Coaching applications: the engine of your growth

If you are a sports coach, your phone is no longer just a diary. Well configured, a coaching application becomes your nervous system: offers, planning, progress monitoring, payments, messages. It saves you time, increases your retention rate and your turnover.

Need a concrete, jargon-free starting point? You are in the right place. And if you want to go further, explore EKKLO resources at https://info.ekklo.com/.

Why a coaching app is a game changer

What your clients expect in 2025

• Clear sessions, accessible anywhere, with videos and simple instructions.
• Visible progress monitoring (loads, repetitions, sensations, photos, measurements).
• Automatic reminders that support motivation without “spam”.
• Smooth booking and payment in two clicks.

Result: a coaching application aligns your expertise and the customer experience. You reduce friction and increase perceived value.

Concrete benefits for the coach

• +20 to +35% retention thanks to onboarding routines and checkpoints.
• 3 to 5 hours saved/week via session templates and automatic reminders.
• 10 to 25% additional turnover with packaged offers and well-placed upsells.

Want to accelerate your commercial start-up? Find out how to land your first 3 clients with this practical guide: https://info.ekklo.com/blog/comment-avoir-ses-3-premiers-clients-quand-on-debute-en-tant-que-coach-sportif.

Indicators to follow from the first month

• Activation rate: % of customers who complete their first week in the app.
• Frequency of use: sessions/user app/week.
• Adherence to the program: % of sessions completed vs. planned.
• Retention at 30/60/90 days and customer lifetime value (LTV).

The 7 essential building blocks of a coaching application

1) Programs and planning

• Creation of adaptable plans: by level, objective, material available.
• Exercise library with videos, tempos, variations and safety instructions.
• Self-reorganized planning in the event of a missed session.

2) Progress monitoring and data

• Structured training log (RPE, load, volume, time, HR).
• Progress graphs and comparisons by cycle block.
• Import of external data (watches, sensors) to enrich the analysis.

3) Communication and motivation

• Centralized messaging with quick responses and attachments.
• Smart reminders (sessions, hydration, steps, sleep) customizable.
• Badges, mini-challenges, and positive feedback without infantilizing the athlete.

4) Offers and payments

• Packs, subscriptions, session cards, gift vouchers.
• Secure payments, recurring direct debits, automatic invoices.
• Contextualized Upsells: nutritional assessment, technical session, masterclass.

5) Reservation and agenda

• Slots synchronized with your personal calendar.
• Waiting list, simplified cancellation, configurable no-show fee.
• Reservation link shareable in bio or via message.

6) Prospecting and marketing

• Ready-to-use offer pages, qualification forms.
• Promo codes, sponsorship, testimonials and before/after.
• Segmentation of contacts for targeted messages.

7) Security and compliance

• European hosting, backups, encryption.
• Consent management, GDPR, data export on request.

For a complete results-oriented ecosystem, take a look at EKKLO solutions: https://info.ekklo.com/

30-day method to deploy your app without stress

Week 1 — Set the objective and the offer

• Choose a measurable objective (e.g.: +15% retention at 90 days).
• Define 1 to 2 “flagship” offers maximum for the launch.
• List 3 clear promises per offer (result, deadline, support).

Example of offer: “12-week transformation” with 2 coached sessions/month, 3 guided sessions in the coaching application, simple nutritional monitoring and assessment every 4 weeks.

Week 2 — Build the experience

• Create 2 program templates per profile (beginner/intermediate).
• Configure the calendar, reminders and welcome messages.
• Prepare the offer pages and payment links.

Week 3 — Content and automations

• Record 15–25 short videos of key exercises (vertical format, natural light).
• Write 5 standard messages: welcome, reminder D+2, encouragement S1, review S2, relaunch.
• Configure 2 automated scenarios: onboarding and soft relaunch.

Week 4 — Launch and measurement

• Invite 10–15 pilot customers and collect feedback on D+7.
• Monitor activation, adherence, unread messages, no-shows.
• Improve your scripts, simplify if necessary, and double what works.

Customer onboarding playbook that boosts retention

The first digital meeting

• Send a personalized welcome message with the app link.
• Offer a mini questionnaire objective/background/material.
• Plan the first session and a quick update on D+3.

The 5 key messages to copy and paste

1. Day 0: “Welcome, here is the plan and the 3 simple rules.”
2. Day 2: “Need help? Respond to this message, I am here.”
3. End of Week 1: “Well done, adherence rate at 80%! Here is the S2 objective.”
4. Week 2: “Small load adjustment to progress without pain.”
5. Week 4: “Review + new targets to keep the momentum.”

Feedbacks which count

• Perceived exertion scale (RPE) and localized pain.
• Minute “mood/sleep” to adapt the load.
• Free note: “What was the most difficult this week?”

Automate without losing the human touch

This that must be automated

• Session, payment and reservation reminders.
• Onboarding messages, periodic reviews and non-invasive reminders.
• Generation of programs from templates.

What must be kept human

• Technical adjustments, video feedback, injury management.
• Personalized messages of encouragement after a key stage.
• Benevolent re-framing in the event of demotivation.

To go further, here is a detailed guide to automate your activity without dehumanizing: https://info.ekklo.com/blog/comment-automatiser-son-business-quand-on-est-coach-sportif

Mini-cases: 2 hours saved/week

• 30 min: automatic reminders configured by offer.
• 45 min: welcome messages and planned S2/S4 assessments.
• 45 min: session templates according to levels.

A well-configured coaching application frees up time time… that you reinvest in the follow-up that makes the difference.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Too many options, not enough action

Wanting to do everything from the start dilutes the impact. Launch with a single strong offer, a single onboarding journey, then iterate.

Fuzzy promise, unclear price

Give a clear promise and a firm price. Add limited bonuses rather than permanent discounts.

Non-actionable tracking

Collecting data without taking action frustrates the customer. Transform the metrics into simple decisions: +2.5 kg next week, or the same volume but better tempo.

Forget the payment and booking experience

If booking or paying is complicated, motivation collapses. Test your journeys on mobile and simplify.

Takeaways and next steps

• A coaching application is not a gadget, it's your business operating system.
• Launch small, optimize quickly: clear objectives, simple onboarding, useful feedback.
• Automate logistics, keep it human coaching.
• Measure activation, adherence, retention and adjust every 2 to 4 weeks.

Ready to structure your activity, from offer to payment, with a tool designed for coaches? Discover the EKKLO ecosystem and its resources on https://info.ekklo.com/

Want to increase the perceived value of your offers before even opening your coaching application? Take inspiration from this guide to create attractive packages: https://info.ekklo.com/blog/creer-des-offres-packages-attractive-pour-ses-clients-quand-on-est-coach-sportif

And if you are hesitating between several solutions, talk to an EKKLO expert: we help you frame your objectives, your offers and your automations, then simply deploy. All information is available at https://info.ekklo.com/