3 email and SMS marketing campaigns that actually convert in 2026

Modern consumers live on their phones. Even if your business isn’t digital, your biggest opportunity to attract new audiences is still online. Walk into any fitness club, and you will see members actively browsing social media between sets.

For gym and fitness studio owners, it’s not a distraction but an excellent opportunity to grow their business. It may seem a challenge to catch up with continuously changing algorithms. But you can always use your own channels – email and SMS.

When you can reach someone directly on their phone or email, there’s no algorithm in the way. You’re building a real connection. In 2026, success isn’t about sending more messages - it’s about sending the one that matters most. Let’s learn how to do it right!

How email and SMS work together

You don’t need to choose between email and SMS as they work best in a team:

Email builds relationships. You can send useful content – workout tips, nutrition advice, success stories, and various updates. Email open rates are usually around 20–30%, and members usually read them when they are planning their week or looking for motivation.

SMS acts in a moment. Open rates here are over 95%, and most texts are read within minutes. You can send class reminders to reduce no-shows, last-minute spot openings for waitlisted members, or quick motivational boosts.

Real magic happens when you use both channels. Here is what a fitness club can do. Send your members an email about a new HIIT class to get them interested. Then, send a follow-up text two days later, “Spots are filling fast for Saturday’s HIIT class! Want me to save you one?” This turns that interest into a real booking.

Best practices for high-converting email and SMS campaigns

To really turn messages into bookings and sales, your emails and texts should be smart, automated, and personal.

1. Hyper-personalization

You will find all the details in your management system – who attends morning yoga versus evening HIIT, who buys protein shakes, and whose membership is about to renew.

• Segment by behavior. Send class or workshop offers only to the members who will actually be interested. For example, invite regular beginners to a special yoga workshop or friendly nudge members who haven’t booked in two weeks.
• Trigger by action. Automatically send a welcome email when someone joins or an SMS to confirm a booked class.
• Celebrate special dates. Congratulate members on their 50th class or send a birthday wish.

Strava sends “Year in Sport” reports to its members. They get their accurate milestones like "You climbed 15 hills" or "You’re a top 5% local runner." This approach makes members feel seen, and they gladly share their progress and the brand on social media.

Read also: 10 fitness campaign ideas for your own business in 2026

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2. Proven automated flows

Automate your email and SMS and don’t miss a single lead:

• Welcome and onboarding. When someone signs up for a trial or first class, send a short email series introducing your studio and explaining what to expect.
• Reminders. If someone was about to buy a class package but didn’t finish checkout, send a gentle SMS or email an hour later to remind them and answer any questions. You can even send interactive billing reminders from your payment system.
• Pre and post-class touchpoints. Send a quick SMS before class with an easy cancel or reschedule link to reduce no-shows. Follow up after class with a friendly email to get feedback or suggest the next booking.
• Win-back campaigns. Reach out to members who haven’t been around with a simple, friendly SMS and a personalized email offer to bring them back.

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3. RCS messaging

RCS (Rich Communication Services) takes regular texts to the next level, making them interactive and more like a mini app. For fitness studios, this means you could send a class reminder that includes:

• Images or short videos of the workout
• Buttons with a call to action - Book Now, Add to Calendar, or See the Week’s Schedule
• Live updates, like real-time waitlist positions

It’s still new, but studios that plan ahead and choose software with RCS support will definitely win more members.

Virgin Active uses RCS for waitlist alerts. Members receive an interactive message with a “Book Now” button. This experience allows members to secure a spot instantly without extra clicks.

Common mistakes that kill conversions

It’s important not to overdo it when you launch your campaign. Here’s what you should avoid:

• Too many messages. Don’t send more than 4–6 texts per month and avoid late-night messages.
• No permission or opt-out. Always get permission and include the option to unsubscribe.
• Generic messages. Send messages that match members’ interests.
• Weak calls-to-action. Every message should have one clear next step - Book now or  Reply YES or NO.
• Ignoring metrics. Always track how your messages perform to see your mistakes.

Your action plan for 2026

Are you ready to implement? Follow this step-by-step plan:

Build your contact list and get consent. Check your current database and make sure you have permission to email or text everyone. For new members, ask them to opt in during signup and clearly explain what messages they’ll get and how often.

Launch core automations. First, activate automated SMS reminders and confirmations for all bookings to reduce no-shows. Then, build a 3-email welcome series for new members. These two automations will immediately improve operations and member experience.

Add personalization and test offers. Group members by class type, attendance, membership level, or engagement. Send messages that fit each group instead of one message for everyone. Try different offers - discounts, free sessions, or small gifts - and always track results to see what works best.

Experiment with rich content and prepare for RCS. If you’re comfortable with basic campaigns, start adding visuals. Try videos in emails, GIFs with exercises, or before-and-after member stories. Be ready to adopt this technology as it becomes mainstream.

Conclusion

Your members’ phones are the most valuable part of your fitness club, even more than any machine or bike. Email and SMS let you reach them directly and avoid struggles with social media algorithms or high ad costs. Success is not in the length of your mailing list.

It means sending messages that matter – relevant, personal and with a human touch. You should use email and SMS together to turn interest into action.

Start with the basics: permission, clean lists, and a few solid automated flows. Then test, improve, and grow. Very soon, you will see happier members, better retention, and more revenue. Even at this moment, your members are checking their messages. Make sure yours are the ones they notice first tomorrow.

Read next: 5 seasonal email marketing examples to inspire your next fitness campaign