Setting up an Acuity waitlist for group classes requires connecting Acuity Scheduling to an automated notification engine like Aculio. When a booked client cancels their spot, Aculio detects the open seat, alerts waitlisted clients via SMS, and lets the first respondent claim the reservation instantly. This automated workflow fills canceled class seats in under 3 minutes without requiring manual staff management.
How Do You Set Up an Acuity Waitlist for Group Classes?
Setting up an Acuity waitlist for group classes involves establishing real-time calendar synchronization, embedding a waitlist signup form on your website, and configuring automated SMS alerts. Follow these 5 proven steps to automate your studio waitlist in 2026.
Step 1: Create an Acuity Waitlist Form
Log in to your Acuity Scheduling account and navigate to Client Information > Custom Forms. Create a new form titled "Group Class Waitlist." Add required fields for the client's full name, mobile phone number (with SMS consent checkbox), preferred class date, and target time slot. Save the form settings.
Step 2: Embed the Waitlist Widget on Your Website
Copy the iframe embed code generated by your waitlist form. Paste it directly onto your website's booking page below your standard Acuity schedule. Clients visiting your site when a class displays as "Full" can immediately submit their contact details to join the priority standby queue.
Step 3: Connect Acuity Webhooks to Aculio
Authorize your Aculio account. Navigate to the Aculio onboarding portal to pair your calendar webhooks. Aculio monitors your group class roster limits in real time. When a class reaches maximum capacity, the Aculio group class waitlist engine prepares to track standby clients.
Step 4: Configure Automated Open-Seat SMS Alerts
Inside the Aculio dashboard, define your notification dispatch rules. Choose whether open seat alerts send to the first person on the waitlist or broadcast to all waitlisted participants simultaneously. Set a claim window duration, such as 15 minutes, before the system contacts the next person on the list. Aculio automatically inserts a direct reservation link inside the SMS body.
Step 5: Test Your Group Class Waitlist Automation
Conduct a live test to verify your workflow. Create a test group class with a capacity of 1 participant and book the spot. Use a secondary phone number to fill out your Acuity waitlist form. Next, cancel the original booking in Acuity Scheduling. Verify that Aculio detects the open seat and delivers an SMS alert to your test phone within 30 seconds.
Why Should Yoga Instructors and Fitness Coaches Use SMS Waitlists?
Automated SMS waitlists solve the problem of empty studio spots caused by last-minute client cancellations. Text messages maintain a 98% open rate, whereas email alerts often go unread until after the class starts. By automating seat notifications, studio owners eliminate manual administration tasks and protect weekly class revenue in 2026.
Ready to automate your studio schedule and fill empty class spots automatically? Explore our flexible Aculio pricing options and start your free trial today.