What is 24/7 Access and Why it Matters
Providing members with 24/7 access has come to be one of the biggest changes in the fitness space. Members no longer want to be required to schedule their workouts around your hours of operation – they want the right to work out when it works for them and their lifestyle. That may be before dawn or after midnight. Thus, keep your doors open all the time and remove the boundaries, reliably, providing an unmatched amount of freedom.
For owners, the payoff can be equally as strong. An increase in access hours can attract a larger member base; it can create additional revenue from new markets (e.g., shift workers, night owls) and you can potentially get maximum usage without increasing payroll. You are creating a type of service that essentially continues on, earning revenue long after the lights go dim.
However, executing 24/7 access can present some challenges to figure out. Owners must integrate security, automation, and data recording to ensure open doors don’t turn to open risk. The idea is to establish a process that allows for both convenience and control.
The Benefits of Around-the-Clock Access
Increased Revenue Potential
Allowing members access to your facility 24/7 provides more value for membership fees, leading to increased revenue without needing to pay staff more. For example, you could offer a premium membership tier of 24/7 access as an add-on to their membership.
Enhanced Member Retention
People stick around and remain loyal to a gym that can fit their schedule. Members who are busy professionals will tend to cancel if time or access is a barrier. Therefore, removing time restrictions will reduce their tendency to cancel.
Competitive Advantage
While other gym and/or health club competitors close their doors at 9:00 P.M., your facility is still in operation. When your facility has the capability of providing 24/7 access, you differentiate yourself as less “old school” and more “modern” and response to your members’ needs.
Pillars of Effective 24/7 Access Control
Once you decide to go 24/7, it is time to think about how you will provide secure access. From the members’ perspective, the system must provide as much freedom as possible, but from your staff’s perspective you must consider safety, security, and the ability to automate access as much as possible. Effective and safe access control will have these five pillars as their foundation.
1. Access Credentials and Validation
Gyms have replaced traditional keys with digital access systems. The modern gym will use either key fobs, RFID tags, or barcodes which are connected directly to each member’s profile. Upon a member scanning their tag, the system immediately validates their status. If the payment was unsuccessful or the membership has expired, the door will not unlock. These automatic checks will save the staff from wasted time and ensure that only authorized individuals can enter.
2. Door Hardware and Integration
Reliable hardware is key in any access system. A Door Access Control (DAC) unit will communicate between your gym software and the physical door. RhinoFit’s DAC is capable of both a magnetic lock and electric strike, which will work with almost any set-up. With just an access key fob or card or barcode on a member’s RhinoFit app, the member will be given access.
3. Monitoring, Logging, Alerts
Every access point should be logged and monitored. Smart systems should keep track of who has entered when and through which door. The logs will still help keep your facility a secure place. But, it will also give some insights into patterns and trends that could help with business decisions and needs. For example, the peak hours and under-used times. Some integrations, like Camio AI, used by RhinoFit, will even sensor and monitor tailgating and alert you when a person follows another member into the facility without their own membership access.
4. Custom Access Rules and Automation
The efficiency of your 24-hour fitness facility can be run efficiently thanks to automation. You can set access emails and then the system automatically denies access to expired members, generates temporary passes, and closes off areas or restricts hours for facilities. Plus, the ability to unlock from a phone or laptop remotely alleviates the owner/manager to assist a member or staffer without having to be onsite.
5. Safety, Maintenance, and Support
Live security cameras, the ability for emergency contact buttons, opportunities for improved security cameras and more passive display signage allows members to feel safe working out alone. A regular check of the hardware will help maintain reliability and quality technical support helps solve issues quickly.
The Importance of Security and Member Trust
When we talk about running a fitness operation that operates 24/7, there is much more involved than simply access and peace of mind. People want a sense of safety of a location and equipment. When members feel secure, they simply use your facility more often and longer. Building your trust in your brand entails installing cameras, proper lighting and posting signs that outline after-hours use.
Transparency around safety and privacy in 24/7 access is essential to help reinforce trust. An operation that is 24/7 should be transparent around the safety and privacy of keeping members safe, reinforcing your gym’s true professionalism.
Creating a Smooth Member Experience
Automation and convenience are at the heart of 24/7 operations. Members should be able to enter easily, know where to find equipment, and feel at ease with or without staff present.
A good system does more than unlock the door – it makes that step in entering a welcoming experience. Digital check-ins are clear, error messages are signal and unapologetic, and even a voice greeting goes a long way. Smart automation can also signal lighting or audio cues based on entry times to add moments of excitement in the gym, at 2:00 A.M.
When everything is moving fluidly, members are more likely to stay loyal and to view the facility as a high-quality seamless experience designed for their needs.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Every access scan tells a story. When owners analyze their entry data, they see and understand how members use the facility. They can see the busy hours of operation and recognize dormant members, and tailor session promotions to keep them using the facility consistently.
This access data is infinitely useful for staffing and efficiency. As an example, if the entry log for your facility shows it is dead from 1:00 A.M. to 4:00 A.M., perhaps set a light schedule or limit HVAC usage and track operational costs. In today’s competitive marketplace, data-driven insights can empower better operational marketing decisions.
Why RhinoFit is the Best Solution for 24/7 Access
RhinoFit is undoubtedly one of the most advanced and user-friendly ways to implement a reliable all-in-one 24/7 access solution. With gym management software, door control, and automation, it gives owners everything they need to run their facilities efficiently, even around the clock.
RhinoFit completely eliminates the need for multiple systems or manual updates. That means when a member’s payment declines, they are automatically denied access without any human intervention. When a new member joins, access is given right away. This real-time validation means your gym can remain safe, while minimizing administration work.
In addition, one of the most unique aspects of RhinoFit is its voice greeting system feature. Every single time a member scans their fob or barcode, the door greets them with their own personalized voice message like, “Welcome back, X!” This small but personal touch adds connection and warmth even without staff onsite. In short, it transforms automation into a connection, which is a rarity in the 24-hour gym industry.
Furthermore, RhinoFit provides multiple access options, with key fobs, RFID tags, and barcodes that can all be stored on mobile phones. This way, members can be assured that they are never locked out in the event that they forget a card. Each time someone enters the gym, it is scanned and recorded in real time, so you can see who is in the gym, at any moment in time.
Ultimately, RhinoFit offers a real balance of community in a controlled, convenient manner. RhinoFit is much more than it is an access system. It is the foundation of a secure and member-focused gym. With the availability of trusted hardware, automated function, and personal experience for your members, RhinoFit is simply the perfect solution for gyms who work with 24/7 access facilities.
Empower your members, protect your space, and keep them sweating all night long. Start your journey towards 24/7 access today at RhinoFit!