The One Place You've Overlooked For More Google Reviews
It's definitely not what you've been told by your mentor - but the data says otherwise.
I built GymHappy because I had a couple of theories:
People will leave reviews for people more often than they will for gyms.
People can see through the canned auto emails and texts the current CRMs send—it doesn’t feel personal.
AI is a perfect way to customize messages and make them come from the coach on the floor.
All of these should result in more reviews being left, and it's working. To date we’ve generated almost 40,000 reviews for our gyms, and we’ve barely just started getting going.
A Hidden Insight
One thing I didn't realize when I built this is how effective it would be for drop-ins and brand new members. But if you think about it, it makes sense. Those people have the biggest expectations that you can either shatter or deliver on.
Our data at GymHappy has revealed this surprising truth: new members and drop-ins are highly likely to leave a review, especially if you cater to them.
And this insight could be the key to significantly growing your gym's online reputation.
Against Common Advice
I've often heard that you should ask your best members for reviews. I”ve also heard around the Internet that you should ask your new members for a review between days 60 and 90.
I think we're missing an opportunity here.
First off, data shows over 20% of your new members are gone by day 60 and 30% of your members are gone by day 90. You’re missing up to 30% of your possible reviews by waiting.
Secondly, GymHappy is showing us Day One members are actually very likely to leave a review.
6.22% of all Google Reviews created on GymHappy are from brand new members or drop-ins. Considering that between 1 in 20 and 1 in 50 review asks go to a new member or drop in, that means that brand new members are statistically more likely to leave a review than existing members.
That's more significant than I assumed!
Why It Works: Expectations
Many new members and drop-ins are scared, nervous, or worried about starting a new fitness routine.
When their experience exceeds expectations—whether it's not as hard as they thought or because the coach made them feel safe—those emotions become easy opportunities for them to share their experience.
Capturing that moment is invaluable.
Creating A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
When someone says they love something, it often reinforces their feelings and commitment.
By encouraging new members to share their positive experiences, you’re not just getting a great review—you’re winning a long-term client.
Vocalizing satisfaction creates a mental bond, making them feel more invested in their choice.
How You Can Leverage This Insight
So, how can gym owners make sure they’re maximizing this opportunity? It all starts with focusing on those new faces.
When a new member or drop-in attends their first class, ensure they have an incredible experience. Pay attention to their needs, make them feel welcomed, and provide personalized attention.
Personally, I like to ask someone what they're worried or scared about before class. After class I'll ask them directly how they felt about those worries after working with a coach.
Having them vocalize that before and after is a powerful way to make them realize their feelings.
What The Data Says
Looking over the data on over 20,000 Reviews we've created, we can see some threads and similarities.
New members and drop-ins often express feelings of nervousness, fear, or uncertainty about starting a new fitness routine. Their reviews frequently mention positive surprises about the welcoming atmosphere, support from coaches, and the approachability of workouts.
Keywords like 'beginner,' 'welcoming,' 'attention', 'scaled', 'support,' and 'help' stand out, emphasizing the importance of personalized attention and a supportive environment.
I love using data to learn something new - and this was a great learning! Do not neglect your new members, and don't assume they won't leave you a review for 90 days! That's just wrong!