Launching a new Hyrox Gym & Class studio

Can you tell us a little bit about your business?

I run Forge Fitness in the Midlands, UK. We opened in June and are a few weeks into operation. Our gym has a split model — we offer a traditional open gym alongside a class-based system, running 8–10 sessions per day during the week and fewer on weekends.

We knew we needed software that was modern, simple, and worked just as well for us as it did for our members — especially with such a fast-paced schedule.

What systems had you previously used?

We trialled around ten systems — ClubRight, GloFox, PushPress, and others. Some were clunky, some had poor integrations, and many just didn’t deliver what they promised. What surprised me during the process was how poor the user interface was on some of the bigger, more well-known platforms. ClubRight, for example, is a name everyone in the industry knows — but in my opinion, the interface is incredibly clunky and outdated.

Then we found Gymflow, and it was a totally different experience.

What made you decide to use Gymflow initially?

If we were to design our ideal software, it would be Gymflow. It’s simple, fast, and does everything we need.

I set up our full timetable and class calendar in about an hour — and it was instantly live on both the app and our website. Integration was as easy as copying a few links and handing them to our web developer. Unlike other platforms that redirect to external pages, Gymflow embeds cleanly into your site, so everything looks seamless and branded.

The speed of launch was a huge win. From saying “yes” to going live took less than a week. It looked like we’d been working on it for months — but it took just seven days to get the website, schedule, and memberships up and running.

And our branded app was ready almost immediately, while other systems quoted 60–90 days. People were downloading it before we’d even officially launched.

What features do you use the most and couldn’t live without?

Apple Pay and Google Pay integration is crucial. If signing up is a hassle, people drop off. With Gymflow, it’s two clicks and done — exactly what modern customers expect.

From a user's perspective, the ease of booking is key. With a busy schedule of classes throughout the day, it’s important that members can quickly scroll through available times and secure their spot on the go. The layout is clean, intuitive, and makes the whole experience feel effortless.

We also use Gymflow heavily for lead management and campaigns. A few weeks after opening, we ran a "14 Days Free” promotion — from June 16th to the end of the month — offering new members the rest of the month free before entering a rolling contract. Using Gymflow’s built-in lead tools, we quickly SMSed everyone who had downloaded the app or signed up online. We reached 106 people, and 65 of them joined, with only five dropping off later. That’s a 60% conversion rate, driven by a simple, two-click SMS inside Gymflow. That one campaign brought in 60 new members with virtually no effort.

How has Gymflow impacted your day-to-day operations?

Honestly, I don’t spend much time in it — and that’s the point. Once we got everything set up, it just ran. The staff manage the day-to-day, and I only jump in when we need to tweak things like holidays or class cover.

Everything from bookings to payments and reporting works smoothly in the background.

What advice would you give to other gym owners considering Gymflow?

Gymflow is the most complete software I’ve used in any industry. The ease of use was incredible — I set up the entire business while on holiday with my kids, using just my phone and Mac. In seven days, we went from nothing to having a website, a full class timetable, the ability to sell memberships, and an active Instagram page. Within 14 days, we had nearly 100 members sign up.