Embrace the future of fitness with gym digital signage
You’d be hard-pressed to find a gym or health club without a screen these days, but most gyms and health clubs just don’t use digital signage to its full potential.
We are a digital signage consultancy that doesn’t just put screens on walls, we work with gyms and health clubs to create unique spaces that are equally appealing to first time visitors, regulars and veterans.
We help them to foster a sense of community and enhance their members’ experiences in a way that supports member recruitment and retention. We do this using standard hardware, clever content, and, if appropriate, designing and building software applications or one-off technology solutions.
Gym member recruitment and retention
Research suggests it costs five times more to recruit new gym members than to retain existing ones.
It has also suggested that the reason most regular gym goers keep their memberships is because they like the sense of community they provide.
Our own research with 2000 UK adults found that 28% of people think gyms are boring places.
Most gyms show sport, news, music videos, and images of fitness models on their screens. What they don’t use them to create a sense of fun or foster a community that people want to belong to (and are willing to pay for).
Our standard gym digital signage solutions
- Screens (wall or ceiling mounted) in addition to providing entertainment/visual stimulation in studios, these could provide a flexible way to communicate multiple types of messages (e.g. promote less popular classes, highlight referral schemes, promote on-site merchandise, highlight H&S messages, and encourage members to join in with event/initiatives).
- Indoor LED walls to upgrade the look/feel of a workout area by creating a ‘wow-factor’ focal point, or to upgrade the fitness class experience by creating bespoke or changing backdrops for each class to keep them feeling fresh (it can also make smaller studios feel larger).
- Touch screen to collect feedback on classes or give members information like opening times, class schedules and availability.
- Window displays to make the most of any window space you have available and promote your gym, any forthcoming events and promotions to passing pedestrians/traffic in an attention-grabbing way.
Content creation
Whilst the types of equipment and classes that gyms and health clubs offer can be fairly standard, this doesn’t mean the gym itself always needs to look and feel the same. Good, well planned, digital signage content can completely change the ambiance within a gym, and because it is dynamic, you can change the ambiance to suit the changing types of members throughout the time of day.
Saturn has its own in-house creative team that works with clients to create digital signage content that makes places feel unique and fun, and conveys a brand’s personality simply through the use of clever content.
They can also create marketing content to make referral schemes stand out, and informational content to help members make better use of the equipment settings or to suggest different types of stretches, or to foster a greater sense of community.
Unique gym displays
We have an in-house team of software developers that specialise in digital signage, creating cost-effective bespoke applications to solve problems or make positive changes.
For example, we can use pre-existing data (e.g. member entry/exit) to create useful information that members would find useful (e.g. quietest/busiest times). We can create social media apps that show off your feed and the more social elements of gym membership on your digital displays.
We can also create touchscreen user interfaces to help you gather feedback or engage members, for example feedback on a specific class. This could be used to generate testimonials that can be used to promote it in the future, or help to make the class more appealing to members, or get feedback on potential changes e.g. changing less popular classes. This can help to ensure that members feel they’re getting value for money and highlight areas for concern which may result in lapsed memberships.
Saturn exclusive digital signage solutions for gyms
Saturn has developed a tool called SaturnSelect that enables gyms to pre-programme a suite of content and then let class instructors or gym manager pick what they want to show at the touch of a button. For example if the gym’s weight room is being used predominantly by middle-aged women, or older men or students, the manager can swap the content on screens to something they are more likely to respond positively to. When the content has finished playing, it can switch to the standard content in passive mode.
Going to the same fitness classes at the same gym regularly – especially those that don’t vary in format much – can become monotonous. With the use of an LED wall or video wall, Saturn Select can allow class instructors to choose a jungle, forest, beach, or waterfall backdrop for a yoga class or mountain roads for a spinning class. This can make make the classes feel more immersive, enjoyable and unique to your gym.
Why work with Saturn for your gym digital signage?
Advice & ideas – We pride ourselves on adding value to every project we’re involved in. Whether that’s by thinking of ways to help you to get more value from your budget, or coming up with creative ideas to help you solve problems.
Prices – We tend to buy digital signage hardware in bulk so we get great deals from a range of suppliers, which you can take advantage of. We also like to reward our best clients so the more hardware and services you buy from us, the better deal we can give you.
Convenience – We’re a one-stop-shop so we can supply/install all the hardware you need, provide content management software, graphic design services and ongoing technical support, so you only have one supplier to deal with.
Frequently asked questions
What is gym digital signage?
Digital signage refers to a set of hardware components that work together.
The key components include the following and you can learn more about them here.
• Screens: These are the physical displays.
• Media Players: These are small computers and connect to the screens and control what gets shown.
• Mounts and Stands: These position your screens securely around the gym.
• Content Management Software (CMS): This is what you’ll use to control what appears on the screens. It lets you update, schedule, and manage the content remotely.
How can gym digital signage improve my members’ experience?
If the content you use is appropriate and changed regularly, gym digital signage can keep your members engaged, informed, and motivated. It can display workout routines, promote upcoming events or challenges, and even show real-time updates on class schedules. This means your members are always in the loop without needing to ask staff for details – plus, it’s a great way to inspire them and create a sense of community within your gym.
What kind of content can I show on my digital signage?
You can get really creative with gym digital signage! The most popular types of content include:
• Class timetables and updates
• Motivational videos and fitness tips
• Advise on using the equipment
• Member achievements and progress
• Social media feeds
• Promotions for personal training sessions or memberships
• General health and wellness advice (think nutrition tips or recovery strategies)
• Event promotion
• Highlighting imminent warm up/cool down classes
• Promotion of on-site merchandise or food/drink products
It’s all about making the screens useful and engaging for your members.
Is digital signage expensive?
The cost of gym digital signage can vary depending on what you need. A single screen and media player setup for your reception won’t break the bank, while a larger gym with multiple screens and interactive features will be more of an investment. However, once it’s installed, digital signage tends to have low ongoing costs, and the return on investment (from boosted membership retention/sales) usually makes it well worth the investment.
Where should I place digital signage in my gym?
It’s important to put your screens where they’ll be most visible and useful. Here are some common spots:
• Reception area: Welcome new members and share important updates with existing members
• Workout zones: Show form correction videos, exercise tutorials, or motivational content.
• Group fitness rooms: Display class times, countdowns, or stream live sessions of less standard classes.
• Locker rooms: Share gym news, recovery tips, or upcoming events while members are cooling down.
Strategic placement ensures your digital signage grabs attention when it’s most needed.
Can I update my digital signage remotely?
Yes, with most modern digital signage systems, you can update everything remotely through the CMS (Content Management Software). This means you don’t need to be physically at the gym to change the content – perfect if you manage multiple locations or just want to keep things flexible. You can schedule content updates, change videos, or promote new offers with just a few clicks from anywhere.
Can I show social media content on my gym’s digital signage?
Yes! A lot of gyms are using their digital signage to showcase social media feeds, like Instagram posts or Facebook updates. This can be a great way to build a sense of community – displaying tagged photos of members, highlighting fitness challenges, or promoting social media competitions. It also helps bring some real-time, dynamic content to your screens.
Is digital signage difficult to set up and maintain?
Unless you’re technically proficient, we wouldn’t advise trying to set it up yourself. It’s much better to work with experts who’ll help you buy the right hardware for the budget you have available, put it in the right places, and getting everything working properly for you. Some digital signage companies (like Saturn) offer technical support to help you get the most from your software and to sort out any technical issues that arise.
What are the benefits of using gym digital signage over traditional signage?
Digital signage is far more dynamic and versatile than traditional signage. Instead of printing out posters or notices (which become outdated and look scruffy quickly), digital screens can be updated instantly. You can display videos, rotate multiple messages, and personalise the content to different member demographics by time of day or using touchscreen displays.