The Ultimate Guide to Building a Group Fitness Class Schedule (+ Free Template)

“Designing new classes that people actually want to take is one of the top challenges.”

So said Ellen Coleman, Group Exercise Director at Catalyst Fitness, when asked about the most demanding parts of her job. We recently had an opportunity to speak with a few Group Fitness Directors and they echoed the same sentiment.

Fitness professionals everywhere know that the class schedule is the lifeline of their business. It’s what gets members through the door and keeps them coming back.

Too many similar classes, and you risk losing interest. Not enough options and members may look elsewhere. Why? Group fitness classes are the #1 driver of member engagement: Members who attend group classes visit more than twice as often as the industry average and stay nearly 10 months longer, reports Les Mills. 

But here’s the catch: 57% are likely to quit if their favorite group class is canceled. 

The simple truth is that members join gyms for community, convenience, and accountability—and group fitness classes deliver all three. To be more precise, 80% of gym-goers say schedule conflicts are one of the top reasons they skip classes.

Crafting the perfect class schedule isn’t always easy either. 

• How do you balance peak usage times with available resources? 
• How do you cater to early risers, mid-day fitness enthusiasts, and the after-work crowd? 
• And what about introducing new, exciting classes like Goat Yoga, Cardio Cinema, etc. without disrupting the favorites your members already love?

For instance, at Mesa Fitness Health Club, they’ve found a creative way to combine cardio with entertainment. “We have what we call ‘Cardio Cinema,’ which is a mix of a standard cardio deck and a small movie theater,” says Dylan Bennett, Marketing Director. “To boost the member experience, we provide the monthly movie schedule on both our website and mobile app, so members know what’s playing each day.”

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to build a group fitness schedule that works for your facility, instructors, and—most importantly—your members. We’ve also included a free, customizable schedule template to help you get started immediately.

1. Knowing Your Members

Too often, gyms focus on popular demographics—busy professionals or fitness enthusiasts—while completely overlooking niche groups. 

Are you making space for everyone? Groups like seniors, prenatal members, or beginners often have unique needs that can be overlooked. 

These smaller groups often feel left out, and when they do, they take their business elsewhere. How do you fix this? By knowing your members inside and out.

Take Snap Fitness, for example—they do a great job balancing all fitness levels with a class schedule that offers something for everyone: low-impact senior sessions, prenatal classes, Boot Camp, Zumba, and even Hip Hop Step. 

Here’s how: 

✅ Ask, Don’t Assume: Conduct surveys to uncover preferred class types and ideal times. You’d be surprised how many people will speak up about wanting that 7:00 AM yoga class or a mid-morning beginner boot camp.

✅ Dig Into Your Data: Use attendance metrics to pinpoint peak participation times and identify underperforming classes.

✅ Segment Your Audience: Not every member is chasing the same goals. Tailor your schedule to meet the needs of:

• Beginners who prefer approachable, low-intensity options.
• Advanced fitness enthusiasts who want high-energy or specialty classes.
• Niche groups like seniors or prenatal members, who are looking for low-impact workouts.

Pro Tip:

Combine surveys and data insights to build your group exercise schedule. When members feel seen and catered to, they’ll keep coming back.

2. Offer a Balanced Class Lineup

A workout class schedule filled with too much of the same thing is the fastest way to kill engagement. 

Members want variety, and your class lineup needs to reflect that. Think of it like building a menu: balance is key, and you need to serve up options that appeal to every fitness appetite. Take Gold’s Gym as an example—their workout class schedule strikes the perfect balance, offering something for every fitness level and keeping members engaged.

Some core categories every good fitness schedule needs: ⬇️

• Strength: Classes like BodyPump, circuit training, or functional fitness to help members build muscle and tone.
• Cardio: High-energy options like Zumba, spin, or dance aerobics to keep hearts racing.
• Mind-Body: Yoga, Pilates, or meditation classes to help members recover and recharge.
• Specialty: Unique offerings like boot camps, martial arts, or aqua fitness to keep things exciting.

Also, remember that even the best classes can stagnate if they’re not updated. Keep your schedule fresh by swapping out less popular offerings and rotating class types. 

Pro Tip: Use fitness software like SHC to track which classes are thriving and which ones need to be swapped out. 

Read More: Fitness Challenge Ideas

3. Timing Classes for Maximum Attendance

Timing is everything when it comes to filling your classes and energizing your members. Your schedule should align with their routines, not yours. 

The key? Leverage peak and off-peak hours and plan accordingly.

Mastering Peak Times:

• Early Mornings: Ideal for professionals squeezing in a workout before work.
• Evenings: Prime time for after-work stress relief.
• Weekends: A golden opportunity for family-friendly or longer specialty classes.

Making Off-Peak Work for You:

• Lunch-Hour Express Classes: 30-minute sessions for the corporate crowd.
• Midday Recovery Classes: Think yoga or meditation for a rejuvenating break.

Avoid pitting two crowd favorites against each other. Instead, stagger your classes to allow members to attend multiple sessions and give instructors enough buffer time for setup and cooldown.

“Stagger your classes to prevent members from attending back-to-back sessions, and make them engaging enough so they’re not tempted to do so. Encourage members to visit during quieter times by offering top-tier trainers and exclusive programs.”

– Richard Earney, National Program Director, Midtown Athletic Club

Pro Tip: Use calendar tools to sync schedules with members’ personal calendars. Tools like SHC’s Calendar make it easy for members to stay updated with their fitness routine and never miss a class.

4. Scheduling Around Instructors

Your instructors are the driving force behind your group fitness program. A passionate, skilled instructor can turn a good class into a packed, member-favorite session. 

In fact, 45% of group fitness attendees say the instructor’s energy and expertise are their primary reasons for returning to a class.

The proof is in numbers because classes taught by high-rated instructors get 20-30% higher attendance compared to less engaging ones.

What we are getting at is that your instructors are your brand ambassadors. Treat them like it.

Key Strategies for Instructor Scheduling: 

✅ Match Expertise to Class Type: Members can tell when an instructor isn’t in their element. Assign instructors based on their strengths:

• A yoga instructor who exudes calm and mindfulness.
• A spin instructor who thrives on energy and motivation.
• A strength trainer who commands authority and precision.
  Pairing the right instructor with the right class is essential.

✅ Create Backup Plans for Absences: Life happens. An instructor cancellation shouldn’t derail your group exercise schedule or frustrate your members. Build a pool of reliable substitutes and cross-train your team to step in when needed.

✅ Coordinate Schedules to Avoid Burnout: Burned-out instructors can’t deliver high-quality experiences. Avoid overloading them with back-to-back classes and build in recovery time. Use scheduling tools to optimize workloads and maintain instructor enthusiasm.

5. Using Technology for Class Management

Generation Active (Millennials and Gen Z) accounts for 80% of gymgoers and 89%of digital fitness users. 

If your gym isn’t offering tech-driven scheduling and booking, you’ll soon become irrelevant to the fastest-growing demographics in fitness. Members demand real-time updates, easy bookings, and seamless calendar integration. 

“Millennials and Gen Z demand seamless, connected fitness experiences that fit their lifestyle and on their terms.” 

– Les Mills Global Consumer Fitness Survey, 2019

No one wants to wait in line to sign up or book a class. The SHC App makes it easy. As Doug Mahlum from Montana Athletic Club says:

“SHC has made our swim lesson sign-ups so much easier. Before, members would wait in line at the front desk, and it was stressful for everyone. Now, we just post when lessons are available, and people sign up through the SHC App. It fills up smoothly, and the Stripe payment system works great.”

Nothing drives a member away faster than showing up for a gym workout class only to find it’s full, or worse, canceled without notice. As we enter 2025, technology isn’t a luxury—it’s an expectation. With the right tools, here’s what  you can do:

✅ Real-Time Scheduling and Updates:

• Avoid member frustration by ensuring your schedule reflects real-time changes, like cancellations or added classes.
• Members can check availability, book spots, and get instant notifications of changes.

✅ Booking & Notifications:

• Let members book classes directly from your app or website, eliminating barriers to participation.
• Offer waitlists with automated notifications when spots open up, so your classes are always full.

✅ Calendar:

• Sync class schedules directly with members’ digital calendars. This simple feature ensures members never miss a class and can plan their week more effectively.

✅ Attendance Tracking:

• Use attendance data to identify trends, underperforming classes, or peak participation times. This data isn’t just numbers—it’s your roadmap to optimization.

“Technology is undoubtedly set to drive the next big evolution in fitness—what some might call ‘Fitness 2.0,” says fitness and technology expert David Minton.

SHC’s fitness software is built to handle every aspect of class management. The fitness software brings all of this to life—real-time fitness class scheduling, member bookings, waitlist notifications, calendar integration, and so much more. These tools help create a more efficient, more fun fitness experience for both your staff and members.

6. Marketing and Member Communication

The way you market and communicate your class schedule can mean the difference between packed classes and empty rooms. A strategic approach ensures your schedule isn’t just functional—it’s irresistible.

For starters, use a multi-channel approach that combines digital and in-person touchpoints: ⬇️

✅ Highlight New and Popular Classes: Regularly feature new additions or trending gym workout classes in newsletters and app notifications. Let members know what’s exciting and why they should attend. 

✅ Social Media Buzz: Create engaging content that showcases your classes’ energy, fitness challenges, etc. from live demonstrations to member testimonials.

✅ Referral Campaigns: Offer incentives like discounts or free passes when members bring friends to classes.

What about making sure your schedule stays at the top of the minds of your members? Use push notifications or SMS reminders to alert members of upcoming bookings or class changes.

Use Marketing Campaign Management Software like SHC to personalize your outreach by segmenting members based on preferences or attendance patterns. Instructors can use the SHC App to connect with members and build excitement. For example, at Catalyst Athletic Club in Buffalo, instructors send messages to their class participants before each session:

“Hey, we’re doing a Hill Climb class tomorrow—don’t forget your 2 bottles of water!”
“We’re having a Britney Spears vs Taylor Swift Zumba session today!”

On the other hand, Dylan Bennett, Regional Marketing Director at Mesa Fitness, Colorado, says:

“Banners on the SHC App help us easily share event updates and new classes with our members. The ‘Feeds’ section keeps communication flowing between our clubs, and we also use it to engage members with things like Motivational Mondays, trainer tips, and educational seminars.”

7. Tracking and Optimizing Performance

Your group fitness schedule isn’t static—it’s a living, evolving strategy. The key to ongoing success lies in tracking performance and using that data to refine your offerings. 

Without this step, you’re guessing—and guessing doesn’t grow your business.

To understand what’s working and what needs adjustment, focus on these critical performance indicators:

📈Attendance Rates: Are your classes filling up? Analyze peak and low-performing times to adjust your schedule for maximum participation. For instance, if morning attendance is surging while midday classes lag, consider adding more early sessions or experimenting with express formats.

📈Revenue Impact: If you offer fee-based classes, track which ones are driving the most revenue. Replace underperforming classes with something fresh that caters to your members’ evolving interests.

📈Member Feedback: Honest reviews and surveys are gold. Learn what members love and what’s falling short. Feedback on instructors, formats, and timing provides actionable insights.

Beyond this, also monitor seasonal trends. Attendance often spikes in January and slows in summer. Tailor your schedule to match these patterns.

SHC’s advanced reporting tools provide real-time insights into attendance, revenue, and member preferences. This makes it easy to identify opportunities for improvement and continuously refine your fitness class scheduling process to meet the demand.

This group class schedule template will help you create and manage your gym class schedule efficiently. It includes:

• A weekly class schedule grid with space for multiple class types and time slots.
• Sections for instructor details, class capacities, and equipment needs.
• A space to track feedback on each class, ensuring continuous improvements.

Wrapping Up

Building a group fitness schedule that speaks to the heart of your members takes time, strategy, and constant fine-tuning. And even when you get it right, managing it can become a nightmare as your gym grows. 

As the landscape evolves, using tools that streamline scheduling, track attendance, and allow for real-time updates can make a huge difference. With the right Fitness Management Software, like SHC, you can ensure your schedule always reflects the needs of your members while giving you valuable insights into what works best.

FAQ: Gym Class Schedule