This guide explains how to send text messages (SMS) in PushPress Grow the right way — so your messages go through, your costs stay low, and your account stays in good standing.
What Is SMS in Grow?
SMS lets you text:
Leads
Members
Former members
You can send:
1-to-1 texts
Group texts (using drip mode)
Each text message has a cost, and there are daily sending limits to protect your phone number.
Daily SMS Sending Limits (Ramp-Up Policy)
To protect your phone number and keep carriers happy, Grow uses a ramp-up system.
You cannot send unlimited texts right away.
Campaign Daily Limit
Maximum: 500 SMS per day for campaigns
Going over this limit can pause SMS sending for the day
How the Ramp-Up Works
When you first start sending SMS, Grow increases your limit slowly.
Stage | Max SMS per 24 hours |
Stage 1 | 100 |
Stage 2 | 250 |
Stage 3 | 500 (daily cap) |
Stage 4+ | Stay at 500 |
Important:
You move to the next stage only after you hit the current limit and wait 24 hours.
Example
Day 1: You send 100 texts → you must wait 24 hours
Day 2: You can send 250 texts
Day 3: You can send 500 texts
This protects your number and builds trust with phone carriers.
Why This Matters
Sending too many texts too fast can:
Get your number flagged
Cause messages to fail
Lead to temporary SMS blocks
The ramp-up keeps your SMS working long-term.
Use Drip Mode for Group Texts (Very Important)
When texting groups, never send all messages at once.
Always use Drip Mode
Drip mode:
Sends texts in small batches
Spaces them out over time
Keeps you compliant with A2P rules
Recommended Drip Settings
15–20 messages per hour
Spread messages across hours or days
Avoid late nights and early mornings
Consent & Compliance Rules (Must Follow)
You must follow texting rules to avoid suspension.
You MUST:
Have clear permission to text someone
Identify yourself in the message
Include opt-out language
Example: “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”
You MUST NOT:
Text people who didn’t opt in
Send mass marketing texts without consent
Harass, threaten, or mislead
Send illegal content (including THC/CBD - even if legal in your State of operation!)
Market to minors under 14
Common Reasons SMS Gets Blocked
High opt-out rate
Too many failed messages
Sending too many texts too fast
Poor message quality
Healthy Metrics
Opt-out rate: 0–0.3%
Error rate: 0–6%
SMS Costs (Know Before You Send)
Each text message has a cost.
How SMS Pricing Works
Cost per SMS segment: ~$0.02
1 SMS segment = 160 characters
Long messages = multiple segments
Emojis, links, spacing, and special characters increase cost
Your exact cost may vary by country and carrier.
Why Messages Split Into Multiple Segments
Some characters force messages into a more expensive format.
Example Message (Real-World)
Hey [name] this is [name]! Can you message me directly and let me know what you want? Here's what's for sale: Men’s Olympic Barbells Women’s Olympic Barbells Trainer Bars Axle Bars Barbell Trees (holds 11 bars) Concept2 Rower Rogue Bumper Plates York Bumper Plates Iron / Change Weight Plates Rogue V2 Bumper Plate Stackers Rogue Log Bar (LB-1 / LB-2) Medicine Balls Sleds (Rogue) Pyramid Plyo Boxes (12", 16", 20", 24") CFW Handmade Plyo Boxes (20 / 24 / 30") AbMats (older units) Rogue GHD Rogue Reverse Hyper
Segment Breakdown
Total characters: 507
Contains curly quotes ( ’ )
Because of those quotes:
The message is sent as Unicode
Unicode limit = 67 characters per segment
507 ÷ 67 = 8 SMS segments
👉 This message is billed as 8 texts messages not 1 single SMS
How to Reduce SMS Cost
Replace curly quotes with straight quotes:
Men's Olympic Barbells Women's Olympic Barbells
Now the message uses standard GSM format:
153 characters per segment
507 ÷ 153 = 4 segments
✅ Same message, half the cost
Want to know how many segments your outbound SMS will be before you send? You can use this segment calculator before sending out a bunch of text messages.
Also note: your costs per SMS segment vary by region and country.
SMS Best Practices (Quick List)
Do This
Keep messages short
Use plain text
Use drip mode for groups
Send during business hours
Give people a clear way to opt out
Avoid This
ALL CAPS
Too many emojis or !!!
Long lists without spacing
Sending hundreds of texts at once
Sending Group SMS in Grow (Simple Steps)
Go to Contacts
Choose or create a Smart List
Select contacts
Click Send SMS
Turn on Drip Mode
Set batch size and timing
Send
This keeps you compliant and protects your number.
More Help
If you would like more information or need further assistance, please use other HELP Articles, just like this one or reach out through PushPress Messenger, the little blue box in your CORE account or email us at support@pushpress.com. Our team is here to help.
About PushPress
PushPress is the ultimate gym management software to help streamline your gym business. Thousands of gyms have become more professional thanks to PushPress, and now you can too!
Understanding SMS Sending Limits in PushPress Grow
PushPress Grow enforces daily SMS sending limits to ensure compliance with carrier regulations, maintain sender reputation, and control costs. Below is a comprehensive guide to understanding these limits and managing your campaigns effectively.
Overview of SMS Sending Limits
Daily Limit: The default daily SMS sending limit is capped at 500 messages per account. This limit cannot be manually increased on demand.
Automatic Ramping: New accounts start with lower limits (e.g., 100/day) and gradually ramp up to 500/day as thresholds are reached. Further increases, such as to 750 or 1,000 messages per day, occur automatically based on usage and sender reputation.
Reasons for SMS Limits
Carrier Compliance: High-volume SMS can trigger carrier spam filters, leading to blocked messages or penalties.
Sender Reputation: Gradual increases in limits help build trust with carriers and reduce the risk of suspension.
Cost Management: SMS fees are charged per message, so limits help control costs.
Managing Campaigns Within Limits
If your campaigns require more than the daily limit, consider these strategies:
Stagger Sends: Break your audience into smaller batches and send messages over multiple days. For example, send 400 messages daily to stay within the cap.
Mix Channels: Use email for broader outreach and reserve SMS for high-priority or time-sensitive messages.
Automate Spacing: Use Grow workflows to schedule messages over time instead of bulk-sending.
Best Practices for Increasing Limits
To ensure your SMS limits increase automatically:
Maintain High-Quality Metrics: Avoid high opt-out rates and email bounce rates, as these can prevent automatic limit increases.
Obtain Explicit Consent: Ensure all recipients have opted in to receive SMS messages.
Use Drip Campaigns: Send messages gradually to avoid sudden spikes in volume.
Troubleshooting Limit Issues
If your SMS limit isn’t increasing as expected:
Verify how long your number has been actively sending messages. Limits ramp up over time based on activity and A2P registration status.
Check your send quality metrics. High opt-out or bounce rates can delay or prevent increases.
By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively manage your SMS campaigns within PushPress Grow’s limits while maintaining compliance and sender reputation.