Google Reviews are the single most effective way to attract new members, improve local search rankings, and build trust before someone ever walks through your door. And they cost you nothing.
When someone searches for a CrossFit gym in your city, the gyms with 50+ reviews get chosen over gyms with 12 - every single time. BoxEx makes this easier because every visiting athlete becomes a potential review. Here is how to make it a system.
Most people are happy to leave a review - they just need to be asked. Send this once to your full member list.
Hey {First Name}! We are making a push to grow our Google visibility so more people can find their fitness home here. If you have enjoyed training with us, we would love a quick review. It helps more people like you find us. {Your Google Review Link}
New members need a few weeks before being asked for a review. Set this up in your CRM to send automatically at the 15 or 30-day mark.
Hey {First Name}! You have been with us for a few weeks now and we love having you here. If you are enjoying the workouts and the community, a quick Google review would mean a lot. It helps others find their new fitness home. {Your Google Review Link}
BoxEx automatically prompts visiting athletes to review your gym after their visit. You do not need to set this up - it is built into the system. This is one of the biggest reasons gyms in the network see review growth without any extra effort on their part.
This is already working for you. Every BoxEx athlete who visits your gym gets a follow-up prompting them to leave a Google review. Make sure your Google Business Profile is up to date so that link works properly.
The 30-day mark is a great time to check in on how a new member is feeling. It shows you care, gives them a chance to share feedback, and makes a review request feel natural rather than transactional.
Hey {First Name},
You have been with us for about a month now and we wanted to check in. How are you feeling about everything? Are you getting what you came for?
If you have been having a great experience, we would love it if you shared that in a quick Google review. It really helps other people find their way here. {Your Google Review Link}
If there is anything we can do better, just reply to this email. We genuinely want your experience here to be excellent.
Thank you for being part of the community.
{Gym Name}
Before you ask for reviews, make sure your profile looks the part. A strong review count loses its impact if the profile itself looks neglected.
Photos are high quality and recent - at least 10 images including people training
Your gym location pin is correct and points to your front entrance, not the back
Hours, website link, and phone number are all accurate
Your "get more reviews" link works - test it yourself before sending it to members
You are responding to existing reviews, both positive and negative
The first visible photo is inviting - not a storage room or parking lot
A review ask from a coach lands harder than any text or email. Members trust their coaches. Give your team this script so they feel comfortable making the ask in the moment.
"{Athlete Name}, that was awesome today. Watching you grow has been one of the best parts of this job. We are trying to help more people find their way here and you sharing your experience in a Google review would mean a lot to the gym. Would you mind doing that tonight? I can text you the link right now."
Coach incentive idea: For every 6 reviews a coach is responsible for securing, reward them with a branded sweatshirt or protein. For every 12, a pair of training shoes. Real coaches respond to this. Real results follow.
The last step is the quickest one.
