Gyms have changed dramatically in terms of how they operate within the past couple of decades. While in the past, gym memberships were often managed through a simple card system, and some gyms didn’t even offer memberships at all, now they’ve moved online and have become major revenue sources for gyms. Few people pay to go to a gym per visit in this day and age, and lots of people still want to go to the gym on a regular basis. As people become increasingly concerned about their health and maintaining it, gyms have become one of the main sources through which they can do so. In fact, gym memberships have grown by nearly 20% since 2008 and should grow another 23% over the next 10 years. But in order for gyms to function, as much as the work that clients and trainers do is very physical, those behind the scenes rely upon software and the internet. It’s imperative that gyms move forward with different types of software in order to keep their gyms not only functional and growing, but safe. With that being said, let’s look into some of the different types of software that need to become a part of gyms today.
1. Check In Systems
This is perhaps one of the most important types of necessary software to manage a gym today. The COVID-19 pandemic closed countless gyms for months, forcing many to furlough or lay off employees, while some were left to close permanently. The gyms that survived initial shutdowns must now abide by new rules, many of which include ensuring that there are not too many people in the facilities at once and that those who are in the facilities are not running a fever or showing other symptoms of the coronavirus. While this could be challenging to gyms that did not previously use check in software, others that did possess gym sign in software previously may still need to update theirs to ensure that it helps them keep a better tally of who is not only coming into the gym but leaving it as well. Check in systems for gyms should also be used for check out, as this will make it easier for employees to know when it is safe to let new visitors in. Furthermore, many gyms are now only allowing clients into the gym when they check in ahead of time. While this may be met with some initial concern from members, it’s actually much safer and more convenient for them to visit the gym on appointment.
2. Lead Capture
Due to both concerns about safety and financial issues, a lot of people have been pausing and stopping their gym memberships. This is why software to manage a gym must also include lead capture software. Gyms need to be advertising their services, their rates, and for that matter what they have done to make their members safe during the pandemic. There are a lot of benefits to visiting the gym now, as it will help you maintain your health which will in turn make you less susceptible to COVID-19’s symptoms, but many remain unaware of these facts. Lead capture software allows a gym’s sales department to better identify interested parties and reach out to them with offers that will ideally close the sale.
3. Membership Portals
Software to manage a gym must include software that is directly beneficial to members as well. Online gym software must make it easy for people to access their membership portals, pay their membership dues, connect with their trainers, and comment on anything in the gym that needs to be improved. Frustrated gym members may easily leave a gym if they feel as if their needs are not being met, which is why this software needs to be kept up to date, and as accessible as possible.
It’s important that employees are able to utilize software to manage a gym, rather than working in an old-fashioned manner. People have higher standards for gyms now than they ever did before, and if those standards are not accommodated, a gym will not succeed in today’s market.