5 technologies to avoid buying for your fitness studio in 2025

Your time, your money, and your sanity can be hard to protect when you run a fitness franchise. The latest tech inventions promise to make everything easier, cheaper, and better – but as many companies have discovered, technology isn’t a blanket fix. The right tech helps, and the wrong tech harms. 

49% of fitness studio owners plan to invest in new equipment and technology next year, despite 57% believing that implementing technology creates operational challenges.

These challenges often include the high cost of technology adoption, the need for continuous staff training, and the complexities of integrating new systems with existing ones. While technology can demand significant investment and strain resources, it also has the potential to improve member experiences and operational efficiency.

Don’t sink your budget into something that will cause complex issues down the line. Here at Hapana, we keep our finger on the pulse of fitness franchise trends and software. Here's our advice on how to spend your money wisely when it comes to choosing technology for your fitness studio.

1. Steer clear of overly complex CRM systems

Nearly nine in ten (86%) fitness studio owners in the U.S. use CRMs to streamline their operations and deliver a more tailored experience, with 10% currently using Hapana. CRMs are obviously non-negotiable for scaling, but choosing the wrong one can cause more chaos than before. Some systems are designed for massive enterprises, not boutique fitness studios. And, frankly, some are just dinosaurs. 

These platforms come with unnecessary features, hefty price tags, and steep learning curves. Look for CRMs tailored to fitness – like ones that handle member check-ins, class schedules, and reporting – rather than a system designed to do it all for every industry.

Two of the top three most common uses for fitness studios are focused on better understanding members and delivering a more tailored experience. 

Nearly one in two (46%) fitness studio owners utilize their CRM to generate reports and analytics on customer data and over two in five (44%) utilize their CRM to track customer interactions and communications.

When you look into CRMs, look for ones with these strengths.

2. Don't bother with “smart” equipment you won't use

As one fitness studio owner from Nevada said in a survey, “Technology is moving so fast now that I need to find a way to invest in new digital equipment so that I can provide a better experience for my members.” 

We hear you. But don’t rush it - the wrong choice can be haunting. You may not need all of the bells and whistles.

Keep in mind that expensive equipment means expensive repairs. Stick with high-quality equipment that focuses on durability and functionality. Your members care more about a smooth workout than whether their bike streams Groople (or whatever the kids use these days). 

For examples of how to change the game in line with actual market demands, look to trailblazers like Nike’s brand new boutique fitness studios - replete with their NRS Pack Screen to compete in immersive solo and group challenges. EoS Fitness is another one to watch, with Hyperice percussion massagers and Normatec compression boots, and personalized workout experiences through the EoS Smart Strength Equipment powered by EGYM.

3. Give standalone scheduling apps a miss

Apps that only handle class scheduling may seem appealing because of their simplicity. But they often fail to integrate with other tools like CRMs or billing systems. This creates more work for your team and opens the door for human error. 

Instead, we recommend an all-in-one platform that can centralize scheduling, billing, and member communications.

 Many fitness studios are going beyond the simple platform, using technology to track members’ preferences and store member data such as the length of their workout, attendance times and personalized goals. More than two in five (44%) have automated check-in and attendance tracking at their studio and 40% use smart equipment with connectivity and tracking capabilities.

4. Focus on engagement, not wearables

Offering branded wearables and fitness trackers to your members might sound like a fun idea, but it’s not always worth the investment. Unless these gadgets are fully integrated with your studio’s ecosystem (and highly demanded by members), they’re likely to gather dust. Smart watches that use your sweat to figure out what you ate for lunch are novel for about one day.  

Focus instead on technology that builds engagement, like a branded mobile app with built-in tracking and progress updates.

5. Don't be tempted by high-end virtual fitness platforms

Virtual classes are trendy, but a high-end virtual platform can be overkill – especially for smaller studios. Many platforms charge steep fees without delivering the flexibility or custom branding you need. If virtual is part of your strategy, opt for a more budget-friendly solution. 

It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be easy.

“The use of smart solutions are a winner epic way to move around. The more advanced the smart solutions the better the forward thinking technology outcome. Keep the technology running simple and clean.” ~Fitness studio owner, 44, North Carolina

Hapana can help your fitness studio outpace the competition

Hapana’s technology manages memberships, payments, retention, and loyalty for ambitious fitness businesses, providing them with the rich data features they need for expansion. The product is a white-label solution, allowing customers to keep their fitness brand front and center when engaging with their members.

Our technology is used in over 17 countries and leveraged by many prominent global fitness brands, including BFT (Body Fit Training), KX Pilates, Gold’s Gym, STRONG Pilates, UFC Gym, Club Pilates, F45, FS8, Vaura and Air Locker Training. Millions of fitness club members engage with the Hapana platform as part of their studio membership. Over half a billion dollars in payments were processed annually through the Hapana platform last financial year, helping achieve exceptional year-on-year growth in revenue.

From member management to marketing automation, our comprehensive solution empowers you to stay ahead in the competitive fitness industry. Book a fifteen minute demo with our friendly team to see how.