--- title: 5 reasons kids programs fail description: 5 reasons kids programs fail image: https://learn.pike13.com/hs-fs/file-3775296898-png/blog-files/five-reasons-1.png --- 3 min read # 5 reasons kids programs fail [![Picture of Amy Duchene](https://learn.pike13.com/hubfs/identity/logos/icon_165%20(1).png) Amy Duchene ](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/author/amy-duchene) : Updated on July 31, 2017 [Business Advisor](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/business-advisor) ![5 reasons kids programs fail](https://learn.pike13.com/hs-fs/file-3775296898-png/blog-files/five-reasons-1.png) ![Five reasons (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/hs-fs/file-3775296898-png/blog-files/five-reasons-1.png?width=800&height=800&name=five-reasons-1.png) In today’s marketplace, parents have more options than ever for kid’s fitness. From yoga to karate, soccer to gymnastics and even CrossFit, there’s something for every active (or inactive) child. With so much opportunity though, why are so many kids programs lagging behind the competition? Here are five simple reasons your kids program may not be as profitable as you’d hoped: **#5 The Wrong Coach** Many fitness studio owners opened their business to service adults. Adult programming is their expertise and makes up the majority of their revenue. So what happens when those same adult clients, start asking you to offer something for their kids. Many owners are quick to jump into kids’ programming -- often taking on the challenge themselves or asking a parent to assume the role of “coach.” The problem is, most of the time the most obvious person for the job can be the wrong choice. Owners are busy with managing adult classes to running the business, so a kids’ program often gets pushed aside and treated as “a little brother” to more established programs. Similarly, just because someone is a parent, or a teacher for that matter, doesn’t mean they can coach kids. The right coach should be fun, exciting, relatable and engaging. They should also be knowledgeable and motivated for the program to succeed. Take a few weeks to try out different coaches and see who kids want to learn from. Look for who gets kids excited about their health and taking on new challenges. Then, provide that person with the tools to grow the program on their own. Many businesses use a “4/9 model” that allows coaches to make 4/9 of the total revenue generated in exchange for running the program. Responsibilities include programming, marketing, and planning events. Other ideas to motivate your point person include per-member-bonuses or contract renewal incentives. When your coach is kid-approved and has the freedom and motivation to the grow the program, you’ll be surprised at the change.   **#4 The Wrong Programming** Offering the wrong programming for kids is often a side effect of having the wrong coach. Most coaches started out with adult clients, so when they’re asked to program for kids, they create the same programming just dumbed-down. Kids aren’t mini-adults. They’re an entirely different population with different motivations, limitations and needs. Instead of concentrating on more complex movements (i.e. Olympic lifting) for your younger age groups (5-8 year olds), offer more simple ways to help them with agility, balance and coordination. Another mistake often seen in kids programming is programming that caters to star athletes. These students should have greater challenges, but the majority of kids aren’t star athletes. Many who will walk in your door are normal or underfit kids who will feel alienated by programming that feels too advanced. Your sweet spot should be programming that is more challenging than P.E. class but also more fun and engaging.   **#3 The Wrong Pricing** Kids are their own marketplace. Don’t base your price in comparison to the adult classes you offer, instead your market analysis should include the prices of other options available to kids. Look into nearby martial arts programs, CrossFit Kids classes, gymnastics, club sports, etc. Get an idea of what parents are used to paying for kids’ programs and adjust. It’s also okay to offer special pricing to children of your adult clients.   **#2 The Wrong Marketing** Word of mouth and looking within your gym are great ways to START marketing your program, but that’s just it -- these should be your first two steps, not the only ones. To grow a successful adult program you used your website, social media, flyers, and more to get the word out. Don’t skimp on marketing your new program and expect it to be a money maker. Invest in quality designed flyers and information. Parents notice these things more when it comes to their kids than when it comes to themselves. If parents see that your marketing doesn’t reflect attention to detail, how can they expect you have attention to detail when it comes to their child’s form and safety? Making your program look like it’s worth the cost and important to your brand.   **#1 Not Enough Fun** Finally, the #1 most important reason kid’s programs fail is they aren’t enough fun. If your program feels like a second helping of P.E. class, kids are feeling left out during the games, or the workouts are so hard they can’t be enjoyed, you’ll start to notice a fall off in attendance. Kids won’t ask their parents to bring them to a class that they don’t like -- in fact they’ll probably beg their parents not to “make them” go. Your top goal should be to make your kids classes somewhere kids want to be. They beg their parents to take them- even get bummed out when they can’t go! They don’t want to miss out on the fun warm-up you have planned or the game you made up for them. Fitness is a top priority, but your #1 priority is to make fitness fun. Doing so, sets kids up for a lifelong healthy relationship with the gym and exercise. It also sets your program up for a lifetime of success! - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Explore More **Running a Business is Hard—We Make It Easier.** Find expert tips, advice, inspiration, and success stories below. One click and you might binge-read our best insights! ### Posts by Tag - [Business Advisor (160)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/business-advisor) - [Marketing Tips (125)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/marketing-tips) - [Pike13 Pro Tips (82)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/pike13-pro-tips) - [Growth (71)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/growth) - [Product Updates (58)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/product-updates) - [Pike13 News (50)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/pike13-news) - [Client Retention (43)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/client-retention) - [Competitive Advantage (36)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/competitive-advantage) - [Inside Pike13 (36)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/inside-pike13) - [Productivity (31)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/productivity) - [Finance (27)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/finance) - [Staffing (23)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/staffing) - [Customer Stories (22)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/customer-stories) - [Fitness (6)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/fitness) - [Press Release (6)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/press-release) - [Client Story (2)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/client-story) - [Music and Dance (2)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/music-and-dance) - [Events (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/events) - [Financial Stability (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/financial-stability) - [Kids' Activities (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/kids-activities) - [Podcast (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/front-desk-podast) - [Skill Tracking (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/skill-tracking) - [Webinars and Hangouts (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/webinars-and-hangouts) - [sports club management (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/sports-club-management) - [sports club mobile apps (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/sports-club-mobile-apps) - [sports club reporting (1)](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/sports-club-reporting) [See All](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/5-reasons-kids-programs-fail/#) [![The Hidden Revenue Stream: How Gift Cards and Add-Ons Boost Your Bottom Line](https://learn.pike13.com/hubfs/giftcardblog%20banner.png) ](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/the-hidden-revenue-stream-how-gift-cards-and-add-ons-boost-your-bottom-line) #### [The Hidden Revenue Stream: How Gift Cards and Add-Ons Boost Your Bottom Line](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/the-hidden-revenue-stream-how-gift-cards-and-add-ons-boost-your-bottom-line) [The Pike13 Team](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/author/the-pike13-team): Apr 06, 2026 The Overlooked Opportunity Most studio owners spend their energy filling classes and booking appointments. That’s the core revenue, so it makes... [Competitive Advantage](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/competitive-advantage) [Growth](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/growth) [Finance](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/finance) [Financial Stability](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/financial-stability) [Read More](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/the-hidden-revenue-stream-how-gift-cards-and-add-ons-boost-your-bottom-line) [![Why Multi-Factor Authentication is Essential for Account Security](https://learn.pike13.com/hubfs/Assets%20-%20Unorganized/Unorganized%20-%20images/Blog%20-%20Other/data-security.jpg) ](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/why-multi-factor-authentication-is-essential-for-account-security) #### [Why Multi-Factor Authentication is Essential for Account Security](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/why-multi-factor-authentication-is-essential-for-account-security) [Kaina](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/author/kaina): Apr 06, 2026 Protect your business and client data from unauthorized access with multi-factor authentication—a critical security layer that goes beyond passwords... [Read More](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/why-multi-factor-authentication-is-essential-for-account-security) [![Pike13 and Stripe: A Winning Combination](https://learn.pike13.com/hubfs/Blog%20post%20header.png) ](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/pike13-and-stripe-a-winning-combination) #### [Pike13 and Stripe: A Winning Combination](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/pike13-and-stripe-a-winning-combination) ![Picture of Monica B.](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e) [Monica B.](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/author/monica-b): Jul 20, 2023 Whether you run a fitness studio, yoga center, or any other membership-based business, managing registrations, payments, and customer data can be... [Competitive Advantage](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/competitive-advantage) [Growth](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/growth) [Finance](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/finance) [Read More](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/pike13-and-stripe-a-winning-combination) [![A Free Tool to Manage Contact Tracing and Enforce Facility Capacity](https://learn.pike13.com/hubfs/Campaigns/COVID-19/visitance_dashboard.jpg) ](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/free-tool-to-manage-contact-tracing-and-enforce-facility-capacity) #### [A Free Tool to Manage Contact Tracing and Enforce Facility Capacity](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/free-tool-to-manage-contact-tracing-and-enforce-facility-capacity) ![Picture of Katie Zacharkiw](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/b801dd245b9f42f681cce05b96c47e3d) [Katie Zacharkiw](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/author/katie-zacharkiw) : Aug 24, 2020 It’s exciting that businesses are starting to open their doors again, although the COVID-19 threat is far from gone. We all have to be extra careful... [Business Advisor](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/business-advisor) [Read More](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/free-tool-to-manage-contact-tracing-and-enforce-facility-capacity) [![Organize and Optimize Client Communications with New LoopSpark Integration](https://learn.pike13.com/hubfs/Partners%20and%20Integrations/LoopSpark/loopspark-partnership-blog-banner.png) ](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/organize-and-optimize-client-communications-with-new-loopspark-integration) #### [Organize and Optimize Client Communications with New LoopSpark Integration](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/organize-and-optimize-client-communications-with-new-loopspark-integration) ![Picture of Katie Zacharkiw](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/b801dd245b9f42f681cce05b96c47e3d) [Katie Zacharkiw](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/author/katie-zacharkiw) : Jun 05, 2020 Pike13 is pleased to announce a new integration with LoopSpark, a powerful client communication tool. LoopSpark enables you to build and manage email... [Business Advisor](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/business-advisor) [Product Updates](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/product-updates) [Marketing Tips](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/marketing-tips) [Pike13 Pro Tips](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/pike13-pro-tips) [Read More](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/organize-and-optimize-client-communications-with-new-loopspark-integration) [![How’s business? An honest assessment](https://learn.pike13.com/hs-fs/file-3717965509-jpg/blog-files/origin_2468506922.jpg) ](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/hows-business-honest-assessment/) #### [How’s business? An honest assessment](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/hows-business-honest-assessment/) ![Picture of Nicki](https://learn.pike13.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pike13_logo-144-1aed399311d06d9456a07f2601db554b.png?width=30&name=pike13_logo-144-1aed399311d06d9456a07f2601db554b.png) [Nicki](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/author/nicki) : Oct 22, 2014 How many times have you been party to this classic exchange? “Hi, how are you doing?” “Fine, thanks.” End. “Fine, thanks.” Those two overspoken,... [Business Advisor](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/topic/business-advisor) [Read More](https://learn.pike13.com/blog/hows-business-honest-assessment/) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=7046634&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Amy Duchene", "url" : "https://learn.pike13.com/blog/author/amy-duchene" }, "datePublished" : "2015-06-26T11:10:26.000Z", "headline" : "5 reasons kids programs fail", "image" : [ "https://learn.pike13.com/hs-fs/file-3775296898-png/blog-files/five-reasons-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://learn.pike13.com/blog/5-reasons-kids-programs-fail/", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://learn.pike13.com/hubfs/p13-logo-600px.png" }, "name" : "Pike, Inc." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.pike13.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Seattle", "addressRegion" : "WA", "postalCode" : "98122", "streetAddress" : "1221 East Pike Suite 200" }, "email" : "sales@pike13.com", "foundingDate" : "2011", "logo" : "https://www.pike13.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets%20-%20Unorganized/Organizing%20-%20In%20Use/Pike13%20Logo%20PNG.png?width=3000&height=790&name=Pike13%20Logo%20PNG.png", "name" : "Pike13", "parentOrganization" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Jonas Software" }, "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/gopike13", "https://twitter.com/gopike13", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/gopike13", "https://www.instagram.com/gopike13/" ], "telephone" : "(855) 417-7120", "url" : "https://www.pike13.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.pike13.com/#software", "@type" : "SoftwareApplication", "applicationCategory" : "BusinessApplication", "applicationSubCategory" : "Scheduling Software, Franchise Management Software, Skill Tracking Software", "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "United States" }, { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "Canada" }, { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "United Kingdom" }, { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "Australia" }, { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "Germany" }, { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "Spain" }, { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "Portugal" }, { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "Brazil" }, { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "Mexico" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "European Economic Area" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "South America" }, { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "South Africa" } ], "audience" : { "@type" : "Audience", "audienceType" : "Fitness studios, music schools, swim schools, martial arts academies, youth coding programs, strength training gyms, franchise networks, multi-location activity-based businesses" }, "description" : "Pike13 is scheduling, enrollment, payment, and skill tracking software for activity-based businesses — from single-location studios to multi-location franchise networks. Serving fitness studios, music schools, swim schools, martial arts academies, youth coding programs, and strength training gyms.", "featureList" : [ "Scheduling and enrollment for classes, courses, and appointments", "Pre-paid and recurring plans", "Passes and punch cards", "Attendance tracking", "Automated reminder notifications", "Automated waitlist management", "Coupons", "Merchant processing", "Gift cards", "Automated billing and collections", "Child and dependent account linking", "Client communication", "Client app (iOS and Android)", "Staff app (iOS and Android)", "Client kiosk app", "Branded client website", "Basic reporting on clients, staff, and financials", "Insights Dashboard", "Payroll management and staff time tracking (Advanced+)", "Retail (Advanced+)", "Email marketing (Advanced+)", "SMS reminders and messaging (Advanced+)", "Facebook Pixel (Advanced+)", "Zapier integration (Advanced+)", "Digital waivers and custom terms and conditions (Advanced+)", "Embeddable website widgets (Advanced+)", "Room bookings (Advanced+)", "Google Analytics integration (Advanced+)", "Custom reporting powered by Looker (Advanced+)", "Multi-location oversight with reporting (Advanced+)", "Contactless check-in: kiosk, app, and QR codes (Advanced+)", "API access and custom integrations (Premium only)", "Member progress tracking and skill assessments (Premium only)", "Branded client app for iOS and Android (Premium option)", "Custom reports (Premium only)" ], "name" : "Pike13", "offers" : [ { "@type" : "Offer", "description" : "For solo operators and small studios. Includes scheduling and enrollment for classes, courses, and appointments; pre-paid and recurring plans; passes and punch cards; attendance tracking; automated reminders and waitlist management; coupons; merchant processing; gift cards; automated billing; family and dependent accounts; client communication; client app, staff app, kiosk app; branded client website; basic reporting; Insights Dashboard. Unlimited staff seats and client profiles. 12-month contract.", "name" : "Essential", "price" : "139.00", "priceCurrency" : "USD", "priceSpecification" : { "@type" : "PriceSpecification", "billingDuration" : "P1M" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "description" : "For growing and multi-location businesses. Everything in Essential plus: multi-location oversight with reporting; payroll management and staff time tracking; digital waivers; custom reporting powered by Looker; email marketing; Facebook Pixel and Google Analytics; room bookings; contactless check-in (kiosk, app, QR codes); SMS reminders and messaging; Zapier integration; embeddable website widgets; retail. 12-month contract.", "name" : "Advanced", "price" : "195.00", "priceCurrency" : "USD", "priceSpecification" : { "@type" : "PriceSpecification", "billingDuration" : "P1M" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "description" : "For franchises and enterprise-level customization. Everything in Advanced plus: API access and custom integrations for enterprise workflows; member progress tracking and skill assessments; branded client app for iOS and Android (available option); custom reports. 12-month contract.", "name" : "Premium", "price" : "249.00", "priceCurrency" : "USD", "priceSpecification" : { "@type" : "PriceSpecification", "billingDuration" : "P1M" } } ], "operatingSystem" : "Web, iOS, Android", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.pike13.com/#organization" }, "url" : "https://www.pike13.com/" } ```