Time. It’s one of the biggest barriers holding gym operators back from taking full advantage of email marketing. If you’re struggling to find the time to write marketing emails, read on to find out how AI can help speed things up.
Direct access to an audience who’ve chosen to hear from you. A measurable marketing channel with high ROI potential. The ability to hit the right notes with highly targeted, personalised messages.
There are so many reasons not to sleep on email marketing as a gym operator.
But the Challenges Of Running A Gym Research* found that 45% of UK gym operators surveyed are missing out. How? By not using email marketing to its full potential or just not using it at all.
A quarter of those operators not using the high potential marketing channel say they don’t have time to write and send emails. And 21% of those using it find writing copy time consuming.
The answer to mastering email marketing could just be to work smarter not harder by using AI to your advantage. From ChatGPT to Claude, AI tools can be carefully used to seriously reduce the time it takes you to write a marketing email.
Tempted? You’ll be in good company! 77% of UK gym operators using AI do so to create content for marketing activities like email.
Get started (or refine your approach) with this helpful guide. Read on for:
- AI prompt writing best practices
- Prompt writing formulas to try
- 35 AI prompts for gym email marketing covering lead nurture, onboarding, engagement, re-engagement & more!
Let’s get stuck in!
Power up your business & stay in the know
Gym email marketing AI prompt writing best practices
Speed of response is a benefit of using an AI tool like ChatGPT, even if you give it a vague prompt.
What is a prompt?
TipA prompt is the message, question, or instructions you type in to an AI tool to tell it what you want help with.
The more specific your prompt, the better the output will be. Thankfully there are some general rules you can follow when writing prompts to make sure you give your AI helper everything it needs to know.
Here’s how to put together AI prompts for ChatGPT (and other AI tools) to help you get winning responses:
1. Give the AI a specific role
Set the scene by giving the AI a specific role or persona. This gives it a clear perspective, getting in the head of that role to understand the knowledge associated with it.
So, the response is informed by the expertise and perspective needed to do a good job.
When writing prompts for email marketing, you’d be giving it a role like:
- An email marketing consultant
- An expert email copywriter for a gym
- A copywriter specialising in email marketing for gyms
- A fitness brand copywriter
- An experienced fitness marketer
2. Specify the task you need completing
This part is vital. You need to tell the AI what you want it to do and what the end result will be.
In the case of email marketing, this will normally be something like ‘write an email’. And you’ll also need to set a goal. For example, write an email promoting our January fitness challenge.
3. Provide enough context
Give details of your specific situation and needs to help the AI tailor its response.
For example, tell it about your brand, what you offer, who you are targeting, and what you’re trying to achieve.
4. Include reference material / examples
Including examples can help guide the AI in the direction you’re expecting.
That might mean including links or files to help the AI learn about your business and/or emulate your writing style.
Take care with what you share
TipWhile it’s not necessarily likely to be an issue with using tools like ChatGPT to write emails, it’s worth noting that you shouldn’t input confidential or sensitive info into AI platforms. Anything you share might be used to train the AI model and could be disclosed to others in responses.
5. Tell the AI what format you’re looking for
The more specific, the better here. Think about the email you need and describe the exact structure you’re looking for.
You might tell it:
- How long the email should be (e.g., 200 words)
- How to structure it (e.g., use headings, include 3-5 bullets, or make it easy to skim)
- Sections to include (e.g., a personalised greeting or a friendly sign off)
You could also ask the AI to give you a specific number of variations to choose from (e.g., 3 subject lines or 4 sign offs).
6. Set the tone
Make sure you’ve told the AI the tone or feeling to convey in its response. For example, ‘write in an excited tone’, ‘the email should be in a confident yet empathetic style’, or ‘keep it positive and upbeat’.
7. Refine your approach
Last but not least, it’s tough to write the perfect AI prompt first time. Don’t be surprised if ChatGPT doesn’t respond quite how you want.
Take time to refine your prompt using different wording to get better results. You don’t necessarily need to start from scratch though. Instead, simply ask the AI to make a specific change (or changes).
Repeat until you’re happy with the output.
Ask the AI for a prompt
TipOnce you’re satisfied with the output/response, take a little extra time and ask the AI to suggest the best prompt to get to the final output. This can help you improve future prompts for faster results.
Be cautious using AI generated email copy
AI tools like ChatGPT can be prone to hallucinations and errors. So, you should always review and edit any marketing emails you generate before sending to leads or members.
What is a hallucination?
TipThis is when the AI generates misleading or incorrect info.
Act as an editor and review the output. Ask yourself these questions as you edit:
- Is the output accurate?
- Is it clear?
- Is the tone as you’d like? How does it make you feel as a reader?
- Is the CTA strong enough?
You may also need to make sure it’s written in British English.

AI prompt formulas/frameworks to try
If this all sounds a lot to remember, no sweat, there are some catchy AI prompting formulas or frameworks you can follow. Here are a couple of examples:
G.C.S.E.
Don’t worry there are no exams (or coursework) involved in this prompting framework!
In this case, G.C.S.E. stands for:
- Goal – clearly state what you want the AI to achieve
- Context – set the scene for the AI
- Sources – give the model some examples to guide the output
- Expectations – outline how you’d like the response delivered
C.R.E.A.T.E.
This one can be easy to remember as you’re using it to ‘create’ a prompt. It stands for:
- Character – tell the AI the role it should take on, the character to play
- Request – let the AI know what you’re looking for using simple, straightforward language. The more detailed the better
- Examples – provide some examples to point the AI in the right direction
- Adjustments – help make the response more relevant to your needs and expectations
- Type of output – give details of the format you’re looking for (e.g., easy to skim read, word/character counts, number
- Extras – Give the AI guidance on what to evaluate its output against

35 AI prompts for gym email marketing
So, there you have it, all the ingredients you need to write an AI prompt to generate any gym marketing email you’re looking for!
Especially when you’re new to using AI tools like ChatGPT, writing prompts from scratch can be time consuming. Time you often don’t have!
To speed things up, we’ve created 35 AI prompts for gym marketing emails. These emails span the complete member journey.
Use the prompts as they are or adapt them to suit your specific needs.
Tip box
[SQUARE BRACKETS]
TipSquare brackets indicate that you should customise the prompt a little to suit your business. For example, if your gym brand is Jim’s Gym, replace [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME] with Jim’s Gym.
AI prompts for prospect and lead nurture emails
1. Day pass promo
Promote day passes to prospects. A great way to get them in to see what your club has to offer in person (while earning one-off revenue).
As an email marketing consultant, you need to write a friendly, persuasive marketing email for [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. The goal is to encourage people who haven’t joined yet to buy a low-cost day pass that costs [ADD PRICE HERE] to try the gym without committing to a membership. The tone should be casual and upbeat. The subject line should be catchy and related to trying the gym. Include a short call-to-action and end the email warmly, signed off by the gym.
2. No joining fees offer
Run a limited time offer encouraging prospects to buy a membership by waiving joining fees.
Write an engaging email for our gym, [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME], promoting a no joining fees offer for membership sign offs that happen [ADD PROMOTION END DATE HERE]. Highlight the benefits that the gym has to offer as outlined on our website: [ADD YOUR WEBSITE URL HERE]. The email should be persuasive but not pushy and easy to skim read through.
3. Membership discount
Entice prospects to sign up to a membership with some money off – 12 months for the price of 11.
You are an email marketing expert. Write a persuasive email for our gym, [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME], promoting an extra month free when you sign up for a 12-month contract [ADD DATE WHEN PROMOTIONAL OFFER ENDS] – getting 12 months for the price of 11 – using the code [ADD DISCOUNT CODE]. Highlight the benefits that the gym has to offer as outlined on our website: [ADD YOUR WEBSITE URL HERE]. The email should be upbeat and scannable.
4. Black Friday offer
Taking place at the end of November every year, people are on the lookout for a good deal on Black Friday. Give them what they’re looking for with a discount on a bundle of personal training sessions.
You are an expert email copywriter for a gym called [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Write a promotional email for a Black Friday offer. The goal is to encourage prospective members to pre-purchase a personal training bolt-on for January. The bolt-on includes 4 personal training sessions a month, and buyers will save [ADD VALUE] if they purchase before [ADD DATE WHEN PROMOTIONAL OFFER ENDS]. The email should include a clear call to action, use a friendly and motivational tone, and feel time sensitive. Use a subject line like: Black Friday Sale – miss it, miss out. Include a discount code. Keep the message short, scannable, and upbeat.
13 solid Black Friday ideas
Go deeperGet more inspiration for Black Friday with this rundown of campaign ideas for gym operators.
Get stuck in!5. Fitness challenge invite
Fitness challenge events are a great way to get prospective members involved. This prompt is for a template about a HYROX-style challenge event.
You are an expert email copywriter for a fitness club. Write a promotional email inviting gym members to join a HYROX-style fitness challenge. The email should:
- Start with a short, punchy subject line that sparks interest (e.g. “Join our HYROX-style fitness challenge”).
- Be addressed to the recipient by first name.
- Briefly explain what the challenge is and why it’s worth joining.
- Use bullet points to highlight what’s included (e.g. workout plans, nutrition tips, competition entry).
- Describe the final competition day and build excitement about what to expect (e.g. food samples, medals, podium places).
- Create urgency by mentioning that places are limited.
- End with an encouraging call to action and sign off from the gym.
Make sure the tone is energetic, motivating, and friendly. The email should be easy to skim-read and get people excited to take part.
6. Lead follow up email
When a lead completes an enquiry form on your website, make sure you have an email that gets sent out to them.
You are an email marketing expert. I need a friendly, professional follow-up email for a gym lead who just got in touch with [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. The email should:
- Begin with a thank you and mention a sales team member will contact them soon to arrange a tour or membership chat.
- Include an ‘about our club’ section describing facilities, equipment, classes, and perks based on [ADD YOUR CLUB NAME AND YOUR LOCATION].
- Include a ‘membership options’ section with various plans with clear, concise bullets.
- End with a call to action to join online, plus a friendly sign‑off from [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME].
Keep the tone upbeat, approachable, and informative – and make sure the layout is easy to skim (e.g. bullet points).
7. Abandoned sign up / basket email
An abandoned basket email goes to prospects who almost joined online but stopped part way through. These emails are all about getting the prospect to complete their sign up.
You are a copywriter specialising in email marketing. Write a friendly, professional follow-up email for [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME] to send to someone who started but didn’t complete their membership sign-up online.
The subject line should be engaging and create curiosity – like “Still thinking it over?”
The tone should be warm, supportive, and non-pushy.
The email should:
- Use the person’s first name.
- Mention that the sender is from [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME].
- Acknowledge that the recipient may have had issues or may still be in the process of signing up.
- Offer help if they need it.
- Reinforce the welcoming, supportive community at [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME].
- Include a call to action to complete the sign up.
End on a friendly note.
Want more email marketing help & ready-to-use templates?
FreeGet your free gym email marketing guide with 16 email templates you can take and use. No AI needed!
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8. Welcome email
Give brand new members a warm welcome and arm them with all the information they need to make the most of their membership.
You are an expert email copywriter for gyms and fitness clubs. Write a warm, friendly, and informative welcome email for new members of [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. The subject line should include the member’s first name and the gym name (e.g. “{First Name}, welcome to [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]”).
The email should include the following key sections in clear, scannable format (with subheadings or bullet points where needed):
- Warm welcome – Thank the member for joining and express excitement about supporting their fitness journey.
- Induction invitation – Let them know their membership includes a free induction with a qualified trainer (tour, equipment guidance, goal-setting, and custom programme). Include contact details (email, phone number, or ask at reception) for booking.
- Membership management – Explain how they can manage their membership online or via the mobile app. Mention app availability on Apple App Store and Google Play, and highlight features like booking classes, viewing timetables, and making payments.
- Meet the team – Emphasise the friendly, helpful staff. Mention that personal training is available and how to ask about it.
- Community and social media – Encourage them to follow the gym on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and invite them to join the private members-only Facebook group.
- Help and support – Reassure them that the team is available to answer any questions, with contact details provided again at the end.
- Friendly sign-off – End with a motivating closing line and sign off from the club.
Adjust tone to be upbeat, welcoming, and practical.
9. Post-induction email
When a new member is fresh from the induction, send an email to get feedback on the value and quality of the session. Encourage the member to record their goals and start tracking progress.
You’re an expert in email marketing for gyms. Write a friendly, supportive follow-up email to send to new members after they’ve completed their gym induction. The subject line should encourage them to share feedback and revisit their fitness goals. The email should:
- Thank them for attending the induction session.
- Encourage them to fill in a quick feedback survey.
- Remind them about the goal-setting part of the session.
- Provide supportive guidance on how to set effective fitness goals, including tips like setting smaller goals, tracking progress, and adapting to changes.
- Reassure them that setbacks are normal and offer continued support from the gym team.
Use a warm, motivational tone and clear, easy to skim formatting (e.g. bullet points).
10. Rebook missed induction prompt
When an induction session is missed (especially when it’s a no-show), send an email to follow up with the member.
Write a friendly and supportive email from a gym to a new member who missed their induction appointment. The tone should be understanding and encouraging. The email should:
- Suggest 3-5 subject lines that are attention grabbing and encourage the new member to open the email without sounding pushy (e.g. supportive, curious, positive tone).
- Greet the member by their first name.
- Acknowledge that life can get in the way.
- Encourage them to get back on track with their membership.
- Offer help to reschedule their induction or provide support in another way.
- Include clear contact details (email, phone number, and in-person option).
- Sign off with a warm message from the gym.
Time to rethink & rebrand the gym induction?
Go deeperWhat’s the value of offering inductions? And how can you master the art of onboarding to keep more members coming back for longer?
Find out11. Not visited within 7 days of joining
That first workout can be the biggest hurdle for members who are new. The longer they leave it the more likely it is they’ll cancel instead. Intervene with this email early on.
You are an expert email marketer writing for a UK-based gym called [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Write a friendly and motivating welcome-style email for new members who have just joined the gym but who haven’t visited within 7 days of joining. The goal is to encourage them to start using their membership right away, either by visiting the gym or attending a class. The tone should be supportive, upbeat, and easy to skim-read. Include a short, bulleted list of the health benefits of regular exercise (e.g., better heart health, reduced stress, mental wellbeing). Make sure to mention that they can find opening hours, class timetables and more info via the app (on Apple and Google Play) and that they can contact [ADD DETAILS OF YOUR CLUB MANAGER OR OTHER CONTACT PERSON] via email or phone for help getting started. End with a friendly sign-off. Suggest 2–3 engaging subject line options to choose from.
12. Celebrate first gym workout
Completing a gym workout for the first time is cause for celebration! Send a congratulatory email, cheer them on to their next workout and ask for feedback.
Write a friendly and encouraging follow-up email for a gym member who has just completed their first gym-based workout. The email should congratulate them, ask for quick feedback via a survey, and encourage them to keep up the momentum by booking a class through the gym’s app. Include a clear call-to-action for taking the survey and booking a class. Also provide contact details (email and phone) in case they have questions. Use a warm, positive tone. Personalise the email and keep the content scannable and upbeat. Suggest a subject line that grabs attention but stays friendly – offer 2 or 3 subject line variations.
13. Celebrate first group fitness class attended
Recognise when members complete their first group fitness class with you too. This is another opportunity to ask them for valuable feedback.
You are an expert email marketing copywriter for a modern fitness brand. Your tone is friendly, motivating, and aligned with a positive, health-focused lifestyle.
Write a follow-up email to a new gym member who has just attended their first group fitness class at [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME].
The email should:
- Start with a positive, congratulatory tone.
- Thank them for attending their first class.
- Ask for quick feedback via a short survey.
- Encourage them to book their next class through the app.
- Mention the class timetable and suggest trying something new.
- Include contact details in case they need help or want to talk.
- End with a warm, motivational sign-off from the [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME] team.
Also include a subject line, make it short, upbeat, and encouraging.
Keep the tone friendly, energising, and supportive. Write as if the email is coming from a coach who’s excited to see the member succeed.
14. Refer-a-friend offer
Members are most enthusiastic about their new fitness routines in the first few weeks. And more likely to share this with others. Make the most of this by promoting your referral programme via email.
Act as an experienced email copywriter for a UK-based gym brand, [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Write a friendly and motivating marketing email for new members promoting a two-part referral offer. The email should clearly explain both parts of the offer:
- Part 1: The member can bring a guest for free using a guest pass on their next gym visit.
- Part 2: If that guest decides to join the gym and uses the member’s referral code to sign up, both the member and the guest receive a free month added to their memberships.
Highlight the benefits of training with a partner (e.g. motivation, support, fun), and make the process clear and easy to follow (e.g. where to find and how to share the referral code).
Use a warm, encouraging tone and personalise the email with the recipient’s first name. Keep the message concise and engaging. Include a subject line with 2–3 variations that encourage opens – for example, using the recipient’s name, mentioning a free guest pass, or referencing the reward.
15. Celebrate new member reaching 10 visit milestone
Emails like this one help cheer new members on to keep coming in for their next workout. Use it as an opportunity to promote personal training support.
Take on the role of an expert email copywriter for a UK-based gym brand called [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Write a motivational milestone email to celebrate a member’s 10th workout. Use a warm, friendly, and upbeat tone that reinforces their progress and encourages them to keep going. Personalise it using the member’s first name. The subject line should highlight the achievement (“10th workout”) and grab attention without sounding overly salesy. In the body, acknowledge the milestone, express appreciation, and encourage the member to keep up their routine. End by offering friendly support from the PT team, including how to get in touch (mentioning email, phone number, or in-person visit). Sign off in a friendly way. Keep the message brief, positive, and motivating.
16. Celebrate new member reaching 50 visit milestone
Just like the previous email, this one celebrates new members reaching a significant milestone – 50 visits.
This commitment shows the member appreciates your club. Take the opportunity to ask them to review you and encourage them to introduce a friend.
Act as a fitness brand copywriter for [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Write a milestone email for a member who has just completed their 50th workout – including the location and our brand name. Make the tone upbeat, motivational, and appreciative. Use the member’s first name in a few key places. Celebrate the milestone, thank them for being part of the [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME] community, and encourage them to keep going. Then, include two promotional CTAs:
- Ask them to leave a review on Google or Facebook to help others discover [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Include clickable links to both platforms.
- Promote a referral offer. If the member refers a friend using their referral code (available in the member area), they and the friend both get a free month added to their membership.
Sign off warmly from the [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME] team. Keep the structure clear, with short, punchy paragraphs and a positive tone.
17. Yet to attend a group fitness class
Members who attend group fitness classes tend to keep their membership for longer. Send this email to new members who’ve not tried a group fitness class within a month of joining.
You are an expert fitness brand copywriter. Write a friendly and motivating email for new gym members who haven’t yet attended a group fitness class. The goal is to encourage them to try a class as their next workout.
Include the following:
- A personalised, attention-grabbing subject line.
- A warm and inviting tone that feels conversational but professional.
- A short introductory sentence encouraging the reader to make their next workout a class.
- A bullet list of 5–6 key benefits of group fitness classes, such as expert guidance from qualified instructors, increased motivation, etc.
- A clear call to action inviting them to check the class timetable and book via the app.
- A friendly sign-off from the gym.
Audience: Members who regularly visit the gym but haven’t tried a class yet.
Tone: Encouraging, upbeat, inclusive, informative.
18. Kick start session with a personal trainer
Send this email to any new members who’ve been with you for 2 months and have visited less than 10 times. Offer a complimentary personal training session to help them get the most out of their membership investment.
You are an expert fitness marketer writing for a UK-based gym brand called [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Write a motivational and supportive email for new members who joined 42 days ago but have used their membership fewer than 10 times. The goal is to re-engage them by offering a free personal training session worth [ADD COST OF PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION]. The tone should be friendly, encouraging, and benefit focused. Use the member’s first name to make the email feel more personal. The email should explain how a personal trainer can help them get results, list specific benefits, include a clear call to action to book the session before a specific deadline, and provide contact details. Use bullet points to break up the text and make it easy to skim read. End the email with a positive sign-off. Format the email for readability on both desktop and mobile.
20 ready-to-use email & SMS templates for onboarding
FreeThe Successful New Gym Member Onboarding playbook includes email and text message templates you can use (and adapt) to build out a personalised onboarding journey.
Get the playbookAI prompts for emails that educate gymgoers
19. Newsletter
Regularly sending a gym newsletter (e.g. weekly, monthly, or quarterly) is a great way to engage prospects and members. Focus on providing helpful information and letting everyone know what’s happening at your club(s).
You are an email marketing expert specialising in emails for gym chains. You are writing an email newsletter for your customer [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Research the business and their brand tone of voice using this website: [ADD YOUR WEBSITE URL HERE]. The email newsletter will be sent to both prospective and existing members. It should be easy to skim read and the content should be helpful to both audiences – providing education on health and fitness, alongside updates about what’s going on in the clubs. Avoid making it promotional – keep the tone informative and as it’s sent every two weeks it should be topical. Make sure it’s formatted as an email providing all the relevant elements needed to set it up and avoid spam filters.
20. Recovery tips
This gym email marketing idea will help you provide value and showcase your expertise by providing quick tips. These tips will give recipients pointers to help them recover better between workouts.
You are an expert email copywriter for a UK-based gym brand called [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Write a friendly, supportive, and educational email to gym members focused on the importance of recovery after workouts. The email should be suitable for all fitness levels and written in a clear, encouraging tone. Include practical tips to help members recover faster and perform better in future sessions. Use bullet points to make the content easy to skim-read. Personalise the greeting with the recipient’s first name. Close with a warm, motivating sign-off in the brand’s voice.
21. Mental health benefits of exercise
Similarly, this email idea is focused on educating prospects and members on the positive impact working out can have on their mental health and wellbeing.
You are an expert in email marketing for gyms. Write an engaging, informative email aimed at encouraging gym members not to skip a workout. The tone should be supportive, educational, and motivating, focused on the mental health benefits of exercise, not just physical gains. Use simple, skim-readable language and include a short bullet list explaining how exercise supports mental wellbeing (e.g. boosts mood, reduces stress, improves sleep). Avoid sounding too salesy or promotional. The email should feel like it’s from a caring team who want the member to feel better and keep showing up. Do not specify the subject line but keep the tone warm and encouraging. Avoid signing off with a specific name, just use a friendly team sign-off.
22. Tips for an active life
Most likely, you only see members for 1-4 hours a week. Encourage them to get more active outside of this time by providing tips for integrating activity into every day. Building on gym workouts to help them reach their fitness goals faster.
You are an email marketing expert for a UK-based gym brand. Write a friendly, motivational email to members that shares practical, easy ways to stay active throughout the day – outside of their regular gym workouts. The tone should be positive, supportive, and down-to-earth. The email should be structured for easy reading (e.g., bullet points or short paragraphs), include 4–6 actionable tips, and end with a light invitation to share their own tips with staff. Avoid promotional language and do not include a sales pitch or call to action. Assume the recipient is a general member – not a beginner or elite athlete. Use a subject line that encourages curiosity or a “small effort, big impact” message. Leave placeholders for first name and sign-off.
23. Invite to special guest event
Make sure you use email marketing to promote special events you put on for members and/or prospects. This prompt will help you generate an email if you are hosting a talk from an athlete/influencer/specialist.
Write a friendly, professional marketing email inviting members of a gym’s mailing list to an exclusive in-person fitness event. The tone should be enthusiastic and engaging, with a sense of urgency. The email should highlight that a high-profile athlete [ADD THE ATHLETE’S NAME] will be giving a talk and Q&A session, sharing expert tips. Include clear bullet-pointed event details (day, time, location, price, and number of spaces available). Mention that spots are limited and include a call to action encouraging the reader to book online. Use a personal, motivating tone without being overly salesy. Include 2-3 attention grabbing subject line suggestions. Convey excitement in the sign off.
24. Advice on setting goals
Help prospects and members set effective fitness goals with an email featuring handy tips and advice.
You are an expert email copywriter for a gym chain. Write a friendly and motivational email to gym members, focusing on goal setting for fitness success. The tone should be supportive, positive, and educational, offering useful advice without being overly promotional. The email should include a brief introduction followed by clear, bullet-pointed tips on how to set and achieve personal fitness goals. End with a reassuring and encouraging sign-off. Do not include special offers or promotions. Keep the language inclusive and empowering.
Get more ideas for educational emails to send to your subscribers
FreeBoost profitability with this handy guide to gym marketing that includes 16 templates to try for yourself.
Get the guideAI prompts for emails that engage members
25. Refer-a-friend promotion
Take advantage of the power of word-of-mouth marketing by using email to promote a referral offer to members.
Write a friendly, motivating marketing email for a gym encouraging members to refer a friend. The email should include a catchy subject line about getting a free month for referrals. In the body, highlight the benefits of working out with a buddy, including increased motivation and workout intensity backed by research. Clearly explain the referral offer, both the member and their friend get one month free if the friend signs up by a certain date. Include a referral code for the friend to use. The tone should be upbeat, encouraging, and personal, ending with a warm sign-off from the gym.
26. Bring a guest
You could also engage members by offering them a free guest pass to bring along a friend or family member when they next visit.
Write a friendly, upbeat marketing email inviting members of [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME] to bring a friend for free during a limited-time promotion. The subject line should be catchy and encourage sharing the offer. The message should explain that members get a free guest pass this month to bring a friend, family member, or colleague. Include simple instructions on how to redeem (e.g., show the email at entry). Use a casual and motivating tone, ending with an encouraging sign-off from the gym team. Personalise the greeting.
27. Promote timetable revamps
When you update your timetable, make sure you share it with members by sending an email like this one.
You are an expert email copywriter for the gym chain [ADD YOUR BRAND NUMBER]. Write a friendly, informative email to gym members announcing a new class timetable and extended opening hours. The tone should be upbeat and engaging. Mention that the changes were made in response to member feedback. Highlight the new opening hours and updates to the class schedule using bullet points or short sections. Include a clear call to action encouraging members to view the new timetable. Keep it concise and member focused. Subject line should announce the new timetable and include the date it starts.
28. Personal training offer
This AI prompt is for an email encouraging more members to try out personal training with a tempting offer.
You work for the gym chain [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME] as an experienced email copywriter. Write a persuasive marketing email to promote a limited-time personal training offer. The tone should be friendly, motivating, and benefit focused. The subject line should highlight the deal. In the message, briefly explain how a personal trainer can help members achieve their fitness goals, including key benefits in bullet points. Then clearly describe the offer (buy one session, get one free), the savings amount, and create a sense of urgency by noting the limited-time nature of the deal. End with a cheerful and encouraging sign-off. Include a clear call-to-action to buy the session bundle online.
29. Showcase new classes
When you add a new group fitness class to your timetable, send an email to members with full details and encourage them to book their spot.
Write a friendly and informative marketing email to gym members announcing the launch of a new Functional Fitness class. The tone should be warm, enthusiastic, and encouraging. Include a subject line that builds excitement. The message should introduce the class name (“Functional Fitness”), explain that it’s designed to help members live longer, stronger, and more functional lives, and highlight that it includes gentle strength training to safely challenge balance and coordination. Provide clear bullet-pointed logistical details (day, time, instructor, location, class capacity, and whether a waitlist is available). End with a motivating call to action encouraging members to book their spot online or via the app. Sign off in a positive and professional tone.
30. Fitness challenge invite
Gym challenges are a fantastic way to engage and motivate members to visit, and they can help you grow the community feel of your business. Shout about your challenges via email.
You are an email marketing specialist. Write a friendly and motivational marketing email to gym members inviting them to join a January fitness challenge. The email should be engaging, energetic, and clearly explain the benefits of taking part. Include bullet points that highlight what members will get (e.g. special workouts, nutrition tips, progress tracking, prizes). Mention a prize such as a £100 John Lewis gift voucher to boost interest. End with a call to action encouraging readers to register online. The tone should be encouraging, community-focused, and fun. Include a subject line like “Join the January fitness challenge to win”.
31. Ask for reviews
Use this AI prompt to draft an email encouraging happy members to review you on Google and Facebook. Positive reviews can help encourage those interested in joining a gym to choose you.
Write a friendly and professional email from [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME] to a current member, asking them to leave an online review. The tone should be warm, appreciative, and supportive. Include the following elements:
- Subject line that uses the member’s first name to catch attention
- A thank you for being a member and a positive welcome message
- A clear explanation that reviews help the gym grow and attract new members
- Options with links for leaving a review on Google and Facebook
- A friendly sign-off from the gym
- Also include a P.S. note offering training help from the PT team, with an email address, phone number, and invitation to chat in person about PT packages
Ready-to-use engaging email templates
FreeNot ready to start using AI? Get the extensive gym email marketing guide for 16 email templates you can take, adapt, and use.
Get the guideAI prompts for emails to re-engage members at-risk of cancelling
32. Playful we miss you email
A first step when members start to show signs that they may cancel soon is to gently encourage them back in. This AI prompt will generate an email with a playful touch of humour.
Write a friendly, humorous re-engagement email for a gym to send to members who haven’t visited in a while. The tone should be light-hearted and encouraging, with playful fitness-related wordplay. Mention that the gym has missed them and invite them to return whenever they’re ready. Include a supportive message offering help if they need it, with contact details (email, phone number, or in-person). Use a subject line that grabs attention with a fun emoji and personalised name. The gym name is [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME].
33. Ask for feedback
When a member stops visiting, there’s a higher chance that they’re dissatisfied with their membership. Send an email asking them for feedback. So, you can address any concerns directly or indirectly.
Act as a copywriter. Craft a friendly and professional customer feedback email for a gym called [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. This is to be sent to members who haven’t visited the gym for a few weeks. The subject line should encourage the reader to give feedback. The email should thank the member for choosing [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME] and ask them to complete a short survey about their experience so far. Keep the tone warm and supportive. Include a call-to-action button or line that says, “Take the survey”. End with an encouraging and personal sign-off from the gym team.
34. PT session offer
Give at-risk members an incentive to come back (and an opportunity to find new goals to work towards) with a free personal training (PT) session.
You are a marketing manager for a gym chain called [ADD YOUR BRAND NAME]. Write a friendly, motivational re-engagement email from a gym to a member who hasn’t visited in a while.
- Start with a warm, personalised greeting and acknowledge that the member hasn’t been in recently.
- Offer them a complimentary personal training session (valued at [ADD THE COST OF A PT SESSION]) as a way to encourage them to return and make the most of their membership.
- Highlight the value of working with a personal trainer, including benefits such as tailored workout plans, correct technique, increased motivation, and identifying areas for improvement.
- Use positive, supportive language throughout to inspire action without sounding pushy.
- Include a clear call to action: explain how to claim the session and add a deadline (e.g. two weeks from today).
- End with a friendly, upbeat closing that reinforces the gym’s supportive tone and community spirit.
35. Attention grabbing special offer
Finally, get creative with this AI prompt for an email focused around an offer to get them back in.
You are a creative copywriter for a gym chain. Write a playful, engaging re-engagement email aimed at members who haven’t visited recently and may be at risk of cancelling. The goal is to grab attention, make them smile, and get them back into the gym. Include:
- A fun, light-hearted tone (without being cheesy)
- A clear incentive: they’ll receive one free month added to their membership if they return and say a specific passphrase to staff
- A sense of urgency with a deadline for claiming the offer
- Personal, friendly language that reflects a supportive gym community
Playbook: Re-Engaging At-Risk Gym Members
FreeThis playbook will help you identify and find the right approach to re-engage members who are close to cancelling. Plus, it includes 9 email templates to try.
Get the playbookThe wrap up…
Email marketing is a cost-effective way to win, engage, and retain members. Yet, many gym operators aren’t making the most of this high-potential marketing channel. Many find writing marketing emails too time consuming.
AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude can make it easier to take advantage of email marketing. With a little practice, you can write effective prompts to draft gym marketing emails.
Here’s how to write an AI prompt that delivers the email you want:
- Give the AI a specific role
- Specify the task you need completing
- Provide enough context
- Include reference materials and examples
- Tell the AI what format you’re looking for
- Set the tone
- Refine your approach
Be cautious when using AI generated content. Always review and edit the marketing emails you generate checking for accuracy.
Xplor Gym makes sending marketing emails simple with marketing automation capabilities directly within your gym management software. Find out more.
For more insights into how your business compares to others, download the Gym Operator Insights Report 2025. From finances to marketing, and people to tech, the report is packed with exclusive insights and helpful takes from industry insiders.
*The Challenges Of Running A Gym Research was conducted by Xplor Gym via an online survey. The survey took place between 28 February and 21 March 2025. It was completed by 60 respondents from privately owned gym operators in the UK.

by Joanna Ashton Content Marketing Manager, Xplor Gym
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First published: 22 September 2025
Written by: Joanna Ashton