Membership Basis
4 min read
Updated
7 days ago
The Membership Basis defines how a membership is structured and behaves throughout its lifecycle.
It impacts how the membership is billed, renewed, and managed over time.
To select or change a Membership Basis:
- Settings > Membership Types > Add / Edit Membership > Membership Basis
Each Membership Basis is designed for a different billing structure and member experience.
Membership Basis Comparison Table
Review the options below to understand how each Membership Basis works, what member experience it supports, and when it may be the best choice for your club.
| Membership Basis | Overview | Compatible Payment Frequency | Not Suitable For | Typical Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ^ Open-Ended Contract | A membership with no fixed end date. Members continue to receive their Membership Benefits while the membership remains active, until cancelled. | Weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or annually | Fixed-term programs or memberships with a defined finish date | Standard ongoing gym memberships | A gym membership billed $19.95 per week by direct debit until the member cancels |
| ^ Renewal-Based Contract | A membership that runs for a defined contract period before automatically renewing into another term. Members maintain ongoing access while the contract is active. | Weekly, fortnightly, monthly or annual billing during the contract term | Casual memberships or short-term programs | Fixed-term membership agreements | A 12-month membership billed fortnightly that automatically renews for another 12 months |
| ^ Preset Date Program | A short-term membership that starts and ends on specific calendar dates. All members follow the same program timeframe and can be enrolled into scheduled activities using Automatic Enrolment. | One-off upfront payment or instalments across the program period | Ongoing recurring memberships | Holiday programs, challenges and fixed-date courses | An 8-week Summer Challenge running from 1 February to 28 March |
| ^ Add-On Program | An additional membership attached to an existing membership, providing extra access, benefits, or upgrades without replacing the member’s main membership. | One-off, weekly, fortnightly or monthly | Standalone memberships | Premium upgrades and optional extras | An Unlimited Hot Yoga upgrade added to a standard gym membership for $10 per week |
| ^ Charge per Visit | Members are charged only when they visit the club. No recurring membership fee applies. Enable in Membership Settings | Per visit only | Recurring memberships or prepaid access packs | Casual gym access and occasional visitors | A casual member pays $15 each time they visit |
| ^ Club Visit Pack | A prepaid bundle of club visits. Each check-in deducts one visit from the available balance until the pack is used. | One-off upfront payment | Recurring billing or guest pass memberships | Flexible casual memberships | A prepaid 10 Visit Pass |
| ^ Class and Booking Pack | A prepaid bundle of classes or services. Members purchase a set number of bookings upfront and use them as required. Works alongside Classes and Services. | One-off upfront payment | Recurring billing or guest pass memberships | Yoga packs, personal training packs and treatment packages | A prepaid pack of 10 Yoga Classes or 5 Personal Training sessions |
| ^ Trial Membership | A short-term membership designed to allow prospects to experience your club before committing to a full membership. Automatically expires after the trial period. | One-off payment or free trial period | Ongoing memberships intended to renew automatically | Prospect trials and introductory offers | A 14-day free trial membership that converts prospects into ongoing members |
- Options are found within Settings > Membership type > Add / Edit Membership > Membership Basis
Choosing your Membership Basis
When selecting the Membership Basis, start by considering the experience you want to create for your members.
Ask yourself:
- Is this an ongoing membership, or does it have a defined start and end date?
- Should members be charged regularly, or pay upfront?
- Should the membership renew automatically?
- Is this a complete membership, or an additional upgrade to an existing membership?
- Is this designed for members, casual visitors, or prospects trying your club?
To get a sense of the full membership combinations possible, see Membership Design Examples.
Common Questions this Covers
- What is Membership Basis in GymMaster
- How do I choose the right Membership Basis
- What is the difference between Open-Ended and Renewal-Based memberships
- How do I create a fixed-term membership in GymMaster
- How do I create a challenge or program membership
- How do I create a trial membership in GymMaster
- How do I create an add-on membership
- What is the difference between a membership pack and a recurring membership
- Which Membership Basis should I use for casual members
- Can I change the Membership Basis after creating a membership
2026 © Treshna Enterprises Ltd.
