How to Fill Empty Classes Without Slashing Prices

If you're staring at a calendar with 6 PM packed and 11 AM looking like a ghost town, you're not alone. Every gym has “dead zones” in their weekly schedule—low-attendance classes that quietly drain your payroll and kill momentum.

Here’s how to fix that using data, incentives, and smart scheduling logic.

🔍 Step 1: Find Your Weak Points (Don’t Guess)

With ManageMemberships, every class check-in is logged. That means you can pull a report showing which time slots consistently underperform.

→ Use our kiosk and check-in reports to identify:

Which days/times dip below 50% attendance
Which instructors consistently get better turnouts
Trends across seasons (summer 11 AM vs winter 6 PM)

🧪 Step 2: Test + Adjust Class Times

Instead of killing a class outright, shift it 30–60 minutes forward or back. The problem might be timing, not interest.

Use attendance comparison over 2–3 weeks to test effectiveness. If you're using ManageMemberships, clone and reassign the class and track both.

🎁 Step 3: Add Micro-Incentives

For the next 30 days, reward attendance at your low-performing slots.

Ideas:

“Punch card” system — 5 midday classes = free merch or discount
Leaderboard — most 11 AM check-ins this month gets free private
Raffle entry every time someone attends a targeted class

🤝 Step 4: Targeted Outreach

Email or message members who:

Used to attend that class time but dropped off
Only attend peak times (to relieve class pressure)
Signed up but haven’t started yet (soft onboarding)

🧠 Bonus: Try “Eventizing” the Class

Instead of a boring Tuesday 11 AM Cardio:

Call it “Cardio & Cold Brew”
Add a social element or freebie
Run a 4-week series instead of making it feel permanent

Use event scheduling in ManageMemberships to run limited series that test demand before committing long-term.

TL;DR

To fill empty classes:

Use data, not guesswork
Adjust time before you cancel
Offer smart, lightweight incentives
Reach out with intention
Repackage the class as an event or short-term challenge

ManageMemberships makes this easy with:

Class reports
Customer communication and tracking
Easy class scheduling

Want help filling the gaps in your schedule? Book a call and let’s do it together.