FitDesk vs PTminder for UK personal trainers

At a glance

What to export from PTminder

Third party guides (My PT Hub and ManageYourGym, checked 29 October 2026) say to save these before you rely on a new system:

1. Client list as CSV. FitDesk Import does not accept Excel (.xlsx). Export or save your PTminder client list as a CSV file first.
2. Package balances. Remaining sessions on every open package. Clients notice if this is wrong. You will add these by hand in FitDesk.
3. Bookings. Upcoming sessions for the next weeks, plus booking history if you want a record. Booking history is not imported into FitDesk.
4. Payments and invoices. Enough for your accounts.
5. Programmes. Only if you want to rebuild them elsewhere.

Keep a copy outside both platforms. Plan for clients to add a card again on a new processor; saved cards rarely move.

How client import works on FitDesk

Open Clients, then Add client, then Import. You can upload a CSV file or paste rows, up to 200 clients at a time. Excel (.xlsx) is not accepted. FitDesk reads name (or first and last name), email and phone or mobile, and recognises common headers such as First Name, Last Name, Email and Mobile. Other columns are ignored. After import, share the invite link so clients can join. Import your PTminder client list as a CSV in minutes, then add each client's remaining sessions.

Package balances

Write down every open package and the sessions left on it before you cancel PTminder. Package balances are not imported into FitDesk. On each client's profile, use Add package and set the total and used sessions so the remaining balance matches what they had. FitDesk does not offer one click migration or automatic balance transfer.

Moving bookings

Export upcoming bookings from PTminder and rebuild them in FitDesk against the availability you publish. Clients can then book from that availability, including recurring bookings. Booking history is not imported. Do not promise that past bookings will transfer automatically.

How FitDesk handles bookings, packages and Stripe

• Bookings. Clients book from your published availability, including recurring bookings.
• Packages. Session packages with credits; paid packages top up credits; credits can return when a paid session is cancelled (per FitDesk FAQ). Remaining sessions from PTminder are added by hand on each client profile.
• Invoices. Send, resend, bulk and overdue marking, paid by Stripe card or cash.
• Stripe card payments. You connect your own Stripe account. Clients pay by card. Money pays out to your bank on Stripe's payout schedule. FitDesk does not hold your funds.
• Fees. No monthly fee. 0.7% on Stripe card payments through FitDesk, minimum 1p per card payment. Stripe's own fees still apply. Cash has no FitDesk fee.
• Clients. Import a CSV or pasted list (up to 200 at a time), then share an invite link. FitDesk plans to stay free. Apps are on the way, with no date.

Who FitDesk may suit

FitDesk may suit you if you run in person sessions in the UK, want booking and packages without a monthly bill, take a mix of Stripe card and cash, and need a clear CSV import and invite flow.

Stay on PTminder for now if you still need a feature only PTminder has for your studio, or you are waiting for a confirmed notice on ptminder.com about the reported retirement date.

Try FitDesk early. Sign up needs no card. Import a small CSV first, add a few remaining session balances, rebuild a few bookings, then move the rest when you are happy.