If you’re a ClassPass fitness partner, chances are you’ve seen trial bookings pop up in your schedule. Or maybe you’re still wondering how the trial program actually impacts your business. In this blog, we’ll break down how both the free and paid trial programs work, how your direct clients and high-value classes are protected, and address common concerns around trial fraud, class devaluation, and the impact on paid attendance.
What is the trial program and why is it required?
ClassPass offers two types of trial experiences for new users, free trials and paid trials, depending on their location. Both give eligible users one free class per studio, helping lower the barrier to entry and encouraging discovery of new fitness and wellness experiences. Participation in these trials is required for all ClassPass fitness partners.
Trials are at the heart of how ClassPass introduces fitness partners to new audiences. As of December 2024, 49% of ClassPass users had never tried group fitness before joining ClassPass. For this audience, offering a trial—often at no cost—is one of the most effective ways to reduce hesitation and welcome them into a category that can often feel intimidating to outsiders.
With the trial program, you’re not giving away a class to someone who would’ve paid full price. Through this proven approach, you’re introducing your space to someone brand new and possibly gaining a loyal customer in the process.
Who qualifies for the trial program and how often can it be used?
ClassPass enforces strict eligibility requirements for its trials. Only eligible users can access the programs, which include:
- Brand new ClassPass users signing up for their first free or paid trial
- Users reactivating their accounts after being inactive on the platform for at least 12 months
Each eligible user can take one free class per business during their trial. After that, future bookings require credits, just like regular members.
How does the trial program impact my high-value classes?
Your high-value classes are not impacted by the trial program because SmartSpot and other tools are designed to protect your most in-demand spots. SmartSpot uses real-time data to ensure only inventory that’s likely to go unbooked is released to trial users.
You also benefit from:
- Credit opacity: Trial users don’t see the credit amounts, which means they’re less likely to cherry-pick classes by value.
- Inventory curation: Only a limited selection of classes is shown during trial. You’re never expected to give away your best or busiest time slots.
- Late-cancel and no-show fees: If someone flakes on their free class, they pay for it.
The trial program isn’t a free-for-all. It’s a tightly managed tool designed to fill your slower spots while attracting new visitors who are genuinely interested in what you offer.
Does the trial program cannibalize my direct business?
No, trials don’t cannibalize your direct business. The ClassPass trial programs aren’t set up to replace your loyal regulars. Instead, they’re a tool to help you find new ones. Plus, SmartSpot helps you protect your peak times and prioritize direct members.
SmartSpot works to protect your business by:
- Automatically withholding high-demand class spots
- Releasing lower-risk inventory only when availability allows
- Using machine learning to avoid overfilling classes
- Preventing low-credit class cherry-picking with credits-based opacity
ClassPass also enforces late-cancel and no-show fees, even during the trial, to ensure committed attendance.
What about trial fraud and multiple accounts?
To protect our partners and their revenue, ClassPass applies strict eligibility rules and continuously invests heavily in trial program fraud prevention. As of May 2025, we upgraded our fraud detection system to run up to 48x faster than our prior system*.
If you ever suspect abuse or duplicate accounts, you can report it in the partner dashboard. Our team is here to investigate and take action.
*Performance may vary due to system availability and occasional processing interruptions
What revenue impact should I expect from the ClassPass trial program?
The ClassPass trial program is designed to grow your customer base. While offering a free class might feel risky, partners consistently see long-term financial benefits from trial participation. It helps you reach new audiences, fill empty spots with high-intent users, and convert trial visits into long-term revenue.
Unlike traditional marketing channels, which can cost $100–$120 just to acquire one customer, ClassPass brings you high-quality traffic without the ad spend or operational lift. Studios can easily spend over $1,000 a month on paid ads without any guarantee of attendance. With ClassPass, you get exposure to a new, engaged audience through a performance-driven model that rewards actual outcomes, not just clicks.
Data shows that partnering with ClassPass can result in:
- Increased exposure to new customers: Globally, 94% of ClassPass users are new to the fitness venues they visit.* This means you’re reaching a new, untapped audience without investing in traditional marketing.
- High conversion into repeat visits: Once users become paying ClassPass members, we’ve found that 80% return to a fitness studio they visited during their trial period (as of 2024).
*Based on global ClassPass & Mindbody joint customer data, 2020-Jan 2025
Drive long-term growth with ClassPass
The goal of the ClassPass's trial programs isn’t to give away classes; it’s to attract high-intent, first-time users who are actively searching for their next go-to fitness spot. By giving people the chance to try something new at no cost, trials create genuine excitement, spark habit‑building, and help users overcome the hesitation that often comes with stepping into a category that can feel intimidating.
With built-in protections like SmartSpot inventory controls, strict fraud prevention, and proven conversion rates, the trial is a strategic tool to drive long-term revenue growth for your business.
For partners, that means more visibility, stronger class attendance, and higher potential for converting new visitors into repeat customers.
Get discovered by your next client with ClassPass.
Frequently asked questions from partners
Is the trial program optional for fitness partners?
No, the trial program is required for all ClassPass fitness partners.
Are peak-time classes included in the trial programs?
Peak-time classes are typically excluded from the trial program unless you want them to be. SmartSpot only surfaces inventory that’s likely to go unbooked.
Do I get paid for trial program bookings?
No, you won’t receive payment for a user’s first visit through the trial programs, but that visit is designed to drive future revenue, not just a one-time payout. The trial program is at the heart of how ClassPass introduces fitness partners to new, high-intent audiences. By allowing people to experience something new at no cost, trials create genuine excitement, help build healthy habits, and reduce the barriers that often prevent someone from trying a new studio. This proven approach consistently converts first-time visitors into loyal customers who return to partners’ businesses again and again through ClassPass.
How do I report suspected trial fraud?
Businesses can report suspected trial fraud directly through the ClassPass partner dashboard or by reaching out to their account manager.
Do trial programs apply to returning users?
ClassPass trials are only available to new users and users reactivating their accounts after being inactive on the platform for at least 12 months.
How does SmartSpot decide which spots to release?
SmartSpot uses real-time attendance and historical data to identify open inventory that’s unlikely to fill. You can adjust settings to protect your most popular times.
