
Is Klarna Right For My Gym?
Have you ever had a lead say, “I’d love to join, but I just can’t afford it right now”?
It’s one of the most common objections gym owners face, especially when selling higher-ticket programmes like 6-week or 12-week transformations. But what if there was a way to turn that “no” into a “yes” without slashing your prices?
Enter Klarna and similar ‘buy now, pay later’ solutions.
These services are becoming increasingly popular in the fitness space, especially for premium programmes. But is Klarna the right fit for your gym?
Let’s break it down.
💡 What is Klarna?
Klarna is a ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) provider that allows customers to split payments over time, often interest-free. Rather than paying the full amount upfront, your client pays in instalments while you still get paid upfront by Klarna.
It’s already being used in retail, beauty, and increasingly in service-based businesses like coaching and fitness.
✅ Pros of Offering Klarna at Your Gym
1. Overcome Money Objections
When a lead says, “I can’t afford it,” you now have a simple solution: “No problem, we offer Klarna. You can split the cost over a few months.”
2. Works Perfectly for High-End Programmes
Whether it’s a 12-week transformation, a 90-day shred, or personal training packages over £500, Klarna helps reduce the financial friction that might otherwise put people off.
3. You Still Get Paid Upfront
Klarna pays you in full, so there’s no waiting around or chasing payments. Cashflow remains smooth.
4. Removes Awkward Money Conversations
Rather than offering a discount or feeling pushy, Klarna allows you to offer a flexible, professional solution.
5. Competitive Edge
More gyms are adopting flexible payment solutions. Offering Klarna can help you stand out, especially if your competitors don’t.
⚠️ Cons and Considerations
1. Klarna Takes a Cut
Just like card processors, Klarna charges a small fee. It’s not huge (between 3-6% of transaction value), but you’ll need to factor this into your pricing or margins.
2. Eligibility & Setup
Not all gyms will be approved straight away. Klarna tends to favour businesses with consistent turnover and a solid online presence.
3. Encouraging Price Sensitivity
While BNPL is helpful, relying on it too much could attract the wrong crowd - people who may not be fully committed. It’s important to still qualify your leads properly.
🔍 Why More People Are Using BNPL
BNPL usage has exploded in the UK, especially among younger adults. Klarna, Clearpay, and PayPal Pay in 3 have normalised the idea of spreading costs, not because people don’t have money, but because they like flexibility.
For fitness businesses, this is a powerful trend to tap into.
Rather than fighting the “I’ll join next month when I get paid” objection, BNPL options let you meet people where they’re at financially, without compromising your offer.
💬 Real Talk: Does It Work?
We’ve worked with gyms offering 6- and 12-week programmes costing anywhere from £297 to £1,000+. When paired with ads and a strong follow-up system, Klarna has helped many of them convert more leads and sell higher-priced packages more easily.
One gym owner told us:
“I had 3 leads in a row say they couldn’t afford my 12-week programme. Once I added Klarna, 2 of them signed up the same day.”
It’s not a silver bullet but it’s a tool that, when used right, can remove the single biggest sales objection in fitness: upfront cost.
🧠 Klarna vs. Other Options
If Klarna isn’t for you, there are alternatives:
Clearpay – Similar structure, more retail-focused but worth exploring.
PayPal Pay in 3 – Easier setup if you already use PayPal.
GoCardless or Stripe with recurring payments - Great for monthly memberships but doesn’t offer the upfront cash Klarna does.
Some gym owners even build their own in-house instalment plans—but this means chasing payments and risking cancellations. Klarna removes that hassle.
💼 Should You Use Klarna?
If you're running short-term transformation programmes, high-ticket coaching, or anything over £300, Klarna could absolutely be a game-changer.
If your model is lower-ticket or based on rolling monthly payments, you might not need it - but it’s still worth testing on larger packages or upsells.
💬 Final Thought
Selling isn’t just about being persuasive. It’s about removing barriers.
Klarna does exactly that - especially when paired with strong messaging, a compelling offer, and an effective lead generation strategy.
👉 Need More Leads To Sell To?
Adding Klarna is one thing. But if you’re not getting leads through the door, it won’t make a difference.
That’s where we come in.
We help gym owners attract more qualified leads every single month through done-for-you Facebook ad campaigns designed to fill your programmes with the right people.
📅 Book a free strategy call today and let’s talk about how we can help you grow: