How Gyms Really Make Money From the Multisport Card Program
How Gyms Really Make Money From the Multisport Card Program
Blog Article
Have you ever wondered how much your gym earns when you swipe your Multisport Card at the front desk? You’re not alone. While fitness lovers enjoy nearly unlimited access to dozens of gyms and wellness centers, what remains unclear to many is how profitable this setup really is for the gyms themselves.
In this article, we’ll dig deep into how the Multisport partnership works behind the scenes and uncover what gyms truly earn per visit. If you're a gym owner, fitness enthusiast, or just curious about the business side of health, this guide is for you.
What Is the Multisport Card?
The Multisport Card is a popular employee benefit in Poland and other parts of Europe. Provided by companies like Benefit Systems, it offers users free or subsidized access to thousands of gyms, pools, yoga studios, and sports facilities. Users swipe their card upon entry, and that’s it—no extra fees, no need for multiple memberships.
How the Multisport Program Works for Users
From a user’s perspective, the program feels magical. For a small monthly fee (usually covered by their employer), they get access to hundreds of facilities. There’s no commitment to a single gym, and they can mix it up—gym today, yoga tomorrow, maybe swimming on the weekend.
The Gym’s Perspective: Why They Join
So why would a gym agree to let someone in for “free”? Gyms join Multisport for exposure and consistent foot traffic. In a highly competitive fitness market, being listed in the Multisport directory can bring in new visitors who might never have discovered the gym otherwise.
How Revenue Is Shared With Gyms
Fixed Payouts or Variable Fees
Gyms typically get paid based on user check-ins. That means every time a Multisport member swipes in, the gym receives a small payment. But how much is that payment?
The exact amount is often a well-guarded contract detail, but reports from gym owners and insiders suggest that it's usually a small fraction of what a regular membership costs.
Who Sets the Rates?
Benefit Systems (the company behind Multisport) negotiates contracts with each gym. The rates vary depending on location, facility size, popularity, and other business factors. Unfortunately, many smaller gyms have less bargaining power, which means lower rates.
What Gyms Really Earn Per Visit
On average, gyms earn between 5 and 10 PLN per Multisport visit. This amount can vary, but it’s significantly lower than the cost per visit for regular paying members. For comparison, a single drop-in session might cost 20–30 PLN.
Now imagine a member who visits every day for a month—your earnings from that person may only total 150–300 PLN, whereas a regular membership would be priced much higher.
To get the full breakdown, check this detailed report on karta multisport ile zarabia siłownia.
Costs Gyms Incur for Multisport Members
Operational Costs
It’s not just about revenue. Every visitor costs the gym money in electricity, water, cleaning supplies, and staff time. A packed gym means more frequent maintenance and service.
Equipment Wear and Tear
Frequent use shortens the life of gym equipment. More visitors mean more treadmill repairs, more weights wearing out, and higher maintenance budgets overall.
Case Study: A Medium-Sized Gym’s Monthly Earnings
Let’s consider a gym that gets 1,000 Multisport visits per month. At 7 PLN per visit, that’s 7,000 PLN in revenue. Sounds good, right? But subtract staffing, utilities, wear and tear, and rent—it’s easy to see how that profit shrinks.
Compare that to having 100 regular members paying 100 PLN each. That’s 10,000 PLN in revenue—with a much lower volume of daily visitors and less strain on resources.
Profit Margins for Multisport Visits vs Regular Members
Multisport users often visit during peak hours, putting pressure on staff and equipment. And since gyms can’t upsell many of them (because they already have everything included), their long-term value is lower.
Regular members, on the other hand, can be sold additional services—PT sessions, merchandise, special classes. Multisport users often don’t bite.
Hidden Benefits of Partnering With Multisport
Increased Foot Traffic
Even if the earnings are lower per visit, the volume of users helps keep the gym busy and active. This can boost visibility, word-of-mouth referrals, and reputation.
Upselling Opportunities
Some gyms find creative ways to monetize Multisport users—like offering paid workshops, supplements, or premium services that aren’t included in the Multisport package.
Challenges and Complaints From Gym Owners
Low Earnings Per Visit
Many owners argue that the income per visit doesn’t justify the increased strain on their facilities. Some say they’re effectively subsidizing someone else’s fitness journey.
Overcrowding
A busy gym might seem like a good thing, but not when it pushes away loyal, paying members. Overcrowding reduces the quality of service and can hurt long-term customer satisfaction.
Can Gyms Opt Out or Negotiate Better Deals?
Yes, but it’s not always easy. Opting out means losing all that foot traffic and visibility from the Multisport network. Negotiating better deals is possible, but smaller gyms often lack leverage.
That’s why many gym owners turn to resources like karta multisport ile zarabia siłownia to stay informed and make strategic decisions.
Alternatives to the Multisport Program
Some gyms build their own loyalty programs or partner with smaller benefit companies. Others focus on niche markets—like personal training or luxury wellness—that attract full-paying members.
User Experience vs Gym Profit: Finding Balance
It’s a tricky dance. On one hand, users love the freedom and affordability of the Multisport Card. On the other hand, gyms must maintain profitability and service quality. The best gyms find ways to balance both, by using Multisport as a funnel—not a foundation.
Conclusion
The Multisport Card is an incredible benefit for users, but a complicated one for gym owners. It brings traffic and visibility—but also low margins and higher operational strain. Whether or not it’s worth it depends on the gym’s size, goals, and ability to adapt.
By understanding the numbers, keeping an eye on overhead, and exploring creative monetization strategies, gyms can turn the Multisport program into a valuable piece of their overall business model. Report this page