Automated Gyms Are Coming Online in Russia

Fitbase LLC, which has been developing digital services for the fitness industry for years, has combined membership sales, online booking, payments, access control, and revenue and attendance analytics into a single product. The system is designed for a format where a facility operates with minimal on-site staff, shifting core processes into a unified digital environment.

For managers, that means no more jumping between tools. They can monitor multiple clubs from a single dashboard, while staff respond to customer inquiries through an integrated chat that connects VK, Max, and other messaging apps and social platforms. Operations can be handled remotely, without a large administrative team.

How a Gym Runs Without a Front Desk

At its core, the system builds on a familiar self-service model. Customers purchase memberships, book classes, enter via QR code or card-based access, and pay through a website or app. Fitbase connects these steps with payment systems, messaging platforms, and social networks, giving owners a single digital layer instead of a patchwork of disconnected tools.

In practice, this enables near 24/7 operation. Users are no longer tied to front desk hours, while owners receive automated alerts, reminders, recurring charges, and CRM-driven task updates. For facilities ranging from 50 to 500 square meters, the model reduces payroll pressure and simplifies launch.

In case of incidents, management can rely on video surveillance records.

A Market Ready for Automation

Russia’s fitness market exceeded 316 billion rubles in 2025 (about $3.4 billion) and grew by roughly 20 percent year over year. Against that backdrop, operators are looking for formats that allow faster expansion with lower costs. Automated gyms fit squarely into that shift toward digitalization. Fitbase is positioning its platform as a ready-to-deploy software backbone for new facilities.

Globally, staffless gyms are no longer experimental. A 2025 Frontiers study highlights how such clubs combine automation, mobile-first services, QR or facial recognition access, and IoT-based equipment management. European fitness chains are moving in the same direction. The concept has matured into a distinct business model.

That said, researchers also flag risks. Staffless formats raise questions around safety, regulation, and user trust. Cost savings from automation need to be matched with clear systems for access control, monitoring, and customer support. Fitbase is now moving to address those gaps.

What’s Next for Fitbase

The company plans to introduce stricter identity verification and expand video analytics. For a staffless format, that is critical: owners need to know who enters the club, how space is used, and what happens during peak hours. Without that visibility, scaling the model across multiple locations becomes difficult.

Fitbase also sees broader applications. The system can be adapted for yoga, pilates, dance, martial arts, and other compact studio formats. In that sense, the company is evolving beyond a CRM provider into a builder of autonomous fitness services. In a growing market, that positioning could prove decisive.

Staffless gyms are a global trend in the fitness industry and one of the most attractive business ideas on the market, with profitability of up to 50 percent. Our product makes it possible to launch autonomous fitness clubs in spaces ranging from 50 to 500 square meters, with initial investments starting from 6 to 8 million rubles [about $65,000 to $85,000 – ed. note]. The concept may be especially relevant for developers building residential complexes with integrated infrastructure. Staffless gyms are also a convenient investment option for entrepreneurs who do not want to manage day-to-day operations. For existing fitness facilities, our solution helps cut costs and improve operational control

Vasily Suvorov

Founder of Fitbase