If you run a gym, you know just how rewarding it can be. You’re in the business of improving people’s lives for the better, offering the tools and the spaces they need to become the best version of themselves.
There isn’t anything more fulfilling than helping others, but It’s certainly not easy. Gyms are expensive to run, and given the size of the property you need to own or rent and the thousands of dollars worth of equipment within, there’s a lot to consider.
Whether you’ve just started your gym or have been in the trenches for a long time, this article is here to get you up to speed with six tools and services that can help make your business more efficient.
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1. Dedicated Mobile Apps
There’s a lot to talk about on the software side, but dedicated mobile apps are always a great bet when you run a gym.
It doesn’t need to be anything flashy (and in many ways, the minimalist approach is better), but having a portal users can access from their phone that provides access to everything they need to reach their goals is a big plus.
You can set dedicated workout challenges from here, offer tools like workout trackers and form libraries, and generally make the experience richer to boost engagement and make the gym feel like more of a community.
2. Member Management Platforms
Keeping track of memberships can be a real hassle – a struggle you know all too well if you’re still using pen and paper.
A comprehensive suite that includes tools for billing, scheduling, and member communication is pretty much essential in this day and age. Modern member management platforms streamline the process, enabling you to visualise member data clearly and automate processes that are too laborious to complete manually, such as running classes and even handling leads.
3. Body Composition Measurement Hardware
There have been many advancements over the last few years in how you’re able to assess body composition – an essential metric for measuring progress over the long term.
One of the most impactful implementations in many gyms all over the world is smart scales. Systems like Boditrax utilise the power of bioelectrical impedance to scan muscle, bone, fat, and water content within the body, providing the end user with an accurate depiction of their current physique.
These tools go far beyond what the data provided by standard weighing scales and tape measurements, and are usually paired with an app that users can sign into. The app enables them to track their progress over time, which can do a great deal for their motivation.
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4. Smart Cardiovascular Equipment
While there hasn’t been a great deal of advancement within the realm of resistance training equipment, cardiovascular gear just keeps getting better and better.
Modern treadmills, bikes, and cross trainers now feature fully integrated smart computer systems that can link with a member’s phone. From the large touch screen displays on recent models from companies like Matrix and Life Fitness, users can log into their favourite apps like YouTube, Instagram, and Kindle, and there are extensive features for tracking workouts over time.
5. Advanced Access Control Systems
It used to be the case that proper access control was simply too expensive for most private gyms to entertain, but today, sound security doesn’t have to involve pricy card-activated gates.
There are now systems that utilize the cloud for seamless access control via a person’s smartphone, negating the need for gated systems and instead using discreet locking mechanisms within the doors themselves.
These systems can also be made to link with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software for a more robust platform for managing who enters and exits the building.
6. Customer Feedback Software
A good gym is home to people from all walks of life, and catering to everyone can be a major challenge.
This means that you’ll want a reliable system in place for gathering customer feedback that you’ll then use to implement changes, and thankfully, there are some great solutions on the market for this.
Digitized tools like SurveyMonkey or Typeform are solid options, as they make the survey process easy for both you and your members, allowing you to view valuable analytics that help you visualize your business from a bird’s eye view.
Wrapping Up
You should now have a better idea of the tools available to make your day-to-day operations more streamlined. While there are other important elements beyond those above, what’s covered here is enough for a full transformation. Good luck!