Why More Gyms Are Moving to 24-Hour Access
Fitness has evolved away from a single schedule. Now, many members workout at the gym before dawn, after work, and all hours in between. Members continue to get their workouts done with crowded areas, but more are opting to exercise when no one is there. These changes in how members get their workouts is one of the driving forces behind the continued growth of a 24/7 access gym.
An important component in changing members’ option of a gym is the flexibility it provides. Therefore, making it convenient for them to use. If an individual’s needs cannot be met with the staffed hours of a facility, then they may go find another facility that can better accommodate them.
This is prompting many gym owners to re-evaluate their traditional operational hours. Having a properly managed 24/7 facility provides customers with greater accessibility to the gym. However, it doesn’t have a fully staffed facility every hour of the day.
What is a 24/7 Access Gym?
A gym that has 24/7 access provides its members with access to the facility outside of regular business hours. All with the help of automated software systems and secure access points. Rather than using front desk personnel to allow entry, members use some form of identification. Such as QR codes, key fobs, mobile app, or barcode systems.
24/7 gym systems typically use direct connection to the gym’s membership and billing system to control access to the gym. This means that only members whose memberships are currently active and whose payments are current will be allowed entry to the facility.
Using the right systems, gyms can maintain security and provide access automation. While having the ability to track member activity even when there are no staff members on the premises.
The Business Benefits of a 24/7 Access Gym
A 24/7 access gym can support and manage everyone’s schedule that traditional schedules simply cannot provide.
Flexibility in Scheduling
Providing all-day access 24/7 appeals to anyone who has difficulty finding time to work out. Employees with unpredictable schedules, employees who travel frequently, parents with unpredictable schedules, student-athletes, nurses, etc…
Better Facility Utilization
As opposed to your traditional gym where you limit member utilization only during peak times, you can spread out member usage during non-peak hours as well. Thus, utilization less than peak time reduces the amount of overcrowding.
Generating Additional Revenue
Many gyms are now creating premium membership tiers which give members additional access to their facility. A 24/7 club generates additional revenue from premium memberships while adding member convenience.
Reduce Your Staffing Costs
By extending the operational hours at your facility, you can eliminate the need for additional overnight staff and free up resources to hire more flexible staff and create opportunities for reductions to control labor costs.
What a 24/7 Gym Needs to Operate Successfully
Operating a 24-hour gym requires much more than just opening and closing doors every day. The operations behind the gym are just as important as the gym floors themselves.
1. Access Control Security
A reliable means of secure access into the 24/7 gym must exist for members using a QR code, key fob, barcode scanning, or through a mobile device.
2. Membership Verification System
A good 24/7 gym system must automatically validate the member’s membership status and payment history before allowing access.
3. Access Tracking in Real-time
The owner needs to have the ability over every member entering the facility and at what time they entered. This improves accountability and improves security.
4. Report and Usage Methods
By tracking member traffic patterns, the owner will be able to identify busy periods, slow periods, and overall facility engagement.
5. Reliable Software Integration
The best 24/7 gym operation connects access control, memberships, scheduling, billing, and reporting systems into one complete system.
Signs Your Gym Could Benefit from 24-Hour Access
Many gyms don’t know there is a demand for a 24/7 gym.
Some common indicators include:
- Members asking for longer or earlier hours
- Crowding at peak evening times
- Potential members being lost because of limited openings
- Members working unpredictable hours
- Need for increased convenience and flexibility
- Facility hours are under-used in the early morning or overnight.
If these trends resonate, consider switching your facility to a 24/7 model.
Why Choose RhinoFit for Your 24/7 Access Gym
RhinoFit gives gym owners all the tools necessary to run a safe, successful, and efficient 24/7 gym. We provide an all-in-one platform for access control, membership management, tracking of attendance, and billing.
Features That Support a 24/7 Gym
- QR code/barcode, key fob, etc…
- Mobile app
- Sign in kiosk
- Check membership eligibility for each member upon entering
- Attendance tracking
- Reporting dashboards
- Automatic billing
- Membership management
- Scheduling
RhinoFit helps gym owners track member usage patterns and identify activity trends through reports. This gives owners the ability to monitor how members use the gym and at what times within the 24 hour cycle.
Because we work as a single system, gym owners spend less time managing several different tools, and more time on enhancing the member experience. RhinoFit allows running a successful 24/7 gym to have a higher level of organization, security, and scalability.
Successful 24/7 gyms do not only have longer hours of operation, but they also provide their members a better overall experience. All while running smoothly behind the scenes.