What Berlin Studio Owners Wish You Knew About Using Third-Party Platforms
In Berlin’s yoga, Pilates and fitness scene, one thing has become increasingly clear: third-party platforms are running the show.
What began as a helpful way to explore different studios throughout the city has evolved into something much larger, bordering on a monopoly. Studios that got in early and made contracts before third-party platforms were as ubiquitous, are the ones reaping the benefits, while newer studios struggle to keep up.
Today, it’s nearly impossible to find a studio that isn’t listed on an aggregator. These platforms dominate and dictate the market, offering convenience to consumers while quietly reshaping how the entire industry operates.
For users, the experience feels seamless: one subscription, unlimited access, endless variety. But what many people don’t realize is how uneven the system is behind the scenes — how drastically studio earnings vary, how little control teachers have, and what this might mean for the future of independent studios.
To understand what’s really happening, we spoke with several Berlin studio owners about their experiences. Their names have been kept anonymous to avoid any contractual conflicts with the platforms.
Here’s what they had to say…
What do you wish students knew about using third-party platforms?
What I really wish students knew is that some studios earn twice as much as others through third-party platforms, and this difference often comes down to old contracts rather than anything related to quality or demand. For example, one studio might receive 6€ per attendee, while another earns 12€ or 13€ for the same class.
This creates a big imbalance — higher-earning studios can afford to pay teachers more but they often don’t since lower rates have already been set as an industry standard. With higher payouts, these studios can expand more easily and open new locations, while smaller studios are left struggling to compete, especially when it comes to rent and space.
Another important thing is about cancellations. When students cancel less than 12 hours before class, in most cases we don’t get paid for that spot — even though the student might still pay a late-cancellation fee. If someone cancels an hour before class, there’s usually no time to fill the spot, so that income is just lost for both the studio and the teacher.
How do third-party bookings compare financially to direct bookings for your studio?
Our drop-in rate is about two and a half times what we get from third-party bookings per attendee. Most of our clients, however, use packages — and I’ve made sure that our packages cost roughly the same as a subscription to a third-party platform.
I do this because I don’t think it’s fair that our loyal, directly booked clients should pay more than people using third-party platforms. Still, direct bookings are better for us overall — not just financially, but relationally. When someone books directly, if they cancel, the class is still paid for, and we can communicate with them directly. That’s how we build relationships.
With people using third-party platforms, even if they come regularly, they’re not our clients. We don’t have their contact details, so we can’t really stay in touch or build the same kind of community connection.
What improvements would you like to see in how these platforms collaborate with studios?
I don’t think platforms should offer unlimited or long-term subscriptions. If their role is truly to act as a marketing tool for studios — helping new clients discover us — then access should be limited, say, to a month. That would give people time to try out different studios, find the ones they like, and then start booking directly.
Otherwise, the only model that would really make sense would be a non-profit one — where the platform exists to support studios rather than to profit from them.
What do you wish students knew about using third-party platforms?
Most people have no idea how little yoga teachers and facilitators actually earn per class.
→ According to several entrepreneurship guides (e.g., IHK, VDST), a solo self-employed facilitator should charge 80–120€ per teaching hour to cover:
taxes & social insurance (≈ 35–45%)
prep time & admin hours
equipment & continuing education
sick days & holidays
Meanwhile, an aggregator check-in pays 4.50–10€, and from this the studio still needs to keep a share. = Facilitator often earns 2–4€ per participant.
Class size average: 4–10 students per class in newer studios
Net income per class: 8–40€
Annual income for 15–20 classes/week: 12,000–20,000€ / year
→ Far below minimum living standards for full-time work
In the end, a full-time teacher often needs to teach 18–22 classes per week just to cover their living costs, which is unrealistic and leads to burnout. As wellness becomes more commercial, the expectation grows: "One credit = full transformation".
Requests from students often include:
sound healing
inner child work
advanced asana progressions
massage / personal attention all in one class
Yoga, healing and spiritual practice are not fast-food products for instant results. There is a consumer mentality of: “I paid for this, so I want transformation — fast.” But deep inner work requires consistency, vulnerability and trust in your facilitators. If students jump from studio to studio, how can teachers really accompany them? How can they guide them deeper if no true relationship can form?
How do third-party bookings compare financially to direct bookings for your studio?
If someone checks in as a drop-in the net income for a facilitator is 12€ versus 2-4€ for an aggregator check-in.
This is not a sustainable model for the people holding the space.
What improvements would you like to see in how these platforms collaborate with studios?
A. Fair payout — Minimum 11€ per check-in to the facilitator.
B. More access — If a membership allows only 1 visit per day and 4 visits per month to the same studio, the facilitator will never be able to build a relationship with the student, which lowers quality and effectiveness. → remove caps that discourage returning to one facilitator.
C. Transparent pricing — Set realistic prices and let people choose where they want to invest their credits, consciously. A monthly unlimited membership in Berlin costs 100–300 € depending on the studio. If someone wants flexibility and multiple studios, that freedom should also reflect true cost.
D. No universal free trials — A discounted class is fine. But endless free sessions encourage studio-hopping and devalues the work, especially for independent facilitators.
Most importantly:
If someone supports me in my healing, wellbeing, and personal growth, then it’s my responsibility to ensure they can live with stability and dignity. Without financial security, no facilitator can sustainably hold the depth of work that people seek. If someone cannot invest even a small amount into their own health, maybe priorities need to shift.
What do you wish students knew about using third-party platforms?
I wish students understood that when they book through third-party platforms, studios lose control over pricing and class structure. It becomes extremely difficult for us to operate sustainably, especially because we’re paid per visit and not through stable memberships.
At our studio, around 70% of our visitors now come through aggregators — a level of dependency that makes independent operation nearly impossible. And ultimately, only students’ choices can change this system, by booking directly and consciously supporting the places they love.
How do third-party bookings compare financially to direct bookings for your studio?
For us, the financial aspect isn’t the biggest issue (although I know it is for most partner studios!) — but the loss of relationship is.
Aggregator users often don’t identify with the studio as “their” community, which makes long-term connection difficult. And I totally get it, they have so many options, it is almost overwhelming and creates constant FOMO.
Since we’re only paid when someone actually attends, we can’t plan or invest as sustainably as we can with memberships. When more than two-thirds of attendance comes through third-parties, it creates a fragile system that depends on algorithms rather than human connection.
What improvements would you like to see in how these platforms collaborate with studios?
I believe true collaboration would start with limiting dependency to maybe 10–20% of total bookings, allowing studios to regain creative and financial freedom. But real change won’t come from the platforms alone — it depends on user behavior. If students choose to book directly, they actively help preserve independent studios and the diversity of yoga spaces in their cities. Otherwise, we risk a yoga landscape shaped by convenience rather than community.
