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How to Chat in NetGym for Staff/Instructors

Messages for Instructors: Instructions on how to use the chat (Channels and direct messaging) feature.

Written by Danielle Orlick

Messages is NetGym’s built-in chat tool for communicating with your studio team— without group texts, Slack, or external apps.
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You can use Messages to:

  • Chat with teammates or managers

  • Participate in studio Channels

  • Share files, photos, GIFs, and emojis

  • Keep all work communication in one place

Types of Chats You’ll See

Messages includes three types of chats. What you have access to depends on your role and studio settings.

Chat Type

What it is

Details

Channel

Ongoing group chats created by management

  • You're automatically added and removed.

  • You can’t create Channels yourself, but you can participate in the ones you’re added to.

Direct Message (1:1)

Private messages between you and one other person

  • May be available. between instructors/staff or between instructors/staff and management only.

  • Availability depends on studio/account permissions.

Direct Message (Group)

  • Group direct messages between multiple individuals

  • Used for quick coordination outside of Channels.

  • Also permission-based.

  • If you’re unsure who you can message, check with your manager.

How to send a Message

  1. Open Messages in NetGym (mobile or web)

  2. Select a Channel or Direct Message

  3. Type your message and send

You can also:

  • Click the +icon to:

    • Attach a photo

    • Take a photo and attach it

    • Attach a file

    • Create and send a poll

  • Click the lightning icon (or type "/giphy") to send a GIF

How to interact with Messages

You can long press a message and:

  • React to messages with emojis

  • Reply directly or start a thread

  • Edit or delete your own messages

  • Pin important chats you want to refer back to

Some managers may also be able to moderate messages if needed.

How to view Chat/Channel details

To see details about a Chat/Channel:

  1. Open the Channel

  2. Tap the Channel image at the top

You’ll be able to:

  • Search messages

  • View who's included in the Channel (members)

  • Mut notifications

  • View details

    • Why you’re included (location, role, skills)

    • The Channel description

    • Photos & Files

Notifications

Messages send mobile push notifications (if enabled on your phone).

You may receive a mobile push notification (if enabled) when any of the following occur:

  • You are added to a new channel

  • You receive a direct message (1:1 or group direct message)

  • You are added to an existing channel because:

    • Your location was updated

    • Your skill profile changed

    • A team was updated

  • You are tagged directly in a channel

  • The first message in a newly created channel is sent

  • Any chat within the channel is sent

When You Will Not Receive Notifications

  • You will not receive a notification if you are removed from a channel

    • The chat will be removed automatically from your list

You’ll still see unread message badges.

Muting Notifications

You can mute notifications for individual chats by swiping left on the message in the inbox OR:

  1. Open the chat

  2. Tap the chat image

  3. Select Notifications

  4. Under Mute Notifications, choose:

    • 1 hour

    • 24 hours

    • 1 week

    • Always

Muting stops notifications and unread badges for that chat.

How to manage Chats

You can hide chats and mark them as read/unread.

Hiding or Removing Chats

You can hide chats to keep things organized.

On the app, swipe left on a chat → choose Hide or manage notifications.

Hiden chats:

  • Are hidden only for you

  • Will reappear if someone sends a new message

  • Keep all message history intact

Marking chats as read/unread

On the app, swipe right on a chat → choose Mark as Read or Mark as Unread.

When a chat is marked as unread, only the latest message is set as unread.

Important Things to Know 📌

  • What you can message and who you can message depends on studio permissions

  • Channels are managed by your studio

  • Notifications are mobile-based

  • If you don’t see a chat option you expect, it’s usually a setup setting

If something looks off, reach out to your manager.

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