This fitness industry FAQ is based on two inputs: (1) knowledge we have gathered from hundreds of studio-owner demos and migrations, and (2) a review of public feedback across sites like Capterra, Trustpilot, and community threads from Reddit and Quora. We also test platforms hands-on so we can separate marketing claims from real workflows.
I am the founder of StudioGrowth (you can read more about me here). My team and I spent the last quarter of 2025 researching and creating responses to the most widely asked questions from fitness business owners.
We built StudioGrowth, so we have a point of view. The goal here is still simple: give you practical answers, call out trade-offs, and be clear when something is an estimate versus a verified public number.
Research and pricing references are current as of Q4 2025. Vendors change positioning and pricing often, and acquisitions happen frequently. So confirm final pricing and ownership directly with the provider.
Boutique fitness studio owners typically make between $70,000 and $250,000 per year, with most earning $80,000 - $150,000 once their studio is established (after 2-3 years).
| Studio Type | Annual Owner Income | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Barre Studio | $60,000 - $120,000 | Lower operating costs |
| HIIT/Functional | $70,000 - $150,000 | High class volume |
| Cycling Studio | $100,000 - $200,000+ | Higher revenue than other types |
| Pilates Studio | $70,000 - $140,000 | High-value private sessions |
| Franchise | $140,000 - $360,000 | Brand recognition, higher revenue |
Key Insight: Cycling studios tend to generate the highest revenue, but barre and HIIT studios can be more profitable on a per-dollar basis due to lower equipment and operating costs.
Fitness studios make money primarily through recurring membership revenue (70-80% of income), supplemented by class packages, private sessions, and ancillary revenue streams.
1. Membership Subscriptions (70-80% of revenue)
2. Class Packages & Drop-Ins (10-15% of revenue)
3. Private & Semi-Private Sessions (5-10% of revenue)
4. Ancillary Revenue (5-10% of revenue)
Key to Profitability: The most successful studios focus on converting drop-in and class pack users into recurring monthly members, as this provides predictable revenue and higher lifetime value.
Gym management software costs between $25 and $600+ per month, depending on features, gym size, and number of locations.
| Price Range | Software Examples | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| $25-$75/month | Vagaro, Acuity Scheduling | Solo trainers, very small studios |
| $75-$150/month | Gymdesk, StudioGrowth, Momence | Small and medium sized gyms (50-300 members) |
| $150-$300/month | Zen Planner, Mariana Tek, Glofox | Medium gyms (150-400 members) |
| $300-$600/month | Mindbody, WellnessLiving | Large gyms, multi-location |
| $600+/month | Club OS, Perfect Gym | Enterprise, franchises |
Budget-Friendly:
Mid-Range:
Premium:
$75-$150/month:
$150-$300/month:
$300+/month:
The best apps for class scheduling are StudioGrowth, Mindbody, Glofox, and Gymdesk, each excelling in different areas.
| App | Best For | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. StudioGrowth | Premium boutique studios | Custom app and marketing automations | $95-250/month |
| 2. Mindbody | Large studios, brand recognition | Huge user base, discovery feature | $139+/month |
| 3. Glofox | Fitness businesses | Branded app | $100-600/month |
| 4. Gymdesk | Budget-conscious gyms | All features included, affordable | $75-200/month |
| 5. Momence | Yoga/wellness studios | Hybrid in-person + online | $200-$450/month |
Essential:
Advanced:
Best Overall: Mindbody
Best for Boutique Fitness: StudioGrowth
Best Value: Gymdesk
Best for Wellness: Momence
There are no truly comprehensive free booking systems for fitness classes, but several affordable options exist starting at $16-25/month. The closest to "free" are basic scheduling tools with limited features.
1. Acuity Scheduling
2. Calendly
3. Google Calendar + Forms
4. Vagaro
Fitness booking systems require:
| Software | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Acuity Scheduling | $16-61/month | Basic booking, payments |
| Vagaro | $25-100/month | Booking, marketing, payments |
| StudioGrowth | $95-$250/month | Full studio management |
| Gymdesk | $75-200/month | Complete gym management |
Recommendation: Invest in proper software ($60-100/month). The time saved and professional experience justifies the cost.
A gym is a large facility with diverse equipment and self-directed workouts, while a fitness studio is a smaller, specialized space focused on instructor-led group classes or appointments in a specific discipline (Pilates, yoga, strength training, cycling, etc.).
| Aspect | Gym | Fitness Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 10,000-50,000+ sq ft | 800-2,500 sq ft |
| Focus | Equipment-based, self-directed | Class-based, instructor-led |
| Specialization | General fitness, multiple activities | Single discipline (Pilates, yoga, cycling) |
| Membership | $30-100/month unlimited | $150-250/month unlimited |
| Class Size | 20-40 people (if classes offered) | 8-15 people (intimate) |
| Equipment | Cardio machines, weights, functional | Specialized (reformers, bikes, etc.) |
| Community | Less personal, independent workouts | Tight-knit, community-focused |
| Staffing | Front desk, trainers available | Owner/instructors, personal attention |
Traditional Gym:
Boutique Fitness Studio:
Boutique Gym:
Studio with Equipment:
Attendance apps for gyms are mobile or web-based tools that track member check-ins, class attendance, and facility usage. They provide data for retention, billing verification, and capacity management.
1. Integrated Attendance (Most Common):
2. Standalone Attendance Apps:
3. Hardware-Based Systems:
| Method | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile App | Member opens app, taps "check in" | Tech-savvy members, boutique studios |
| QR Code | Member scans code at entrance | Budget-friendly, easy setup |
| RFID Key Fob | Member taps fob at reader | Traditional gyms, 24/7 access |
| Front Desk | Staff manually checks in member | Small studios, personal touch |
| Kiosk | Member checks in at tablet | Medium-large gyms, self-service |
Basic:
Advanced:
Integrated (Recommended):
Standalone:
For Retention:
For Billing:
For Operations:
A KPI (Key Performance Indicator) in the gym is a measurable metric that tracks business health and performance, such as member retention rate, revenue per member, or class occupancy.
Financial KPIs:
Member KPIs:
Operational KPIs:
Sales & Marketing KPIs:
Staff KPIs:
Most gym management software (Mindbody, Gymdesk, StudioGrowth) includes built-in KPI dashboards and reporting. StudioGrowth, in particular, has built-in KPI tracking.
Gyms collect member data (contact info, attendance, payments), operational data (class performance, revenue), and marketing data (lead sources, conversion rates) to improve operations and member experience.
1. Member Personal Data:
2. Membership Data:
3. Attendance Data:
4. Behavioral Data:
5. Financial Data:
6. Operational Data:
7. Marketing Data:
Retention:
Operations:
Marketing:
Financial:
Gyms must comply with:
Glofox costs between $100 and $600+ per month, with pricing varying based on features needed, and business size. Exact pricing requires a custom quote.
Number of locations: Each additional location adds cost
Feature bundles: Advanced features cost more
Add-ons: SMS credits, additional integrations
Contract length: Annual contracts may offer discounts
Base Features:
Advanced Features (Higher Tiers):
Note: Glofox does not publish transparent pricing on their website. You must request a demo and quote to get exact pricing for your business.
You can compare Glofox's pricing to StudioGrowth here https://studiogrowth.com/pricing/
Yes, Glofox is a good software for fitness businesses particularly for studios prioritizing member experience and brand presentation. However, recent public reviews and customer feedback have not been positive. Users complain about the lack of support and onboarding, as well as the extended contract lengths.
1. Good Mobile App Experience:
2. Member Experience:
3. Features:
1. Pricing:
2. Complexity:
3. Customization:
4. Technical Issues:
5. Customer Support:
Consistent user complaints of poor onboarding and support
✅ Great For:
❌ Not Ideal For:
vs. Mindbody:
vs. Gymdesk:
vs. StudioGrowth:
Bottom Line: Glofox is good for fitness businesses that value design, member experience, and are willing to pay a premium. Not ideal for budget-conscious startups.
You can see how Glofox compares to the top systems in my detailed comparison guide of the best fitness scheduling software
Glofox can work for small gyms (50-200 members), but it's often overkill and too expensive for very small operations (<50 members). It's best suited for small-to-medium boutique studios with growth plans.
✅ Good Fit If:
❌ Not a Good Fit If:
| Software | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gymdesk | $75-125/month | Small gyms, all features included |
| StudioGrowth | $95-250/month | Boutique fitness studios |
| Vagaro | $25-100/month | Solo practitioners, basic needs |
For 50-member studio:
For 150-member studio:
Start with Glofox if:
Start with cheaper alternative if:
Momence is experience-scheduling and booking software for fitness classes, yoga studios, wellness businesses, workshops, and digital content. It combines in-person and online experiences in one platform.
1. Class Scheduling & Booking:
2. Digital Content Management:
3. Ticketing & Events:
4. Membership Management:
5. Payment Processing:
6. Marketing & Communication:
Business Types:
Business Models:
1. Experience-Focused:
2. Digital Content:
3. Simplicity:
4. Affordable:
Solo Practitioners:
Small Studios:
Digital Creators:
If you are currently evaluating Momence make sure to review our Momence alternative offering the same features at an affordable price with zero additional processing fees.
Momence costs between $200 and $450+ per month, with pricing that depends on the features used. There is an extra 1%-1.5% in processing fees added in addition to Stripe fees. This is quite significant and can increase your cost per month to thousands of dollars.
| Software | Starting Price | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|
| Momence | $200/month | Revenue-based (scales up) |
| Gymdesk | $75/month | Fixed tiers (predictable) |
| Glofox | $100/month | Custom quote |
| StudioGrowth | $95/month | Fixed tiers (predictable) |
Good Value For:
May Get Expensive For:
You can see how Momence compares to the top platforms in my detailed guide comparing fitness studio scheduling software.
Mariana Tek is boutique fitness management software used for scheduling, billing, member management, and creating premium brand experiences. It is specifically designed for high-end Pilates, yoga, cycling, HIIT, and barre studios.
1. Class Scheduling & Booking:
2. Brand Experience:
3. Member Management:
4. Billing & Payments:
5. Marketing & Communication:
6. Reporting & Analytics:
7. Franchise Management:
Studio Types:
Business Size:
1. "Moments That Matter" Philosophy:
2. Pick-a-Spot Technology:
3. Premium Positioning:
4. Hands-On Support:
5. Zingfit Acquisition:
6. Momence and Mariana Tek:
If you are exploring Mariana Tek, consider a demo of StudioGrowth https://studiogrowth.com/uses/fitness-studio-management-software offering the same features and a premium experience at a much more affordable cost.
Mariana Tek costs between $179 and $600+ per month, with custom pricing based on studio size, features, and number of locations. Exact pricing requires a demo and quote.
From Reddit:
Yes, if:
No, if:
If you are exploring Mariana Tek, consider a demo of StudioGrowth https://studiogrowth.com/uses/fitness-studio-management-software offering the same features and a premium experience at a much more affordable cost.
Yes, Mariana Tek includes CRM functionality, but it's a comprehensive boutique fitness management platform, not a standalone CRM. The CRM is one component of the all-in-one system.
1. Client Database:
2. Client Notes & Tags:
3. Communication History:
4. Lead Management:
5. Marketing Automation:
6. Member Engagement:
Standalone CRM (like HubSpot):
Mariana Tek Integrated CRM:
Bottom Line: Mariana Tek's CRM is sufficient for most boutique fitness studios. You don't need a separate CRM unless you have very advanced marketing needs.
Mariana Tek is unique for its "moments that matter" philosophy, pick-a-spot technology, brand-first approach, and hands-on support from former studio operators. It positions itself as the premium choice for boutique fitness brands.
1. "Moments That Matter" Philosophy
2. Pick-a-Spot Technology
3. Brand-First Approach
4. Hands-On Support from Former Studio Operators
5. Migration Specialists
6. Franchise Management Tools
7. Premium Market Position
vs. Mindbody:
vs. Glofox:
vs. StudioGrowth:
vs. Momence:
✅ Perfect For:
❌ Not For:
If you are evaluating Mariana Tek, consider a demo of StudioGrowth https://studiogrowth.com/uses/fitness-studio-management-software/ offering the same premium experience and features at half the cost.
Arketa is a more affordable, straightforward platform for small-medium studios, while Mariana Tek is a premium, feature-rich platform for established boutique fitness brands. The key differences are pricing, target market, and depth of features.
| Aspect | Arketa | Mariana Tek |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | More affordable ($200-$400), but very high processing fees | $179-600+/month, custom pricing |
| Target Market | Small-medium studios, newer businesses | Premium boutique brands, established studios |
| Onboarding | Self-service or standard | Hands-on with former studio operators |
| Brand Focus | Functional, straightforward | Brand-first, fully customizable |
| Features | Core features for studio management | Advanced (pick-a-spot, goals, franchise tools) |
| Support | Standard customer support | Expert support from industry veterans |
| Mobile App | Custom branded app is $200+/month | Custom-branded for all customers, 5-star rated |
| Best For | Budget-conscious, straightforward needs | Premium brands, member experience priority |
Choose Arketa if:
Choose Mariana Tek if:
If you are considering Arketa check out our Arketa alternative offering more feature depth without any additional processing fees.
The top Mariana Tek alternatives are StudioGrowth, Glofox, Mindbody, and Momence. Each offers different pricing, features, and positioning for boutique fitness studios.
1. StudioGrowth ($95-$250/month)
2. Glofox ($100-$600/month)
3. Mindbody ($139-$600+/month)
4. Momence ($200-$450+/month)
5. Gymdesk ($75-$200/month)
6. Arketa (pricing varies)
7. Zen Planner ($117-$297/month)
8. Pike13 (custom pricing)
9. WellnessLiving (custom pricing)
10. Vagaro ($25-$100/month)
For Budget:
For Boutique Fitness:
For Enterprise/Multi-Location:
For Simplicity:
From Mariana Tek to:
To Mariana Tek from:
Choose Mariana Tek if:
Choose StudioGrowth if:
Choose Glofox if:
Choose Gymdesk if:
Choose Mindbody if:
Choose Momence if:
Arketa is a more affordable, straightforward platform for small-medium studios, while Mariana Tek is a premium, feature-rich platform for established boutique fitness brands. The key differences are pricing, target market, and depth of features.
| Aspect | Arketa | Mariana Tek |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | More affordable ($200-$400), but very high processing fees | $179-600+/month, custom pricing |
| Target Market | Small-medium studios, newer businesses | Premium boutique brands, established studios |
| Onboarding | Self-service or standard | Hands-on with former studio operators |
| Brand Focus | Functional, straightforward | Brand-first, fully customizable |
| Features | Core features for studio management | Advanced (pick-a-spot, goals, franchise tools) |
| Support | Standard customer support | Expert support from industry veterans |
| Mobile App | Custom branded app is $200+/month | Custom-branded for all customers, 5-star rated |
| Best For | Budget-conscious, straightforward needs | Premium brands, member experience priority |
Choose Arketa if:
Choose Mariana Tek if:
If you are considering Arketa check out our Arketa alternative offering more feature depth without any additional processing fees.
The top Mariana Tek alternatives are StudioGrowth, Glofox, Mindbody, and Momence. Each offers different pricing, features, and positioning for boutique fitness studios.
1. StudioGrowth ($95-$250/month)
2. Glofox ($100-$600/month)
3. Mindbody ($139-$600+/month)
4. Momence ($200-$450+/month)
5. Gymdesk ($75-$200/month)
6. Arketa (pricing varies)
7. Zen Planner ($117-$297/month)
8. Pike13 (custom pricing)
9. WellnessLiving (custom pricing)
10. Vagaro ($25-$100/month)
For Budget:
For Boutique Fitness:
For Enterprise/Multi-Location:
For Simplicity:
From Mariana Tek to:
To Mariana Tek from:
Choose Mariana Tek if:
Choose StudioGrowth if:
Choose Glofox if:
Choose Gymdesk if:
Choose Mindbody if:
Choose Momence if:
StudioGrowth has excellent reviews with a 4.9/5 rating on Capterra (28 reviews) and 5.0/5 on AppSumo, with users consistently praising its ease of use, affordability, and outstanding customer support.
| Platform | Rating | # of Reviews | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capterra | 4.9/5 | 28 reviews | Updated Dec 2025 |
| AppSumo | 5.0/5 | 2 reviews | 2025 |
| Software Advice | 5.0/5 | Limited reviews | 2025 |
1. Ease of Use (Most Common Praise):
2. Outstanding Customer Support:
3. Value for Money:
4. Constant Improvements:
5. Member Experience:
Limited Customization:
Newer Platform:
5-Star Reviews (from Capterra):
"Their product is just as good, if not better, than similar higher priced platforms and they have gone above and beyond with providing customer service." - Studio Owner
"I have used StudioGrowth since opening my studio and the entire process has been great. The team is helpful and always goes above and beyond." - Jimmy S., 1-2 years user
"Studio Growth is extremely intuitive. It's so simple that I can figure things out on my own. The time saved is incredible." - Melanie P., Strategy and Operations
Users migrated from:
Common reasons for switching:
StudioGrowth is highly rated for ease of use, customer support, and value. Best for small-medium boutique studios prioritizing simplicity and affordability in addition to advanced features. The team is responsive and constantly improving the platform.
StudioGrowth has very few complaints in verified reviews (4.9/5 rating) on review sites such as Capterra and Software Advice. Some concerns in the "cons" section of these reviews include limited customization, and missing advanced features compared to more established platforms.
1. Limited Customization:
2. Newer Platform Limitations:
Strengths (No Complaints):
StudioGrowth has very few serious complaints, if any at all. Most issues are minor (customization, feature requests) and the team is actively addressing them. The biggest "complaint" is that it's a newer platform without all the advanced features of established competitors, but users feel the tradeoff (simplicity, affordability, support) is worth it.
Join hundreds of studio owners who switched to StudioGrowth for better features, unbeatable support, and transparent pricing. See why we're rated 4.9/5 on Capterra.
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