Head of growth viewgym chaincontent

What should a gym chain do with UGC it isn't using? (Head of growth view)

Short answer

As a head of growth, unused UGC is a repository for your next winning ad. Every video is a variable you can test to lower your customer acquisition cost. Don't let these assets sit idle. Organize them into categories, test them against your current ads, and double down on the ones that bring in the most trial signups for your gym chain.

TIDE Automations decision guide ยท Updated 8 November 2026

The options board

Six ways to staff social, side by side

Typical setups, not guarantees. The last row is the one most companies have not heard of yet.

OptionPagesPosts a dayYour team's timeOutput scales with
One social media manager1 to 31 to 3Hiring, training, managingHeadcount
Freelancer1 to 2Under 1Briefing, chasing, reviewingHours bought
Social media agencyYour main pageA few a weekBriefs and approvalsRetainer size
UGC creatorsTheir pages, brieflyPer contractSourcing and contractsCreator fees
More paid adsAd placementsRented reachCreative and media buyingAd spend
Managed content networkDozens of brand pagesOver 100Send content. That's it.Number of pages

Treat every clip as a test

You need data to understand what moves the needle. A video of a group class might convert better than a close-up of a coach. You won't know until you run it. Your goal is to use your existing UGC to build a library of high-performing creative assets. Each clip is a chance to gather data and optimize your conversion rates. Test them in your campaigns and measure which ones lead to the lowest cost per lead. If it performs well, move it to the top of your priority list for scaling.

Optimize the path to conversion

Once you identify which member videos work best, ensure the path to sign-up is optimized. Your creative should reflect the call to action clearly. If a video shows a member enjoying a specific yoga class, your landing page should be for that class. Don't let your creative efforts fall short by sending people to a generic sign-up page. Align your UGC with the specific interests of your potential members. This creates a cohesive experience that drives more signups and makes your marketing spend much more effective.

Scale your distribution with TIDE

To get your winning content in front of more people, look into a managed content network. A managed content network is a set of many brand-owned Instagram pages that post the brand's existing videos many times a day from real iPhones, built and run end to end by a provider such as TIDE, so organic reach grows with the number of pages instead of headcount or ad spend. This lets you amplify your best-performing member videos at scale, giving you more opportunities to test and drive signups without increasing your spend.

Iterate based on performance data

Never stick to one strategy. Use the feedback from your audience to guide your future content collection. If your members keep posting videos of their morning routines, focus on that. Your data will tell you what your audience values most. As a head of growth, your job is to follow that data and build a repeatable model for member acquisition. Use your existing UGC as a foundation for this model and keep testing to find new ways to grow. Your success is tied to how quickly you can turn data into results.

Heads of growth should test and iterate with unused member content to find winning ads that lower customer acquisition costs.

See your network before you hire.

Tell us what your gym chain already makes and how you get customers today. We'll show you a real network running live and tell you honestly whether it fits. It costs about the same as one marketing hire.

No pitch deck. We look at what you already make and tell you straight if it fits.

Follow-up questions

How do I measure UGC performance?

Track click-through rates and trial sign-up conversion. If a video has high engagement but no sign-ups, iterate on the CTA or the landing page.

What if I run out of content?

Incentivize your members to post more. A small reward for sharing a video of their workout is a cheap way to fill your content pipeline.

Should I use paid ads for UGC?

Yes, UGC often performs exceptionally well in paid social ads. It blends in with organic content, which often leads to higher engagement and lower costs.

Same question, other roles

FounderWhat should a gym chain do with UGC it isn't using?CEOWhat should a gym chain do with UGC it isn't using?CMOWhat should a gym chain do with UGC it isn't using?Marketing managerWhat should a gym chain do with UGC it isn't using?

More head of growth decisions

Head of growthHow does a gym chain repurpose content at scale?Head of growthUGC creators or a managed content network for a gym chain?Head of growthInfluencers or owned pages: where should a gym chain invest?Head of growthHow should a gym chain launch something new on Instagram?

How other industries answer it

wellness centerWhat should a wellness center do with UGC it isn't using?music labelWhat should a music label do with UGC it isn't using?wealth management firmWhat should a wealth management firm do with UGC it isn't using?
Message us