Marketing Women's BJJ & Self-Defence Classes UK: What Actually Works
Traditional martial arts marketing fails spectacularly with women. Fear-based tactics, male-centric messaging, and aggressive imagery actively repel the audience you're trying to reach. This guide shows you what actually works: empowerment messaging, community-focused content, and marketing channels that deliver 30-50% trial-to-member conversion rates for women's programmes.
Key Takeaways
- ✓ Empowerment messaging outperforms fear-based tactics by 75% for women's fitness
- ✓ Facebook Groups and Instagram deliver highest ROI at £0-£200/month investment
- ✓ Video testimonials convert 2-3× better than static images for women's programmes
- ✓ International Women's Day campaigns generate 30-60 workshop attendees with proper promotion
In This Guide
- → Why Traditional Martial Arts Marketing Fails for Women
- → Messaging That Works for Women's Programmes
- → Marketing Channels Ranked by ROI
- 1. Facebook Groups (Highest ROI: FREE + High Conversion)
- 2. Instagram Marketing (High ROI: Low Cost + Visual Impact)
- 3. Facebook/Instagram Ads (Medium ROI: Paid but Scalable)
- 4. Google Business Profile (High ROI: FREE + Local Visibility)
- 5. Corporate Wellness Programmes (High ROI: High-Value Clients)
- 6. Partnership Marketing (Medium ROI: Relationship Building)
- → Campaign Ideas for Women's Programmes
- → Landing Page Best Practices for Women's Programmes
- → What NOT to Do (Common Mistakes)
- → Budget-Based Marketing Plans
- → Measuring Marketing Effectiveness
- → Monthly Marketing Calendar Template
- → Tools & Resources
Why Traditional Martial Arts Marketing Fails for Women
Walk into most BJJ gyms and look at their marketing. It's aggressive, competitive, and overwhelmingly masculine. This isn't an accident—it's a systematic failure to understand what motivates women to train.
Research by Sport England found that 75% of women want to be more active, but don't follow through due to fear of judgement. Their groundbreaking "This Girl Can" campaign addressed this directly, and the 90-second video was viewed over 37 million times. The result? 1.6 million women began exercising after seeing empowerment-based messaging.
Meanwhile, Protein World's "Are you beach body ready?" billboard campaign was dubbed the worst campaign of 2015 by Campaign Magazine. It received accusations of body shaming and sexism. The lesson is clear: women don't want to be shamed—they want to be inspired by something achievable.
Common failures in BJJ marketing to women include:
- Fear-based tactics: "Learn to fight off attackers!" creates anxiety, not empowerment
- Sexualised imagery: Male gaze photography that objectifies rather than empowers
- All-male representation: No women visible in marketing materials or facility photos
- Generic tough messaging: Aggression, dominance, and competition that appeals primarily to men
- Lack of community focus: Emphasising individual achievement over supportive environment
The data is clear: marketing that tells women to work out to "burn off calories" or "fix the way you look" is not remotely empowering and achieves the exact opposite of your goals.
Messaging That Works for Women's Programmes
Women respond to fundamentally different messaging than men. Understanding this psychology is the foundation of successful marketing.
Empowerment Over Fear
Sport England's research confirms that 81% of women reported increased confidence from empowerment-based campaigns. Here's the difference:
| Fear-Based (Wrong) | Empowerment (Right) |
|---|---|
| "Learn to fight off attackers!" | "Build confidence and capability" |
| "Don't be a victim!" | "Feel empowered in every situation" |
| "Assault statistics in your area" | "Join 200+ women building strength together" |
| "Scary scenarios and threats" | "Practical skills for everyday confidence" |
Your tone should be supportive, inclusive, and encouraging. Focus on what women gain—confidence, community, fitness, practical skills—not what they're defending against.
Community and Belonging
Women value community over competition. Your marketing should emphasise:
- Friendships and sisterhood: Show women training together, laughing, supporting each other
- Social aspects: Highlight post-class coffee meetups, social events, WhatsApp groups
- Support network: Feature testimonials about the community, not just the techniques
- Member spotlights: Share stories of women from different backgrounds and ages
- Group training photos: Never show solo fighter images—always show the community
Research on women-only fitness facilities found that making women feel comfortable and combining charitable activities with promotions helps women feel the gym empathises with them.
Fitness and Wellness Angle
Position BJJ as a fitness activity first, self-defence second. Women are more likely to try BJJ when marketed as:
- Full-body workout: Cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, coordination
- Stress relief: Mental health benefits, mindfulness, switching off from daily pressures
- Wellness and empowerment: Holistic approach to feeling stronger and more capable
- Practical bonus: Self-defence skills as a valuable additional benefit, not the primary hook
- Sustainable fitness: Long-term activity that's engaging and social, not punishment
Weight loss and toning can be mentioned but should never be the primary message. Focus on feeling strong, not looking thin.
Addressing Concerns Proactively
Women have specific concerns about starting BJJ. Address them directly in your marketing:
| Concern | Your Response |
|---|---|
| "I'm not fit enough" | "Fitness comes with training—our women-only classes welcome all levels" |
| "I'll get hurt" | "Controlled, supervised environment with partners your size and experience" |
| "I'm too old" | "We have women from 20s to 60s training together" |
| "I'm too small/weak" | "BJJ was designed for smaller people to overcome larger opponents" |
| "It's all men" | "We offer women-only classes with 20+ women training weekly" |
Use video testimonials from real members addressing each concern. This is dramatically more effective than you making the claim.
Marketing Channels Ranked by ROI
Not all marketing channels deliver equal results for women's programmes. Here's what actually works in the UK market, ranked by return on investment.
1. Facebook Groups (Highest ROI: FREE + High Conversion)
Direct access to your target audience in trusted community spaces. Expected results: 5-10 trial bookings per month at £0 cost.
Target groups:
- Local mums groups
- Women's fitness and health groups
- Professional women's networking groups
- "New to [city]" groups (women relocating)
- University women's societies
Tactics that work:
- Offer value first: Free self-defence tips, safety advice, technique demonstrations
- Share member success stories (with permission)
- Run free Facebook Live demonstrations
- Answer questions, build authority in the space
- Soft promotion: "We offer women-only classes if interested"
Critical rules:
- ✅ Contribute value, engage authentically
- ❌ Don't spam posts, hard sell, or violate group rules
This is your highest ROI channel because it's completely free and reaches women already seeking community and fitness solutions.
2. Instagram Marketing (High ROI: Low Cost + Visual Impact)
Women dominate Instagram usage in the UK. Visual platform perfect for community building. Expected results: 500-2,000 followers → 3-8 trial bookings/month.
Content strategy (60/20/10/10 rule):
- 60% community/culture content (women training together, friendships, behind-the-scenes)
- 20% educational content (technique tips, self-defence advice, BJJ basics)
- 10% promotional content (trial offers, events, special announcements)
- 10% member spotlights and testimonials
Content types:
- Reels: Technique demonstrations, day-in-the-life, transformation stories (highest engagement)
- Stories: Behind-the-scenes, Q&A sessions, polls, daily updates
- Posts: Community photos, member spotlights, motivational content
- IGTV/Long videos: Longer technique breakdowns, full testimonials
Hashtag strategy:
- Local: #londonwomen #manchesterbjj #[city]fitness
- Niche: #womensbjj #femalebjj #womeninbjj #bjjgirls
- Empowerment: #womensempowerment #strongwomen #selfdefence
- General: #womensfitness #fitnessmotivation #ukfitness
Growth tactics:
- Partner with local female micro-influencers (£100-£500/post based on 2026 UK rates)
- Collaborate with members for user-generated content
- Engage with local women's fitness accounts daily
- Run Instagram contests and giveaways
3. Facebook/Instagram Ads (Medium ROI: Paid but Scalable)
Precise targeting and scalable results. UK fitness ads perform well with above-average conversion rates. Expected results: £200/month budget = 10-20 trial bookings.
Targeting strategy:
- Demographics: Women 25-50, local (10-15km radius)
- Interests: Yoga, fitness, wellness, self-care, empowerment
- Behaviours: Engaged shoppers, fitness enthusiasts
- Lookalike audiences from existing female members
2026 UK ad performance benchmarks:
- Expected CPC: £0.50-£1.50 (health & fitness averages £0.85-£1.11)
- Expected CTR: 1.5-3% (fitness sees 1.72% for leads campaigns)
- Landing page conversion: 15-30%
- Cost per trial booking: £15-£40
Ad creative best practices:
- Video testimonials (highest performing—convert 2-3× better)
- Women training together (community proof)
- Transformation stories (confidence-focused)
- Female instructor introduction (if available)
- User-generated content (authentic, relatable)
Ad copy formula:
- Hook: Question or bold statement ("Feeling capable is powerful")
- Problem: Address pain point ("Tired of feeling vulnerable?")
- Solution: Women-only BJJ/self-defence programme
- Proof: Testimonial quote or member count
- CTA: "Book free trial class" (clear, direct action)
Budget recommendations:
- Minimum: £200/month (£7/day) for consistent results
- Optimal: £300-£500/month for scalable growth
See our complete guide on Facebook and Instagram advertising for gyms for detailed setup instructions.
4. Google Business Profile (High ROI: FREE + Local Visibility)
Appears in local searches and map listings at zero cost. Essential for local discovery.
Optimisation for women's programmes:
- Add "Women-only classes" to business description
- Upload photos of diverse women training (various ages and body types)
- Create weekly Google Posts about women's programme
- List women-only class times in "Attributes" section
- Respond to all reviews, especially from women
Review generation from female members:
- Ask specifically for reviews mentioning women's programme
- Send review request 2-4 weeks after joining (optimal timing)
- Make it easy: Direct link in email/text message
- Incentivise: Entry into monthly £50 prize draw
Posts strategy:
- Weekly Google Post about women's programme
- Highlight female member of the month
- Announce women-only events and workshops
- Share self-defence tips (value-first content)
Learn more about optimising your Google Business Profile for maximum visibility.
5. Corporate Wellness Programmes (High ROI: High-Value Clients)
B2B sales with higher fees and bulk bookings. Expected results: 2-6 corporate bookings/year = £1,600-£9,000 revenue.
Target companies:
- Women-led companies and female-focused businesses
- Companies with female employee networks (ERGs)
- Tech companies (diversity and inclusion initiatives)
- Healthcare and education sectors
- Professional services (law, accounting, consulting)
UK corporate wellness pricing (2026):
- 2-hour self-defence session: £800-£1,500 (10-20 employees)
- Quarterly package: £3,000-£5,000 (4 sessions per year)
- International Women's Day special: £700-£1,200
Outreach strategy:
- LinkedIn outreach to HR managers and diversity leads
- Pitch timing: International Women's Day (March), Mental Health Awareness Week (May)
- Value proposition: Employee wellness, empowerment, team building, duty of care
- First session at discount (£500-£700) to demonstrate value
Partnership approach:
- Start with one-off session to build relationship
- Demonstrate value and gather feedback
- Offer quarterly or bi-annual package
- Bonus: Some participants join as individual members
Explore our guide on building corporate wellness partnerships for detailed outreach templates.
6. Partnership Marketing (Medium ROI: Relationship Building)
Strategic partnerships with complementary businesses. Expected results: 2-5 trial bookings/month from partner referrals.
Strategic partners:
- Yoga studios (complementary audience, wellness focus)
- Women's coworking spaces (professional women)
- Boutique fitness studios (barre, Pilates, CrossFit)
- Women's networking groups (BNI, Professional Women's Network)
- Universities (women's sports societies, student unions)
- Women's refuges and charities (pro bono sessions + PR benefit)
Partnership models:
- Cross-promotion: Promote each other's services to members
- Joint events: Host workshops at their space or co-host events
- Referral commission: 10-20% per signup they refer
- Member discounts: Your members get discount at their business and vice versa
Approach strategy:
- Identify 5-10 potential partners in your area
- Reach out with specific collaboration proposal
- Start small: Single co-hosted event or workshop
- Build relationship before proposing ongoing partnership
- Track referrals to measure partnership ROI
See our complete guide on building strategic partnerships for gym growth.
Campaign Ideas for Women's Programmes
Seasonal campaigns create urgency and cultural relevance. Here are proven campaigns for UK gyms.
International Women's Day Campaign (March 8)
Perfect timing with cultural relevance and media attention. The UKBJJA's "Unstoppable Girl" campaign demonstrates the power of empowerment messaging in UK BJJ.
Campaign elements:
- Free 3-hour self-defence workshop
- Social media content series (women's empowerment stories)
- Partner with local women's organisations
- PR push to local press (newsworthy angle)
- Special trial offer: 50% off first month for attendees
- Donate £5 per signup to women's charity
Promotion timeline:
- 4 weeks before: Announce and build anticipation
- 2 weeks before: Heavy promotion (ads, social, partners)
- 1 week before: Final push, limited spots messaging
- Day of: Live social media coverage, photos, video
- Week after: Follow-up with all attendees, trial offers
Expected results: 30-60 workshop attendees → 10-20 trial bookings → 5-10 new members (based on UK gym data showing 81% confidence increase from empowerment campaigns).
Learn how to run successful self-defence workshops that convert to members.
Summer Self-Defence Series (June-August)
Hook: Summer safety messaging, holidays, festival season
Campaign: 4-week self-defence course (once per week)
Pricing: £80-£120 for 4 sessions (London: £100-£140, regional: £70-£100)
Marketing angle: "Feel confident and capable this summer"
Conversion funnel: Course attendees convert to full membership in September (back to routine)
Expected results: 15-25 participants per course, 40-60% convert to ongoing membership
New Year Empowerment Challenge (January)
Hook: New Year's resolutions, fresh start mentality
Campaign: 6-week women-only challenge
Elements: Unlimited women-only classes, nutrition tips, community support, progress tracking
Pricing: £99-£149 for 6 weeks (significant discount vs monthly rate)
Promotion: Heavy December/January advertising push
Expected results: 15-30 participants → 40-60% convert to full membership
Back to School Self-Defence for Mums (September)
Hook: Kids back in school, mums have time again
Campaign: "Reclaim your time with BJJ" messaging
Target: Mums with school-age children (25-45 years old)
Timing: Perfect for morning classes (9:30-11am slots)
Promotion: School parent WhatsApp groups, local mums Facebook groups
Special offer: Bring-a-friend discount, family packages
Landing Page Best Practices for Women's Programmes
Your landing page can make or break your conversion rate. The median landing page conversion rate is 6.6%, but fitness performs well above average at 9-15% for optimised pages.
Essential elements:
- Headline: Benefit-driven ("Feel Confident, Capable & Strong")
- Subheadline: Address main objection ("No experience needed. Women-only classes.")
- Hero image/video: Women training together (community proof, not intimidating)
- Social proof: Testimonials from diverse women (show age range, body diversity)
- Programme details: What to expect (schedule, curriculum, environment)
- Instructor bio: Female instructor prominently featured if available
- FAQs: Address all common concerns upfront
- CTA: "Book Free Trial Class" (big, bold, repeated 3× on page)
Trust signals:
- Female instructor credentials (if available)
- UKBJJA affiliation or governing body membership
- Years in business and established reputation
- Number of female members currently training
- 5-star Google reviews with rating displayed
- Photos of clean facilities, especially changing room
Mobile optimisation (critical):
- 70%+ of traffic will be mobile (women browse on phones)
- Fast loading speed (<3 seconds essential)
- Easy tap-to-call and book buttons
- Simple form (name, email, phone only—don't ask for more)
Conversion rate benchmarks:
- Good: 15-20% (15-20 bookings per 100 visitors)
- Excellent: 25-35%
- Poor: <10% (page needs immediate optimisation)
See our guide on website design that converts visitors to members.
What NOT to Do (Common Mistakes)
These mistakes will sabotage your women's marketing efforts. Avoid them completely.
| Mistake | Why It Fails | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Fear-Based Marketing Statistics about assault rates, "don't be a victim" messaging | Creates anxiety, not empowerment. Women reject shame-based marketing. | Focus on confidence, capability, and community |
| Sexualised Imagery Women in sports bras only, suggestive poses, male gaze photography | Objectifying, not empowering. Sends wrong message about gym culture. | Show women in training gear, focus on action and community |
| "Pink It and Shrink It" Everything pink, "BJJ for the ladies!", dumbed-down messaging | Condescending and patronising. Women want equal treatment, not infantilisation. | Same quality content, tailored messaging without condescension |
| All-Male Marketing Team Men writing copy for women, choosing ad creative, making all decisions | Misses nuances, tone-deaf messaging, lacks female perspective. | Include women in marketing decisions, get feedback from female members |
| No Female Representation Only male instructors in photos, only male students visible | Women can't see themselves there. Looks like boys' club. | Prominently feature female instructors and members in all marketing |
| Ignoring Mobile Desktop-only design, slow loading, difficult booking on phone | 70%+ of women browse on mobile. They'll bounce if not optimised. | Mobile-first design, fast loading, easy tap-to-book buttons |
Remember: The Protein World "beach body ready" campaign was dubbed worst campaign of 2015. Don't repeat their mistakes.
Budget-Based Marketing Plans
You don't need a massive budget to attract women. Here's what works at each budget level.
£0/Month (Zero Budget Plan)
Tactics:
- Optimise Google Business Profile with women's programme details
- Post daily on Instagram using user-generated content from members
- Join and engage authentically in local Facebook Groups (value-first approach)
- Ask female members for referrals (incentivise with 1 month free for referrer)
- Partner with local women's businesses for cross-promotion
- Run free International Women's Day workshop (lead generation)
- Encourage and respond to Google reviews from female members
Expected results: 5-10 trial bookings/month
Time investment: 5-10 hours/week
£200-£400/Month (Starter Budget)
All zero budget tactics PLUS:
- Facebook/Instagram ads: £200-£300/month
- Email marketing tool (Mailchimp/ConvertKit): £20-£40/month
- Canva Pro for design: £10/month
- Professional photography: £200 one-time investment
Expected results: 10-20 trial bookings/month
Cost per acquisition: £40-£80 per new member
£500-£1,000/Month (Growth Budget)
All starter tactics PLUS:
- Higher ad spend: £500-£700/month
- Micro-influencer partnerships: £100-£500/month (1-2 posts)
- Video production: £500 quarterly for testimonials
- Review generation tool: £40/month
- Social media scheduling tool: £20-£30/month
Expected results: 20-40 trial bookings/month
Cost per acquisition: £25-£50 per new member
£1,000+/Month (Scale Budget)
All growth tactics PLUS:
- Marketing agency or specialist: £500-£1,500/month
- Professional photography monthly: £300/month
- PR services: £500+/month
- Marketing automation software: £100+/month
- Multiple influencer partnerships: £500-£1,000/month
Expected results: 40-80+ trial bookings/month
Cost per acquisition: £15-£30 per new member (economies of scale)
Measuring Marketing Effectiveness
Track these metrics to understand what's working and optimise your spend.
Key metrics to track:
- Website traffic: Total visitors and source breakdown (Google Analytics 4)
- Landing page conversion rate: Trial bookings ÷ visitors × 100
- Cost per trial booking: Ad spend ÷ trial bookings
- Trial-to-member conversion rate: New members ÷ trials × 100
- Cost per acquisition: Total marketing spend ÷ new members
- Channel performance: Which sources bring most trials and best conversion
- Lifetime value: Average revenue per female member over 12-18 months
Tracking setup:
- Google Analytics 4 for website traffic
- UTM parameters for campaign tracking (track every ad and link)
- CRM or spreadsheet for trial and conversion tracking
- Call tracking if using phone bookings (optional)
UK women's programme benchmarks (2026):
| Metric | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Landing page conversion | 15-20% | 25-35% |
| Trial-to-member conversion | 30-40% | 50-60% |
| Cost per trial (paid ads) | £15-£40 | £10-£20 |
| Cost per acquisition | £50-£120 | £30-£60 |
| Female member 12-month retention | 60-70% | 75-85% |
Research shows BJJ gyms have an average 60% retention rate over 12 months, with female members often showing 15-20% better retention than male members due to stronger community bonds.
Learn more about tracking and improving your marketing ROI.
Monthly Marketing Calendar Template
Consistency beats intensity. Use this template to maintain regular marketing activity.
Week 1:
- Monday: Plan social media content for the month
- Wednesday: Value post in target Facebook Groups
- Friday: Instagram Reel (technique tip or member feature)
Week 2:
- Monday: Google Business Profile post
- Tuesday: Email newsletter to list (member spotlight, upcoming events)
- Thursday: Instagram member spotlight story
- Friday: Engage in Facebook Groups, answer questions
Week 3:
- Monday: Review and respond to all Google reviews
- Wednesday: Instagram Stories Q&A session
- Thursday: Blog post or video content (educational)
- Friday: Partner outreach (contact 1 new potential partner)
Week 4:
- Monday: Analyse metrics (traffic, bookings, costs, ROI)
- Tuesday: Adjust ad campaigns based on performance data
- Thursday: Plan next month's campaign and content
- Friday: Member referral request campaign
Ongoing daily tasks:
- Daily Instagram Stories (behind-the-scenes, member content)
- Daily engagement (respond to comments and DMs within 2 hours)
- Trial follow-ups within 24 hours of booking
- Monthly workshop or special event
Tools & Resources
You don't need expensive tools to start. Here's what's worth investing in.
Free tools:
- Canva: Design graphics, social posts, ads (free tier is excellent)
- Meta Business Suite: Schedule Instagram/Facebook posts, respond to messages
- Google Analytics 4: Website traffic tracking and insights
- Google Business Profile: Local SEO and map visibility
- CapCut: Video editing for Reels and Stories
Paid tools worth the investment:
- Email marketing: Mailchimp or ConvertKit (£20-£40/month) for nurture sequences
- Social scheduling: Later or Hootsuite (£15-£30/month) saves hours weekly
- Gym management software with CRM: Xplor, Gymdesk, Mindbody (£50-£150/month) for trial tracking
Learning resources:
- Facebook Blueprint: Free Facebook and Instagram ads training
- Google Skillshop: Free Google Ads training courses
- Sport England "This Girl Can" resources: Marketing insights and research
- UK BJJ gym owner Facebook groups: Share experiences and tactics
For comprehensive gym software recommendations, see our UK gym management software comparison guide.
Related Guides
Women's Programmes Hub
Complete resource centre for building successful women's BJJ and self-defence programmes.
Self-Defence Workshop Guide
Run profitable women's self-defence workshops that generate leads and revenue.
Women-Only Classes Setup Guide
Launch and grow successful women-only BJJ classes with better retention rates.
Facebook & Instagram Ads for Gyms
Master paid social advertising to acquire new members cost-effectively.
Local SEO for BJJ Gyms
Optimise your gym for local searches and Google Maps visibility.
Partnership Marketing Strategies
Build strategic partnerships with complementary businesses for mutual growth.
Complete Marketing Guide for Gyms
Comprehensive marketing playbook for UK BJJ gym owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use fear-based marketing for women's self-defence programmes?
No. Research by Sport England found that 75% of women want to be more active but hold back due to fear of judgement. Empowerment-based campaigns resulted in 1.6 million women beginning exercise, while fear-based campaigns like Protein World's "beach body ready" were dubbed the worst campaigns of the year. Focus on confidence, capability, and community instead of assault statistics and threatening scenarios.
What marketing channel has the highest ROI for women's BJJ programmes?
Facebook Groups deliver the highest ROI because they're completely free and provide direct access to your target audience in trusted community spaces. Expected results are 5-10 trial bookings per month at £0 cost. The key is providing value first (free tips, advice, demonstrations) and soft promoting your women-only classes rather than aggressive selling.
How much should I budget for marketing women's programmes?
Start with £200-£400/month if you're serious about growth. This covers Facebook/Instagram ads (£200-£300/month), email marketing tools (£20-£40/month), and design tools (£10/month). You can start with £0 using organic tactics (Facebook Groups, Instagram, Google Business Profile), but paid ads accelerate results. Expect 10-20 trial bookings/month with a £200-£400 budget.
Do I need a female instructor visible in my marketing?
It helps significantly but isn't essential. Female instructors provide role models and relatability, making women feel more comfortable. However, male instructors can successfully run women's programmes with the right approach: professionalism, sensitivity, appropriate boundaries, and genuine respect. If you don't have a female instructor, prominently feature female members in all marketing materials and consider bringing in a female guest instructor for workshops.
What messaging works best for attracting women to BJJ?
Empowerment messaging outperforms everything else. Focus on confidence, capability, community, and fitness rather than fear, assault prevention, or physical appearance. Sport England's "This Girl Can" campaign achieved 37 million views and got 1.6 million women exercising by celebrating authenticity and addressing fear of judgement. Your messaging should emphasise what women gain (strength, friends, confidence, practical skills) not what they're defending against.
How long does it take to see results from women's programme marketing?
Organic tactics (Facebook Groups, Instagram) show results in 4-8 weeks with consistent effort. Paid ads can generate trial bookings within 1-2 weeks. Building a sustainable women's programme takes 6-12 months—the first 3 months are about building awareness and credibility, months 4-6 see word-of-mouth kick in, and months 7-12 establish your programme as the local option for women's BJJ.
Should I market women's programmes separately from regular classes?
Yes, if you offer women-only classes. Women-only programmes require different messaging (community, empowerment, inclusivity) and different channels (women's Facebook groups, wellness partnerships). However, your marketing should still position women's programmes as equal in quality and standards to mixed classes—not lesser or easier, just more accessible and supportive for beginners.
What are the biggest marketing mistakes gyms make with women's programmes?
The biggest mistakes are: using fear-based tactics instead of empowerment messaging, having no female representation in marketing materials, using sexualised or male gaze imagery, treating women's programmes as lesser (worst time slots, least attention), giving up after 3 months before momentum builds, and having all-male marketing teams making decisions without female input. Avoid these and you'll outperform 80% of competitors.
How do I get female members to refer friends?
Make it easy and worthwhile. Offer 1 month free membership for every successful referral (friend signs up for 3+ months). Send quarterly referral request emails highlighting community and asking members to invite friends. Create specific "bring a friend" events like free workshops or trial weeks. Ask for referrals at the right time—after 3-6 months when members are established and enthusiastic, not immediately after joining.
Are Facebook ads or Instagram more effective for women's programmes?
Both platforms perform well for women 25-50 (your target demographic). Instagram offers better visual storytelling and community building organically, whilst Facebook ads offer more precise targeting and lower cost per click (£0.50-£1.50 vs Instagram's higher rates). Best approach: Use Instagram for organic content and community building, and Facebook ads for paid acquisition. Run ads on both platforms through Meta Ads Manager for maximum reach.
Ready to fill your women's classes? Start with Facebook Groups for immediate results, or launch a paid ads campaign for scalable growth
Both strategies work—choose based on your budget.
Read the Complete Women's Programme GuideLast updated: 4 February 2026
Social Proof and Role Models
Representation matters. Women need to see themselves in your marketing:
Female member testimonials should focus on how training made them feel, the community they found, and the confidence they gained—not just techniques learned.