Zen Planner and SugarWOD State of the Nation: 2024 Product Release

As the fitness industry evolves, so do the needs of gym owners and their members.  

At Zen Planner and SugarWOD, we’re committed to staying ahead of these changes by continuously innovating and enhancing our tools to better serve you. In this “State of the Nation” update, we’re excited to share the latest product releases and upcoming features for 2024. These new developments are designed to streamline your operations, boost member engagement, and support your gym’s growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. 

In this State of the Nation discover how our newest features are tailored to help you run a more efficient and impactful business. We’ll also give you a sneak peek at what’s coming in 2024, so you can stay ahead of the curve and continue to provide exceptional experiences for your members. 

Convert More Leads & Retain More Members 

Zen Planner Engage: Free Trial Sync 

Managing free trials is essential for converting leads into paying members, but it can be time-consuming and prone to errors. The new Free Trial Sync feature automatically syncs trial reservations between Zen Planner Studio and Engage. This means less manual input, fewer errors, and more time to focus on turning those trials into memberships. 

Key Benefits: 

• Time-saving: Automates the process of syncing free trials, reducing administrative overhead. 

• Accuracy: Minimizes errors that can occur with manual updates, ensuring a smooth experience for potential members. 
• Focus on Conversion: Frees up your time so you can concentrate on engaging and converting leads. 

Zen Planner Engage: Appointment Sync 

Double bookings and manual updates are issues that can frustrate both your staff and members. The Appointment Sync feature eliminates these headaches by automatically syncing appointments between Zen Planner Studio and Engage. With this feature, you can ensure that your scheduling is always up-to-date, providing a seamless experience for everyone involved. 

Key Benefits: 

• Error Reduction: Prevents double bookings and scheduling conflicts, enhancing the member experience. 

• Efficiency: Automatically keeps all appointment data synchronized, saving time and reducing administrative tasks. 

• Consistency: Ensures that your team is always on the same page, delivering a professional service to members. 

Zen Planner Engage: Facebook Ad Manager

Marketing your gym effectively is crucial for attracting new leads, and social media is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. The Facebook Ad Manager within Engage allows you to create, manage, and optimize Facebook ads directly from the platform. This integration means you can easily track performance and adjust your campaigns to improve conversion rates without needing to navigate multiple platforms. 

Key Benefits: 

• Integrated Marketing: Manage your Facebook ads directly within Engage, streamlining your marketing efforts. 

• Performance Tracking: Easily analyze ad performance and make adjustments to maximize ROI. 

• Improved Conversion: Optimize your ads to attract more leads and convert them into members. 

Membership Widget 

First impressions matter, especially when potential members are signing up. The Membership Widget is a customizable tool that you can embed directly into your website, making the sign-up process seamless and straightforward. By enhancing the user experience from the very first interaction, you can increase the likelihood of converting leads into members. 

Key Benefits: 

• Customizable Design: Tailor the widget to match your brand and website design for a cohesive look. 

• Seamless Sign-ups: Simplifies the sign-up process, reducing barriers to entry for new members. 

• Enhanced Experience: Provides a smooth, professional first impression that sets the tone for a positive member experience. 

Branded App 

In today’s digital age, offering a personalized experience is key to member retention. The Branded App lets you showcase your gym’s brand, creating a customized experience for your members. This app not only strengthens your brand identity but also fosters a sense of community among your members. Plus, with the new pricing of just $39, it’s more affordable than ever to provide a top-notch digital experience. 

Key Benefits: 

• Brand Visibility: Keeps your brand front and center in your members’ daily lives. 

• Community Building: Enhances the sense of belonging and engagement among members. 

• Affordable Pricing: Offers an accessible solution for providing a branded, personalized member experience. 

Streamline Payment Processing 

Flex Fees 

Running a gym comes with various operational costs, and finding ways to offset these expenses without burdening your members can be challenging. Flex Fees allow you to add a small fee to each transaction, clearly displayed to your members, helping you cover costs without hidden surprises. This transparent approach not only supports your bottom line but also fosters trust with your members by being upfront about the fees. 

Key Benefits: 

• Cost Recovery: Helps offset operational costs, contributing to a healthier profit margin. 

• Transparency: Fees are clearly displayed to members, promoting honesty and trust. 

• Flexibility: Allows you to adjust fees as needed, depending on your business needs. 

Safeguard Your Business 

Business Insurance 

Unexpected incidents can disrupt your operations and potentially lead to significant financial losses. That’s why having the right insurance is critical. Zen Planner now offers tailored business insurance designed specifically for fitness businesses. Whether it’s protecting your equipment, covering liability, or safeguarding your property, these affordable insurance options are built to meet the unique needs of your gym. 

Key Benefits: 

• Comprehensive Coverage: Protects against a wide range of risks, from property damage to liability claims. 

• Tailored Plans: Insurance options are designed specifically for fitness businesses, ensuring that your coverage meets your needs. 

• Peace of Mind: Knowing your business is protected allows you to focus on growth and member satisfaction without worry. 

Seamlessly Manage Multiple Locations 

Multi-location: Share Memberships 

Centrally managing memberships across multiple locations is essential for providing a seamless experience for your members. With the Share Memberships feature, you can easily oversee membership settings from a single platform, ensuring consistency across all your gyms. This feature simplifies the administrative process, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional service to your members. 

Key Benefits: 

• Consistency: Maintain uniform membership settings across all locations, ensuring a cohesive experience for members. 

• Centralized Control: Manage everything from a single platform, reducing the complexity of multi-location management. 

• Improved Efficiency: Streamlines administrative tasks, freeing up time to focus on growth and member engagement. 

Multi-location: Share Discounts 

Offering consistent discounts across multiple locations is another way to ensure a uniform member experience. The Share Discounts feature allows you to manage discount settings centrally, so all your members enjoy the same benefits, no matter which gym they visit. This not only enhances the member experience but also simplifies your promotional efforts. 

Key Benefits: 

• Uniform Discounts: Ensures that all locations offer the same discounts, providing a fair and consistent experience for members. 

• Ease of Management: Centralizes discount settings, making it easier to manage promotions across multiple locations. 

• Increased Member Satisfaction: A consistent discount policy helps build trust and loyalty among members. 

Enjoy Faster Support Responses 

Jim Guru (Live Chat) 

No one likes waiting for support, especially when there’s an issue that needs immediate attention. With the Jim Guru Live Chat feature, you can now get real-time help 24/7 directly within Zen Planner Studio. Whether you’re dealing with a technical issue or need guidance on how to use a feature, our live chat agents are ready to assist you, ensuring that your gym’s operations stay on track without unnecessary delays. 

Key Benefits: 

• Immediate Assistance: Get quick answers and solutions to your questions or issues, any time of day. 

• 24/7 Availability: Access support whenever you need it, without having to wait for business hours. 

• Seamless Integration: The live chat is integrated directly into Zen Planner Studio, making it easy to get help without interrupting your workflow. 

Track Member Workouts with SugarWOD 

Custom Push Notifications 

Communication is crucial when it comes to member engagement. SugarWOD’s Custom Push Notifications allow you to send targeted messages directly to individual athletes or specific groups. Whether you’re reminding members of an upcoming event, sending motivational messages, or providing workout tips, these notifications keep your community informed and engaged. 

Key Benefits: 

• Personalized Communication: Tailor messages to specific athletes or groups, ensuring relevance and impact. 

• Increased Engagement: Keep your members connected and motivated with timely, targeted notifications. 

• Seamless Integration: Notifications are integrated within the app, making it easy for members to stay informed without needing to check multiple platforms. 

One-off Programs 

Offering specialized programs can set your gym apart and provide your members with unique training opportunities. With the One-off Programs feature, coaches can create and mark specific tracks for athlete access via the mobile app. This makes it simple to offer repeatable, set-duration programs that enhance the member experience and provide additional value. 

Key Benefits: 

• Program Flexibility: Easily create and manage one-off programs tailored to your members’ needs. 

• Enhanced Member Experience: Offer unique training programs that keep members engaged and motivated. 

• Efficient Management: Manage program access directly through the app, streamlining the process for both coaches and members. 

Gym Groups 

Community is at the heart of every successful gym. With Gym Groups, you can create Facebook Groups for your athletes, providing a space for them to engage, discuss workouts, and share their experiences. This feature helps foster a sense of belonging and keeps members connected even when they’re not at the gym. 

Key Benefits: 

• Community Building: Strengthen the sense of community among your members through dedicated online groups. 

• Continuous Engagement: Keep the conversation going outside of gym hours, enhancing member retention. 

• Easy Integration: Integrates seamlessly with Facebook, making it easy for members to join and participate. 

Log Endurance Workouts 

Endurance training is a key component of many fitness programs, and accurate tracking is essential for progress. SugarWOD’s latest update expands the endurance workout logging options to include Assault Bikes, Concept 2 Bikes, and Echo Bikes. Additionally, you can now log calories as a result type for endurance movements, providing more comprehensive tracking for your members. 

Key Benefits: 

• Expanded Equipment Tracking: Supports a wider range of endurance equipment, catering to diverse training needs. 

• Comprehensive Progress Tracking: Allows members to log and track calories burned, offering a more detailed view of their endurance performance. 

• Enhanced Member Motivation: Helps members stay motivated by providing clear insights into their progress and achievements. 

Sneak Peek: Exciting Releases for 2024 

Studio Refresh 

Disclaimer: Design not final 

In 2024, Zen Planner Studio will receive a major refresh, featuring a more intuitive interface and enhanced functionality. This update is aimed at making your day-to-day operations even smoother, with improved navigation and new tools that help you manage your gym more effectively. Get ready for a fresh, streamlined experience that keeps your business running at peak efficiency. 

What to Expect: 

• Intuitive Design: A user-friendly interface that makes it easier to access the tools and information you need. 

• Enhanced Functionality: New features and improvements that simplify your daily tasks and boost productivity. 

• Optimized Workflow: A refreshed layout that allows for faster, more efficient management of your gym. 

Reimagined Staff App 

Unified app experience for both staff and members with exciting new features and enhanced functionality. 

Engage Campaign Triggers 

Link to visual: 

Sharpen your campaign targeting based on member behavior. More triggers mean more templates for quick campaign creation and targeted communication. 

EMV Devices 

As technology advances, so do payment methods. With Zen Planner’s EMV devices, you can modernize your payment processing system, offering your members a secure and versatile range of payment options. These devices support swipe, chip, tap-to-pay, and mobile payments, making transactions faster and more convenient for everyone. 

Key Benefits: 

• Enhanced Security: EMV devices offer advanced security features, protecting both your business and your members. 

• Versatile Payment Options: Supports various payment methods, including contactless and mobile payments, meeting the preferences of today’s consumers. 

• Convenience: Streamlines the payment process, reducing friction at the point of sale and improving the member experience. 

Switch Locations 

Effortlessly switch locations within your Studio. No more logging in and out to change locations, since you can instantly switch in your Studio app. 

Family Sign Up 

Sign up multiple family members at once. No more repeat registrations for each family member. 

Class Pass Integration 

Manage reservations seamlessly between Zen Planner and Class Pass. 

Conclusion 

As we roll out these new features and prepare for the exciting updates in 2024, Zen Planner and SugarWOD remain committed to helping you grow your business and keep your members engaged. These tools are designed to streamline your operations, improve member retention, and support your business as it scales.