The holidays are still among the strongest sales periods for fitness businesses. People are winding down, reflecting, and setting new goals, which makes it the perfect time to help them take action before the January rush hits.
Between Black Friday fitness sales, holiday fitness promotions, and New Year prep offers, this is when motivation and buying intent naturally align.
This playbook breaks down 10 practical ways to run holiday fitness promotions effectively, from giftable packages and hybrid bundles to quick re-engagement campaigns. Each one helps you turn seasonal momentum into lasting client relationships using ABC Trainerize.
Table of Contents
- Holiday Season Sales Playbook for Fitness Pros: 8 Proven Strategies
- Create Irresistible Giftable Offers
- Use Countdown and Urgency Promotions
- Bundle Hybrid and Digital Offers
- Launch a Referral and Social Share Campaign
- Re-Engage Past Leads and Lapsed Clients
- Create Seasonal Content and Email Series
- Sell Gift Certificates and Digital Vouchers
- Run Flash Challenges and Micro-Events
- Use Data to Personalize High-Value Offers
- Conclusion: Turn Holiday Momentum into Year-Round Growth
Tactic #1: Create Irresistible Giftable Offers
The best gift someone can give —or receive—is one that supports their health. Fitness gifts might not top every holiday shopping list yet, but that’s changing. More people are starting to see wellness experiences as meaningful and lasting presents rather than impulse buys.
The health, wellness, and beauty segment is now the fastest-growing category in the U.S. gift card market, with steady growth expected through 2025.
Simple gym holiday offers, like short-term passes or free trial weeks, can bring new visitors through your doors and turn them into long-term clients.
Think “Gift a Class Pass” or “12 Days of Fitness.” Keep it simple, clear, and priced for gifting, something easy to buy for a friend or family member who’s been talking about getting back into training.
Add light, festive branding and make it feel personal, not promotional. You can sell digital gift cards, e-vouchers, or mini program bundles directly through ABC Trainerize!
Tactic #2: Use Countdown and Urgency Promotions
Nothing drives action like a clear deadline. During the holidays, people are already expecting limited-time deals, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel; you just need to give them a reason to act now.
Create simple, time-bound offers like “48-hour flash sales,” “Lock in your 2025 rate,” or “Early bird New Year prep bundles.”
You can build momentum with a short countdown campaign that runs across email, Instagram, and in-app messages, starting with a teaser, then the main drop, and finally a last-chance reminder.
The goal isn’t to discount endlessly, but to give your promotions structure so potential clients don’t delay. A clear window helps fence-sitters commit while preserving your brand’s value.
Inside ABC Trainerize, you can schedule push notifications or automate client reminders directly in the app, so your offers stay visible even as inboxes fill up.
A quick tip: pair urgency with reassurance. Instead of shouting “Ends soon!”, remind clients that securing their plan early means they’ll start the new year with focus, not pressure.
Tactic #3: Bundle Hybrid and Digital Offers
Hybrid offers are one of the easiest ways to keep clients consistent during the holidays. When travel, family plans, and unpredictable schedules start getting in the way, your coaching should adapt, not stop.
Offer a simple bundle that combines in-person sessions with online access through ABC Trainerize. For example, sell a “Train in the studio now, continue online while you travel” package that lets clients stay connected to you no matter where they are.
With your custom-branded app, you can assign workouts, track habits, and message clients in real time.
The On-Demand Video Workouts feature lets them follow guided sessions when they can’t make it in person, while habit coaching tools help them stay accountable through the chaos of the season.
These small shifts not only support your clients’ routines but also protect your business from the typical year-end slowdown. You’re staying visible, valuable, and consistent, no matter where your clients are spending the holidays.
Check Out: Tips for Creating Better On-Demand Content
Tactic #4: Launch a Referral and Social Share Campaign
The holidays are social by nature: people talk, share, and recommend what they love. That makes it the perfect time to turn your existing clients into ambassadors for your business.
Set up a “Give One, Get One” referral campaign where clients can gift a free session, a week of training, or access to your next challenge to a friend. In return, they earn a reward, such as a discounted month or a minor upgrade. It’s low-cost for you but creates a high sense of goodwill and visibility.
To make it easier, automate tracking in ABC Trainerize using custom tags or groups. You can also pair it with in-app messaging or announcements to keep the campaign top of mind.
Encourage social sharing, too. Provide a short caption or a template graphic for clients to post on Instagram or Facebook, including your tag or branded hashtag. A little direction helps them spread the word confidently, and gives your brand more reach during a time when attention is high.
Check Out: Elevate Your Fitness Business’ Digital Presence in 7 Easy Steps
Tactic #5: Re-Engage Past Leads and Lapsed Clients
Not every sale has to come from new leads. The holidays are also a great time to reconnect with former clients or people who never signed up the first time around. They already know you and your approach, and a timely message can be the nudge they need to start again.
Segment your old contact list and send a simple “We’d love to have you back” message or a Holiday Comeback Offer, such as two free sessions when you restart before December 31, or join now and start in January.
You can personalize and automate these follow-ups with ABC Trainerize’s client management tools.
If you use email or push notifications, you can pair them with an app announcement or reminder inside our messaging features. This makes sure that even inactive users see your offer if they still have the app installed.
A short, friendly campaign focused on reconnection, rather than discounts, often performs better. Make it about progress and accountability, not guilt.
Free Resource: The Ultimate Guide to Client Retention
Tactic #6: Create Seasonal Content and Email Series
As a fitness coach, your holiday campaign should still deliver something useful —nutrition tips, quick routines, or mindset reminders —while subtly reminding readers that you’re available for coaching. But don’t make the offer or the discount the main message.
Build a short themed series like “12 Days of Fitness,” “Holiday Survival Guide,” or “New Year Ready” that combines simple workouts, quick wins, and motivational check-ins. Use a mix of email, social posts, and in-app messages to keep it running smoothly.
Inside ABC Trainerize, you can schedule messages, share video workouts, and automatically send habit reminders. Pair that with an email campaign or weekly tip series to stay in front of both current and potential clients.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Fitness Challenge
Tactic #7: Sell Gift Certificates and Digital Vouchers
Gift certificates are one of the easiest ways to drive new business during the holidays, and one of the few that feel good on both sides. They let your clients share something meaningful while introducing new people to your coaching.
Create digital gift cards or vouchers for specific services: “3 personal sessions,” “4-week online kickstart,” or “Holiday Wellness Pack.” Keep the pricing clear and make the redemption process simple.
You can deliver and track these through your ABC Trainerize Custom Branded App or connect them to your online store via the Trainerize Payments system.
To promote them, feature the gift cards in your emails, link them on your website, and post short reminders on social media with ideas like “Give the gift of fitness this year.” You can also include QR codes in your studio or digital banners that lead directly to your checkout page.
Tactic #8: Run Flash Challenges and Micro-Events
Short, time-bound events are perfect for the holidays. They’re fun, easy to promote, and give people a sense of momentum before the New Year starts.
Think 7-Day Mini Bootcamps, Holiday Hustle Challenges, or New Year Warm-Ups that help participants stay active while everything else slows down.
Keep them lightweight, no complicated programming or long prep time. The goal is quick engagement that turns into long-term commitment.
Run them online, in-person, or both, and cap them with an easy upsell like, “Continue your progress with our 6-week program starting January 2.”
A successful mini challenge does more than fill a slow season; it builds community. Participants cheer each other on, share results, and naturally bring new faces into your orbit.
Read More: How to sell Challenges and Add Multiple Clients to Them
Tactic #9: Use Data to Personalize High-Value Offers
Not all clients are motivated by the same thing, and your end-of-year promotions should reflect that. An intentional fitness business sales strategy for the holidays helps you align your offers with real client needs instead of relying on last-minute discounts.
And you do that by using client data such as their:
- Activity levels:
– Offer early renewal discounts or New Year loyalty rewards to your most active clients.
– Send a limited “Come Back Strong” deal or accountability session bundle. - App use frequency:
– Invite the most frequent users to join a premium challenge or long-term coaching package.
This kind of segmentation turns generic holiday promotions into relevant, personal invitations. It shows clients that you’ve been paying attention, which increases both trust and conversion.
Check Out: How to Get Clients to Start Using your App
Conclusion: Turn Holiday Momentum into Year-Round Growth
For any fitness business, holiday marketing in 2025 should include the right mix of hybrid offers and personalized follow-up to set the stage for long-term retention.
Start small: pick two or three of the tactics from this playbook and implement them before the rush begins. Focus on clarity, timing, and follow-through. Your offers should feel helpful, not hurried.
ABC Trainerize gives you all the tools to plan, promote, and manage your campaigns in one place. Whether it’s running challenges, sending reminders, or tracking new leads, everything you need to launch a successful fitness business holiday marketing campaign is already built in.
