Smart Consoles Are Only As Good As Your Last Logged In Member

Technogym Mywellness Key 

Over the last few years I have managed to film in-depth videos of the worlds biggest and best cardio smart consoles (check out the videos here). I think about those demo/interviews a lot. I think about cardio ‘smart consoles’ from all the brands I’ve filmed including; Technogym’s Unity Console, Precor’s P80 console, Life Fitness’ Discover SE console and Matrix’ 7xi console.

While all brands tackle inclusions differently, they all offer so much potential for member engagement and business management. From basic tv and internet, to capturing workout data, equipment diagnostics, advertising capabilities, global running tracks, fitness competitions, games… the list goes on!

You may have already guessed that the world of ‘in-gym technology’ excites me more than it probably should! At the same time it troubles me somewhat too…

This month, while joining a new gym, I finally figured out why my re-occuring thought has bugged me so much: Smart consoles are only as good as the last gym member who logged in and recorded their work out!

My Very Own ‘New Gym Member’ Experience

When I was a gym manager I never had the need to join another gym, as such, I rarely entered other gyms. So becoming a new gym member for the first time in a premier club was a thrill for me!!! I wanted to savour the experience of the sales consultant woo-ing me to join his club. Everything from the gym tour, the negotiation over the joining fee, talking about my goals and my induction. ‘Give me the lot!’ 

During my pre-sign up gym tour, I was lead around the ultra-modern facility and observed that it was decked out with high quality Technogym gear! Much to my delight the cardio machines had the awesome Unity smart consoles (queue happy song)…

So began my first disappointing dialogue:

Me: Are they networked?

Membership Consultant: Networked? (A blank face peered back at me). 

Me: You know, internet.

Membership Consultant: Ah, yes, they have internet and tv…. (pause). So let me show you the change rooms…

Suddenly my smart console fears were realised

in an instant!

Here was a premier club, with the latest advancements in cardio technology and the conversation almost by-passed the equipment entirely and on to the change rooms! What I was hoping for was a spiel on the Technogym consoles OR at the very least a mention of the potential to track my workouts, download an app or create an account.

It was basically ‘Here is the gym, we open a 6am and close at 10pm, here are our change rooms…. and here is what I can do for you IF you sign up today’ #disappointment.

Technogym Unity Console in action!

When I think about the realm of smart cardio equipment, I assume that clubs who decide on a future with networked cardio &/or strength equipment, decided to do so for the immense possibilities and opportunities that smart consoles offer on many fronts, starting with member engagement.

I also feel that half the reason of purchasing and networking these bad boys is lost when members aren’t given a proper demo and offered the opportunity to sign up for an account and made aware of the associated app. To me that is almost like using cardio machines with smart consoles that aren’t networked. Trust me when I say ‘boy, what a deflated experience that is’… it’s like handing you keys to a Ferrari that’s had it’s speed limited to 60!!! (Inspiration for another post perhaps).

 To me that is almost like using cardio machines with smart consoles that aren’t networked. Trust me when I say ‘boy, what a deflated experience that is’… it’s like handing you keys to a Ferrari that’s had it’s speed limited to 60!!!

 

I hope that my experience is an isolated situation, but I can’t help wonder how successfully gym’s are tackling the extra workload that the consoles have created? Realistically, LED consoles don’t require the same attention, but nor do they command as much attention from your members!

On that note I’d love to hear from gym owners and operators on both your successes and challenges of setting up and maintaining smart consoles. Together we can make a comprehensive check list for each other. In that vein I have made a start below:

Here are just a few tips for gym’s with networked smart consoles: (in no particular order)

• Include an ‘opt-in’ cardio account set up consultation as part of the new member induction process. Where possible include a token, RFID band, key or guidance on smart phone app ‘set up’ (where QR Code log in is available). In other words make it easy for your gym members to get involved.
• When considering upgrades to your facility, consider if RFID usage is feasible beyond the cardio floor (for turnstiles, lockers) and other services within your gym. Ensure you research RFID compatibility thoroughly before investing!!!
• Create a one pager on all the capabilities your new smart cardio offers (including on screen advertising, competitions, workout data, equipment diagnostics etc) and aim to include the various aspects in future business strategies. Stick it somewhere visible and keep it front of mind… remember, this technology is part of your dynamic assets and can potentially help grow your business and customer loyalty.
• Train your staff. Ensure that the equipment manufacturer includes staff training as part of your equipment package and request for regular updates
• Identify and empower a handful of staff members as ‘FTC’s (fitness technology champions), whose responsibilities include keeping on top of technology updates, member ‘technology inductions’ and ‘technology in the gym’ classes
• Run ‘technology in the gym’ classes to help maximise engagement. Demo the capabilities of the equipment as a logged in member (e.g. favourite screens etc) Possibly invite an equipment manufacturer staff member to run a brief talk.
• Include and highlight cardio technology as part of pre-sign up tours… show your excitement about it!
• Challenge yourself to run one internal and one external ‘call to action’ promotion via the smart console advertising features.
• Set up inclusive fitness challenges that encourage gym members of all abilities to participate. For example: give greater weight towards frequency of activity and less weight for distance or time. This is also a great way to sign up existing members to smart cardio accounts.
• Advertise the capabilities of your smart console investment via your news letters and in gym poster advertising and try to emphasise how willing you are to help your members sign up. Even create your own quick video to explain the basic advantages.
• Utilise the equipment manufacturers own demo videos to keep members informed of updates and improve buy-in of your staff.
• Ensure all staff members have accounts. Run staff competitions to create a ‘buzz’ and chatter within your staff so that they are confident to promote the services to gym members.
• Encourage your PT’s to use the workout data collected from sessions to better help members tailor fitness programs and achieve their goals.
• Once you have smart console technology in your gym, use the equipment diagnostics to nudge members onto less used pieces via competitions and rewards for time spent on less used equipment.
• Use diagnotic information to make more informed future equipment decisions. For example, does your club demographic use more cross trainers and less treadmills? Why replace the same numbers of each if your members usage is telling you other wise.

Have any more tips to share? Post them in the comment section!

 

Til Next time,

Nate

Head Barista 

Fitness Equipment Cafe