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Money matters. While it might not be the central focus in the fitness industry, it is the core function of any business. It has to be right for both members and operators to be satisfied. Get it wrong, and members leave.

That has become increasingly challenging as payment types and methods have rapidly evolved. At the same time, bad actors and other factors impacting trust have multiplied as well. That’s why it’s critical that fitness operators choose trusted payment partners. Athletech News covered the topic of gym billing in detail in their report, 2025 State of the Industry Outlook. You can read the latest in an excerpt from the publication below, or download the complete report here.

THE FUTURE OF GYM BILLING: TRENDS DRIVING SMARTER, SEAMLESS PAYMENTS

A seamless, error-free payment system isn’t just about transactions — it’s a direct driver of retention, revenue, and member satisfaction

By Athletech Studios

Billing may not be the most exciting aspect of running a fitness business but make no mistake – it’s one of the most critical. A flexible and error-free payment system isn’t just a backend necessity, it’s a direct driver of member satisfaction, retention, and revenue. Yet, despite the rapid advancements in AI, automation, and personalization, billing remains one of the most overlooked and outdated aspects of gym operations. And the consequences are costly.

Mehdi Benjelloun, President of Exerp, puts it bluntly: “One of the biggest sources of churn is incorrect billing. It’s surprising that billing errors persist in the industry, but ensuring accuracy is critical to maintaining member confidence and loyalty.”

If anyone understands this, it’s Exerp. For over two decades, this global leader in club management software solutions has been transforming the fitness industry’s approach to member management.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Denmark, Exerp specializes in scalable, cloud-based systems that optimize business processes, enhance the member experience, and integrate flawlessly with third-party applications. With a strong footprint in Europe, North America, and Australia, the company serves some of the world’s largest gym operators, helping them eliminate inefficiencies and future-proof their business.

In short, while others are still playing catch-up, Exerp has been ahead of the curve – proving that when it comes to member retention, getting billing right isn’t just an operational detail – it’s a non-negotiable.

The Biggest Challenges in Gym Billing

Benjelloun has seen payment challenges evolve for years alongside technological advancements, business growth, and changing member behaviors, and he sees four major challenges that operators still grapple with.

First up are payment failures and declines. “Expired cards, insufficient funds, or failed direct debits disrupt cash flow and lead to membership cancellations,” he says. “Without a system in place to manage these failures efficiently, gyms risk not only losing revenue but also frustrating their members.”

Another critical pain point is the lack of payment flexibility. Consumers today expect simple transactions, whether through digital wallets, alternative billing cycles or personalized payment structures. “Operators who fail to offer multiple payment options are putting themselves at a disadvantage,” Benjelloun explains. “Members want convenience, and if they don’t get it, they may look elsewhere.”

As with every touchpoint, member experience plays a significant role. Benjelloun says poorly designed payment systems that require excessive manual intervention or lack transparency can create unnecessary friction, leading to increased churn.

Finally, regulatory and compliance barriers add another layer of complexity. “Varying financial regulations across regions mean that fitness operators must stay on top of evolving rules while ensuring their payment systems remain efficient and compliant,” he explains.

Contact Exerp to Learn More