With Mariana Tek’s instruments and a people-first mindset, health manufacturers are creating significant connections that drive progress
In 2021, Revolution Buffalo launched its Parkinson’s Revolution — an annual journey devoted to honoring these dwelling with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and supporting analysis. What began as a heartfelt tribute by one of many studio’s co-owners, whose father was recognized with Parkinson’s, shortly grew right into a powerhouse of collective motion, elevating $17,000 in its first yr and practically $50,000 in 2024.
From day one, we’ve operated with a mission of inclusivity and group – that every one who enter Revolution will really feel welcome and secure on their health journey. – Revolution Buffalo Co-owners Colleen Kirk, Amanda Meyers & Rachel McCrone
This sort of mission-driven engagement isn’t simply inspiring — it’s important. Essentially the most profitable health companies acknowledge that group is on the coronary heart of retention, engagement and long-term success. Immediately’s health manufacturers should transcend simply offering exercises. They have to supply belonging.
Not like conventional health club environments, boutique studios have pioneered the idea of group by specializing in experiences and connections. Trailblazers like Jazzercise and Barry’s remodeled health areas into way of life manufacturers that members proudly linked with.
Neighborhood is what retains folks coming again. As members attend lessons commonly, they type friendships, develop accountability and turn out to be raving followers. The shared mission-driven nature of boutique studios reinforces this connection, drawing members into an setting the place values, aspirations and help programs align.
Health companies can not depend on transactional relationships with their members; they need to create areas for real connection each throughout and after exercises. Boutique health software program Mariana Tek is aware of that “group” might be exhausting to measure, however its impression is simple.
“Whereas retention and different metrics present perception, we’re at all times pondering larger — how can we deliver clients nearer to the model, create actual connections, and form lasting relationships?” says Shannon Tracey, VP of Sales and Marketing at Mariana Tek.
“Genuine connections drive loyalty. That’s why our software program is designed to not solely have interaction customers but in addition affect conduct in significant methods. Public recognition fosters an inclusive, supportive tradition that encourages members to remain engaged and invested of their health journeys. With options like milestones, leaderboards and gamification, we assist studios and instructors foster deeper relationships whereas giving them the instruments to study extra about their shoppers.”
What’s the outcome? A stronger group, extra engaged members and a model expertise that stands out.
credit score: SkyCycle
SkyCycle, a rooftop biking studio based by Olivia Morgan in Charlotte, North Carolina, exemplifies the facility of purpose-driven group constructing that ties into profitable health journeys. With a deal with delivering distinctive and immersive experiences, Morgan has created a studio that goes past exercises — providing connection, motivation and a way of household.
“Individuals really feel the care and dedication behind the enterprise, and that’s what creates a powerful, genuine group,” Morgan explains.
SkyCycle makes use of Mariana Tek’s user-friendly platform to streamline operations and improve the member expertise. Options like customized class bookings and teacher notes be certain that every session is tailor-made to members’ wants. And entrance desk workers can immediately acknowledge milestones equivalent to first-time visits, serving to members really feel seen and appreciated.
“It’s a really user-friendly platform,” says Morgan. “It makes my life straightforward and all my clients’ lives straightforward. On the identical time, there are distinctive options which might be essential for biking – like reserving a spot. Prospects are very specific about what bike they need, and it’s essential we’re capable of accommodate that.”
Trying forward, Morgan’s subsequent enterprise, Jungle, will proceed this community-driven strategy by mixing health with wellness, vitality and self-expression. “Jungle will likely be an area the place folks can actually expertise life—not only a exercise,” she says. “I wish to have massive occasions to deliver members of each studios collectively, and provides members distinctive perks at each studios.”
M3, a boutique yoga and health studio with places in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia, has efficiently leveraged Mariana Tek’s gamification suite to spice up engagement and retention. Traditionally, M3’s summer season months had been gradual, however their transition from paper-based challenges to a totally digital gamification system remodeled their enterprise.
“We used to trace every little thing on lots of of bodily playing cards taped to the studio wall,” says M3 Co-Proprietor Matt Chambers. “It was time-consuming and restricted visibility. Now, each scholar’s exercise is mechanically recorded, and progress is straightforward to observe.”
Through the use of Mariana Tek’s leaderboard function, M3 increased participation throughout class choices, resulting in a 31% year-over-year enhance in visits throughout the summer season of 2024.
“College students liked with the ability to observe progress from wherever,” Chambers explains. “It motivated them and created pleasant competitors. Individuals loved seeing their buddies’ progress within the app, which strengthened our studio’s sense of group.”
One main enterprise good thing about digital gamification was the notice it dropped at the number of lessons M3 gives.
“Our studio focuses on selection – we now have completely different class kinds which might be heated or unheated throughout two completely different follow areas,” Chambers says.
Moreover, the challenges enabled M3 to encourage college students to strive new lessons. ”When challenges encourage college students to cross-pollinate throughout lessons, it’s very impactful to our enterprise.”
credit score: Revolution Buffalo
Based on the precept of “sweating it ahead,” Revolution Buffalo integrates health with social impression. Past their Parkinson’s Revolution journey, Revolution Buffalo embraces inclusivity via their annual Delight Drag Race, a vibrant celebration held along side Buffalo’s Delight Week. From their parade float to Revolution Drag Rides and a Delight-themed attire capsule, participation in these occasions raises funds for LGBTQ+ organizations in Western New York.
The staff at Revolution Buffalo shares, “Rev is the place the place folks come as they’re to be amongst a household of individuals with their very own experiences, lives and losses. It’s an area the place everybody simply will get one another.”
Mariana Tek equips studios with cutting-edge instruments to implement gamified engagement and community-building methods. With its gamification suite, studios can create and observe challenges that encourage members whereas simplifying operational processes.
M3, SkyCycle and Revolution Buffalo’s success spotlight the facility of digital transformation in health engagement, resulting in elevated income, stronger retention and higher member satisfaction.
The important thing to profitable community-building and placemaking lies in delivering constant, customized experiences. Studios ought to leverage data-driven insights to acknowledge milestones, create partaking interactions and encourage real connections. By integrating Mariana Tek’s instruments with considerate, people-centered methods, studios can domesticate thriving communities that encourage loyalty.
As Revolution Buffalo places it, “There’s no cause these feel-good vibes ought to keep inside the partitions of the studio. When studios spend money on their communities, everybody wins.”
This text initially appeared in ATN’s Member Success Blueprint Report 2025, which highlights important steps manufacturers will need to take to make sure success within the present calendar yr and past. Download the free report.
