Planner, the goal of the Onboarding Team is to make you feel comfortable with the basics of your database so you can get it up and running as quickly as possible. We like to hear details about your business so we can focus on the functionality within Zen Planner that is most important to you.

For many fitness business owners, switching to a new member management platform can feel overwhelming. A clear onboarding process and responsive support play a major role in whether the transition feels stressful or empowering.

Melissa is a customer of mine that went through onboarding and graduated after 2 of the 3 included sessions. The success of her transition was directly tied to her commitment and engagement throughout the onboarding process. She was responsive to emails, attentive to instructions and extremely prompt. I understand that transitioning to a new member management software can be stressful, so I reached out to Melissa and asked her a few questions about making the switch to Zen Planner.

Why MBS Fitness Studio decided to switch

What triggered the transition from MBO to Daxko Zen Planner?

I received several emails and messages from the sales team at Daxko Zen Planner. I noticed MBO prices were going up and had negative experiences with their customer service team. The price and lack of tech support led to my decision.

Rising software costs and inconsistent support are two of the most common reasons fitness businesses change platforms. G2 research shows that customer support quality is one of the top three factors influencing software switching decisions for small businesses.

Why Zen Planner and not another software?

A: Zen Planner selected me. Truthfully, I’m so busy and didn’t have time to research different companies. I truly enjoyed my conversation with the sales team member and felt like Zen Planner is trustworthy company.

Trust and human connection matter. For busy studio owners, feeling confident in the people behind the software is often just as important as feature lists.

Our onboarding and customer success teams are here for all your needs.

What the onboarding experience looked like

What expectations were set after signing up for Daxko Zen Planner? (post sales call – before kickoff call)

A: I received a series of emails explaining how to move forward; it was simple and easy. One email included directions for the import process, since I was switching to Daxko Zen Planner from MBO. Another email gave me insight into all topics that would be covered during my 3 onboarding sessions, giving me clear expectations of what was to come. Each email shared the customer support team’s contact information in case I had questions between sessions.

Clear expectations early in the process reduce friction. According to PwC, companies that invest in customer clarity and communication see higher retention and faster adoption of new tools.

Was the transition process and next steps (post signup) clearly outlined?

A: The transition was good; quick and easy. It was a bit foreign to me at first, as most things are, but I quickly got the hang of it. If you’ve used MBO software before, then you should be able to pick up Zen Planner easily. The support team was great with fielding my questions and sent help documents to supplement their answers.

How did the data migration process feel?

A: The import process was super easy. The steps were clearly outlined in an email I received from Daxko Zen Planner’s Onboarding Coordinator shortly after signing up. Once all my data was imported into Zen Planner, I could easily modify it to work within the system.

Data migration is one of the biggest concerns when switching to Daxko Zen Planner. Having guided imports and clear documentation helps studios avoid downtime and billing errors during the transition.

Support and timeline during the switch

Did you reach out to Zen Planner’s customer success team during the transition?

A: I did receive proper support from Zen Planner. I’m a ‘do it yourself’ type person, so I only reached out to my Onboarding Coach and Onboarding Coordinator during the transition. The help documents and answers I received during my onboarding session were just what I needed to get my database up and running.

How did the timeline feel after you signed up with Zen Planner?

A: We signed up for Zen Planner on January 16th, 2018, and were up and running before my deadline of February 5th. We easily could’ve started using Zen Planner a week earlier but waited until the 5th to launch in tandem with our new class schedule.

Fast implementation matters. Capterra reports that small businesses expect new software to be operational within 30 days, especially for core systems like billing and scheduling.

Benefits of switching to Daxko Zen Planner

When switching to Zen Planner, did you recognize any immediate benefits?

A: The reports are quick and easy to access; I love seeing everything lined up on my dashboard. It helps me to stay on top of my duties and get things done more efficiently than before. The automations are also fantastic. I love that I can send text reminders to members before their classes.

Automation and visibility are key advantages when switching to Zen Planner. Centralized dashboards and automated messaging help owners save time while improving member communication.

Advice for studios considering the switch

Do you have any recommendations for people switching from old software to Zen Planner?

A: For people making the switch, I recommend announcing the change to members as soon as possible. I also recommend canceling all existing memberships in MBO after the switch over date to avoid duplicate charges. Zen Planner was great about walking me through this process.

“I love having the Zen Planner site embedded into our Facebook page and website. I’ve already gotten a lot of new people from that alone. I love the simplicity of Zen Planner vs MBO. MBO was so confusing and hard to figure out.” – Melissa Rishel; MBS Fitness Studio

Clear communication with members is one of the most important success factors when switching to Zen Planner. Transparency builds trust and reduces confusion during operational changes.

Choosing a software that supports growth

As a fitness business owner, there are certain things that your software must be able to do. Make sure that your software is capable of meeting all your needs.

Thinking about switching to Zen Planner?

Switching to Daxko Zen Planner is not just about replacing software. It is about choosing a platform that supports long-term growth, operational clarity, and stronger member experiences.

Book a personalized demo today to see how our onboarding, support, and automation tools help studios get up and running quickly.

FAQs about switching to Daxko Zen Planner

1. Will my member data be safe when switching?
   Yes. Zen Planner uses secure migration processes to transfer member profiles, billing history, and attendance data without data loss or disruption.
2. How long does the transition take?
   Most gyms complete data migration, onboarding, and basic setup within a few weeks, with continued support through the first 90 days.
3. Will members notice the switch?
   With proper communication and automated tools, members typically experience smoother online booking, clearer communications, and improved self-service options. Zen Planner also supplies communication templates to help with the transition.
4. What ongoing support is available?
   You get guided onboarding, personalized Customer Success Manager check-ins, and access to help articles and best-practice resources even after the first 90 days.
5. Can Zen Planner replace multiple tools I’m currently using?
   Yes. Zen Planner unifies scheduling, billing, CRM, reporting, communication, and member engagement in one platform, eliminating the need for separate apps.