Okay, gym owners, let's talk reviews.
We all know they're crucial. More reviews equal more clients, more clients equal a thriving business.
Simple as that.
I saw a post about this recently in an online community of gym owners, asking:
“How long do you typically wait before asking for a Google Review / Testimonial? Do you feel like you need to wait until they’ve experienced your service for awhile or do you ask pretty quickly?”
Great question, right?
So, do you ask right away or wait it out?
Here's the thing: forget those "wait 30 days" rules. We're running CrossFit gyms — that means, we need a system that's as efficient and effective as our workouts.
Here’s where milestone-based timing comes in.
It's all about timing. You want to ask for reviews when your clients are feeling good, feeling the endorphins and the hard work paying off.
Here's the breakdown:
A brand-new client crushes their first few workouts.
They're stoked, they're hooked, and they're probably telling all their friends about your awesome gym.
Perfect time to ask for a review.
Maybe even suggest they bring a friend to their next workout, further boosting your membership and community, much like encouraging parents to participate in CrossFit Kids classes with their children.
Or, an athlete nails a new PR.
They're feeling strong, confident, and proud. They're basically ready to wear that accomplishment like a badge of honor.
Why not have them share that pride with a review?
You could even tie this into promoting some of your top workouts to get your heart rate in the max heart rate zone, showing how your programming leads to real results, just like those outlined in the 15 best CrossFit WODs for beginners.
Picture a comp, a charity — something that brings your community together.
These events create a bond, a shared experience that athletes want to talk about.
Use that momentum to get those reviews. This could also be a great time to highlight the benefits of offering home workouts for your members, especially for busy parents or those who travel frequently.
Now, I get it. Keeping track of all this can be a hassle. But that's where gym management software like Wodify comes in.
Wodify lets you automate review requests.
Set it and forget it.
No more mental reminders or sticky notes.
This frees up your time to focus on what really matters: coaching your athletes and building a killer community.
Keep it personal:
No one wants a generic, cookie-cutter request.
Crossfit software lets you personalize your messages, so you can give each athlete a shout-out that feels real.
Crossfit software reporting tools also share how your strategy is performing.
When you know what's working, and what's not, you can make adjustments. This data-driven approach can help optimize your gym and your overall business approach.
Positive reviews are like free advertising.
They build trust, credibility, and attract new athletes. Think about it: when you're looking for a new gym, you check the reviews, right? Everyone does.
And here's a stat that'll make you pay attention: businesses that actively manage their online reputation see an average of 140% growth year-over-year.
That's a serious boost.
Or you could say: 82% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, proving just how important those digital opinions are.