Why accepting payments online is a game changer
If you're still accepting cash or waiting for clients to send you bank transfers, you're missing out on a smoother, more professional system. Offering online payments for your fitness classes doesn't just save time—it builds trust, reduces no-shows, and boosts your cash flow.
According to a 2023 report by Statista, over 80% of consumers prefer digital payments over cash due to convenience and speed. And when clients can pay while booking, the chance of commitment increases significantly.
Benefits of online payments for fitness studios:
Fewer no-shows: Prepaid clients are more likely to attend.
Better client experience: Booking + paying in one flow reduces friction.
Faster payments: No delays, no chasing after money.
More flexible offerings: Enable drop-ins, packs, or monthly memberships.
Cleaner records: Automatically track what each client has paid for.
In a competitive fitness industry, the ability to streamline admin and give clients a seamless experience can be the difference between growing your business and staying stuck.
Your options: from manual to all-in-one
When it comes to collecting payments online, fitness instructors and studio owners typically start with manual options—but quickly hit limitations. Here’s a breakdown:
Manual methods (not ideal long-term)
Bank transfers
Revolut or PayPal links
Cash in person
These methods work in a pinch, but they don’t scale. You have to:
Track who paid manually
Send reminders to each client
Manually match payments to bookings
Follow up for unpaid sessions
Not only is this time-consuming, but it also creates a disjointed client experience.
All-in-one tools (recommended)
Modern platforms like time2book make the entire process seamless:
Clients pick a class or service
Choose a time
Pay on the spot
Get confirmation + automatic reminders
You get a dashboard to see all upcoming bookings, income reports, and client history—no spreadsheets needed.
What to look for in a booking + payment tool:
Secure payment processor (like Stripe)
Support for subscriptions and class packs
Custom cancellation policies
Automatic reminders and confirmations
No need for a website
With an all-in-one tool, you don’t just get paid faster—you also elevate your professionalism.
Why your clients expect online payments now
Today’s clients are used to booking haircuts, ordering food, and scheduling doctor appointments online—and they expect the same simplicity from their fitness classes. If your booking flow feels outdated or inconvenient, you may be losing clients before they even reach the mat.
According to McKinsey & Company, over 75% of consumers tried a new shopping behavior during the pandemic—and digital habits stuck. They now favor businesses that offer digital convenience.
Here’s what your clients want:
Mobile-first checkout: Book and pay from their phone in under a minute.
Instant confirmation: No back-and-forth messages or uncertainty.
Clear pricing: Know what they’re paying for, upfront.
Flexible options: Pay per visit, or buy a pack if they love it.
By offering a smooth, secure, and mobile-friendly experience, you’re not just meeting expectations—you’re building loyalty. Clients are more likely to stick with trainers and studios that respect their time and make things easy.
How to set it up online payments with Time2book
Setting up online payments through time2book takes just a few steps, and you don't need any technical skills or a website.
Step 1: Create your services
List your offerings, whether it's one-on-one training, group fitness classes, yoga sessions, or dance lessons. Add pricing, duration, and availability.
Step 2: Choose your payment model
One-time payments: Great for drop-in classes or trials
Class packs: Offer 5, 10, or 20 sessions at a discounted rate
Subscriptions: Ideal for weekly classes or ongoing memberships
Step 3: Connect your Stripe account
Time2book uses Stripe, a trusted payment provider used by millions of businesses. Setup takes minutes, and your payouts go straight to your bank.
Step 4: Share your booking link
You get a link you can add to your Instagram bio, WhatsApp replies, email, or website. Clients click, book, and pay—all in one smooth experience.
According to Stripe, businesses that offer quick, mobile-friendly checkout experiences see up to 35% more completed payments compared to those who rely on manual methods.
Tips to get paid faster (and more often)
Once your payment system is live, here are a few smart tweaks to improve your cash flow:
1. Sell class packs or subscriptions
Encourage commitment and upfront payments. A 10-class pack locks in revenue and keeps clients coming back.
2. Use automatic reminders
Reduce no-shows by sending confirmations and reminders. A study by MINDBODY found that clients are 60% more likely to attend when they receive automated reminders.
3. Set cancellation policies
You can allow free reschedules up to 12 hours before, or charge for late cancels. Clients respect clear rules, and your time stays protected.
4. Make booking easy to access
Put your booking link everywhere: social media bios, message replies, flyers. The easier it is to find, the more likely you are to get booked (and paid).
Final thoughts: keep it simple
Taking payments online doesn’t have to mean setting up a complicated website or hiring a developer. With tools like time2book, you can:
Create services
Accept payments
Track bookings
Send reminders
…all in one clean, mobile-friendly system.
Whether you're a solo trainer or managing a studio, modernizing your payment process will save you hours every week and give your business a more polished, professional edge.
Plus, embracing online payments allows you to scale without stress. You can add more classes, sell new packages, or even go hybrid with online sessions—knowing that bookings and payments are handled automatically. Clients expect fast, easy, and secure ways to book and pay—and offering that can help you stand out in a crowded fitness market.
The shift to digital is happening across the fitness world. Get ahead by giving your clients a simple, secure way to commit—and yourself a smarter way to run your business.
FAQs: Accepting online payments for fitness classes
With time2book, you don’t need a website. You get a personalized booking page where clients can see your services, choose a time, and pay online—quickly and securely.
Using a booking platform with built-in payment processing, like time2book, is the fastest and most professional way to get paid. Clients pay via credit card or digital wallets, and the money goes directly to your Stripe-connected bank account.
Yes. You can create and sell fitness class packs (e.g., 5 or 10 sessions) through time2book. This helps you secure upfront payments and build client loyalty.
Yes, depending on your cancellation policy settings. You control whether clients can reschedule, how much notice they need to cancel, and if they lose a credit or receive a refund.
Yes, Stripe is required to process online payments through time2book. It’s free to set up and only takes a few minutes. You’ll receive payouts directly to your bank account.
