5 Things We’ve Learned On The Way To 5 Million Members on ABC Ignite Engagement 

Five years ago, the Ignite Engagement mobile app didn’t exist. Today, it helps gyms across the United States and Canada to improve the experience of over 5 million members.  

At ABC Fitness, we pride ourselves in having our finger on the pulse of the latest trends and needs of the fitness industry. With over 40 years of experience helping fitness business owners improve retention and increase revenue, we could clearly see a need in the industry for an app that keeps members engaged, informed, and coming back for more.  

We decided to build upon the industry-leading personal training functionality of ABC Trainerize and create an app that would allow members to manage their fitness experience from booking classes to tracking habits.   

The result is Ignite Engagement, an ideal mobile touchpoint for fitness business owners looking to build a retention-focused, long-term connection with leads, trials, and members. 

Of course, Ignite Engagement is branded to each gym or studio we serve, meaning that the app puts our customers’ brands, not ours, front and center.    

In the 5 years since launch, we’ve rolled out the Ignite Engagement app to thousands of gyms and studios, and we now have over 5 million active members using it.  

This is no small feat—we’re immensely proud of the journey our product has taken in this half decade and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this milestone with you. 

Our goal with Ignite Engagement has always been simple: empower fitness businesses to better engage with their members, grow stronger communities, and streamline operations. After working closely with thousands of studios and gyms, we’ve learned a thing or two about what really drives engagement—and what it takes to scale it. 

Here are five powerful lessons we’ve picked up along the way that can help you understand the state of the fitness industry and what you can do to capitalize on current (and future) trends.  

1. Apple Users Are Leading the Pack 

78% of ABC Ignite Engagement users are using iPhones or other Apple devices, showing the dominance of Apple products used by members.  

This insight has been a game-changer in optimizing the in-app experience. By prioritizing Apple integrations—like Apple Health and Apple Watch pairing—we’ve helped businesses meet their members exactly where they are: on devices they use every day. 

The takeaway? When your app meets your members where they are, engagement becomes effortless.  

In your own fitness business, ensure you are offering services such as Apple Pay and taking into account touchpoint devices such as Apple Watches to improve member experience and boost your communication opportunities.  

2. Simplify Workflows For Members: Ease is Key 

On average, members spend just over a minute at a time in the Engagement app. That may sound fast—but that’s the point. In a world where attention spans are shrinking, your app needs to get users from open to action in seconds. That’s not just good UX—it’s the difference between a retained member and a lost one. 

The Ignite Engagement app turns fleeting moments into high-impact conversions, increasing satisfaction without slowing anyone down. The smooth storefront experience provides better visibility for services and experiences making it easier than ever to complete a successful transaction.  

Whether it’s a last-minute tanning session or a new membership purchase, the ABC Ignite Engagement app turns every interaction into an opportunity to build loyalty. 

Want to learn more about the Engagement app?  

3. Prospects Want to Try Before They Buy 

Your future members are doing their research—and they want to engage digitally before making a commitment. 

With Ignite Engagement, prospects can start a trial directly within the app, members can refer a friend, and those ready to convert can buy a membership in seconds. The app can then become a growth flywheel for your business, helping you acquire members and making your services stickier as members invite their friends.  

One of the most requested features in our reviews for club apps is the ability for prospects to join directly in-app. These features have driven significant lead-to-trial conversion rates, proving that when the pressure’s off, people are more likely to say yes. 

This frictionless experience builds trust, boosts conversion, and removes the guesswork for both you and your leads. Additionally, with our automated messaging workflows, you can create customized communications for leads and members at every stage of their journey. This allows for a higher touch, community-focused experience that gives each recipient a more personalized fitness experience.  

Want to learn more about how Ignite Engagement can help grow your business?  

4. Self-Service = Happy Members

People love booking classes to keep on top of their fitness, and they love self-serve booking even more.

In the last 12 months alone, ABC Ignite Engagement facilitated: 

• 57.5 million Club Check-ins 
• 2.5 million class bookings
• 258,000 appointments booked  
• 428,000 payments—98% made via barcode/QR prompts 

Club check-ins via barcode were by far our most used feature, saving business owners time and letting members serve themselves when it comes to booking classes or gym sessions. Additionally, we saw that 98% of in-app payments made were through barcode or QR prompts, showing again that mobile-forward payment systems work best for members.

As you can see from the graphic above, the top types of classes booked were:

• HIIT
• Zumba
• Body Pump
• Spinning
• Yoga

If you want to add more fitness class options for your members, it’s clear to see that any of these workout types would be a great addition to your class schedule.

Additionally, the top appointment types booked included: 

• Swim lane reservation 
• Hydromassage
• Tanning 
• Sauna
• Personal training 

What do all these stats tell us?

People love autonomy. 

Whether they’re booking a recovery session, reserving a pool lane, or checking into a class, members want the freedom to do it all in-app, on their schedule. And with group workouts making up 81% of Gen Z’s gym preferences, it’s never been more important to offer flexible, engaging, self-service options. 

Whether they’re booking a recovery session, reserving a pool lane, or checking into a class, members want the freedom to do it all in-app, on their schedule. And with group workouts making up 81% of Gen Z’s gym preferences, it’s never been more important to offer flexible, engaging, self-service options. 

5. Quick Cancellations Are Critical for Compliance 

Cancellation requirements are top of mind for anyone in the fitness business industry right now, thanks to the FTC Click-to-Cancel regulations which come into effect on May 14th.  

With ABC Ignite, you can experience features that allow you to stay compliant with this new legislation. With In-App Cancel Membership Capabilities and Auto-Renew Pre-Purchase Prompts, members feel empowered and informed rather than trapped.  

Additionally, with 60% of our member’s past due payments coming through mobile payments, you can ensure you can efficiently collect owed payments and process cancellations all within the Ignite platform. It’s a win-win: your business stays compliant, and your members get a seamless experience. 

Learn More: How ABC Ignite Helps You Stay Click-to-Cancel Compliant  

Bonus Learning: Habit, Meals and Workout Tracking Extends Engagement Beyond the Club 

With over 726,000 habits, 2 million workouts, and almost 16 million meals tracked or completed in the last 12 months, ABC Ignite Engagement’s Habits, Nutrition, and Workout Tracking allow users to engage members outside of the gym with a positive and wellness-focused approach.  

By offering goal tracking, wellness coaching, and even nutrition support, you can stay connected with your members wherever they are—helping them build healthier routines and deepening their commitment to your community. 

This isn’t just about gym visits anymore. It’s about building a lifestyle your members love—and sticking with them every step of the way. 

All set to provide a more high-touch, engaging experience to your fitness business members? 

Ready to Level Up Your Member Engagement? 

The lessons we’ve learned from five million members have helped shape ABC Ignite Engagement into what it is today: an engagement powerhouse that gives fitness businesses the tools to thrive. 

If you’re not using ABC Ignite Engagement just yet, you can learn more about all the features and benefits below.