“They are searching for a gym, make sure they find YOURS.” - CT

If you've ever wondered, "Can Instagram help my gym get found online?" — the answer is a definite yes! Strengthening your gym's presence on Instagram is key to reaching more people and start attracting new members.

In this new guide, we'll explore how you can make your martial arts school, Muay Thai academy or boxing gym stand out on Instagram using simple SEO (search engine optimisation) techniques.

Understanding Instagram SEO for Gyms

What is Instagram SEO?

Instagram SEO is all about making your content more visible across the platform. The goal is to ensure that your gym gets noticed in various places, from search results to the Explore Page, so that more paying members can your business.

Why should Gym owners care about Instagram SEO?

What's more is that over half of new gym members are under 30 and 80% of new gym members are Gen-Z or Millennials. Instagram, for example, has over 400 million daily users, and there are over 180 million uses of #fitness and over 34 million of #boxing on Instagram.

With such a massive engaged audience, optimizing your gym's content for search can have a dramatic impact on your ability to attract new members. Keep in mind the average age range in a striking gym is 18 - 29 years of age so it makes good marketing practice to produce and optimize on the platforms (especially instagram) where these guys spend a good chunk of their time online.

With that said, here are 5 proven strategies you can easily use for your gym's account to get found by more students today! 👊

1. Optimise Your Instagram Profile Name

Include keywords in your profile name or username to improve your chances of ranking for relevant search words. Make sure your profile name includes your gym's main discipline and the exact geographic location. Eg. @bangtaomuaythaimma or @primal.mma in their username complimented by the exact location and additional discipline in the account name "Primal MMA Karratha | MUAY THAI".

Below is another example of a well search optimised bio from Sitshoothon - Sydney Muay Thai gym 👇

2. Write Clear Captions with Keywords

By using keywords naturally in your captions, you increase your chances of showing up in search results and attracting new students. When you are writing about a kids class, be more descriptive, instead of saying "in our kids class today...", say "in our boxing kids class..." Check out the caption below from Waterford Muay Thai in Ireland.

3. Use Relevant Hashtags

Adding targeted hashtags to your posts exposes your content to a wider audience. Aim to include up to 10 relevant hashtags per post to increase visibility. The easiest way is to save #tags in your notes in groups that are relevant to specific types of posts, like a promo for a boxing kids class or a fight update. Copy and paste relevant hashtags every time into your caption before posting.

Here are 30 for your boxing class posts to get you started. Use 10 at a time.

#boxinggym #boxing #boxingtraining #boxinglife #boxingworkout #boxinggloves #boxingcoach #boxingday #boxingnews #fitness #boxeo #boxinghype #boxingworld #boxingfitness #training #boxingdrills #boxinggirl #boxingclub #gym #boxinglifestyle #boxingfans #ufc #boxingislife #boxingtrainer #boxingfamily #miketyson #boxingmotivation #boxingfan #workout #boxingmotivation

We've actually put together most popular and relevant #tags for Muay Thai content divided by different classes and types of content (kids class, fight camp, Muay Thai technique reel, etc). You can download a FREE doc with all 101 of them here.

4. Describe Your Photos with Alt Text

Now that's a sneaky one! You can only do this for photo posts and carousels. Adding descriptive alt text to your Instagram posts provides extra context for visually impaired users and improves accessibility. So you are ticking two major boxes here: enhancing your content's SEO and ensuring inclusivity.

5. Add Location to Every Post

Always check into a relevant location for every single post, but here is the trick - don't always choose your gym as the location. It is better to check into the immediate area where you are located. Like Maroochydore Beach for our friends at Revolution Muay Thai Sunshine Coast or Alvin for Texas Muay Thai Academy.

Conclusion: Strategy and Consistency for the Win

By implementing these easy tactics into your routine you’re in the fight for attention against the big franchise gyms. The most important thing is to be consistent and keep showing up for your gym.

Also we have seen gyms that have the most success online are those who pick a niche and stick with it. For example if you’re interested in educational type content like Damien Trainor stick to that and post consistently about it so your community gets to know you for that.

Avoid chasing trends and trying go viral instead focus on building community and allowing new members to discover you for you and what you stand for.

Instagram SEO Checklist:

Here is a quick checklist to get you started with Instagram SEO now. Remember imperfect action beats inaction, get started and keep publishing.

• Check your user name and profile name. Update to include your main discipline and location.

• Add key words to your bio.

• Start planning your #tag strategy by Identifying what your potential students are searching for. If you are stuck you can use sites like - https://best-hashtags.com

• Create a document or notes on your phone with your top 30 hashtags. Use your own research or just use our 101 Essential Tags For Muay Thai Content.

• Write captions conversationally, like if you were telling a story to a friend, but make sure to drop a few key words whenever possible.

• Add Alt Text to every post.

• Add location to every post.

• Stay consistent and show up as YOU.