A punch-card model — pay per visit or per block of visits — and a recurring membership model serve genuinely different member preferences, and the right fit depends on your actual audience.
Punch cards suit irregular, lower-commitment attendance
Members who train inconsistently, or who want to avoid a recurring commitment, are often better served — and more likely to actually sign up at all — with a punch-card option.
Memberships suit regular attendance and predictable revenue
For a gym relying on predictable monthly revenue and members training multiple times a week, a recurring membership model aligns incentives better for both sides.
Offering both isn't unusual, if managed clearly
Some gyms successfully offer both models side by side — the key is clear communication about which one is genuinely a better fit for a given prospective member's actual habits.