Schema Markup for Gyms (Plain English)

PickMyGym team · Updated Oct 30, 2026 · 7 min read

Short answer: Schema markup is a small block of hidden code that tells Google and AI tools the facts about your gym: name, type, address, phone, hours and website. For most gyms, use the "ExerciseGym" type (or "SportsActivityLocation" for some studios) and put it on your homepage or contact page. Then test it with Google's free Rich Results Test.

Key takeaways

• Schema does not change how your page looks to people.
• It helps search and AI tools read your facts without guessing.
• ExerciseGym is the schema.org type made for gyms.
• The facts in your schema must match your page and Google profile.

Not sure where your gym stands? Run the Free AI Health Check. It takes about 2 minutes and checks if your site has schema markup.

What is schema markup?

Schema markup is structured data. Think of it as a labeled form you fill in for search engines. Instead of hoping Google figures out that "201 Main St" is your address, you label it "address."

Google says it uses structured data to understand the content of a page and to show richer results (Google Search Central). The labels come from schema.org, a shared vocabulary that Google, Microsoft and others back.

This guide is part of our hub on how to get your gym recommended by ChatGPT.

Why should a gym care about schema?

Because clear facts help you get found and quoted. Schema helps in three ways:

1. Google can match your site to your Google Business Profile more easily.
2. AI tools that read your site get your facts in a clean format.
3. Fewer mistakes about your hours, phone or address in search results.

Schema will not fix a weak website on its own. It works best with clear text on the page. See our gym website checklist.

Which schema type should your gym use?

Use the most specific type that fits. On schema.org:

• ExerciseGym for gyms, CrossFit boxes, boxing gyms and martial arts schools (schema.org/ExerciseGym)
• SportsActivityLocation as a broader type, if ExerciseGym does not fit
• HealthClub for clubs with pools, spas or wide amenities

Both ExerciseGym and HealthClub are kinds of LocalBusiness, which is the type Google's local business guide covers (Google Search Central).

What should your gym schema include?

Include the facts people need to visit you:

• Name, exactly as on your sign and Google profile
• Address with street, city, state and ZIP
• Phone number
• Website URL
• Opening hours
• Geo coordinates (latitude and longitude)
• Price range, like "$$"
• Links to your social profiles and Google profile in "sameAs"

What does gym schema look like?

Here is an example for a made-up gym. Change every value to your own:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "ExerciseGym",
  "name": "Example Boxing Gym",
  "url": "https://www.example.com",
  "telephone": "+1-555-201-3344",
  "priceRange": "$$",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "120 Main Street, Suite 2",
    "addressLocality": "Portland",
    "addressRegion": "ME",
    "postalCode": "04101",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 43.6561, "longitude": -70.2553 },
  "openingHoursSpecification": [
    { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": ["Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday"], "opens": "06:00", "closes": "21:00" },
    { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": "Saturday", "opens": "08:00", "closes": "13:00" }
  ],
  "sameAs": ["https://www.instagram.com/examplegym", "https://www.facebook.com/examplegym"]
}
</script>

Put it in the head of your homepage or contact page. Most builders have a place for "custom code" or "header code."

How do you add schema on common website builders?

The steps depend on your tool:

• WordPress: many SEO plugins add local business schema from a settings page. Or paste the code into a header code plugin.
• Squarespace and Wix: use the site-wide header code injection or custom code settings.
• Gym software sites: ask support if they add schema for you, and what type they use.

If you have a web person, send them this guide and ask for ExerciseGym schema on the homepage.

Should you add FAQ schema too?

You can, but know the limit. In 2023 Google said FAQ rich results would mostly show only for well-known government and health websites (Google Search Central Blog, Aug 2023). So FAQ schema rarely shows extra lines in Google for a gym.

It is still fine to add. It labels your questions and answers clearly, which can help other tools read them. The bigger win is a real FAQ page with plain answers.

Can you put your star rating in schema?

Not in a way Google will show for your own gym. Google's review snippet rules say it does not show stars for "self-serving" reviews, which means reviews a business collects and marks up about itself on its own site (Google Search Central). Skip review and rating markup on your gym pages. Put the effort into real Google reviews instead. See get more gym reviews.

How do you test your schema?

Use two free tools:

1. Rich Results Test from Google. Paste your page URL and check for errors.
2. Schema Markup Validator from schema.org. It checks all schema types, even ones Google does not show.

Fix any red errors. Yellow warnings are often optional fields you can add later.

What must match your schema?

Everything. If your schema says you open at 6 am but your page says 7 am, tools may trust neither. Google's guidelines say structured data should reflect what is visible on the page (Google Search Central). Keep your schema, website and Google profile the same.

Common mistakes

• Copying a template and forgetting to change the sample values
• Hours in schema that do not match the page
• Using "Organization" only, with no address or hours
• Adding schema for reviews you wrote yourself
• Never testing it after a site update

Quick checklist

• Pick ExerciseGym or the closest type
• Fill in name, address, phone, URL and hours
• Add geo coordinates and sameAs links
• Paste in the homepage or contact page head
• Test in the Rich Results Test
• Check the Schema Markup Validator
• Match every fact to your page and Google profile

See exactly what to fix. The Free AI Health Check looks for schema on your site, checks your name, address and hours, and looks at your Google profile, reviews and AI search signals. Want the step-by-step fixes? The $19 Fix Kit walks you through each one.

Frequently asked questions

Does schema help me rank higher on Google? Schema helps Google understand your page. On its own it is not a big ranking boost, but clear facts help in local and AI results.

Do I need a developer to add schema? Not always. Many builders let you paste code into a header box. A developer makes it faster if you have one.

Should every page have gym schema? Put the main ExerciseGym block on your homepage or contact page. If you have more than one location, give each its own page and schema.

Can schema get my gym into ChatGPT answers? It helps AI tools read your facts, but it is one signal among many. Reviews, a clear website and listings matter too.

Sources

• Google Search Central: Introduction to structured data
• Google Search Central: Local business structured data
• Google Search Central: Structured data general guidelines
• Google Search Central Blog: Changes to HowTo and FAQ rich results
• Google Search Central: Review snippet structured data
• schema.org: ExerciseGym

Related guides: How to get your gym recommended by ChatGPT · How to check what AI says about your gym · Gym website checklist