What does Zen Planner do?

Zen Planner is a gym management software designed to help fitness businesses streamline their operations and improve member engagement.

Zen Planner offers tools for scheduling, billing, membership management, and reporting, making it easier for gym owners to manage their day-to-day tasks.

With Zen Planner, fitness businesses can handle member sign-ups, automate payment processing, and track attendance, all from one platform. However, gym owners often find that while Zen Planner provides essential features, it may lack the flexibility and advanced functionality needed to grow a fitness business long-term. Platforms like Exercise.com offer a more comprehensive solution tailored to the unique needs of gyms and fitness studios.

Here’s a comparison table highlighting the key differences between Zen Planner and Exercise.com for fitness businesses:

Zen Planner: Best for smaller fitness businesses with basic needs. Limited customization and functionality may require additional tools for advanced operations.

Exercise.com: Ideal for fitness businesses seeking an all-in-one, customizable platform with advanced tools for class scheduling, workout programming, billing, and member engagement.

If you’re exploring gym software options, Exercise.com is the clear choice for gyms and fitness professionals looking to streamline operations and grow their business effectively.

Exercise.com is simply the best. We were using three or four different apps or softwares to do what we can now do all in one with the Exercise.com platform.

Brandon Stroupe

Founder and President, APEC Sports Performance

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Step #1 – Manage Class Scheduling and Member Sign-Ups

One of Zen Planner’s core functions is its class scheduling feature, which helps fitness businesses manage group classes, personal training sessions, and events.

• Allows members to sign up for classes online or via a mobile app.
• Provides staff with real-time class schedules and member rosters.
• Automates waitlists and class capacity limits to streamline bookings.
• Offers calendar integration for easy access across devices.

While Zen Planner simplifies scheduling, Exercise.com’s gym management software goes a step further by integrating class scheduling with workout delivery, performance tracking, and member communication, making it an all-in-one solution.

Step #2 – Automate Zen Planner Billing and Payment Processing

Zen Planner includes tools for automating billing and managing payments, reducing the need for manual invoicing and follow-ups.

• Processes recurring membership payments automatically.
• Sends payment reminders and overdue notices to members.
• Tracks financial data and generates reports on revenue and outstanding balances.
• Supports multiple payment methods, including credit cards and ACH transfers.

Although Zen Planner offers essential billing features, Exercise.com’s platform provides additional flexibility, such as custom pricing options, advanced reporting, and integration with various payment processors. If you’re comparing platforms, check out how Zen Planner handles billing.

Step #3 – Track Attendance and Member Progress

Attendance tracking and progress monitoring are essential for retaining members and improving their experience, and Zen Planner offers features to support this.

• Tracks member attendance to classes, sessions, or open gym hours.
• Provides analytics on attendance trends to identify high-traffic times or underutilized classes.
• Allows trainers to record and view member progress, including performance metrics.
• Sends automated follow-up messages to members who haven’t attended recently.

For gym owners who need a platform that combines attendance tracking with workout programming and performance metrics, Exercise.com offers a superior option. Its ability to integrate tracking with custom workout plans and member progress reports ensures a holistic approach to member engagement.

Step #4 – Generate Reports and Analytics for Better Decision-Making

Zen Planner includes reporting tools that allow gym owners to monitor key business metrics and make data-driven decisions.

• Generates reports on membership growth, revenue, and attendance.
• Tracks retention rates to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Offers insights into class popularity and staff productivity.
• Provides dashboards for quick overviews of business performance.

While Zen Planner’s reporting features are helpful, Exercise.com’s reporting tools are more advanced, offering deeper insights into metrics specific to fitness businesses. This makes it easier to identify areas for growth and optimize operations. If you’re evaluating costs, consider exploring Zen Planner pricing.

Step #5 – Utilize Zen Planner Marketing and Member Engagement Tools

Zen Planner includes basic marketing features to help fitness businesses attract new members and retain existing ones.

• Sends automated email campaigns for promotions, events, or updates.
• Integrates with social media platforms for easy marketing outreach.
• Provides lead tracking to manage prospective members.
• Offers a branded mobile app to enhance member engagement.

While these features are helpful, many gym owners find Zen Planner’s marketing tools too basic for their needs. Exercise.com offers integrated marketing automation tools designed specifically for fitness businesses, allowing for highly targeted campaigns that drive member retention and growth. If you’re considering a switch, learn how to cancel Zen Planner.

Zen Planner offers a range of features for fitness businesses, but it may not be the best fit for all gym owners. Exercise.com stands out as the superior choice for gyms seeking an all-in-one platform tailored to their needs, combining class scheduling, payment processing, workout programming, and member engagement. If you’re looking to elevate your gym’s operations, Exercise.com is the ultimate solution.

Our overall experience with Exercise.com is a breeze. We love how easy it is to integrate this app with our current workflow while providing great fitness programs for our customers and save us time in the process.

Julie Ledbetter

Owner, Ledbetter Fitness

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Is Zen Planner a CRM?

Yes, Zen Planner includes CRM (Customer Relationship Management) features that allow fitness businesses to manage member relationships, track attendance, and send automated communications, making it an effective tool for improving client engagement and retention.

Read More: Is Zen Planner a CRM?

How much does Zen Planner cost per month?

Zen Planner pricing starts at $117 per month for smaller businesses, with costs increasing based on the number of members and additional features required. Custom pricing is available for larger facilities or those with specific needs.

When was Zen Planner founded?

Zen Planner was founded in 2006, focusing on providing gym management software tailored to fitness studios, martial arts schools, and small gyms.

Is Zen Planner down?

Zen Planner may experience occasional downtime, like any software platform. If you suspect an issue, check their status page or contact customer support for updates on service interruptions.

What is Zen Planner used for?

Zen Planner is used for managing gym and studio operations, including scheduling, membership management, payment processing, and performance tracking. It is popular among martial arts schools, yoga studios, and CrossFit gyms.

How do I cancel my Zen Planner subscription?

To cancel your Zen Planner subscription, contact their customer support team directly. Be sure to review the terms of your contract for cancellation policies, including any notice periods or fees that may apply.

Who is the CEO of Zen Planner?

As of the latest available information, Zen Planner operates under Daxko, with its leadership team integrated into Daxko’s broader organizational structure.

What is the revenue of Zen Planner?

Zen Planner’s revenue is estimated at over $10 million annually, driven by its robust customer base across gyms, studios, and fitness facilities.

What is the best Zen Planner alternative for fitness?

The best Zen Planner alternative for fitness is Exercise.com, offering a fully customizable platform that integrates scheduling, payment processing, branded apps, and advanced CRM tools. Exercise.com provides an all-in-one solution tailored to the needs of fitness businesses, ensuring streamlined operations and member engagement.

If you want to offer an elite service for the end user you need to get with the times and use elite level software that is intuitive, visually appealing, and effective. That is exactly what Exercise.com delivers to its clients.

Jimmy Myers

Owner/Trainer, Relentless Sports Performance

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