Open 24/7: Tips for controlling 24-hour gym access

What’s the ideal time to do a workout? For some people, it’s 4pm. For others, it’s 4am. You’ll always have a mass of members who hit the gym in peak periods, getting pumped up on the collective vibes. But you’ll also have those who prefer the quiet times when no-one else is around, plus those who simply don’t have a choice about when they can train. 

With many people juggling work, family, and other commitments, the traditional 6am-to-6pm model of gym access no longer cuts it. In fact, over 60% of gym-goers now want 24/7 access (source: IHRSA, 2023).

With more of the leading gyms and fitness studios out there now offering 24/7 access, it’s your time to rise and shine.

Reap round-the-clock rewards of 24/7 gym access

Let’s face it. Running a 24/7 business model isn’t as simple as just leaving the doors unlocked. There’s a lot to consider. But before we dive into all that, let’s take a look at why you should bother.

For starters, making your gym available to members 24/7 will attract a whole new demographic of gym junkies. Think shift workers, early birds, and night owls, plus all those who like to train on their own. All these new members mean more revenue for you.

Increasing your opening hours will make your existing members happy, too. Even if they don’t want to pump iron at midnight, by staying open round-the-clock, you’re creating the perception that you’re giving them more - which will make them feel good about being part of your gym family.

It all helps give your gym a competitive edge, which is proving essential in today’s crowded fitness market.

Things to consider when offering 24/7 gym access

While the benefits of moving to a 24/7 model for gym memberships are clear, there are definitely some challenges and practicalities to watch out for. Here are four key things to consider.

1. Safety and security are critical

You’ll need a rock-solid plan for protecting your gym — and your members — when staff aren’t around to keep an eye on things. Install security cameras at all entrances and exits, and throughout the gym itself. This gives you a way to check what’s going on when you’re not there, and it has the added benefit of helping your members feel safe in the quiet hours.

Security cameras are a great way to deter tailgaters, too. A “tailgater” is someone who slips into the gym right behind a paying member. Not only are they ripping you off by using your equipment without paying, but letting unauthorized people into your gym is risky for your insurance and other members.

2. The doors must stay locked, except for paying members

Once your staff have gone home for the day, you’ll need a way to keep your doors locked after hours. This also means automatic closing mechanisms (for all those members who live in a proverbial tent and forget to shut the door), and access control mechanisms so that paying members can still get in.

The good news here? Gone are the days of physical keys to lock and unlock doors. Instead, you’ve got a range of affordable and super-convenient 24/7 gym door access systems, giving you complete control over who gets in to your gym.

Your options include:

• Key fobs. These have been around for years, and are still pretty popular for giving members a quick and easy way to gain entry. The downside? You need to invest in all the hardware — including a key fob for every single member, as well as the locking mechanisms on the doors themselves. And if a member loses their fob, either they or you have to pay to replace it.‍
• QR scanners. A QR code can be an even more convenient entry method, offering touchless entry via your gym member app. There’s no risk of losing the fob — members usually have their phones on them, and all they need to do is scan the code and the door unlocks. Behind the scenes, QR code door access can help you easily track attendance and reduce front-desk bottlenecks during staffed hours.

Top tip. Look for security systems that integrate with your existing gym membership software. For example, Hapana uses InnerTelligence Doorguard24, which gives you real-time, automated control over whether a member can access the gym using their QR scanner. It all helps ensure only active, authorized members can open the door.

3. Cleaning and maintenance are a must

With members entering and leaving your gym at all hours — and potentially using the bathrooms too — there’s the real risk that a mess gets left behind. And the greater risk that you’ll lose members if these messes don’t get cleaned up, because no-one wants to work out in a dirty gym.

Create a cleaning schedule, and stick to it. You should also engage an after-hours cleaning service that’s available on-call in case of emergencies. Notify your members of this service so they know who to call for major spillages or problems.

Don’t be afraid to gently remind your members of their obligations to help keep your gym clean, too, no matter what time of day or night they train. The vast majority will happily comply, as it’s in everyone’s best interests to keep things fresh.

4. Build community, night and day

With many of your members using your gym after hours, there’s less opportunity for those face-to-face interactions that can be so powerful in building relationships.

Consider ways you can make your night-owl members feel part of the gym community. Maybe it’s a different note or inspirational message left on the whiteboard each evening; or a new challenge for them to tackle during training. Perhaps it’s an invitation to join exclusive events, bearing in mind that your late-night members might have tricky schedules to juggle.

By making them feel included, they’ll be much more likely to renew their gym membership when the time rolls around.

The clock’s ticking… are you ready?

With more and more gyms offering 24/7 access, can you afford not to go down this route? As a next step on your journey to becoming a round-the-clock gym, get a demo to see all the tools you need to manage your gym like a pro.