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QR Codes for Gyms

a pdf qr code on a flyer for the gym that's sitting on a wood floor next to a dumbbell
a gym QR code on Digital Signage in a mall, with a black and green background and a man on it.

Gym QR codes have proven to be a convenient way to direct members and staff to apps, websites, and other content that adds value to their fitness experience. When signing up, downloading apps, sharing content, measuring campaigns, and more, using QR codes for gyms provides a multitude of benefits for floor staff, marketers, decision-makers, and gym members. Not only are they convenient, but they are sustainable, trackable, measurable, and customizable.

Benefits of QR codes for gyms

QR codes go much deeper than just a scan. If you want more downloads and measurable analytics, this is definitely the easiest channel for you!

Access the facility without swiping a card

Since people carry their cell phones with them everywhere, enable members to check in with a contactless QR code instead of printing plastic cards they have to remember to take with them.

Promote sustainability

Gym QR codes are great for sharing content with clients without using paper, such as PDF QR codes for legal documents including contract agreements or service changes, and saving new class schedules in their mobile phones.

Dynamic QR codes for gyms come with analytics

Track the number of scans at each location, for various campaigns, etc., to measure performance across different uses and content, depending on your objectives.   

Create gym QR codes in bulk

Upload a .csv template with the proper information to generate bulk QR codes. Create hundreds of codes at a time based on your needs. This could be for different locations, memberships, campaigns, or however you decide to organize your system.

Campaign measurement and optimization

Unique QR codes and UTM parameters can help distinguish traffic from different posters, locations, or promotions, allowing gyms to compare engagement and adjust their marketing efforts.

How to create QR codes for gyms

You can generate QR codes for gyms individually or in bulk. Depending on your objectives, you can decide what’s best for you beforehand.

Step 1: Go to Trueqrcode QR code generator, and choose the QR code type that works best for you. You can also choose to batch generate QR codes by filling in the .csv we provide you and uploading it where the QR code generator prompts you.

Step 2: Customize your QR codes and your landing page, if you have one, with branded, contrasting colors so they scan well, and do a test scan so that you know it works before printing the QR code on marketing materials, and to ensure they go to the correct links. They should also have enough white space around them to scan. 

You can also learn how to use QR code templates so you can keep the same designs for various QR codes and purposes across different marketing channels for brand consistency.

Step 3: Download and save the QR codes in your account. Name your files and organize them in folders so you can refer to them later for editing and future campaign creation.

Step 4: Print the QR codes. Do a test scan after printing in different lights and with different devices.  When using multiple materials like flyers, test print one before all of them. 

Step 5: Track campaigns over time in your account dashboard and modify them as needed.

a gym qr code on a detox menu banner at the gym
a gym qr code on a flyer with a man lifting and a barbell and shake next to it

Best practices for using gym QR codes

These are some of our favorite ways to use QR codes in gyms. For stakeholders all around, gym QR codes are being utilized for many different purposes. Since you can print QR codes on just about anything as long as it’s done correctly, you can’t lose!

Print app QR codes at sales desks

Place QR codes for apps next to sales desks so when people become new members, staff can help them download the app, sign in, and show them where to book classes, make monthly payments, manage their preferences, and more.

Ask for feedback and reviews

Allow members to give continuous feedback by placing QR codes with URLs to Google Reviews (which improves your local pack ranking factor, internal typeforms, or other sites, so you can take action based on customer preferences.  

Bring QR codes to events

QR codes on flyers, free merchandise, and table tents are great for public events, kiosks, university campuses, beaches, and more. Think of a creative QR code poster design or other objects to print them on to increase your sign-ups. 

Promote your gym on digital signage

Signs with QR codes are sure to attract attention when placed in malls, public transport areas, and other places that your target audiences hang out. This enables you to modify campaigns over time depending on what analytics tell you. Conventional, one-dimensional advertisements couldn’t tell you how many people were scanning your code and from where. 

Make vCard QR codes for trainers

A vCard QR Code autopopulates contact information into the cell phones of those who scan. Make a landing page in the QR code generator that links to websites, social media, booking calendars, and whatever is important for that trainer’s business. 

Tips for using QR codes for gyms

Take our advice and try these easy tips to maximize your gym QR code purposes.

Add logos and icons to your QR codes

QR codes with logos perform better, period. Add your company logo and switch up your branded, contrasting colors for certain events or holiday campaigns. What is more, you can add a social media logo to a social media QR code, or even icons with a CTA. For example, an icon of a barbell or a flexed bicep to sign up for classes. It depends on the use of the code, but making fun, eye-catching codes is statistically more effective for engagement than boring black and white codes. Make sure your QR code logo size doesn’t exceed more than 15-20% of the QR code.

Track campaigns with UTM parameters

For QR code marketing campaigns, add UTM parameters to your URLs to see which QR code placements drive the most traffic. Gyms that have marketing teams use different parameters for posters, packaging, flyers, and social media campaigns. This makes it easier to identify which channels are generating the most engagement. 

Here’s an example of a UTM parameter and a breakdown:

?utm_source=poster&utm_medium=qr_code&utm_campaign=app_download

  • utm_source = where the QR code appears, such as poster
  • utm_medium = the channel, such as qr_code
  • utm_campaign = the specific campaign, such as app_download

Add a compelling call to action

You can add a CTA to your QR code frame or to your marketing materials. Say something like:

  • Register now!
  • Get in shape today!

For different types of codes, you may say:

  • Book your classes in our app.
  • Explore nutrition plans.
  • Refer a friend and get a discount. 

Create CTAs tailored to your objectives, so people have a reason to take action, not simply scan and walk away. 

Print QR codes in the right places

Print QR codes where they will be seen by the correct audience, on surfaces that are easily scannable, and in places they will not be obstructed by other things. Here are a few ways gyms have been successful:

  • App downloads can be done at sales desks and sign-up counters.
  • Gym sign-ups and registration can be done at events in the gym’s booth.
  • Add QR codes to personal trainers’ cards for personal bookings.
  • If you have an ecommerce store with merchandise, supplements, nutrition, etc., print a QR code on a window near the front door where people will see it coming and going.

But that’s not all! We see gym marketing teams taking it to the next level all the time, creating interesting campaigns that get people engaging. 

Use quality QR codes vs. quantity

Always make sure your content is worth scanning. Don’t overdo it with a QR code for every situation and at every corner. When using QR codes with multiple links, the same rules apply. Make sure every link adds value to the customer’s experience. 

FAQs

Here are some FAQs and their answers about creating effective QR codes for gyms.

Give members quick access to your app, sign up and register for the facility or classes, ecommerce stores, or other digital services straight from their mobile phones. This reduces manual searches for information on websites and app stores when you can just add the URL link to the QR code.

Yes. The gym itself would set up its digital check-in systems to prevent unauthorized entry and provide members with their fitness data so they can track their performance. 

Yes. All of Trueqrcode’s QR code types are dynamic, and therefore you can change QR code links whenever you need to.

In Trueqrcode’s dashboard, you can track gym QR codes by the number of scans, times, days, and locations of scans, and on what type of device they were scanned, i.e., iOS or Android. To take things further for marketing-focused codes, marketing teams can set up unique URLs with UTM parameters for different QR code placements to track where scans come from.

Yes. Branded QR codes are essential, and you can even make QR code templates for different locations and uses without designing from scratch or losing your branding if marketing teams switch hands over time.