How to Win back past gym members with "win-them-back" campaigns

Parkour gym owners tend to rely on new referrals and new leads as a source for their next new member. However, what if your next new member is actually a past member who left the program for a temporary reason, like a momentary surge in feeling busy, leaving them to leave your gym, but now fast forward six months, their momentary busyness has passed, and now they could, in theory, rejoin. A significant number of members cancel their plans due to temporary life challenges, and they fail to reregister. Or, potentially, they quit your program and now feel like they miss how your gym combined fitness with fun for their family.

For many of these members, a “win-them-back” campaign can remind past members why they fell in love with your gym in the first place and invite them back home. Below, you’ll find everything you need to build your next campaign: the mindset, the sequence, and even a ready-to-send email template you can customize in minutes.

In this article, parkour gym owners will learn how to win back past members using these simple, human-centered strategies that turn cancellations into “see you laters” rather than goodbyes. You’ll discover how to:

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear roadmap—and even ready-to-send templates—to design your own win-them-back campaign and welcome former members home.

1. Reframe Cancellation as “See You Later”

When someone cancels, it’s easy to write them off as a lost member forever. Instead, think of a cancellation as a pause. Your goal isn’t to trap them in a long contract, but to leave the door wide open.

Train your front-desk or coach to say, in person or on the phone, “We’d love to have you back whenever you’re ready.” If that’s not possible, follow up with the same phrase by text or email within 24 hours. Keep the relationship warm and try not to burn the bridge as they exit the program.

2. Keep the Conversation Alive

Even after someone walks out the door, they should still feel part of your community. That means:

1. Email list: Don’t remove canceled members.

2. Social media: Invite them into any free social media groups you run.

3. Micro-emails: Every month or quarter, send a one-question note—no sales pitch to your recently canceled members.

Why it works: Humans hate unanswered questions. A simple “Still working on those parkour skills? Use them or lose them, and we'd hate to see you lose them.” has a 3–5 percent reply rate, and every reply is a foot back in the door.

3. Roll Out Something New

A fresh class or program gives past members a reason to come back. When you launch your next specialty session—whether it’s a new parkour obstacle, a teen chase-tag league, or a weekend family jam—blast your lapsed list with a teaser. Give them something to spark curiosity and pull them in.

Example: “We’ve just improved our parkour curriculum—thought of you :)”

Even updating class times can rekindle curiosity.

5. Skip the “Free Trial” Trap for new clients

It might seem generous to offer a free month, but:

• Free-trial seekers rarely convert long-term.

• Current members will be upset if they aren’t offered the same deal.

Instead, use relationship-driven invites and curiosity hooks—no giveaway required. If your parkour gym is running free trials, read this article to learn more about its pitfalls

6. Your Win-Back Email Template

Below is a simple, conversational email you can send to anyone who canceled in the past 365 days. It uses a curious tone, reminds them what they loved, and offers a low-barrier, free class for them and their family, without undermining your core pricing. I like sending this email around the back-to-school season in the summertime and again in early January, just after the new year. Wait, didnt we just say don't do free classes? Yes, don't offer free trials for first-time members. However, if youre trying to win back a past member, a free trial is okay.

Subject:  Hey, {{First-Name}} Body: Hey, {{First-Name}} What activities has your family been up to since you left our parkour gym? We’re deeply passionate about kids and adults getting daily movement while having a ton of fun and building athleticism and strength along the way. We’d love to see you back for a class this week. Here... I'll even give you a free pass on us for you and the family. I’ll include a list of new things and upgrades at our gym since you left in the P.S. below my signature. Just reply to this email/SMS to claim your free classes. I’ll leave this offer open for a week. Talk soon. [Your Name], [Gym Name] P.S. Since you left, we’ve added: A dedicated kids’zone Evening teen-only sessions Upgraded flooring and new obstacle modules. Can’t wait for you to try them!

Why This Works

• Curiosity opener: Asking about their life flips the script—this is about them, not your sale.

• Values reminder: You reiterate your gym’s mission around movement, fun, and growth.

• Low-risk invite: A one-week window and free family pass create urgency without fear.

• P.S. novelty: Brief bullet list of upgrades stokes curiosity about what’s changed.
  

BONUS 7. Intercept Cancellations with Pause and “Before-You-Go” Offers

Even before a member walks out the door, you have an opportunity to turn their cancellation into a future “see you soon” or even a retention win. Two powerful tactics you can deploy in the moment of cancellation are offering a membership pause and presenting a one-time “before-you-go” offer.

Membership Pause: Solve the Root Problem

When a member tells you they want to cancel, start by asking why. If the reason is temporary—seasonal sports commitments, an upcoming trip, work travel, or even recovering from an injury—offer them the option to pause their membership instead of ending it.

1. Identify the obstacle. “I totally get it—what’s the main thing keeping you from training right now?”

2. Propose a tailored pause. “Let’s put your account on pause for three months; you’ll pick up right where you left off when you’re back in town.”

3. Frame it as the smart choice. Emphasize how a pause keeps their spot, avoids re-enrollment fees, and makes returning effortless.

   
   

By addressing their immediate needs and removing friction, you transform a full cancellation into a simple hiatus, keeping them in your community.

The “Before-You-Go” Offer: Earn a Second Chance

Sometimes a member wants out because they’ve experienced an issue—whether it’s a miscommunication, pricing concern, or a bad experience with staff. Before you finalize their cancellation, extend a single, generous courtesy offer to show you care and give yourself time to fix whatever went wrong.

• What it looks like: “We value your feedback. Here’s 50% off your next three months if you decide to stay.”

• This lets You buy time to address their concerns and prove your commitment to their experience.

• Real-world example: Email-marketing provider Mailchimp lets departing accounts run free for three more months, giving users space to change their mind before truly saying goodbye.
  

Important: Limit this “before-you-go” deal to one use per member. That prevents savvy members from cycling cancellations to lease perpetual discounts—and preserves the integrity of your pricing.

Putting It All Together

1. Segment your CRM for anyone who canceled in the last year using automations and tags.

2. Monitor replies and follow up with a personal call or text within 48 hours.

3. Track conversions in your management software: who re-signed, who asked a question, and who remains silent.