• Mystery Shopping your Customer Experience

  • The Importance Of Health Club Secret Shopping 

     

    At Proinsight, we have been supporting the health and fitness industry with our mystery shopping services since 2014, delivering a variety of insights via many different customer journey channels. From website enquiries to face-2-face tour our mystery shoppers are experts in mystery shopping well-known brands such as David Lloyd, Active Nation and Gymbox

     

    As leisure centres and health clubs bounce back from the repercussions of the pandemic, it is now more important than ever before to be using mystery shopper services and they really can be incredibly advantageous. If you’ve never considered using health club secret shopping services and you’re wondering whether they’re really a worthwhile expense, keep reading today. Below we have looked into some of the many reasons why it is always important to understand your members’ experience nowadays.  

     

    The fitness industry is more competitive than ever  

     

    Millions of people here in the UK alone have a gym membership and whilst this used to be seen as a luxury, it has now become an essential part of many people’s lifestyles. Year after year, the number of people investing in their health and wellbeing continues to rise, and the industry really is booming which is brilliant news for health clubs.  

     

    However, as the interest in gym memberships rises so does the intrigue into digital fitness classes and this is something we have all seen a rise in over the last 12 months. This means that there is more competition than ever before and it is essential for health clubs to stay at the top of their game. Thankfully, this is something that health club secret shopping can help with.  

     

    Keeping members happy is essential to your success 

     

    When you run a fitness facility, whilst you might know a lot about the fitness industry and your position in the market, undoubtedly, what’s really important is your members. If your members are unhappy then they will simply go elsewhere to receive the level of customer service you’re unable to provide. So, understanding their wants and needs is incredibly important.  

     

    Using health club secret shopping services provides you with the opportunity to get to know what your members really want rather than what you think they want. These services will give you an invaluable insight into what your health club is doing right and what you can improve on to increase member satisfaction, opening your eyes to what you need to focus on.  

     

    Fitness trends are continually changing   

     

    Like all other industries, it can be difficult to keep up with the current trends and knowing what’s big in the world of fitness is essential when you own a health club. Conducting up-to-date market research is something else that a mystery shopper agency can help you with, which will enable you to stay relevant and attract new members.  

     

    The information you’re provided with from health club secret shoppers and the range of services they offer will enable you to make changes to your facility that you know will positively affect your business. Instead of taking a gamble and hoping that the changes you make will be beneficial, you will have the data required to make strategic decisions for business growth. 

     

    Using health club secret shopping services  

     

    All in all, it is fair to say that while many people commonly associate secret shopping with retail stores or cafes and restaurants, the services that agencies provide can be incredibly beneficial for businesses in the health, wellbeing and fitness industry too. So, if you own a health club, then it is undeniably worthwhile thinking about working with a mystery shopper agency, you can guarantee that they will have a huge impact on the success of your business. 

     

    Whether you own a health club, fitness club, health spa or a gym, if you’re interested in mystery shopping services, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Proinsight. We have a comprehensive range of services that can help you to improve the customer experience at your health club and we currently mystery shop a number of the major health and fitness operators here in the UK. You can trust that we are the best agency to turn to for health club secret shopping services and you won’t be disappointed with the services you receive from us.  


    David Hopkins

    David Hopkins

    Managing Director at Proinsight Mystery Shopping

    David has a long history in the business of doing good business. In 2008, he co-founded Proleisure, a leisure consulting company, where he identified a growing need for deeper customer insights across the industry. This led to the launch of Proinsight Mystery Shopping in 2014, with a vision to provide businesses with the valuable data needed to enhance customer experience.

    Now, as we approach our 10th year, Proinsight has become a leading provider of specialist mystery shopping, auditing, and research programs, serving a diverse range of sectors across the UK including real estate, fitness, retail, hospitality, and so many more. We remain committed to helping our clients achieve excellence and drive meaningful improvements in their businesses.

    David is deeply committed to enhancing customer service across all industries. His passion lies in providing valuable mystery shopping insights that empower clients to take actionable steps towards improvement. By delivering these insights directly, David helps businesses create effective strategies to elevate their customer experience and drive meaningful change.


    Chloe Kinch

    Chloe Kinch

    Director of Client Success at Proinsight Mystery Shopping

    Chloe joined Proinsight Mystery Shopping as an Account Manager in 2017. Prior to her role at Proinsight, she served as National Sales Manager at Parkwood Leisure, where she gained extensive experience in exceeding customer expectations and developed a deep understanding of the leisure industry.

    Chloe quickly advanced within Proinsight, progressing from Account Manager in 2017 to Head of Client Success in 2020, and ultimately to Director of Client Success and shareholder in 2022. In her current role, she leads client relationships with prestigious brands such as David Lloyd, Dyson, and Apple. Chloe is responsible for designing bespoke mystery shopping programs tailored to each client's specific needs, aimed at enhancing customer service and optimising sales processes across various industries, including real estate, hospitality, retail, leisure, and more.


    Lucy Winn

    Lucy Winn

    Brand and Communications Manager at Proinsight Mystery Shopping

    After graduating with a degree in Marketing from the University of Westminster, Lucy successfully grew and scaled her own e-commerce womenswear clothing business over a span of four years, expanding into international retail markets including Japan, the US, and France. With extensive expertise in brand development and digital communications, Lucy has driven commercial growth through strategic initiatives like influencer marketing, digital campaign management, and both online and offline retail expansion.

    In July 2024, she joined Proinsight Mystery Shopping as Brand and Communications Manager, where she leads the strategy and management of all digital platforms, including the website and social media, with a focus on driving shopper sign-ups and generating client leads. Additionally, she oversees event management for both internal company days and major external summits like Connect CX. At these events, we emphasise the critical importance of exceptional customer service across various industries, positioning it as a cornerstone of a brand’s overall UX strategy.