3 simple ways to get more gym leads online

Gym World,

These three tools help people find your gym online:

1. Your gym website

2. Your Instagram

3. Your Google Business Profile

You’re probably using them already—but chances are, you could be using them better.

Kaleda Connell, CEO of Kilo, is back on the pod to walk you through how to optimize all three. She’s worked with thousands of gyms and regularly audits their online presence. And she sees the same issues over and over again.

Kaleda sat down with Mateo and shared proven tips and strategies to help more prospects find your gym, trust your brand, and become members.

Here are the CliffsNotes: 👇

1. Your Gym Website

A well-optimized gym website ranks higher on Google and makes it easier for people to find you. To do that, it should:

• Load fast

• Look good on mobile

• Clearly explain what you offer

• Speak to your ideal client

• Be easy to navigate

You can take your website to the next level by doing a few more things Kaleda often recommends:

✅ Show photos of your gym and members

Great photos help prospects get a feel for the vibe and decide if your gym is right for them. You could have the best website template in the world, but it won’t feel personal without real photos of your gym.

That’s why it’s important to:

• Use high-quality images of your space, your team, and your members

• Show people in action (training, coaching, and having fun)

• Make sure those images reflect your ideal client

Cassie Day and Kieran Williams hire professional photographers to get high-quality assets and stand out from the competition. It’s something we highly recommend—and if you go that route, have a shot list ready so you show off the right things:

• Your equipment and space

• Smiling members and coaches (adds personality)

• Classes in action

• Branded shirts and signage

• Photos with depth (avoid cluttered, dark shots)

👉 To make it easier, steal this free gym photoshoot guide with a full schedule and shot list.

✅ Have one clear call to action

Your website should make it easy for visitors to know what to do next. But Kaleda often sees gym websites with either no call to action (CTA) or too many—and both are a problem.

Instead, pick one main CTA and make sure it’s:

• Easy to find

• Clear and specific (tell them what to do next!)

• Designed to stand out on the page

Common CTAs gym owners use include:

• Book a Free Intro

• Talk to a Coach

• Claim Your Free Trial

✅ Make it easy to become a lead

When someone clicks your CTA, the next step should be quick and easy. Usually, that means filling out a form with their name, email, and phone number.

But getting their info is just the start. You also need to follow up and guide them toward booking a spot in your gym.

Here’s what Kaleda has seen work best at Kilo:

• Keep the form short. Fewer fields = less friction.

• Automate your follow-up. Tools like Gym Lead Machine instantly send a personalized text after someone submits the form to prompt a reply.

• Set clear expectations. Tell them exactly what to do next.

• Use a 48-hour booking window. Make it easy for them to schedule a visit within the next couple of days.

2. Your Instagram

If you want to turn Instagram followers into members, your page needs to look credible, show that you get results, and drive action. Kaleda recommends optimizing your:

✅ Bio

Your Instagram bio is one of the first things people notice when they land on your profile. It should quickly tell them who you are, what you do, and how to get started.

Here’s how:

• Business category: Set it to “Gym” or “Fitness Center” so people know what you are.

• Profile picture: Use your gym’s logo so it’s easy to recognize.

• Positioning statement: One short line that says who you help or what you offer.

• Address: Let people know where your gym is located.

• Link in bio: Highlight your main CTA (like booking a call or claiming a free trial) and include a link to your gym website.

If you’re not sure whether your bio is clear enough, ask a friend or family member to take a look. If they can’t tell what your gym does or how to take action within 10 seconds, it’s probably time to adjust it.

✅ Content

The best gym owners create content that educates, entertains, and inspires. It stops someone mid-scroll and—ideally—gets them to take action.

But according to Kaleda, many gym owners don’t include any calls to action in their feed posts or stories. That’s a missed opportunity to connect with potential leads.

She recommends adding a CTA to at least 1 out of every 3 posts, especially on things like:

• Member transformations → “Curious what you could achieve? DM us to connect with a coach.”

• Client wins or testimonials → “Want results like this? Click the link in our bio.”

• Behind-the-scenes or class clips → “Ready to get in the best shape of your life? Book a free intro today.”

3. Your Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the best tools for getting found locally. It’s often the first thing people see when they search for gyms near them before they ever visit your website.

Most gym owners know a good website matters. But Kaleda sees that few put the same effort into optimizing their GBP. And if it’s not optimized, your gym won’t show up at the top of local search results—and you’ll miss out on leads.

Unless you start doing this:

✅ Get more 5-star reviews

Reviews build trust and prove that real people have had a great experience at your gym. Most people look at recent reviews, so it’s important to ask for them consistently.

The best times to ask for reviews are:

• After someone hits a big milestone

• After a great onboarding experience

• From long-time members who you know love the gym

You can also give them a few prompts to help them write a stronger review:

• What was your goal when you joined?

• What has your experience been like?

• What results have you seen?

• Would you recommend us?

✅ Post high-quality gym photos

Just like Instagram, your Google profile should give people a feel for your gym—and make them want to be part of it.

The top gyms we feature on Gym World are intentional about how their space looks. Even small upgrades like:

• Better lighting

• A fresh coat of paint

• Hanging art or signage

• Keeping things clean and organized

can make your gym feel more premium and inviting. Cassie Day even used to rent a beautiful gym just to shoot content because it looked great on camera.

✅ Keep your info consistent

It might not seem like a big deal, but your name, address, and phone number should be exactly the same across your:

• Website

• Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)

• Google Business Profile

And don’t forget your business hours. Kaleda suggests checking them weekly so Google sees your info is accurate and active.

Plus, you don’t want someone showing up to your gym, only to find the doors locked.

TL;DR: Want more leads? Start here. 👇

Most people check out your gym online before they ever visit in person. They’re looking for a place that feels legit, delivers results, and makes it easy to get started.

That’s why getting more gym leads online isn’t about posting every day or running ads nonstop. It starts with optimizing your:

It takes time and consistency, but the gyms that put in the work stand out and get the leads.

Now you know what to fix. Go make it happen. 💪

Or, if you want the full breakdown, watch or listen to Kaleda’s full interview on Gym World—and don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes.

hope this helps,

j

📣 P.S. You’ve got enough to worry about. Book a call with Kilo and we’ll help take this off your plate.