Why Studios Are Leaving ClassPass - And What It Means for Movement in Chicago

If you’ve tried to book classes in Chicago recently, you may have noticed something:

Some of your favorite studios are no longer on ClassPass.

What used to feel like the easiest way to explore fitness - one app, multiple studios - is starting to shift.

Across Chicago (and beyond), more studios are:

• Reducing ClassPass availability

• Limiting class spots

• Or leaving the platform entirely

So what’s actually happening?

And what does it mean for how - and where - you practice?

What Is ClassPass (And Why It Became So Popular)?

ClassPass was designed to solve a real problem:

👉 How do you try different fitness classes without committing to one studio?

It gave people:

• Flexibility

• Variety

• Low commitment

And it helped studios:

• Fill empty spots

• Reach new clients

• Increase visibility

For a while, it worked well—for both sides.

Why Studios Are Leaving ClassPass

Over time, the reality has become more complex.

Many studios - especially independent, community-driven ones - are rethinking their relationship with ClassPass.

Here’s why.

1. Revenue Doesn’t Always Match the Experience

ClassPass often pays studios significantly less per booking than a direct client.

This creates a gap between:

• The value of the class

• And what the studio actually earns

For studios focused on:

• Small class sizes

• High-quality instruction

• Thoughtful environments

This can become unsustainable.

2. It Changes the Client Relationship

ClassPass encourages:

• Trying many studios

• Constant switching

• Low long-term commitment

But many studios are built around:

• Consistency

• Relationship

• Progress over time

When most clients come through a third-party platform, it can be harder to build that.

3. It Prioritizes Convenience Over Experience

ClassPass is optimized for:
👉 “What’s available right now?”

But not necessarily:
👉 “What’s actually the right fit for your body?”

This can lead to:

• Overbooking

• Misaligned expectations

• Less intentional class selection

4. Studios Want More Control

By stepping away from ClassPass, studios can:

• Set their own pricing

• Control class sizes

• Prioritize returning clients

• Build a more consistent community

This is especially true for multi-modality and boutique studios that offer more than just a single type of workout.

What This Means for Movement in Chicago

Chicago’s fitness and wellness scene is evolving.

Instead of:
👉 bouncing between random classes

More people are starting to look for:

• A consistent home studio

• A place that offers multiple modalities

• A space they can return to

This is a shift from:
👉 convenience-driven fitness
to
👉 experience-driven movement

The Rise of Multi-Modality Studios

One of the biggest trends emerging in Chicago is the growth of multi-modality studios.

These are spaces that offer:

• Yoga

• Hot yoga

• Strength training

• Pilates

• Hot pilates

• Breathwork

• Meditation

• Restorative practices

All under one roof.

Why does this matter?

Because it solves a key problem:

👉 You don’t have to piece together your practice across different studios.

Instead, you can:

• Build consistency

• Explore different modalities

• Stay within a familiar, supportive environment

Why Forth Studio Is Leading This Shift in Chicago

At Forth Studio Chicago, we’ve built our model around something simple:

👉 You shouldn’t have to leave your studio to get what you need

A True Multi-Modality Experience

Forth Studio offers:

• Yoga

• Hot yoga

• Strength training

• Mat pilates

• Hot mat pilates

• Meditation

• Breathwork

• Restorative yoga

This allows you to:

• Cross-train intelligently

• Adjust based on how you feel

• Build a more complete relationship with movement

Designed for Consistency (Not One-Off Visits)

Instead of optimizing for drop-ins, Forth is built for:

• Regular practice

• Long-term connection

• Sustainable progress

This creates a very different experience than:
👉 hopping between studios through an app

A More Intentional Environment

At Forth Studio:

• Class sizes are thoughtful

• The pace is adaptable

• The focus is on how you feel - not just what you do

This kind of environment is hard to maintain when:

• Most clients are rotating through quickly

• Bookings are driven by an external platform

A Space That Actually Has It All

Many studios specialize in one thing.

Forth Studio is designed to support:

• Strength

• Mobility

• Recovery

• Nervous system regulation

All in one place.

Which means:
👉 you don’t need ClassPass to get variety anymore

Is ClassPass Still Worth It?

For some people, yes.

ClassPass is still useful if you:

• Want to explore different studios

• Prefer flexibility over consistency

• Are new to movement in Chicago

But it’s not always the best option if you’re looking for:

• Depth

• Progress

• A sense of belonging

• A true tour of the Chicago fitness market, as some of the most in-demand studios have now left Classpass

A Better Question: What Do You Actually Need?

Instead of asking:

👉 “Where can I book the most classes?”

It may be more useful to ask:

👉 “Where do I feel supported enough to keep coming back?”

Because the real value of movement comes from:

• Repetition

• Familiarity

• Trust

Not just variety.

Movement at Forth Studio Chicago

At Forth Studio, we’ve intentionally created a space that offers:

• Variety without fragmentation

• Structure without rigidity

• Support without pressure

So you can:

• Try different modalities

• Stay in one environment

• Build something consistent

Final Thought: The Shift Away From ClassPass

Studios leaving ClassPass isn’t about restriction.

It’s about:

• Sustainability

• Quality

• Intention

And for clients, it opens up something valuable:

👉 The opportunity to move from sampling… to actually building a practice

Looking for a Studio in Chicago That Has It All?

If you’re ready for:

• A consistent space

• Multiple modalities

• A more grounded approach to movement

Forth Studio Chicago offers a different kind of experience - one that’s designed to support you long-term.

Because the goal isn’t just to take more classes.

👉 It’s to find a place you actually want to return to.

🧠 FAQ: ClassPass and Studios in Chicago

Why are studios leaving ClassPass?

Many studios are leaving ClassPass due to lower revenue per booking, less control over their business, and a desire to build stronger relationships with clients.

Is ClassPass still worth it in Chicago?

ClassPass can be useful for trying new studios, but it may not be ideal for building a consistent movement practice.

What is a multi-modality studio?

A multi-modality studio offers multiple types of classes - like yoga, strength, pilates, and meditation—in one place.

Why choose a multi-modality studio instead of ClassPass?

It allows you to build consistency, explore different types of movement, and stay within one supportive environment.

What makes Forth Studio different?

Forth Studio Chicago offers a wide range of classes in one space, designed to support consistency, adaptability, and long-term practice rather than one-off visits.