Whiteboard to wallet: Proven AI and automation strategies for fitness business growth
Running a fitness business today takes more than just great workouts. It uses smart systems that help owners attract, convert, and retain members efficiently. In Daxko’s recent webinar, “Whiteboard to wallet: proven AI and automation strategies for fitness business growth,” Wendy White, Chief Marketing Officer at Daxko, and Mike Wuest, Head of Marketing for Zen Planner and SugarWOD, shared practical insights and automation playbooks that empower gym owners to scale smarter.
So, in case you missed it, here’s a quick recap of the proven strategies to grow your fitness business with AI and automation.
The modern fitness business challenge
The session was opened by addressing familiar pain points for fitness owners:
- Inconsistent lead generation
- Missed opportunities due to limited follow-up
- Member churn and retention struggles
- Overwhelming administrative workloads
These challenges often stem from “operational chaos” — the absence of systems and automation to bring clarity and flow to daily operations.
She further emphasized that these AI and automation strategies for fitness business growth are the key to moving from chaos to clarity.
The AI shift in fitness marketing
Wendy highlighted how AI is transforming consumer search behavior. Traditional “gym near me” searches are being replaced by conversational, AI-driven queries like “What’s the best CrossFit gym with classes near me? I prefer to exercise in the mornings.”
To stay visible, she outlined actionable SEO strategies:
- Optimize websites with AI-friendly schema markup and local keywords.
- Publish FAQ-style content that answers longer, natural language questions.
- Keep content fresh and frequently updated to maintain AI relevance.
- Build authority with Google reviews and local backlinks.
Building a powerful lead engine
Mike Wuest dived into practical marketing systems that generate and convert leads consistently. His advice centered around one crucial tool: the Google Business Profile.
He urged gym owners to:
- Keep their business information and hours updated monthly.
- Regularly post photos, updates, and class offers.
- Proactively request and respond to reviews.
- Use automation tools like Zen Planner Engage to publish reviews directly on their website and social media.
That’s how AI-driven review responses and automated publishing build brand trust — reinforcing potential members that the business is engaged and credible.
The role of paid media
Paid media remains a core growth driver. Even modest budgets can maintain top-of-mind awareness through retargeting campaigns that remind potential leads of the gym after an initial visit.
AI-powered marketing automation is already available for gym owners to execute social media, email marketing, lead follow-up, and more at scale.
One of the most effective plays in the fitness business is that of the nine-word email.
This simple email — “Are you still interested in getting fit in 2025?” — can reactivate hundreds of old leads and past members. The best part? With automation, this outreach can now happen automatically every few months, keeping gym management easy, and consistently re-engaging their audience with minimal effort.
Automating your social media presence
Wendy and Mike discussed the importance of consistency in social posting, something many studios struggle with. Using Zen Planner Engage’s Social Planner, gyms can:
- Schedule posts weeks or months ahead.
- Curate content from member stories, questions, and testimonials.
- Approve posts before publishing for quality control.
These AI and automation strategies for fitness business growth ensure that gyms stay visible and on-brand — without relying on last-minute content creation.
Turning leads into loyal members
It is important to emphasize the fact that a great website must be conversion-optimized, not just visually appealing.
Key takeaways:
- Use high-contrast CTAs like “Join Now” in red or hot pink.
- Include a conversion point (sign-up, trial, offer) on every page.
- Implement AI chat and voice assistants to engage visitors 24/7 — crucial since most leads convert with the first gym that responds.
Zen Planner Engage’s AI chat and call agents allow instant lead engagement, ensuring no inquiry goes unanswered, even outside business hours.
Designing a world-class member experience
The focus was then shifted to retention — the true driver of sustainable growth.
The “first 100 days” principle from Never Lose a Customer Again by Joey Coleman is crucial for member experience as it is that early engagement which determines long-term loyalty.
To create a memorable onboarding experience:
- Design a structured 100-day journey that includes personalized touchpoints.
- Use automation for check-ins, milestone celebrations, and follow-ups.
- Monitor early engagement metrics such as class attendance and app usage.
With the 100-day journey playbook, we turned our first 100 days from a 50% churn risk into over 90% member retention — proving that intentional onboarding builds lasting loyalty.
Putting AI and automation strategies for fitness business growth into action
The webinar concluded with a clear message that AI and automation aren’t about replacing the personal touch. Instead, they are all about amplifying it.
AI is not the future — it’s now. The gyms using it today are the ones growing fastest tomorrow.
By implementing systems like Zen Planner Engage and SugarWOD, fitness businesses can:
- Save 10+ hours a week on admin tasks.
- Grow memberships through smarter marketing.
- Deliver personalized, scalable member experiences.
Key takeaways
- Optimize your website for AI visibility: Update your website and Google profile regularly.
- Automate engagement: Use chat, email, and social scheduling tools to stay connected 24/7.
- Personalize at scale: Automate onboarding and retention messages to build loyalty.
- Stay consistent: A steady online presence drives trust and conversions.
Ready to to see how these tools work in action?
Watch the webinar on demand and for actionable insights, practical strategies, and real-world examples, download the guide today.
About the Author: Mike Wuest
