5 Tips for Choosing POS Hardware for Your Fitness or Wellness Business

When it comes to running your business smoothly, your point-of-sale (POS) hardware matters more than you might think. At the center of it all is your payment terminal, a key piece of POS hardware that helps you collect payments quickly, securely, and professionally. The right setup does so much more than just process transactions.   

Whether you run a studio, gym, spa, or salon, your terminal should fit your space, support your team, improve the client experience, and keep up with your business. 

In this blog, we’ll walk through the different types of payment terminals and five key things to consider when choosing the best POS hardware. 

Types of payment terminals

Choosing the right POS hardware starts with understanding the different types available, their benefits and features, and how they match your business needs. 

Desktop or countertop payment terminal

A desktop or countertop payment terminal is stationary and is typically placed on your front desk or checkout counter for easy client access. These devices support all major payment types, including chip and PIN, chip and sign, magstripe, and NFC/contactless. They connect to your network through a wired internet or phone line, and many can also link to receipt printers or customer-facing displays for a more professional checkout experience.  

Best for: Businesses with front desk setups or fixed checkout locations. 

Benefits: Supports various payment types, fast and reliable connection, great for high traffic environments.  

How Mindbody can help: The WisePOS E countertop terminal fully integrates with Mindbody Payments, offering a reliable, all-in-one solution for your front desk. It's easy to set up and supports swipe, tap, and NFC/contactless payments, for fast and secure checkout. 

Mobile card reader

Mobile card readers are built for flexibility—perfect for businesses without a fixed checkout area or those that operate on the move. These compact devices connect directly to a compatible smartphone or tablet using a USB-C, Lightning, or headphone jack, and some models even support Bluetooth for a completely wireless setup. Depending on the reader, you can accept swiped, chip, and contactless payments, giving you a full range of payment options wherever you are. 

Best for: Mobile services and on-the-go businesses. 

Benefits: Lightweight, easy-to-use, convenient, and cost-effective. 

How Mindbody can help: The Stripe Reader M2 is a compact, mobile-friendly card reader that pairs with your smartphone to accept payments on the go. It connects via Bluetooth (or USB-C for Android devices) and works directly within the Mindbody Business app, so you can process chip, contactless, or swipe payments from anywhere. 

Handheld payment terminal

Handheld card readers offer more flexibility than countertop or desktop terminals, giving your team the freedom to take payments anywhere—whether it’s in a treatment room, on the studio floor, or even offsite. These wireless readers typically support chip, swipe, and contactless payments, and connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for seamless mobility.  

Best for: In-service or on-the-go payments within your space. 

Benefits: Easy to carry, convenient for staff and clients, fully wireless. 

Mobile device

With Apple’s built-in Tap to Pay or supported third-party apps on Android, you can accept contactless card and mobile wallet payments directly on your device. Customer payment data isn’t stored on your phone, making it a secure and convenient option. 

Best for: Mobile businesses without a central checkout location. 

Benefits: Doesn't require hardware, is secure, and allows for quick transactions on the go. 

How Mindbody can help: With Mindbody Payments and the Mindbody Business app, you can easily accept contactless payments from your mobile device. If you have a compatible Apple or Android device, you can enable Tap to Pay—no additional hardware is needed. 

How to choose your payments hardware

After familiarizing yourself with the different types of payment terminals on the market, the next step is finding the right fit for your business. Here are five key factors to consider when choosing the best terminal for your fitness or wellness business.  

1. Evaluate your business needs

Before you pick POS payment hardware, take the time to evaluate how your fitness or wellness business operates daily. Think about your anticipated client volume and how they'll typically engage with your services. Will your team need to accept payments at the front desk only, or also on the go, such as in a treatment room, salon chair, or on the gym floor?   

Choosing a payment terminal that fits your business operations helps you save time, prevent headaches, and give your clients a seamless checkout experience.  

2. Consider your hardware options

After identifying your business needs, the next step is to choose the payment terminal that best supports your daily operations. Think about where you'll accept payments and how. This includes deciding if you'll accept cash, credit and debit cards, gift cards, or tap-to-pay options and if you require stationery or mobile hardware, or a combination of both. It all depends on where you want to serve your clients.    

For example, a desktop or countertop terminal like the WisePOS E is great for front desk transactions or occasional payments around your space. But if your business needs more flexibility and you want staff to take payments directly from their own devices, consider the Stripe Reader M2 or in-app payments using Tap to Pay on a compatible smartphone. 

3. Determine your budget

The cost of POS hardware can vary based on the setup and any additional components you may need, such as a barcode scanner, receipt printer, and cash drawer. When assessing your budget, keep in mind your current needs and what you might need as your business expands. Investing in hardware that can grow with your business will help prepare you for future demands.    

Additionally, consider how many devices you'll require. For instance, a single front desk station may suffice for a small studio or salon. However, if you and your staff expect high client traffic, you may need multiple mobile devices. All of these factors should be included in your budgeting process.  

4. Evaluate your integration needs

Integration plays a key role in ensuring your business operates efficiently, so it's important to factor that into your POS hardware selections. The right hardware should integrate seamlessly with your business management platform, keeping everything connected and easy to manage as your business grows.  

5. Compare, demo, and decide

With so many POS hardware options available, comparing them side by side can help you make a confident and informed decision. In addition to key factors like cost and software integrations, assess the ease of use and the quality of customer support. Whenever possible, demo the hardware before committing. Explore its various functions, how well it integrates with your existing systems, and how well it fits into your workflow.  

Find the best payment terminal for your business

The right terminal can help you streamline daily operations and improve client satisfaction. By understanding your business needs, evaluating different types of payment hardware, setting a realistic budget, and prioritizing integration with your software, you can find a solution that fits your team and your workflow.