For many gyms and studios, the class timetable is the most visited page on the website. Members check it before they plan their week, and new visitors use it to decide whether the schedule suits them. The trouble is that most timetables were designed for a wall poster, and they fall apart on a phone.
This guide shows how to present a timetable that works on a small screen, and how to keep it current without rebuilding the page every week.
Choose a layout that fits a phone
A seven-column grid looks neat on a laptop and becomes unreadable on a phone. On a small screen, list the classes by day, one day after another, with the time, class name, level and trainer on each line. The grid can stay on larger screens if the list works everywhere.
Test the page on your own phone. If you have to scroll sideways to see a day, switch to the list.
What each class entry should show
For each class, give the start time and the length, the class name, the level (beginner, intermediate or all levels), the trainer's name and the space it's held in. If the class needs equipment or a mat, say so. If the class is for a specific age group or needs a minimum fitness level, say that in one short line.
Keep the names consistent. If one class is called "Zumba" on Monday and "Dance Fitness" on Friday, members will assume they're different classes.
Trial classes and drop-ins
Make it clear whether a trial class is free, how many trial classes a visitor can take and how to book one. If a class needs a booking, say how far ahead to book and what happens if the class is full. A simple line such as "Trial classes are free for new visitors; ask at the desk or send a message" is enough.
Show changes clearly
Timetables change for holidays, trainer leave and seasonal programmes. Put the date each timetable starts from at the top, and mention any changes for the coming week in one line. Remove a class once it no longer runs. A timetable that lists a class that's been cancelled for a month is a common source of complaints.
Photos, with consent
Photos of classes help a visitor picture the place. Use photos of your own studio and your own classes, and only show members or trainers if they've agreed in writing. Avoid images that suggest a level of fitness the class doesn't demand.
Quick checklist
- Use a list by day on phones, not a seven-column grid.
- Give each class its start time, length, level, trainer and space.
- Keep each class name the same on every day it runs.
- State whether trial classes are free, and how many a visitor can take.
- Date the timetable, and list any changes for the coming week.
- Remove cancelled classes at once.
What to do next
The gym websites page shows how a timetable section usually sits alongside plans and the trial request. A business website is the right base for your gym, and the business websites page explains how one is laid out. Build the timetable as a plain list first, then check it on a phone before you style it.