The best studio recommendations rarely start with a marketing campaign. They happen after a memorable class, in a group text or when a member tells a friend, “You have to come with me next time.”
That enthusiasm is already helping your community grow. But without a structured referral program, it can be difficult to turn those recommendations into a consistent acquisition channel – or know which ones lead to new business.
That’s why we’re introducing Referrals in Mariana Tek, a new paid add-on that connects the entire referral journey: from the moment a member shares their unique link to the moment their friend takes action, rewards are issued and results appear in Mariana Tek.
Turn recommendations into measurable results
Referrals gives members a simple way to introduce friends to your studio directly from your branded mobile app. Each member receives a unique link they can share by text, email or any other sharing option available on their device.
When a friend follows the link, they can create an account and work toward the goal your studio has selected.
You choose what counts as a successful referral:
- Create an account
- Take a class
- Make a qualifying purchase (you can select the products that qualify)
Reward members without adding work for your team
Once a referred friend completes the selected goal, Mariana Tek automatically delivers the rewards your studio has configured.
Rewards can be issued as account balance or class credit to the referring member, the new client or both. This creates a consistent experience while reducing manual tracking and front-desk follow-up.
Your studio also controls how the program appears to members. Customize the program image, description and message members share with friends, then direct referred clients to the next step that supports your goal – such as viewing your schedule or purchasing an introductory offer.
The result is a referral experience that feels like a natural extension of your brand and community, not a generic promotion.
See how word-of-mouth contributes to growth
Word-of-mouth has always mattered. Referrals makes its impact easier to see.
Program insights brings referral activity into Mariana Tek, helping your team understand:
- How many referral links members have shared
- Which referrals were successful and where others are in the journey
- Which members are generating the most referrals
- How much product revenue is attributed to referrals when the goal is a purchase
Results can be filtered by date or location and exported for further analysis and follow-up. For brands with multiple locations, you can choose which locations participate while maintaining one consistent program across the brand.
Shaped alongside Mariana Tek customers
More than 100 Mariana Tek brands participated in early access, helping us shape Referrals around the way boutique fitness communities actually grow.
The result is a connected experience that makes referrals easier to share, simpler to manage and possible to measure – without losing the genuine member enthusiasm that makes word-of-mouth so powerful for boutique fitness studios.
Put member enthusiasm to work
Your members already know what makes your studio worth sharing. Referrals gives that enthusiasm a clear next step and gives your team a more consistent way to turn recommendations into growth.
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by Maddy Crouch Sr Product Marketing Manager, Fitness & Wellbeing
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First published: August 19 2026
Written by: Maddy Crouch