Why Your Fitness Studio Needs a Google 360 Tour

Key Takeaways

A Google 360 tour boosts your studio’s visibility on Google and helps improve search rankings.
It makes it easier for potential members to find your studio by showing them what the building and signage look like.
High-quality tours and photos build trust, giving prospects confidence before they even walk in the door.
Tours and photos aren’t just marketing tools — they also help with accounting, asset tracking, and property tax filings.

At The Fitness CPA, we’ve seen studio owners invest thousands into new equipment, marketing campaigns, and even custom neon signs… but skip the simple step that could drive the most eyeballs to their business: a Google 360 tour.

It’s the easiest win we recommend to new clients.

Why? Because it works. It helps people find you, trust you, and sign up.

And the best part? It’s easy. A photographer comes in, does their thing, and suddenly your business looks sharp across Google, your website, and everywhere else online.

Let’s break it down.

What is a Google 360 Tour?

If you’ve ever looked at a house online and clicked through the rooms before booking a showing, that’s basically what a Google 360 tour is for your gym.

It lets people “walk” through your lobby, locker rooms, studio, and even retail space, straight from their phone or laptop.

It’s interactive and it shows up directly on your Google Business listing. You don’t need fancy tech. Just someone to schedule the photographer and tidy up the place.

That’s it.

Why It Matters for Fitness Studios

You’re probably thinking to yourself… Well, Eric, we’re a gym. Not a house. Why do we need this?

So, here’s what a Google 360 tour (and a few high-quality photos) can do for your business:

1. It boosts your visibility on Google

Google likes fresh, engaging content, and a 360 tour fits the bill. It keeps people on your listing longer, which tells the algorithm your business is relevant. More time = better rankings.

We’ve seen clients jump higher in search results after adding tours. Plus, Google literally says businesses with virtual tours are twice as likely to generate interest. That’s not a maybe. That’s a pretty loud hint.

2. It helps people actually find your studio

Your address isn’t always enough. People want to see what your building looks like from the street, what signage to look for, and whether they’re in the right place.

We always recommend including an exterior photo with your signage (just like someone driving by would see it). Bonus points if you include neighboring businesses, as a lot of people recognize your place by what it’s next to.

3. It builds trust before they even step inside

Most people are doing their gym shopping online. And if they’re choosing between a studio with 3 grainy photos and one with a full walkthrough… it’s not a hard choice.

The tour shows them what they’re walking into. It answers questions before they ask them. It tells a story, and it says you’ve got nothing to hide.

Trust is what sells memberships. This gets you there faster.

So What Do You Actually Need?

The good news is that you don’t need to overhaul your website or spend thousands on a campaign.

Here’s the playbook we share with our clients:

Google a 360 tour photographer in your city.
Schedule a time when your studio is clean and quiet (mornings work great).
Tidy up! Think of it like hosting an open house. You want it to shine.
Ask for still photos too (you’ll use them all over your website and socials).
Post the tour to your Google Business page, website, Instagram, email list, etc. Pretty much anywhere people look you up.

Done.

Don’t Forget the Still Shots

The virtual tour helps people feel like they’re in your space. But the photos are what you’ll actually use day-to-day.

We always recommend capturing:

The exterior with signage (the “drive by” view)
The front desk and entrance
Studio space with and without people
Equipment and lockers
Group classes if possible (real people, not staged)

And these aren’t just for show. You’ll use them in social posts, email newsletters, ads, flyers… everything. It’s your new digital business card.

What It Looks Like In Action

Big chains have figured this out already. Check out these Google 360 tours from:

You can click around, walk through the space, and get a feel for the vibe, all without leaving your desk. Your future members want the same experience.

And you don’t need to be a franchise to do it well.

Bonus: It Helps Us Too (No, Really)

Here’s something else most people don’t think about: those photos and tours help us, your accountants, do a better job.

We’ve caught more than a few missing asset purchases, i.e. lockers, signage, desks, etc. just by reviewing a studio’s Google images. If it’s in the photos but not on your balance sheet, that’s a red flag.

It also helps with local business property tax filings (aka the tax you pay on equipment and furnishings).

A tour gives us — and county assessors — a clear picture of what’s in your space.

Final Thought: Low-Hanging Fruit That Pays Off

The short version? A Google 360 tour is the marketing move that pays off over and over again.

It boosts your Google rankings. It shows off your space. It makes members more likely to walk in the door. It even helps with your taxes.

If you haven’t scheduled one yet, consider this your sign.

If you need help figuring out what to photograph or where to start, we’ve walked a lot of studios through this process. Shoot us an email and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Until next time!

Author
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Eric Killian

CPA & Founder | Accountant, husband, father, mountaineer.
Fitness is such a big part of who I am. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating well (mostly paleo), hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, practicing yoga and Crossfit are all important cornerstones of life. But I love ice cream and cookies too much to say no!
I love helping owners make sense of their business and finding ways to grow it. It’s an honor to help you see situations, scenarios and opportunities from all sides so you can make informed decisions.

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