Bolt Fitness Drives Growth with Mindbody

Founded in 2022 by Steph Rountree, Bolt Fitness is a premier athletic training facility in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. Specializing in HIIT, strength and conditioning, personal training, and sports performance, Bolt empowers people of all backgrounds to build strength, confidence, and overall well-being. 

Rountree had always dreamed of opening her own gym, and with a decade of experience as an athlete, coach, director, and event creator, she turned that vision into reality at the height of the pandemic. To inspire new clients and members, she coined the tagline “Find Your Power,” a mantra that encourages individuals to develop their strength, performance, and self-assurance, carrying that power into their lives beyond Bolt’s doors. 

Choosing Mindbody was a no-brainer

With years of experience working at gyms that used Mindbody, Rountree was already familiar with the platform before launching her own business. She appreciated its versatility and wide range of features, such as scheduling, account management, reporting, and marketing. So, when it came time to choose software for Bolt Fitness, the decision was easy: Mindbody was the clear choice.  

Wanting to take full advantage of everything the platform offered, Rountree opted for the highest-tier plan, ensuring she had access to every feature that could benefit her gym.

Maintaining seamless operations with Mindbody

At Bolt Fitness, every team member completes the Mindbody onboarding certification as part of their training, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow from day one. This certification equips the team with the knowledge to navigate the platform seamlessly, making it easy to manage schedules, client interactions, and daily operations with confidence. 

Beyond onboarding, Mindbody has been an invaluable resource for tackling any challenge that arises. Rountree and her team can use: 

• AI Assistant for step-by-step directions and instant answers about the software
• Comprehensive articles and webinars for self-guided learning
• Dedicated support team for expert assistance 

Answers to nearly any question about running a fitness business or navigating the software are always just a click away. By streamlining administrative tasks, Mindbody has lifted a significant burden off Rountree and her staff, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: their clients. 

Driving revenue and engagement

Mindbody has been instrumental in driving revenue and expanding Bolt Fitness’s reach. One of its most impactful features is its suite of marketing tools, which allows the team to seamlessly create, send, and analyze newsletters, so they can stay connected with members. Automated emails and texts have also been game changers, keeping members engaged and nurturing leads while reducing manual tasks for the staff.   

Promoted intro offers make it easy to attract new clients on the Mindbody app by delivering the right offers to the right clients. The results speak for themselves. Bolt Fitness has achieved a 60% conversion rate on these promoted introductory offers to date. 

In 2024, 14 new clients discovered Bolt Fitness through the Mindbody app, further enhancing the gym’s reach and engagement. With $14,413 in annual sales, including an average of $1,201 in monthly sales through the app alone, Mindbody’s platform continues to be a powerful asset in Bolt Fitness’s overall revenue growth. 

The client profiles feature is also essential for Bolt Fitness. Rountree recognizes that understanding every client and member who walks through the door is critical to her success. The Mindbody class roster offers valuable insights into each client, telling her team whether they are new, when their trial period ends, and when they have upcoming birthdays. Bolt uses this information to personalize their interactions with clients, proactively promote memberships, and quickly address any registration issues. Ultimately, the class roster is a key driver of member engagement and retention. 

The key features Bolt Fitness uses are:

• Marketing tools to design and distribute newsletters
• Automated emails and texts to nurture leads and keep clients informed
• Branded widgets and promoted intro offers to attract new clients via the Mindbody app
• Class profiles to easily access client details 

By leveraging Mindbody’s powerful platform, Bolt Fitness has streamlined operations, attracted new clients, and fostered a thriving community. The results speak for themselves: 

• 2,221 monthly bookings, a 21% year-over-year increase
• 23.8% yearly GMV (gross merchandise value) growth
• $14,735 in ARR (annual recurring revenue) from subscriptions and payments 

With these impressive gains, Bolt Fitness continues to grow and thrive with ease. 

Expanding reach and future growth with Mindbody

Mindbody has been transformative for Bolt Fitness, increasing visibility and connecting them with a broader audience of individuals looking for the right place to start or enhance their fitness journey. The platform's helped put Bolt Fitness on the map, and the positive response from clients has reinforced their impact. 

When it comes to choosing a gym management platform, Rountree believes some businesses may opt for the easiest or cheapest option. However, she thinks choosing the right software means understanding the specific needs of the business.  "Mindbody's 25 years in the industry is a testament to their commitment and perseverance. Achieving longevity in this field is challenging, yet they’ve navigated the constantly changing trends, technology, and innovations."  

Mindbody empowers Rountree and the Bolt Fitness team to operate efficiently and seamlessly manage daily operations. With their deep expertise in the platform and ongoing support from Mindbody’s success team, they’re able to maximize their impact. 

Looking ahead, Bolt Fitness remains dedicated to delivering top-tier training and exceptional service. Whether through expansion, new locations, or online growth, they’re committed to reaching new milestones with Mindbody by their side.