With Mariana Tek’s tools and a people-first mindset, fitness brands are creating meaningful connections that drive growth

In 2021, Revolution Buffalo launched its Parkinson’s Revolution — an annual ride dedicated to honoring those living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and supporting research. What started as a heartfelt tribute by one of the studio’s co-owners, whose father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, quickly grew into a powerhouse of collective action, raising $17,000 in its first year and nearly $50,000 in 2024.

From day one, we’ve operated with a mission of inclusivity and community – that all who enter Revolution will feel welcome and safe on their fitness journey. – Revolution Buffalo Co-owners Colleen Kirk, Amanda Meyers & Rachel McCrone

This kind of mission-driven engagement isn’t just inspiring — it’s essential. The most successful fitness businesses recognize that community is at the heart of retention, engagement and long-term success. Today’s fitness brands must go beyond just providing workouts. They must offer belonging.

Unlike traditional gym environments, boutique studios have pioneered the concept of community by focusing on experiences and connections. Trailblazers like Jazzercise and Barry’s transformed fitness spaces into lifestyle brands that members proudly connected with.

Community is what keeps people coming back. As members attend classes regularly, they form friendships, develop accountability and become raving fans. The shared mission-driven nature of boutique studios reinforces this connection, drawing members into an environment where values, aspirations and support systems align.

A Commitment to Lasting Communities

Fitness businesses can no longer rely on transactional relationships with their members; they must create spaces for genuine connection both during and after workouts. Boutique fitness software Mariana Tek knows that “community” can be hard to measure, but its impact is undeniable. 

“While retention and other metrics provide insight, we’re always thinking bigger — how can we bring customers closer to the brand, create real connections, and shape lasting relationships?” says Shannon Tracey, VP of Sales and Marketing at Mariana Tek.

“Authentic connections drive loyalty. That’s why our software is designed to not only engage consumers but also influence behavior in meaningful ways. Public recognition fosters an inclusive, supportive culture that encourages members to stay engaged and invested in their fitness journeys. With features like milestones, leaderboards and gamification, we help studios and instructors foster deeper relationships while giving them the tools to learn more about their clients.”

What’s the result? A stronger community, more engaged members and a brand experience that stands out.

credit: SkyCycle

SkyCycle: Building Community Through Unique Experiences

SkyCycle, a rooftop cycling studio founded by Olivia Morgan in Charlotte, North Carolina, exemplifies the power of purpose-driven community building that ties into successful fitness journeys. With a focus on delivering unique and immersive experiences, Morgan has created a studio that goes beyond workouts — offering connection, motivation and a sense of family.

“People feel the care and dedication behind the business, and that’s what creates a strong, authentic community,” Morgan explains.

SkyCycle utilizes Mariana Tek’s user-friendly platform to streamline operations and enhance the member experience. Features like personalized class bookings and instructor notes ensure that each session is tailored to members’ needs. And front desk staff can instantly recognize milestones such as first-time visits, helping members feel seen and appreciated.

“It’s a very user-friendly platform,” says Morgan. “It makes my life easy and all my customers’ lives easy. At the same time, there are unique features that are necessary for cycling – like booking a spot. Customers are very particular about what bike they want, and it’s important we’re able to accommodate that.”

Looking ahead, Morgan’s next venture, Jungle, will continue this community-driven approach by blending fitness with wellness, energy and self-expression. “Jungle will be a space where people can truly experience life—not just a workout,” she says. “I would like to have big events to bring members of both studios together, and give members unique perks at both studios.”

The Power of Gamification: M3’s Success Story

M3, a boutique yoga and fitness studio with locations in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia, has successfully leveraged Mariana Tek’s gamification suite to boost engagement and retention. Historically, M3’s summer months were slow, but their transition from paper-based challenges to a fully digital gamification system transformed their business.

“We used to track everything on hundreds of physical cards taped to the studio wall,” says M3 Co-Owner Matt Chambers. “It was time-consuming and limited visibility. Now, every student’s activity is automatically recorded, and progress is easy to follow.”

By using Mariana Tek’s leaderboard feature, M3 increased participation across class offerings, leading to a 31% year-over-year increase in visits during the summer of 2024.

“Students loved being able to track progress from anywhere,” Chambers explains. “It motivated them and created friendly competition. People enjoyed seeing their friends’ progress in the app, which strengthened our studio’s sense of community.”

One major business benefit of digital gamification was the awareness it brought to the variety of classes M3 offers.

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“Our studio specializes in variety – we have different class styles that are heated or unheated across two different practice spaces,” Chambers says. 

Additionally, the challenges enabled M3 to motivate students to try new classes. ”When challenges encourage students to cross-pollinate across classes, it’s very impactful to our business.”

credit: Revolution Buffalo

Revolution Buffalo: Sweating It Forward

Founded on the principle of “sweating it forward,” Revolution Buffalo integrates fitness with social impact. Beyond their Parkinson’s Revolution ride, Revolution Buffalo embraces inclusivity through their annual Pride Drag Race, a vibrant celebration held in conjunction with Buffalo’s Pride Week. From their parade float to Revolution Drag Rides and a Pride-themed apparel capsule, participation in these events raises funds for LGBTQ+ organizations in Western New York.

The team at Revolution Buffalo shares, “Rev is the place where people come as they are to be among a family of people with their own experiences, lives and losses. It’s a space where everyone just gets each other.”

Consistency & Personalization 

Mariana Tek equips studios with cutting-edge tools to implement gamified engagement and community-building strategies. With its gamification suite, studios can create and track challenges that motivate members while simplifying operational processes.

M3, SkyCycle and Revolution Buffalo’s success highlight the power of digital transformation in fitness engagement, leading to increased revenue, stronger retention and greater member satisfaction. 

The key to successful community-building and placemaking lies in delivering consistent, personalized experiences. Studios should leverage data-driven insights to recognize milestones, create engaging interactions and encourage genuine connections. By integrating Mariana Tek’s tools with thoughtful, people-centered strategies, studios can cultivate thriving communities that inspire loyalty.

As Revolution Buffalo puts it, “There’s no reason those feel-good vibes should stay within the walls of the studio. When studios invest in their communities, everyone wins.”

This article originally appeared in ATN’s Member Success Blueprint Report 2025, which highlights essential steps brands will want to take to ensure success in the current calendar year and beyond. Download the free report.