I know the title might seem provocative, but I assure you it has a solid foundation.
If you stick with me for a few minutes, I’ll explain why turning your lessons into “necklaces” and “bracelets” ☺️ will not only increase your earnings but also improve your customers’ experience. Everything will become clearer shortly!
Selling credit packages instead of lesson packages – whatever your business – is a way to increase your income and keep your clients more satisfied.
I can say this with reasonable confidence after several tests and comparisons we’ve conducted over the last ten years with hundreds of fitness centers.
But let’s take it step by step, starting with a clarifying example. It will all become clear soon.
The first time I went on vacation in Sicily, at a Valtur village, they explained to me upon check-in that no money was used inside the village.
You had to convert your money into different-colored “balls,” which could be attached to form bracelets or necklaces, wearable accessories as you pleased. The more balls you bought, the greater the discount.
It was the 1980s (I’m not sure if it still works this way), but I quickly realized it was a brilliant idea.
With those balls, you could access everything: tennis courts, surf lessons, yoga, fitness, disco, massages, cocktails… pretty much all the services offered by the village.
And what happened?
Within a couple of days, my friends and I had no bracelets left and had to go to the reception for a refill.
Why did this happen?
Looking back, it’s clear that it was a psychologically effective system for several reasons:
- Disassociation from money: Once the money was converted into balls, there was no longer the feeling of spending actual cash. Psychologically, credits don’t feel like “money,” so they are used more freely with less resistance. This makes customers more willing to spend and consume more services.
- Speed in service purchases: Not having to take out money for every single activity eliminates friction in the decision-making process. This means customers can buy and enjoy services more quickly and frequently, without stopping to think about the cost of each individual service.
- Playful aspect: Attaching and detaching colorful balls made the purchase experience feel like a game. The playful element may seem irrelevant, but it has a huge impact: it makes buying and using services fun, keeping customers engaged. The same principle applies to the app: managing credits through a simple and interactive interface offers a smooth and almost “playful” experience. Customers can quickly check how many credits they have left and decide how to use them with just a few taps, keeping the process light and enjoyable. This not only makes the app easy to use but encourages customers to take full advantage of the services offered.
- Increased service purchase: If I had bought 5 surf lessons, I probably wouldn’t have purchased additional service packages. But with those balls (which could be used for anything), I ended up participating in almost all the village activities. Customers, with a credit package, will feel free to explore new services, thus increasing consumption.
Now, let’s apply these benefits to a fitness or wellness center that offers multiple activities, such as yoga, Pilates, GAG, saunas, sunbeds, massages, and more. But the same reasoning applies to any other business, whether you have a dog training center, a cultural association, or a bookstore…
Now, think of turning those necklaces of beads into a necklace of CREDITS 🙂
If you want to know what credits are and how to use them within a booking and payment system, click HERE.

Here’s why selling credit packages instead of lesson packages will bring you the same benefits:
- Increase in credit purchases: Customers will be encouraged to buy larger packages, knowing that credits can be used for any lesson or service. Plus, discounts on larger packages will push them to buy more, boosting immediate revenue for the center.
- Promotion of new activities: If a customer buys credits intending to take yoga classes, they might decide to use some to try new activities they hadn’t considered, like Pilates or massages. This allows you to introduce new services without additional promotional efforts.
- More flexibility, fewer dissatisfied customers: If a customer doesn’t enjoy a certain activity (perhaps they don’t connect with the instructor or don’t like the discipline), they won’t leave the center dissatisfied. They can simply use their credits for other activities. This increases retention rates, reducing the risk of losing customers.
- Easier promotion of new services: When you introduce a new paid service (e.g., a new lesson or even a dinner organized by the center), you can easily promote it knowing that your members already have the credits to participate. This reduces the need for promotional campaigns and encourages spontaneous participation.
