Gyms and fitness businesses need EPOS systems that handle membership payments, class bookings, and retail sales – requirements that standard retail POS can’t cover properly.
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The challenge is that most EPOS systems are built for retail or hospitality. Gym-specific features like recurring membership billing, access control, and class scheduling typically require specialist gym management software rather than a standard POS.
We’ve assessed which EPOS and POS systems work best for UK gyms, fitness studios, and leisure centres in 2026. The right choice depends on your business model: pay-per-visit, membership-based, or hybrid.
- Most UK gyms - don’t need a traditional EPOS system
- they need specialist gym management software for memberships - and bookings, paired with a free POS (Square or SumUp) for retail sales
- Start with Gymcatch (from £15/month) for small studios or ClubRight - (from £60/month) for independent gyms, and add a Square Reader (£19) at reception for walk-in payments
Best POS Solutions for UK Gyms
Most gyms need specialist management software (Glofox, ClubRight, Gymcatch) for memberships and bookings, paired with a simple EPOS (Square or SumUp) for retail and day-pass sales.
| Solution | Type | Monthly Fee | Memberships | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square + Gym Software | POS + integration | £0 (POS) + gym software | Via gym software | Small independent gyms |
| SumUp | POS only | £0 | ✗ | Pay-per-visit studios |
| Glofox | Gym management | Custom quote | ✓ Full | Boutique fitness studios |
| ClubRight | Gym management | From £60 | ✓ Full | UK independent gyms |
| Gymcatch | Booking platform | From £15 | ✓ Basic | Personal trainers & small studios |
Why Standard EPOS Doesn’t Fully Work for Gyms
Standard EPOS systems lack three critical gym features: recurring Direct Debit membership billing, access control integration, and class/session booking management.
Regular EPOS systems like Square, SumUp, and Epos Now handle retail sales perfectly. But gyms have unique requirements that these systems weren’t designed for:
Recurring membership billing. Most gym revenue comes from monthly Direct Debits. Standard EPOS systems process one-off card payments, not automated monthly collections. You need a Direct Debit provider (GoCardless, Harlands) or gym management software that handles billing.
Access control. Gyms typically need entry barriers, fob systems, or app-based check-in linked to active memberships. EPOS systems don’t integrate with access control hardware. Gym management platforms (Glofox, ClubRight) do.
Class booking. Fitness studios and gyms with group classes need online booking, waitlists, capacity limits, and instructor scheduling. This is a core function of gym software but absent from retail EPOS.
What standard EPOS CAN do for gyms: Retail sales (supplements, merchandise, drinks), day-pass sales, personal training session payments, and café/bar transactions. For these, a free POS like Square or SumUp works perfectly.
The Best Approach: Gym Software + Simple POS
The most practical setup for UK gyms is specialist gym management software for memberships, bookings, and access, paired with a free EPOS system like Square or SumUp for retail and ad-hoc payments.
Most successful UK gyms run two systems side by side:
Gym management software handles memberships, class bookings, Direct Debit billing, access control, and member communication. UK options include ClubRight (from £60/month), Glofox (custom pricing), and Gymcatch (from £15/month for small studios).
A free EPOS system handles retail sales, day passes, and one-off payments. Square (£0/month, 1.75%) or SumUp (£0/month, 1.69%) work perfectly for this. The card reader sits at reception for walk-in purchases.
This dual approach costs less than an all-in-one gym system and gives you best-of-breed in both areas. Square’s invoicing feature also works well for personal training packages – create a service with set sessions and send the invoice to the client.
Choosing by Gym Type
Pay-per-visit studios need only a simple EPOS. Membership-based gyms need specialist software plus a POS. Large leisure centres need enterprise gym management platforms with integrated POS modules.
Personal trainers and small studios (pay-per-visit): Square Appointments (free) handles booking, payments, and client notes. Add a £19 reader for card payments. Gymcatch (from £15/month) adds class booking if you run group sessions.
Independent gyms (membership-based): ClubRight (from £60/month) or similar gym software for memberships and access control, plus Square or SumUp at reception for retail. Total monthly cost: £60-100.
Boutique fitness studios (class-focused): Glofox specialises in boutique fitness – class scheduling, app-based booking, and marketing. Pair with SumUp for merchandise sales. More expensive but designed for this exact use case.
Large leisure centres: Enterprise platforms like Legend, Gladstone, or Xplor manage everything – memberships, facility booking, swim school, café POS, and access control. These are quote-based and typically cost thousands per month.
For detailed EPOS pricing across all business types, see our EPOS cost guide. For comparisons of the main providers, check our EPOS comparison guide.
- Most UK gyms — don't need a traditional EPOS system
- they need specialist gym management software for memberships — and bookings, paired with a free POS (Square or SumUp) for retail sales
- Start with Gymcatch (from £15/month) for small studios or ClubRight — (from £60/month) for independent gyms, and add a Square Reader (£19) at reception for walk-in payments
