How Estheticians Can Do Pop Ups at Gyms and Get New Clients

If you are an esthetician looking for a creative way to attract new clients, gym pop ups can be one of the fastest ways to introduce people to your services.

But a successful pop up is not just about showing up with skincare products and hoping people walk over. It requires a plan, the right offer, the right mindset, and a system for turning those interactions into actual bookings.

Here is exactly how I approach gym pop ups step by step.

Step 1: Get Clear on Why You Want to Do Gym Pop Ups

Before reaching out to any gyms, ask yourself a simple question.

Who are you trying to attract?

Not every gym has the same type of clientele. Some attract people who are very wellness focused and willing to invest in their appearance, while others attract people who may not prioritize skincare.

Personally, I like to go where my people go. That usually means places like Barry’s Bootcamp, Bunda, and Pilates studios.

These environments attract people who already care about health, wellness, and self care. Those are often the same clients who are willing to invest in skincare treatments.

The goal is not just exposure. The goal is exposure to the right audience.

Step 2: Choose the Right Treatment for a Gym Environment

A gym is not the place to perform a full facial. Your treatment needs to be simple, quick, and easy to sanitize.

Think treatments that are:

Fast

Clean

Results driven

Easy to perform without water

For me, this is exactly why I invested in the Glacial treatment. I am able to perform 10 minute treatments and everything is disposable.

This makes it ideal for pop ups.

Here is what I bring with me:

My Glacial device

Disposable tips

Gloves

Barbicide spray

Barbicide wipes

Moisturizer

My process is simple. I apply moisturizer, perform the treatment using the disposable tip and gloves, and then dispose of everything afterward. It keeps everything sanitary and efficient.

Step 3: Stay Within Your Service Radius

Another important strategy is staying local.

I focus on gyms that are within five to ten miles of my studio.

It does not make sense to go too far out if those clients are not likely to travel to you. Pop ups should support your long term business growth, not just give you random exposure.

Keeping your pop ups within your service area increases the chances those people will become regular clients.

Step 4: Reach Out to the Gym

Once you know which gyms you want to target, reach out and introduce yourself.

I recommend contacting them in three ways:

Instagram DM

Email

Phone call

Doing all three increases the chances that someone will see your message.

When you introduce yourself, explain what you specialize in and why your treatment is a good fit for their space.

For example, I explain that the Glacial treatment helps calm inflammation, refresh the skin, and has no downtime or adverse effects.

Text Message Script

Hi, my name is Maria and I own The Beauty Plug. I specialize in results driven skincare treatments and offer a quick 10 minute Glacial treatment that helps reduce inflammation and instantly refresh the skin with no downtime.

I would love to partner with your gym and offer your members complimentary mini treatments during a pop up event. Let me know if this is something you would be open to.

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Phone Script

Hi, my name is Maria and I own a facial studio nearby called The Beauty Plug. I specialize in treatments that help with acne, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation.

I offer a quick 10 minute Glacial treatment that works perfectly for gym environments because there is no downtime and everything is disposable. I would love to come in and host a pop up for your members. Who would be the best person for me to connect with about setting that up?

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Email Script

Subject: Skincare Pop Up for Your Members

Hi,

My name is Maria and I own The Beauty Plug, a facial studio that specializes in corrective skincare treatments for acne, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation.

I offer a quick 10 minute Glacial treatment that helps calm inflammation and refresh the skin with no downtime. Because everything used is disposable, it works perfectly for gym environments.

I would love to partner with your gym and come in for a pop up experience where members can try the treatment and learn more about skin health.

Please let me know if this is something you would be open to.

Warmly,

Maria

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Step 5: Prepare Your Setup

When you arrive at the gym, everything should feel clean, organized, and professional.

Bring everything you need for sanitation and treatments.

Your setup may include:

Your device

Disposable treatment tips

Gloves

Barbicide spray

Barbicide wipes

Moisturizer

A chair or bed if needed

QR code signage

Brochures

Business cards

Keeping your setup clean and simple makes people feel comfortable approaching you.

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Step 6: The Mindset Shift

Now let me be honest about something.

Doing pop ups can feel uncomfortable in the beginning.

You are walking into someone else’s space, introducing yourself, and putting yourself out there. Some people may look at you strangely or seem unsure about what you are doing there.

That is completely normal.

But your mindset has to shift.

The minute you park your car, you are on.

You need to show up with energy, confidence, and professionalism.

In the wise words of Britney Spears…

You better work.

Introduce yourself to the staff first. Be friendly, kind, and professional. Offer them a treatment so they can experience it themselves.

Your goal is to leave with the staff feeling like they know you and love what you do. When the staff likes you, they naturally encourage members to try your treatment.

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Step 7: Talk to People

Do not just stand there waiting for people to approach you.

Say hello. Smile. Let people know what you are offering.

Some people will be curious right away. Some people will walk by. Some people may seem unsure.

That is part of the process.

The more you do pop ups, the more confident and natural it becomes.

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Step 8: Offer a Simple Promotion

One of the biggest lessons I learned is that your promotion needs to be simple.

Now I only offer one promotion.

Clients receive half off their first Glacial treatment if they book that day.

The offer is only valid that day.

When I first started, I allowed people to redeem the promotion later. But it became too difficult to track everyone and follow up after returning to the studio.

When the offer is valid only that day, people are more likely to commit.

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Step 9: Capture Their Information

This step is extremely important.

I have every person scan a QR code that leads directly to my website.

Once they scan it, they are able to:

Learn about my services

Book an appointment

Join my email list

Receive newsletters and skincare education

Even if they do not book immediately, they are now connected to my business.

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Step 10: Bring Brochures and Business Cards

Another thing that helps tremendously during pop ups is bringing printed materials.

Not everyone will book on the spot. Some people want to read more about your services later.

Here is what I bring:

A brochure with my full menu

A brochure about the Glacial treatment

A brochure about chemical peels

Business cards

My main menu brochure includes my full price list, parking information, directions to the studio, and a breakdown of my treatments.

I also bring separate brochures for treatments I want to highlight, such as Glacial and chemical peels.

When someone receives a treatment or shows interest, I hand them the brochures so they can learn more later and share them with friends.

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Step 11: Put a QR Code on Everything

One of the most important things you can do is add a QR code to everything.

Your brochures should have a QR code.

Your business cards should have a QR code.

Your signage should have a QR code.

Every QR code should lead back to your website.

This allows people to easily:

Book an appointment

Learn about treatments

Join your email list

Stay connected with your business

The easier it is for someone to find you later, the more bookings you will generate.

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Step 12: Build Relationships Over Time

The first pop up may not produce huge results immediately.

That is normal.

Relationships take time to build.

I frequently visit the gyms where I do pop ups. Over time, members start recognizing me and remembering the treatment.

That familiarity builds trust.

Pop ups are not just about one event. They are about building visibility within your community.

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Gym pop ups can be an incredible strategy for estheticians who want to meet new clients, build visibility, and grow their business.

The key is preparation.

Choose the right gyms.

Offer a treatment that fits the environment.

Capture contact information.

Show up with confidence and professionalism.

Yes, it may feel uncomfortable at first.

But growth almost always happens outside of your comfort zone.

And sometimes the best opportunities come from simply showing up.