How Many Reviews Do You Really Need to Beat Local Competitors?
by Paula R. on
Benchmarks & Strategies for Setting Realistic Review Goals
If you run a fitness studio, martial arts school, gym, or wellness business, you’ve probably asked yourself: “How many reviews do we actually need to outrank the studio down the street?” Reviews play a massive role in local search rankings and influence buying decisions more than ever. But the real answer isn’t just “more”—it’s about having the right number, the right quality, and the right pace to stay ahead of competitors.
This guide breaks down realistic review benchmarks, how Google evaluates your review profile, and how to set achievable goals that help you dominate local search and win more trial sign-ups.
Why Reviews Matter More Than Ever for Local Fitness Businesses
When someone searches “gym near me,” “kickboxing classes,” or “yoga studio downtown,” Google evaluates dozens of signals—but reviews are among the top three factors influencing local rankings.
Your reviews affect:
Where you appear in the local map pack
Whether prospects click your listing
How confident people feel when they land on your website
The likelihood of trial sign-ups or intro offers converting
Your competitive positioning in the local market
The truth? A competitor with better reviews can outrank you even if you have a better website, better programs, or better SEO.
That’s why setting a strategic review goal is essential—not just collecting reviews occasionally.
So, How Many Reviews Do You Actually Need?
Here’s the simple rule:
You need enough reviews to look like the CLEAR, trusted leader in your local area.
That number varies based on competition, but you want three things:
1. More Reviews than your top 2–3 competitors
Beating the best competitor typically puts you in the top tier instantly.
2. Consistent recent reviews
Google favors businesses getting reviews every week—not in bursts.
3. A rating of 4.6–4.9 stars
Research shows consumers trust businesses most in that range.
With that in mind, here are benchmarks you can use based on market type.
⭐ Benchmark #1: Minimum Review Counts Based on Market Size
Small Town / Suburban Area
Top competitors usually have: 15–75 reviews
Your target: 100+ reviews
In these markets, hitting 100 reviews often makes you the “obvious choice” because it creates a big perceived gap in authority.
Medium-Sized Market
Top competitors usually have: 75–250 reviews
Your target: 300–500 reviews
This is enough to place your business in the top tier of gyms and studios in your region.
Large Metro / Highly Competitive City
Top competitors usually have: 250–1,000+ reviews
Your target: Match or surpass the average of the top three, then grow steadily each month.
In competitive cities, velocity matters more than total volume. If your competitors get 20–40 reviews per month, you need a similar pace to catch up.
⭐ Benchmark #2: Monthly Review Velocity (The Secret Ranking Factor)
Most businesses only focus on the total number of reviews—but Google heavily weighs how recently you’re getting them.
Your business should aim for:
Minimum: 8–12 new reviews per month
Ideal: 15–30 new reviews per month
Aggressive growth: 40–60+ reviews per month
A steady flow signals:
Your business is active
You are serving new people regularly
Customers feel motivated to engage
Your listing deserves higher visibility
If you only get reviews a few times per year, your profile looks stale, even if you have hundreds of reviews.
⭐ Benchmark #3: Star Rating
A high volume of reviews won’t help if your rating dips too low.
Target range:4.6–4.9 stars
Why not 5.0?
A perfect 5 star average looks suspicious
Most businesses organically land between 4.6–4.9
Prospects trust a slightly imperfect score more
If you dip below 4.4, conversion rates begin to drop significantly, especially for fitness and wellness brands where trust is everything.
⭐ Benchmark #4: Rating Distribution
Google evaluates patterns—so you want:
80–90% positive reviews
< 10% neutral or negative
Responses to 100% of negative reviews
Authenticity signals, such as variation in length and tone
A natural profile earns more trust from both users and search engines.
How to Set Your Exact Review Goal in Under 5 Minutes
Here’s a simple framework:
Step 1: Identify your top 3 competitors
Look at:
Google Maps
Yelp
Facebook
Niche review sites (ClassPass, Mindbody, etc.)
Record their:
Total reviews
Average rating
Review frequency (how recent they are)
Step 2: Calculate your competitive gap
Example:
| Competitor | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gym A | 320 | 4.8 |
| Gym B | 280 | 4.7 |
| Gym C | 190 | 4.8 |
| You | 140 | 4.6 |
Your goal:
Reach 300+ reviews to surpass the competitive average.
Step 3: Set a 12-month review target
If you need 160 more reviews to hit 300, divide by 12 months:
160 ÷ 12 = 14 reviews per month
This is your “minimum velocity” needed to win.
Step 4: Build a review generation system
Not a one-time campaign.
Not a sporadic request.
A system.
High-Impact Review Strategies to Hit Your Goals Faster
Here are the most effective methods for fitness and wellness businesses:
1. Automated SMS review requests
Texts outperform emails by 3–5x.
Send immediately after:
First class
First week
Intro consultation
Goal-setting session
Automation ensures consistency.
2. Retarget happy members at high points
Ask after:
Belt promotions
PR achievements
Milestone check-ins
Habit streaks
Ask when they’re already feeling successful.
3. Use QR codes inside your facility
Place them on:
Front desk
Exit door
Mirrors
TV screens
Flyers
Class equipment
QR codes drastically increase in-person review activity.
4. Respond to negative reviews fast
Google rewards businesses that engage professionally.
Aim for:
Response within 24 hours
A calm tone
A solution-focused message
Your response influences both your ranking and your reputation.
5. Use a “review ladder” system
Start by asking:
“How was today’s workout?” If they answer positively…
Then ask: “Mind leaving that in a quick Google review?”
Simple → frictionless → effective.
The Bottom Line: Your Review Goal Should Make You the Clear Winner
There is no magic number that works for everyone—but there is a perfect number for your market.
To beat competitors, aim for:
✔ More reviews than your top 2–3 competitors
✔ A steady monthly review velocity (15–30 is ideal)
✔ A strong rating between 4.6 and 4.9
✔ Authentic, consistent member feedback
Do this, and you won’t just keep up with your local competitors—
you’ll surpass them and stay ahead for good.
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