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Fitness Technology - How Tech is Impacting the Success of Fitness Studios

By 
Corey Loehr
 / 
November 29, 2017
 / 

There’s no question that technology has revolutionized the fitness industry. From interactive websites and mobile training apps to sensors and wearables, technology is at the forefront of every successful fitness business. And for good reason.Matter of fact, a recent Fit Tech Trend Report outlined the importance of early adoption for health club and fitness studio owners. The report by FIT-C stated, “the opportunity is too great not to embrace the change technology is bringing.”Basically, failing to adopt and embrace new fitness technology can be detrimental to the overall success of your fitness business. Fortunately, we want to help you stay ahead of the curve. Read on to learn everything you need to know about fitness technology and how you can leverage it to your advantage.

Members expect (and want) high-tech

Fitness technology has become more than just a nice amenity. Members expect to be able to book classes online, via their mobile device. They expect fast WiFi and the latest treadmill machine equipped with bluetooth. Your members want to be “plugged in” while they’re working out and if they can’t connect to Spotify to listen to music because your WiFi is too slow, there’s a good chance they’ll just join the gym next door.Researching the latest in industry trends and knowing what your members expect year after year, allows you to improve member retention and grow your business. It’s that simple.

Immediate Gratification via Mobile Apps

Today, people are always within arms reach of their smartphones, especially at the gym.A successful fitness studio owner knows this and uses it to their advantage. From booking a fitness class to updating payment information, when a fitness business is truly mobile-ready, they’re able to meet their members every need via mobile device.Consumers are managing their entire fitness and health goals with their phones and you need to be there. While they are counting calories, creating playlists and tracking fitness activity, your fitness studio should to be just a click away.

Online Fitness Communities & Member Reviews on Social Media

There’s no denying the effect that social media has had on the fitness industry. Because of it, the fitness and wellness industry has grown in ways that we couldn’t have imagined. And with no signs of slowing down, it’s a tool all fitness studios should be using to their advantage.Social media drives accountability, boosts motivation and cultivates community. On just Instagram alone, there are over 180 million uses of the hashtag #fitness. How does this impact your fitness studio? Well, every time someone posts a photo to their feed while at your studio it’s like getting a positive review. And various studies have found people are more likely to try a product that they’ve seen on social media. Here’s the downfall. If you start getting a handful of negative reviews on services like Facebook or Google, it can be detrimental. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the power of social media and online communities.

Digital and Virtual Fitness

Digital fitness has already started to take hold with in-studio wearables and training technology during group fitness classes. But lately, technology has taken members outside of the studio entirely. Companies like Peloton, are paving the way for immersive at-home training. This technology allows members to hop on their cycling bikes and join a live fitness class, right from their living room.For some fitness studios or health clubs, digital training may seem like a huge disadvantage. The ultimate goal is to get members to your facility and keep them there, right? Technically, yes. But the fitness studios willing to put in the effort to create a consistent experience both inside and outside the club, will inevitably be the ones that succeed. Some fitness business software companies have already taken a step in this direction with client fitness tracking profiles and 1-on-1 messaging.

The Future of Fitness Technology

As new and innovative technologies emerge, the face of fitness will continue to evolve. Wearables will become less detectable, user experience will become enhanced and new fitness communities will materialize.Stay in the loop. Innovate. Adapt. Keep an eye out for the next big thing to enhance the member experience at your fitness studio. Always choose fitness technology that resonates with your brand, culture and members lifestyles.Like any big change, adding new fitness technology into your fitness studio comes with a learning curve. However, it pays off in increased member retention, optimized outcomes for members, and financial success for your business.