Is Zen Planner a CRM?

Posted by Tyler Spraul, Certified Strength and Conditioning SpecialistĀ® (CSCSĀ®) on January 12, 2025 ā€” Updated on January 13, 2025

Yes, Zen Planner functions as a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform, but it is specifically designed for gyms, fitness studios, martial arts schools, and other fitness businesses.

Is Zen Planner a CRM?

As a fitness CRM, Zen Planner helps manage member relationships by organizing member data, tracking interactions, and automating administrative tasks such as billing and attendance. However, its features extend beyond a traditional CRM to include tools tailored to fitness business operations, like class scheduling and member progress tracking.

Zen Planner

While Zen Planner does provide CRM-like functionality, fitness professionals looking for a comprehensive and highly customizable solution may find Exercise.com to be a superior choice for managing and growing their fitness business.

#1 Ranked Fitness Business Software: Exercise.com

Hereā€™s a detailed table comparing Zen Planner and Exercise.com for fitness businesses, focusing on key features and considerations:

Feature/FactorZen PlannerExercise.com
PurposeGym management software with CRM capabilities tailored for fitness businesses.All-in-one platform that integrates CRM functionality with advanced tools for managing and growing fitness businesses.
Ease of SetupRequires setup and some learning curve for new users.Intuitive setup with dedicated onboarding and implementation tailored to your gymā€™s needs.
Class SchedulingOffers basic class scheduling tools but with limited customization.Comprehensive scheduling features, including classes, personal training, events, and automated reminders.
Workout ProgrammingDoes not include workout programming or delivery tools.Includes built-in workout creation, tracking, and delivery for personal trainers and clients.
Billing and PaymentsAutomates billing and supports various payment methods but offers limited pricing customization.Advanced billing options, including custom membership plans, pay-per-session models, and more.
CRM CapabilitiesBasic CRM tools for managing member data, attendance, and communications.Advanced CRM features integrated with fitness-specific tools, such as member progress tracking and automated engagement.
Member ManagementTracks member profiles, attendance, and payments.Tracks detailed member data, including performance metrics, attendance, and engagement insights.
Marketing ToolsBasic email marketing and lead management capabilities.Robust marketing automation, including email, SMS, and in-app messaging tailored for fitness businesses.
Reporting and AnalyticsProvides standard reports on attendance, membership, and revenue.Offers advanced reporting dashboards specific to fitness KPIs like retention, revenue growth, and class popularity.
Mobile AppIncludes a branded app for scheduling and payments.Fully customizable mobile app with class bookings, workout tracking, and member engagement features.
CustomizationLimited customization options for workflows and member experiences.Highly customizable to fit your gymā€™s branding, operations, and specific business needs.
Integration OptionsWorks with select third-party tools, but integration options are limited.Seamlessly integrates with various fitness and business tools, offering more flexibility.
Customer SupportOffers standard support, but fitness-specific expertise may be limited.Dedicated support team with extensive experience in fitness business management.
CostAffordable for smaller gyms but may require additional tools to meet advanced needs.Competitive pricing with all-in-one functionality, eliminating the need for additional platforms.
Industry FocusPrimarily designed for smaller gyms, martial arts studios, and yoga studios.Exclusively focused on fitness businesses of all sizes, including gyms, fitness studios, and personal trainers.

Zen Planner: Offers basic CRM and gym management features, making it a solid option for smaller fitness businesses. However, it may lack the advanced tools and flexibility needed for larger or rapidly growing gyms.

Exercise.com: Provides a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for fitness businesses, combining advanced CRM functionality with features like workout programming, customizable apps, and robust reporting.

For fitness professionals seeking an upgrade, Exercise.com is the superior choice, offering unmatched functionality and customization to meet the demands of modern fitness businesses.

APEC
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

Get a demo now!

Step #1 – Understand Zen Plannerā€™s CRM Capabilities

Zen Plannerā€™s CRM tools are centered around managing member relationships and tracking key data for gym operations. These features help gym owners streamline member interactions and improve retention.

  • Stores member profiles with contact information, payment details, and attendance history.
  • Tracks interactions such as class bookings, payments, and check-ins.
  • Sends automated communications like reminders, follow-ups, and promotions.
  • Provides basic lead management tools to track prospective members.

For those new to Zen Planner, you can learn more about how to use Zen Planner to maximize its CRM capabilities. However, if your business needs more advanced features, alternatives like Exercise.com may be a better fit.

Step #2 – Explore Zen Plannerā€™s Limitations as a CRM

Although Zen Planner functions as a CRM, its tools are fitness-specific and may not cover broader customer relationship management needs.

  • Limited advanced marketing automation compared to traditional CRMs.
  • Less customization for tracking non-fitness-specific member activities.
  • Basic reporting tools that may not provide detailed insights for strategic decisions.
  • Integration options for advanced CRM features may require third-party tools.

For gym owners considering a switch, itā€™s also worth reviewing Zen Planner pricing to determine whether its cost aligns with your businessā€™s needs and budget.

Step #3 – Compare Zen Plannerā€™s CRM Tools to Exercise.com

Exercise.com offers CRM functionality integrated with fitness-specific tools, providing gym owners with a more robust solution for managing member relationships and business operations.

  • Tracks member data, performance progress, and attendance seamlessly.
  • Includes advanced marketing automation for email, SMS, and in-app messaging.
  • Provides detailed reporting dashboards for tracking retention, revenue, and engagement metrics.
  • Offers a fully customizable mobile app for enhancing member interaction and loyalty.

For those exploring options, Exercise.com stands out as one of the best Zen Planner alternatives for fitness due to its versatility and industry focus.

Step #4 – Decide if Zen Planner or Exercise.com is Right for You

If your primary goal is to manage member relationships and fitness operations efficiently, Zen Planner may be a suitable option for smaller fitness businesses. However, for gym owners and fitness professionals seeking an all-in-one platform with advanced CRM capabilities, Exercise.com is the better choice.

  • Fully integrated CRM and gym management tools for streamlined operations.
  • Advanced marketing, workout programming, and performance tracking features.
  • Greater customization options for scaling and tailoring to your business needs.
  • Dedicated support for fitness professionals to help grow your business.

If Zen Planner no longer meets your business needs, learn how to cancel Zen Planner and transition to a more comprehensive platform like Exercise.com.

Zen Planner functions as a CRM, but Exercise.com takes it further by combining CRM functionality with fitness-focused tools to help you manage and grow your business more effectively. For fitness professionals seeking a seamless and robust solution, Exercise.com is the ultimate choice.

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

Get a demo now!

How do I cancel my Zen Planner subscription?

To cancel your Zen Planner subscription, contact Zen Plannerā€™s customer support team directly via their provided contact methods. Review your contract to understand any required notice periods, cancellation fees, or specific procedures for terminating your subscription.

Read More: How to Cancel Zen Planner

What is Zen Planner?

Zen Planner is a gym management software platform designed for fitness businesses like gyms, yoga studios, martial arts schools, and CrossFit gyms. It offers tools for scheduling, membership management, payment processing, and performance tracking.

How much does Zen Planner cost per month?

Zen Planner starts at $117 per month for smaller businesses, with pricing increasing based on the number of members and the inclusion of additional features.

Read More: Zen Planner Pricing

How do I turn off autopay on Zen Planner?

To turn off autopay in Zen Planner, log in to your account, navigate to the billing or membership settings, and disable the autopay option. For specific guidance, consult Zen Plannerā€™s support resources or contact their customer service team.

How do I refund someone on Zen Planner?

To refund someone on Zen Planner, go to the billing section in your admin dashboard, locate the transaction to be refunded, and select the refund option. Follow the prompts to complete the process. Contact Zen Planner support if additional assistance is needed.

How do I use Zen Planner app?

To use the Zen Planner app, download it from the App Store or Google Play, log in with your account credentials, and access features like class scheduling, attendance tracking, and member management. Members can also book classes and view their progress through the app.

Read More: How to Use Zen Planner

How do I pause my Zen Planner membership?

To pause a membership in Zen Planner, navigate to the memberā€™s profile in the admin dashboard, adjust their membership status to ā€œpaused,ā€ and set a resume date if applicable. Contact Zen Planner support for detailed instructions.

What does Zen Planner do?

Zen Planner streamlines gym operations by providing tools for scheduling, membership management, payment processing, performance tracking, and reporting. Itā€™s widely used by fitness businesses to improve efficiency and member engagement.

Read More: What does Zen Planner do?

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, payments, branded apps, and advanced fitness-specific features. Its all-in-one solution is ideal for fitness businesses seeking to streamline operations and enhance member engagement.

Jimmy Myers Relentless Sports Performance
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

Get a demo now!

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning SpecialistĀ® (CSCSĀ®). He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life.
We make fitness businesses happy and successful. We are a next-generation software platform dedicated to making it easy for fitness professionals to manage their entire fitness business in one place.
FollowĀ us:
Company
Start Here
Copyright Ā© 2025 Exercise.com
Made with ā¤ļø at 15310 Amberly Dr, Suite 250, Tampa, FL 33647 & world-wide
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
CCPA