Here’s How to Re Engage Members Who Are Getting Vaccinated
While it’s not advisable to only allow vaccinated people in your gym, it’s a great time to encourage long-term or former members to return to the gym after getting vaccinated. This is a good way to re-engage with members in general. Plus, members who were too concerned to enter a gym without a vaccine may now consider returning.
Here are ideas for reaching out:
Offer Incentives
While one NJ gym owner is giving free gym memberships for avoiding coronavirus vaccines, your gym could do the opposite. Consider incentives for vaccination, such as:
- Free new or extended membership for a limited time period
- A membership upgrade
- A free coaching session
- Merchandise
Show How You’re Working Together
Reach out through online communication channels such as:
- Blog posts
- Social media posts
- Your gym app
Use these methods to update your ongoing and previous members on measures your gym has been taking regarding coronavirus. Put the focus on how you’re working as a team with your members and staff.
For example, consider messaging like, “Thank you to everyone who has been vaccinated or is working toward getting their vaccination, and to all of you for washing your hands, wearing a mask, and following other safety guidelines. The only way to fight coronavirus is to do it together. Here’s what we’ve been doing.” Then, layout the steps your gym has been taking and will continue to take, such as:
- Extra cleaning and sanitization
- Proper ventilation and airflow
- Social distancing
- Encouraging masks and handwashing
- Planning class schedules and workout layouts to reduce crowding
These kinds of messages will acknowledge your members’ efforts while also helping those who have been nervous about going to the gym feel better about it, especially after vaccination.
Share Guidelines and Cautions for Vaccinated People
Experts and health authorities have been sharing information related to what’s safe for vaccinated people and how to approach gyms after vaccination. Share this information with your members through the same channels as your teamwork messages. You can also post this information within the gym.
Experts note that vaccinated people should still use caution because of factors like unvaccinated people, coronavirus variants, and a small chance of infection despite being vaccinated. This is especially noted for spaces like gyms due to a higher risk. So your gym should still follow guidelines and use caution, encouraging members to do the same.
Focus on Health
People who are getting vaccinated most likely care about their health, as do ongoing and previous gym members. You could try re-engaging them with a focus on getting healthier again after the pandemic. Many people struggled with eating well, exercising enough, weight gain, and mental health during the pandemic.
Now that people are getting vaccinated and more public activities are resuming, it’s a great time for people to try to get their health back on track. Your gym can send messages related to this idea, including health tips and information as well as encouragement to come back to the gym.
Suggest Your Online Options
Most likely, your gym is offering or considering online options like live streaming and a gym app. Letting your long-term and former members know about these options is a good way to re-engage them.
Some people may not be ready to return to the gym in person. In this case, they could begin engaging with your online offerings. Others may like the flexibility of switching between in-person offerings and online ones. You might even be able to take interest away from other online offerings members tried during the pandemic and bring them back to your offerings instead.
How have you been re-engaging vaccinated members?
