Software Review
Pricing, pros, cons, and verdict — written for gym owners
PushPress is a US-based gym management software company founded in 2012 in Los Angeles, California. It was built with CrossFit boxes and functional fitness gyms in mind, and gained early traction in the CrossFit community as a nimble, affordable alternative to more expensive enterprise platforms. Over time it expanded its target market to cover gyms of all types.
PushPress's most distinctive feature is its genuinely free Core tier, which provides real gym management functionality — member management, billing, class scheduling, a basic member app — at no monthly cost. This has made it particularly popular with gym owners just starting out or operating micro-gyms with tight budgets. In 2023-2024, PushPress began investing more heavily in AI marketing tools through its separate Grow add-on, positioning itself as a modern growth platform rather than just a management tool.
PushPress is an independent, privately held company and has maintained its community-forward culture. Its founder Dan Uyemura is active in the gym owner community and the company has a reputation for genuine engagement with its customers.
| Plan | Monthly Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Core Free | Free | Member management, billing, class scheduling, basic app |
| Core Paid | ~$159/month | All Core Free features plus advanced scheduling, staff management, reporting |
| Grow (add-on) | ~$119/month | AI marketing tools, lead management, automated follow-ups (added to Core plan) |
| Core + Grow | ~$278/month | Full platform with management + marketing automation |
The free Core tier is genuinely functional for small gyms. However, to access the AI marketing and lead management tools through Grow, you add $119/month to your Core plan cost. The combined price of $278/month is higher than many full-platform competitors.
PushPress is the standout choice for gym owners who are just getting started and genuinely cannot afford monthly software costs. The free Core tier provides enough functionality to launch a gym, manage members, process payments, and run class schedules with zero upfront software investment. As the gym grows, the paid tiers provide a sensible upgrade path.
PushPress also suits gym owners who are deeply embedded in the US CrossFit and functional fitness community and want a software provider that shares that culture. The company's community events, content, and founder engagement make it feel more like a community than a software vendor.
Established gyms that need AI churn prediction, revenue forecasting, and equipment tracking will find PushPress falls short. The Grow add-on provides AI marketing tools, but PushPress does not offer predictive churn analysis, automated content generation, or the kind of behavioural analytics that modern AI-first platforms provide. Equipment-heavy facilities have no tracking tools in PushPress.
At $278/month for the full Core+Grow combination, PushPress is no longer the budget option it appears at first glance. Gyms at this price point should compare it directly against alternatives like VERVE Pulse's $199 Growth plan, which includes AI features natively without separate add-ons.
PushPress earns its 7/10 for a genuinely useful free tier, strong community, and a clear commitment to improving its AI marketing tools. The score is tempered by add-on pricing that makes full functionality expensive, reporting that trails more mature platforms, absence of equipment tracking, and a US-centric focus. For new gym owners starting with zero budget, it is an excellent starting point. For established gyms comparing options, the full cost picture requires careful evaluation.
VERVE Pulse vs PushPress — All-in-one AI platform from $79/month including equipment tracking.
Zen Planner — Strong CrossFit WOD tracking with transparent member-count pricing.
Gymdesk — Clean, affordable option for small gyms at ~$75/month.
Full PushPress comparison →
PushPress is a strong option for new and small gyms — particularly the free Core tier which provides genuine functionality at no cost. Its active community and growing AI marketing tools in the Grow add-on are real strengths. However, the full Core+Grow combination costs $278+/month, reporting is less mature than competitors, and there is no equipment tracking.
PushPress Core is genuinely free for basic functionality. The paid Core tier is ~$159/month. The Grow marketing add-on is ~$119/month on top of Core. Full Core+Grow is ~$278/month combined.
VERVE Pulse is the best PushPress alternative for established gyms wanting AI churn prediction, equipment tracking, and advanced reporting from $79/month in a single plan. Zen Planner suits CrossFit-focused gyms. Gymdesk is ideal for price-sensitive small gyms wanting simplicity.