Let’s face it, we are all guilty of furiously checking Yelp and Google Reviews on our phones before deciding on a restaurant, bar, gym, and other local services. Yelp and Google Reviews have fundamentally changed how we decide on an activity, making reading reviews and seeing interior photos of a location easily accessible.
However, if you have had a particularly good experience at a gym, you may be wondering how to write a good review for that gym on either Yelp or Google Reviews. Below, we are going to help you write that excellent review and guide you through the steps of posting a flattering review.
Why Reviews Matter
According to recent research, nearly 87% of consumers indicated that they read online reviews for local businesses, up from 81% in 2019. In addition, only 48% of consumers indicated that they would consider visiting a business which had a rating of less than 4-stars.
These numbers, while unsurprising, have fundamentally altered how we interact with local businesses and services. They also signify a growing shift in consumer trust, with consumers indicating that they trust online reviews nearly as much as they trust a personal friends recommendation.
It is no wonder, then, that so many local businesses and business owners pay such close attention to reviews posted. A negative review, particularly a recent one or one posted by a local influencer, can essentially make, or break, a business and can lead to a significant downturn in attendance.
Online reviews, though controversial, are a significant influencer of local opinion. That is why it is so important to leave honest, genuine, legitimate reviews, particularly after a good experience. Your review will likely be seen and read by hundreds and thousands of local consumers and can influence their purchasing decisions.
How to Post a Review on Yelp
Yelp is one of the most influential online review systems, with nearly 45% of customers indicating they had checked Yelp reviews before deciding on a local restaurant or service. And with nearly 178-million unique monthly visitors, Yelp is the 44th most visited site online.
If you are looking to post a good review for a gym, you should definitely do so on Yelp. To post a review on Yelp, simply follow the below steps:
- Go to Yelp.com on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer
- In the top-left corner, click on “Write a Review”
- You’ll be redirected to a login page
- Log into your account
- Find and select the business or gym you would like to leave a review for
- Enter your star rating from 1-5, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best experience
- Provide a written review backing-up your star rating, including any specifics to support your star rating
- Do note, Yelp does not have a minimum or maximum word or character count, so feel free to leave a detailed review
- If applicable, post supporting photos to your review
- Once completed, hit the “Post Review” button and your review will be live on Yelp
How to Post a Review on Google
Although Yelp had the first-mover advantage, Google. Reviews have overtaken Yelp’s, with 63.6% of consumers indicating that they are likely to check Google Reviews before any other online review service. Google has also made posting a review easy and seamless. However, your reviews on Google will be linked to your Google account and will be visible to both your friends and the public.
If you are looking to post a good review for a gym, you should definitely also do so on Google. To post a review on Google, simply follow the below steps:
- Log into your Google account on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer
- Search for the business you are interested in reviewing in the search bar
- Click into the business information that appears on the search results
- You’ll be provided with more information on the business, including their hours of operation, phone number, and website. However, directly beneath the company name there will be a review option. Click on that.
- You will be taken to all reviews for that business
- At the top-right, you will be given the opportunity to, “Write a review”
- Click on ”Write a review”
- Enter your star rating from 1-5, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best experience
- Provide a written review backing-up your star rating, including any specifics to support your star rating
- If applicable, post supporting photos to your review
- Once completed, hit the “Post” button and your review will be live on Google Reviews
What Makes a Review a Good Review?
If you are looking to learn how to write a good review for a gym, then it is also important to understand what a good review entails. Good reviews are reviews which are more likely to be taken seriously by other readers and reviews which are more likely to be seen as legitimate.
And with online review systems having been around for over a decade now, most consumers do not trust single word reviews. Simply writing, “excellent”, “great”, or “good” does not suffice as a good review.
Rather, a good review should be in-depth and well-written. It should provide specific information, including information on the location, the cleanliness of the interior, the customer service received, and the offerings the business provides.
In addition, a good review for a gym will discuss the amenities provided, will review the equipment used, and will pay close attention to the overall cleanliness of the gym.
Lastly, good reviews have photos. If you want your review to influence others, then good, well-lit, and multiple photos is an absolute must. However, be sure to not include other members in your photos. Some members may not be comfortable being photographed and may not want a photo of themselves posted online.
Specifics to Include in Your Gym Review
Posting a good review of a gym on an online review website is fundamentally different than posting a restaurant or local service. Potential gym members have certain information that they are concerned with and would like answered. Below we are going to review some specifics to include in your good review of a gym.
- Accessibility – gym members are, above-all-else, concerned with a gym’s accessibility. What are a gyms hours, are they open during bank holiday’s, are they open late and do they open early? You should include all this information in your review. You should also note how the gym can be accessed. Is it via a keycard or do you have to provide a barcode to a gym employee?
- Locker Rooms – you should also discuss the locker room offerings in your review. Are there ample lockers? Should members bring their own locks or are they provided or are they included within the locker?
- Cleanliness – particularly since the COVID pandemic, consumers want to ensure that the businesses they support, and visit are clean and take cleanliness seriously. You should include information about the steps the gym is taking to ensure a clean environment and space.
- Offerings – each gym is different, some gyms offer pool services, basketball courts, saunas, showers, and even spa services. Other gyms are a bit leaner in their offerings, simply providing cardiovascular equipment and free-weights. Whatever the case, be sure to review what a gym’s offerings are in your review so that other members may know what to expect beforehand.
- Personal Trainers – many potential members are also interested in personal training. You should note whether or not personal training is offered at the gym. If you booked a personal training session, you should also discuss your session.
- Price – similarly, gym prices can vary widely, from $10 a month to over $300. If you feel comfortable, you should indicate how much you pay for the gym and any other monthly dues that may be assessed, including whether or not the gym has a yearly member fee.
- Customer Service – similarly, you may also discuss in your review the customer service you received. This can include both the sign-up process as-well-as the customer service you receive when entering the location.
- Photos – lastly, but definitely not least, be sure to include photos in your review. Most people are visual and want to assess both the interior and the exterior of a location before visiting. Be sure to include a few well-lit, bright, professional-like photos in your review.
- However, as we mentioned earlier, be sure to not include other members in your photos. Similarly, never take any photos of other members in the locker room!
Examples of Good Gym Reviews
- I have been a member of [gym name] for [time period] and absolutely love my experience thus far. This gym has it all! From the copious amounts of cardio equipment, including Bowflex treadmills, stair master machines, and ellipticals, to free weights ranging in weight from 2.5-pounds to over 150-pounds. The gym is easily accessed and is open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, with members needing to access via a barcode on their phone.
The gym is very clean and staff members take cleanliness seriously. There is hand sanitizer locations available throughout the gym area for personal use and members are encouraged to wipe down their stations after use.
In addition, there are two vending machines offering energy drinks, bottled water, protein drinks, and sports drinks. Members can also stop at the café and order health-conscious food and drinks.
- After nearly a decade of absence from the gym, I made the plunge to get back into shape and joined [gym name] and am so glad I did. This gym has it all and is at a great price point. I pay just $30 per month for full access.
The gym is located in [gym location] and has ample parking. Since it has been a while since I have been to the gym, I opted for a personal training session. My personal trainer was [personal trainer’s name] and he was amazing. He walked me through the motions and provided me with a personalized workout routine. Will definitely continue utilizing his services.
- This is a relatively newer gym, and I was hesitant about joining. However, the gym offered new members a 7-day free trial to try them out and I am glad I did. The equipment is new and well-maintained. The staff is friendly and courteous and other members take cleanliness seriously.
This gym is a bit more expensive than others, but they provide all the bells-and-whistles. From two massive pools, one indoors and one outdoors, to three basketball courts, to a sauna, steam-room, and dedicated yoga studio.
Will definitely maintain my membership here and encourage others to also join!
- This is an amazing gym, and I am so happy I joined! All the staff members are extremely courteous and offer tips and advice for free. I have been going to this gym for just over 6-months and can already feel a massive improvement in my energy levels.
- My first experience with [personal trainer’s name] has been nothing short of amazing. She walked me through the motions and made me feel comfortable and supported. I was nervous about joining the gym and getting a personal trainer, but the level of support I received has been nothing but outstanding and I cannot wait for our next session.
- Words cannot describe how clean this gym is. The staff routinely cleans the entire gym, and you can smell the cleanliness immediately upon entering. They clearly have their processes down pat and I am thankful that they take cleanliness so seriously.
- If you’re looking for a world-class, top-notch gym, then look no further. [Gym name] is your one-stop-shop and offers all the latest luxuries and offerings in a clean, modern, open concept. From the latest treadmills to a wide range of weight machines, to indoor and outdoor pools.
The locker rooms are immaculate and offer ample space to house your belongings while you work out. The gym offers free WIFI, which is super-fast and connects quickly. The free-weights range in weight and there are many options to choose from.
I have gone to this gym during both busy and non-busy hours and have never had a problem using the equipment or in needing to wait too long. Other members are nice and courteous, and it really feels like a family!