The best platforms to host your online gym classes

Organizing online classes in a studio or gym requires not only the knowledge and charisma of a trainer, but also the right technical base. In other words, the latter is a prerequisite for the ultimate success of your online sports business.

So, how do you choose a service for broadcasting and managing your business? Let's compare the categories of solutions and look at some practical tips to help you scale and monetize your classes quickly.

Source: Pexels

Key categories

Understand what types of solutions exist and what functions they perform.

In general, there are three main groups:

• Live streaming platforms;
• All-in-one services for studios;
• Marketplaces for courses and subscriptions.

For many trainers, it is useful to combine tools.

Live streaming and technical quality

Live streaming is suitable for group classes. It gives a sense of real time. The following are important here:

• Connection stability;
• Recording capability;
• Multi-streaming on social networks.

Zoom or Vimeo platforms provide tools for broadcasting. They also allow you to integrate chat and participant management.

All-in-one platforms for studios

Systems that combine scheduling, customer management, payment, and a mobile app save studio owners time. It is useful to look for calendar options and integrations with video, billing, and reporting platforms.

Fitness software like Rezerv enables you to manage bookings, payments, customers, packages, memberships, marketing campaigns, and a branded website. It even provides a customer mobile app or a fully branded app depending on your studio’s needs.

Read also: Why fitness studios need a mobile app

When it comes to internal teamwork, efficiency also depends on how well you document work agreements. Here it is useful to have a tool that automatically saves key points from your online recordings and reminds you of follow-up actions.

AI note taker for Google Meet is capable of taking notes in the background and generating short summaries of the conversation. It can also highlight key tasks, allowing coaches to focus on what matters most. Namely, on business and customer development, rather than routine record-keeping.

Source: Pexels

Specific solutions

A practical overview of popular solutions, with an emphasis on how they help grow, manage, and monetize your business.

Uscreen and video monetization platforms

If your goal is to create a subscription model or sell class recordings, platforms like Uscreen allow you to launch paid libraries, multi-platform apps, and live streams with monetization. This is especially useful for brands planning large-scale video content. 

Zoom and tools for live streaming

Zoom remains a versatile tool for live classes:

• Easy connectivity;
• Participant management;
• Session recording;
• Ability to stream to external services.

All this makes it convenient for mass and group classes.

Selection and launch (Practical advice)

Questions you should ask yourself:

• What format will the classes take? Live, recorded, or hybrid?
• Do you plan to sell subscriptions, single recordings, or packages?
• Do you need integration with CRM and payment gateways?

The answers will determine whether you choose software for virtual fitness classes or a platform for full-cycle business management.

Steps

1. Invest in a high-quality camera, lighting, and microphone. Test your internet speed. Set up landing pages to collect subscriptions. 
2. Make sure the platform you choose supports stream encryption and access permissions for recordings. If you use music tracks or copyrighted programs, check the platform's licenses and copyright policy.
3. Compare not only monthly fees, but also transaction fees, paid promotion costs, and administration time. A good platform should provide tools for growing your customer base and retaining existing customers.
4. Before each class, check device battery life, net connection, sound and video, background, and safe distance from the camera.

Case

• Create a trial class. Invite 10-20 participants for a nominal fee or free of charge to gather feedback.
• Describe the format. Define your target audience. Beginners, intermediate, or advanced?
• Choose a streaming platform and a sales/scheduling platform. Although you can combine them.
• Record and edit the recording. Add subtitles and sales through the content library.
• Launch a subscription model or sell packages. Track metrics and adjust your offer.

Grow your audience, monetize your classes

Combine content strategy, consistency, and convenient payment options. Use platforms that allow you to host online yoga/fitness classes with paid access options and session recordings for future sales.

Subscription, pay-per-event, course sales, or service packages — the choice depends on your niche and willingness to invest in content production. A combination of several models often brings more stable income.

Set up auto-registration notifications, automatic video access after payment, and subscription reminder systems. This will reduce manual work and improve the customer experience.

Regularly post short video clips and participant reviews on social media.

Conclusion

Determine which platform is best for your online classes based on your business model, technical capabilities, and growth plans. For some, a simple fitness streaming platform for broadcasting will suffice. Others will need a comprehensive online gym platform with CRM and billing. Test solutions. Consider the costs. Focus on the quality of customer service. Work consistently and invest in the service, and then success is guaranteed.

Read next: 6 ways to monetize a fitness studio beyond in-person classes