Consider the following scenario: Sally has always been a regular member at her gym, working out three times a week. While comfortable, she’s grown a bit bored and is curious about CrossFit. One day, she musters up the courage, visits a nearby CrossFit box, and buys a 20-pack. She’s excited but nervous.

The first few weeks are mediocre — Sally feels intimidated and unsure. She wants to love it but remains dubious. She misses the comfort of her old gym. Her attendance starts to drop, and after 60 days, she decides to return to her old routine. By 90 days, she’s done with CrossFit.

But what if things had gone differently?

Imagine Sally receives a warm welcome text after her first workout, applauding her effort and embracing her into the community. Feeling accepted, her energy is reignited.

Over the next few weeks, constant encouragement, resources and support from the gym keep her motivated. She starts to love CrossFit. She feels connected to the community. She talks about it outside the gym and invites her friends to join. By 90 days, Sally is not only a devoted member, but also one of the gym’s biggest advocates.

Michael Wuest, past CrossFit gym owner and Head of Marketing, SMB at Daxko says when it comes to new members, it really is an “either/or” situation.

“The first 100 days of a new gym membership make or break the trajectory of that member,” he says. “They define how a member feels about the experience and determine how that member will respond and act. Imagine if every member becomes this second version of the story. Gyms, CrossFit boxes and studio owners could have a whole team of ‘ambassadors’ working for the brand organically – and that grows exponentially with each new member.”

Wuest did not come to this conclusion or ah-ha moment overnight. Nor did he build the solution to the problem overnight.

A CrossFit owner of 10 years, once Wuest began realizing the critical nature of the first 100 days, he spent hundreds of hours studying member behavioral patterns and developing a communication and touchpoint strategy to motivate, nurture and retain them. His spreadsheet-based system proved so successful that it was eventually transformed into what is now Daxko’s Zen Planner Engage product.

Zen Planner is a software platform designed specifically for CrossFit boxes, martial arts studios, yoga studios and more and offers member management, scheduling and class management, billing and payments, automated marketing, reporting and analytics and a member-facing mobile app.

The Magic of Purposeful Moments

Wuest’s intensive labor around developing just the right communication delivered at just the right time focused on creating purposeful moments.

“The first step is to define the journey from the perspective of a new member,” he says.  “Imagine yourself in their shoes—what experiences do they go through? As the leader, consider what you want them to experience and how you can curate those moments. If you create impactful and purposeful moments and positive experiences through carefully timed touchpoints during the first 100 days members will keep coming back.”

Wuest explains how the system works.

“In addition to human-to-human interaction, for the first week after each class or workout, new members receive communication via email and text, welcoming them to the gym and offering resources that explain what to expect and how to navigate their new experience.”

The next step, he says, is to provide additional support that continues to progress.

“This includes offering advice on recovery, nutrition and how to get the best results from their workouts,” he explains. “We also set goals, such as attending two to three workouts per week. If a member doesn’t meet this goal, Zen Planner will trigger staff to follow up with a phone call or text to check in and offer encouragement.”

This builds what he calls a “feedback loop,” by which a member’s progress can be monitored and the support and communication adjusted.

Throughout the first few months, Wuest says it’s important to focus on helping members establish healthy habits and achieve their initial goals while reinforcing the member’s connection to the gym.

“This might look like offering a discounted T-shirt, which strengthens their identity as part of the gym community, and – as the member wears the shirt proudly around town – strengthens your exposure as a brand,” he says.

Finally, at around the six-week mark, members are asked to share their experience by leaving a Google or Facebook review.

“Again, this public declaration solidifies their commitment to the gym and serves as strong marketing.”

Sustaining Engagement Beyond Day 100

How does the Zen Planner platform continue to perform after day 100: By facilitating additional member experiences and helping to build a strong, supportive community.

An important component of this is Zen Planner’s unique Campaign Marketplace, which hosts dozens of automated campaigns across multiple verticals.

“The platform essentially has a series of ‘playbooks’ ready to go that are curated specifically for Martial Arts Studios, CrossFit gyms, yoga studios and more,” he says. These are additional programs and experiences that can be offered to members.”

Zen Planner also has built-in triggers to identify the risk of churn.

“If a member starts to falter in their attendance cadence, studio owners are alerted right away so communication and corrective actions can take place,” he says. “

Wuest says this ultimately helps in anticipating and addressing anything that might be disruptive — good or bad — during the member journey.

“Life changes happen,” he says. “A member may get a new job or maybe there is a sudden life-change event. Zen Planner acts as a virtual assistant, helping to track such occurrences and even pre-schedule voicemail drops and log notes so box or studio owners – and the community – can provide support and guidance through these major events.”

Driving Long-Term Success

Wuest says the platform ultimately allows studio and box owners to be proactive and appropriately reactive at just the right times, helping to retain members and freeing up time to focus on growing the business.

“Many of the gyms we work with are single owner operators who love fitness, coaching and are in it to help people, but it’s incredibly difficult for them to scale,” he says. “Their marketing dollars are bootstrapped and there may not be a sound retention strategy in place. This is why we created Zen Planner Engage.”

In the end, that sums up Wuest’s “why.”

“I am in this to help gyms win,” he says. “We are not just another software company. I’ve lived the gym owner’s life and want to help others who walk in those shoes to create thriving and successful businesses.”

This article originally ran in ATN’s Technology & Innovation Outlook 2024 report. Read more about the transformative impact of cutting-edge technology on the fitness and wellness industry and download the free report today.

The post The Power of the First 100 Days: Cultivating Long-Term Gym Loyalty appeared first on Athletech News.

In the latest episode of Athletech News’ Unscripted podcast, Tim Green, chief operating officer at fitness booking management platform TeamUp, joins co-hosts Edward Hertzman and Eric Malzone to break down key trends in the fitness industry, with an eye toward member acquisition and retention.

Green, Hertzman and Mazlone discuss the impact GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may have on the fitness industry, strategies for member acquisition and retention and the importance of human-centric marketing in the era of AI. Watch this episode of “Unscripted” for unfiltered takes on the following:

• TeamUp’s push into the United States fitness market
• Is fitness truly recession proof? 
• Why customer acquisition remains the most vexing problem for operators

Key Talking Points:

• (0:00 – 7:25): Introductions and the importance of networking events
• (7:25 – 11:12) Headwinds and tailwinds in the fitness industry
• (11:12 – 15:18) Can GLP-1s help unlock more fitness customers? 
• (15:18 – 19:32) Pain points for studio operators
• (19:32 – 22:25) The role of customer service in business success
• (22:25 – 26:17) Returning to basics in marketing strategies
• (26:17 – 29:18) Challenges in retaining new clients 

To watch more Unscripted, click here.

The post Unscripted: TeamUp’s Tim Green on Member Acquisition, Retention appeared first on Athletech News.

Gyms and health clubs may have a golden opportunity to position themselves as key players in the global data race thanks to the large amounts of health information they collect on their members, one fitness industry executive believes. 

Speaking during ATN’s DISRUPT 2024 video series, Anytime Fitness global president Stacy Anderson presented her case for why fitness brands are well-positioned to work with healthcare organizations, corporate wellness platforms and similar organizations to influence large-scale health outcomes. 

In the panel, “Numbers Game: How Data Analytics Can Transform Your Gym,” Anderson sat down with ClubOS director of customer Success Kristen Coy to discuss this topic and more, including how gyms should use data to improve operations and how the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) can make the industry faster and smarter. 

Data Is Gold

Anderson believes gyms, health clubs and other fitness brands are strategically positioned to become key players in the global healthcare ecosystem thanks to the massive amount of important data they collect from members.  

“People will give us more information than just about any other industry I can think about,” the Anytime Fitness president said.

“(That’s) going to open incredible doors, not just to (attracting) more members but to healthcare benefits to workplace wellness to programs that actually get the fitness industry out of the … ‘bro-show’ era that we lived in for 30 years and into a more science, medical (and) holistic health-based space,” she added. 

Anderson sees a future where fitness brands work hand in hand with health insurance companies to harness health data. 

“Imagine if a proactive insurance provider had a partner in an industry that could say we actually can help predict health outcomes,” she said. “It becomes incredibly, incredibly powerful. I’ve never been more excited to be in this industry than I am right now.”

Anderson also wants to see the fitness industry collectively do a better job at aggregating and presenting its own data, although she notes some initial work is already underway on this front. 

“I come from retail, and in retail, you live and die by SKU data,” Anderson, a former Best Buy executive, said. “So when I came to this industry (I) realized, I don’t really even have a great sense of market share unless I create that proxy to get it.” 

Anderson is calling on organizations like the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and the International Franchise Association (IFA) to continue working to collect industry-wide data and present that data in helpful ways. 

“Those are really important roles that those organizations can play to really start to aggregate that data and give us a better visualization,” she said.

Numbers Don’t Lie: Using Data to See the Truth

On the operational side, Coy of ClubOS notes that data can be a powerful tool in helping gyms and clubs better understand what’s really going on with their members.

While data often helps gym owners “confirm (their) suspicions” about things they see going wrong in their business, numbers can also help savvy operators unearth problems they didn’t know existed, Coy noted. 

“I think the most exciting part (is) when you’re looking at your data and you see trends that you’re not expecting,” she said. 

Coy gave the example of a gym looking at membership sale trends and noticing that 95% of its premium memberships were sold inside the club rather than digitally. 

“That’s going to help you point towards, ‘Hey, I need to do some creative’ or some critical thinking of, ‘Why is that?’ So you take a look at your website, you notice that you’re always defaulting to your basic membership and it’s not easy to get to your premium (membership),” she said, offering an example. “Then you can explore from there” and make changes. 

Data – provided it’s housed inside an effective software platform – can also help operators recognize when their members are more likely to churn, spurring action before it’s too late. 

“If there’s a big spike in cancellations at the end of the summer, maybe (operators) should start engaging those members throughout the summer to try to prevent that attrition,” Coy said. 

AI Can Turbocharge Insights

To make more sense of their data, gyms should leverage AI, Coy advises. As AI becomes more and more advanced, it will be able to help operators recognize patterns that can alert them to inflection points in the member journey, like a probable cancellation.

“We can provide that data to you, but it’s going to take a human to read through thousands of lines of different members to see what’s causing them to cancel,” Coy noted. “AI can do that much, much quicker. (AI) can go through thousands of your members, look for patterns of behaviors and spit that back out to you to let you know, ‘If you see this, if you see (members) decrease their check-ins by 10% and then 20%, that’s going to be a sign of behavior to cancel.’”

Anderson is equally bullish on the future of AI, and she’s calling on the entire fitness industry to embrace it.

“Things that take us an hour to do today will take minutes, seconds, nano-seconds, to do in the future,” she said. “So I think it’s just really important that as all this progresses, that (operators and staff) just step in and start to learn. At the very least, go into ChatGPT, there are free tools.”

“You’ve got to take a step forward or you will be … left behind,” Anderson cautioned.

The post The Fitness Industry’s Big Data Opportunity appeared first on Athletech News.

Boutique fitness is all about community. It’s especially powerful when those community-building efforts go beyond working out and can touch people on a personal level.  

The Bar Method, one of the world’s largest barre fitness franchises with nearly 100 locations, launched a brand-wide campaign to raise awareness and money for victims of domestic violence. So far, the barre brand is making a serious impact. 

“We wanted to create a social, charitable impact strategy, and we chose domestic violence awareness for a few different reasons,” Stephanie Schon, president of The Bar Method, says of the initiative. “Most importantly, it aligns so well with our brand purpose to guide and embolden those who are always in pursuit of their personal best.”

Domestic violence isn’t a topic to be taken lightly. But The Bar Method felt like it had a part to play in supporting victims, especially since the majority of its members and franchise owners are female. 

“It’s a heavy topic, but we felt strongly that if victims of domestic violence were brave enough to come forth asking for help, the brand – our staff, our owners – could be brave enough to be a beacon of support,” Schon tells Athletech News. 

Inside The Bar Method’s Initiatives

To raise awareness and funding for domestic violence, The Bar Method has hosted donation events including pop-up classes, posted content on social media, and created a line of retail items featuring a purple ribbon, the symbol for domestic violence awareness. The barre brand has also created a donation website and has raised funding at its corporate headquarters in Woodbury, Minnesota. 

To encourage participation at the local studio level, The Bar method offers a toolkit for its franchise owners that includes social media assets, in-studio signage and resources around events including Wear Purple Day, a national day of action for domestic violence awareness held on October 17th. 

Some Bar Method franchise owners have decided to get involved on an even deeper level. 

“We have examples of studios participating in 5K walks for domestic violence awareness or requesting specific donation items, such as purses to go toward shelters or supporting other local services, including moving organizations that help support victims in the throes of domestic violence,” Schon reports. 

Around 75% of The Bar Method’s franchisees agreed to support the brand’s domestic violence awareness initiatives, and actual participation rates have been close to that level.

The goal is to get that participation rate closer to 100%, although Schon notes that everyone moves at their own pace when it comes to a sensitive topic like domestic violence. 

“We’re not there yet, and that’s okay,” she says. “It is a heavy topic, and it’s sometimes hard to thread with our day-to-day. Additionally, many of our owners and staff have personal experiences with domestic violence, so we have to be thoughtful and have an empathetic approach to avoid any emotional triggers.”

The Bar Method is most active with its social-charitable initiative in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but the work goes on all year long. The brand has also been particularly active in April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and in June during Pride Month, since domestic violence disproportionately affects members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

A Powerful Brand-Building Tool

Social-charitable campaigns are obviously important for reasons that extend beyond profit and loss. But in 2024, they can also serve as valuable marketing tools for boutique fitness brands.  

“More and more consumers judge a brand’s value and impact beyond the marketplace, and it directly influences their purchase decisions,” Schon notes  “There is that social responsibility that I think a brand has, and consumers are looking for it.” 

As evidence of this, The Bar Method sees consistently high engagement on social media when it posts about domestic violence awareness, especially in October. 

“We get the largest engagement of anything we post all month (in October), all quarter long, in fact, with anything that’s related to domestic violence,” Schon says. 

Real-Life Impact

October may be coming to an end, but The Bar Method’s efforts will continue on.

Looking ahead, Schon says the brand will work to get more of its franchisees involved in domestic violence awareness initiatives. The brand will also work to deepen its partnerships with national organizations that support victims of domestic violence. 

While The Bar Method can’t share numbers regarding the funding it’s raised for domestic violence awareness, Schon feels the impact her brand is having. 

“I get more and more people reaching out to me to say thank you and sharing their own stories, or their daughter’s stories, or their sister’s stories, or their girlfriend’s stories of domestic abuse,” Schon says. “These brave victims want to know they matter.”

The post The Bar Method Raises Awareness, Funding for Domestic Violence Victims  appeared first on Athletech News.

As a gym owner or trainer, you get the question, “How should I fuel my body to hit my goals” multiple times per week. With the consumer shift from looking to simply be fit to seeking overall health and wellness also comes an increased demand for nutritional information. But most gym personnel simply don’t have the time or resources to provide something as personal as nutrition coaching to every single member.

One option is to hire a nutritionist, but that can be costly, and staff members come and go. If you lose your nutritionist you lose this service, and you’re back to square one.

Lindsey Jenks knows this situation first-hand. Having owned two CrossFit gyms, she got nutrition-related questions daily.

“I felt like I was failing my clients because I couldn’t help support this crucial piece of my member’s fitness journeys,” she said.

As a competitive athlete herself, she struggled with finding the best ways to fuel her own body, until she applied macronutrients and it changed her life.

“I was able to get a handle on exactly what I should be eating to properly fuel my body and I got leaner and fitter, fast,” she said. “I wanted to bring this to other people, so I developed Macrostax – a simple way for people to get customized nutrition plans based on macros, as well as meal plans, direction and support.”

Jenks took Macrostax to the consumer market and has served nearly 200,000 members. For five years, she honed the app based on feedback and customer needs, and in 2022 she expanded her focus to B2B and launched Macrostax Team — a software platform that complements the original app, but was built just for gyms and fitness franchises. They now have over 1,500 gyms across the US that have signed up including MADabolic, F45 Training, Orangetheory Fitness, Anytime Fitness and more — and growing fast.”

“It’s a truly scalable software. The goal is to offer nutrition to members so the gym owners don’t need to do any work on that end if they don’t want to, or if they don’t feel they have the right nutrition expertise,” said Jenks.

Gyms See Real Results

With Macrostax Team, CrossFit 313 in Texas was able to achieve an extra $27.6K in annual revenue, a 47% increase in total memberships and a 60% decrease in cancellations.

“You can’t put a price on our return on investment in Macrostax,” says the gym’s owner, Ashley Thompson. “Clients get better fitness, better performance and better everything.”

The additional value-adds for gyms are significant, as Macrostax provides a significant revenue stream while boosting acquisition and retention.

“I have a whole new source of income that has completely changed the game for me,” said Sami Aldinger, owner of boutique gym The Refinery in North Dakota.

Macrostax Team offers more features to gym owners than simply using the consumer app. With a Team subscription, they have control and flexibility over how nutrition is run in their gym including co-branding, automated nutrition challenges, instant messaging, and the ability to track individual and group usage and progress.

“In addition to helping members achieve their goals, and building community, the challenges impact acquisition and retention,” Jenks said. “We’ve seen multiple occurrences where a gym promotes the challenge on social media and it gets new members in the door.”

Easy To Onboard

How does Macrostax Team work? The answer is remarkably simple.

“The gym owner or fitness pro signs up, they are able to invite their clients, and Macrostax takes it from there, providing personal nutrition plans, recipes, plan tracking, nutrition coaching and more,” Jenks said.

To further ease any heavy lifting on the part of the gym, Macrostax offers robust marketing content including success stories with before and after content.

Gyms and trainers can also view members’ and clients’ progress and communicate with them about their progress, a nice touchpoint opportunity that’s embedded in the app.

With a market full of health, wellness and nutrition apps, Jenks says it’s personalization and education that set Macrostax Team apart.

Go Beyond Simple Food Tracking

“Other apps on the market are basically food trackers,” she said. “Macrostax is educational. It includes coaching and support from our team of certified nutrition coaches. It includes custom meal plans based not only on the user’s macros but also their lifestyle. The app also has a portion feature that will take a recipe and auto portion it to hit the user’s exact macros.”

MADabolic, a fitness franchise with over 30 locations across the country, recently partnered up with Macrostax Team to incorporate custom nutrition as one of their evergreen membership offerings. Thanks to the software’s ease of use, they were able to successfully roll out the new program to their franchise locations in less than a couple of weeks

 Jenks says Macrostax Team is built to scale and has the capacity to handle millions of users and thousands of gyms.

Jenks is also in talks with fitness tech companies about integrating directly with other types of software. Think gym management software plus Macrostax.

When asked about the future of Macrostax, Jenks points to consumer demand for wellness, not just fitness.

“Nutrition and fitness have always gone hand in hand, and now as consumers lean more into overall wellness, they want both from their fitness facility,” she said. “In the next five to ten years, every club around the globe will have some sort of customized nutrition for their clients, and that’s the gap we fill.”

This article originally ran in the The Business of Prevention, Recovery & Longevity Report 2024. Download the report now to read more insights into how fitness and wellness brands are making strides in key markets.

The post Macrostax Brings Custom Nutrition to Gyms & Studios appeared first on Athletech News.

Zenoti, a software platform powering some of the biggest brands in the spa, salon, and medspa sectors, is making a serious push into the fitness industry, targeting multi-location gym brands with what it says is a superior product. 

The Bellevue, Washington-based company, whose platform is used by over 30,000 businesses including brands like Waxing the City and Massage Heights, believes gym brands are underserved when it comes to quality software solutions.

“The fitness industry is far underserved in terms of software,” said Zenoti co-founder and CEO Sudheer Koneru, who spoke with Athletech News during Zenoti’s annual Innergize Summit, held earlier this week in Las Vegas. 

Zenoti is just getting started in fitness, but its clients already include CorePower Yoga and exhale in New York. Additionally, Planet Fitness has recently started to deploy Zenoti at its international locations. 

As it pushes further into the fitness space, Zenoti will initially target large gym brands with multiple locations, where it believes its software can make the biggest difference. 

“The largest brands and the smallest brands in fitness use the same software,” Koneru says, noting that’s not ideal because larger gyms have unique needs.

“There’s no concept of a company that only works with large players that designs their product for (those) enterprises,” he adds. “At Zenoti, we’re about brands that have multiple (locations). As we go into fitness space, they’re suddenly going to wake up and say, ‘Oh, wow, it’s so easy to run a business if you’re running it with Zenoti.’”

Fitness Push a Long Time in the Making

Zenoti’s entry into the fitness space represents something of a full-circle moment for the software brand, which was founded in 2010 by a group including Koneru, a former Microsoft exec, and his brother, Dheeraj Koneru, who serves as chief revenue officer.

The Konerus were gym owners before they became tech founders, growing a chain of spas and fitness centers in Seattle before they sold those businesses in the 2000s.

While Sudheer and Dheeraj initially wanted to create a software solution for the fitness industry, they started with spas first, eventually expanding into the salon/barbershop space and then medspas. After becoming a dominant player in those sectors, Zenoti is now ready to do the same in fitness. 

The Zenoti Difference for Gyms

Dheeraj Koneru tells ATN that current fitness software providers don’t do enough to help gym brands grow their businesses, whether that’s basic things like offering fully automated billing or more complex operations like leveraging AI to turbocharge member acquisition and retention.

“What I’ve noticed in the fitness industry is that a lot of the businesses have gotten a little complacent. They don’t expect much from their vendor anymore. They don’t even call it a software solution to run their business, they call it a member-management solution,” Dheeraj says. “I think we have to help people reset their expectations of their vendors to say, ‘You’re going to support me in whatever I need.’”

Dheeraj points to a few foundational areas where current gym software is generally lacking, and where he says Zenoti does things better. 

First, he says some platforms don’t do enough on the billing front to ensure things are running efficiently. This includes verifying bank account information before it’s time to collect membership dues. 

“Our systems can actually validate bank accounts to make sure there’s enough funds in the bank account before we draw the money out,” he notes. “It sounds so basic, but other systems don’t do it.

Second, customer-engagement tools are also lacking in modern gym software, Dheeraj argues. 

Zenoti offers tools like HyperConnect, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help brands improve and extend the front-desk experience. HyperConnect is an AI-driven, integrated phone system that can answer frequently asked questions, transfer calls, and tend to other front-of-house tasks without human intervention.

“I think a lot of (gym) businesses have kind of given up on a software vendor solving the consumer experience for them,” Dheeraj says. 

Data is also a key differentiator: Zenoti is building AI tools that help gyms predict when certain members are more likely to cancel their membership.

“It’s not just showing them, here are your collections, here’s your churn rate, memberships, etc., but going deeper to say, ‘If people are canceling, why are they canceling? What profile of customers is canceling? Can I predict for you, using AI, which members are most likely to cancel next so that you can prevent that from happening?'”

Targeting Multi-Location Gym Brands

As it begins its fitness push, Zenoti is confident it can convince enough gym brands to switch software providers.

Zenoti’s sales teams are initially targeting large gym chains and mid-size brands with up to 20 locations, seeing the biggest competitive edge in the multi-location space.

“The difference between our platform and others is stark,” Dheeraj says. “I can’t imagine a gym actually saying they want to switch solutions and choosing anyone but us. They may retain their current solution, but if they decide to change, I’d find it very hard to believe they’d choose anybody else.”

The post Spa/Salon Software Giant Zenoti Eyes the Gym Industry appeared first on Athletech News.

iFIT, a leading fitness equipment manufacturer and content platform, is going all in on AI and personalization. 

On Tuesday, the Utah-based company announced an all-new product lineup that will see it launch over 40 different smart or smart-enabled products across its NordicTrack and ProForm home-fitness brands. 

The new machines feature hardware improvements and new touchscreens powered by a revamped operating system that syncs with iFIT’s AI Coach, an artificial intelligence tool that recommends workouts and helps people stick to their fitness goals. 

“We are at a turning point in fitness as AI enables us to deliver truly personal experiences,” said iFIT CEO Kevin Duffy. “Our team has updated our entire hardware and software experience using best-in-class technology that delivers real results for every member.”

The announcement is headlined by two new NordicTrack machines: the X24 Treadmill and X24 Bike. 

The X24 Treadmill ($3,999) features an industry-leading 40% incline and a 6% decline, along with SpringFlex cushioning to absorb impact while users sprint, jog or walk.

The X24 Bike ($1,999) features a 20% incline and 10% decline, along with Silent Magnetic Resistance Tech designed to recreate the outdoor cycling experience in an indoor setting. 

NordicTrack has also updated its signature Commercial 2450 Treadmill ($2,999) with new features including software upgrades and AI Coach integration. 

Some of the new machines are available and ready to ship today.

All of the new machines feature large touchscreens (up to 24”) supported by faster processing speeds for a more seamless user experience. On the touchscreens, users can stream workout content from iFIT’s library of 10,000-plus coach-led classes, including everything from hiking Mount Everest to biking through Costa Rica. Users can also stream popular apps including Netflix and Spotify while working out. 

Machines That Adapt to You

With the new launches, iFIT is further embracing personalized fitness.

The NordicTrack and ProForm machines feature SmartAdjust technology – when a user begins a workout on-screen, their machine will automatically change speed, incline or resistance to account for what’s happening on-screen. If you’re taking an outdoor hiking class, for example, the X24 Treadmill would adjust its incline depending on where you are on the mountain.

With ActivePulse tech, the machines actively monitor a user’s heart rate and adjust workout intensity to keep heart rate in the right zone. This feature could prove ideal for Zone 2 training, which has become a popular form of cardio exercise. 

Another feature, Workout Creator, allows users to create their own library of workouts, including custom-built training intervals. The machines also sync with Strava, Garmin, Google Fit and Apple Health so users can track their health and fitness data while running, walking, biking or rowing.

A New Era for Artificial Intelligence

iFIT’s AI Coach is central to the new machines, and the fitness company’s strategy as a whole. 

AI Coach acts as a personalized fitness coach, chatting with iFIT members to recommend the best workouts based on their goals. iFIT members can communicate with AI Coach through text, receiving daily workout plans and friendly motivational nudges to hit their fitness and wellness goals. 

The new NordicTrack and ProForm machines feature AI Coach integration – workouts that the chatbot recommends automatically appear on-screen once it’s time to work out. This is designed to reduce friction (and the excuses) that keep many people from doing their daily workout. 

AI Coach is currently in beta mode, but it’s available to U.S.-based iFIT Train and Pro members using NordicTrack and ProForm equipment.

Duffy told Athletech News earlier this year that iFIT will invest heavily into artificial intelligence, viewing it as the ideal tool to motivate people to work out.

“Our vision is to create the world’s most effective fitness platform,” Duffy, who took over as iFIT’s CEO in 2022, told ATN.

“There’s been so much talk in general about improving health, but from my perspective, we haven’t as an industry improved health outcomes enough,” he added. “I want to make that more of a reality as I look to the future of our company, and I think we’re at a unique moment in time where technologies such as AI are making that more possible.”

iFIT also owns Freemotion, a leading commercial fitness equipment provider for gyms and studios worldwide. 

iFIT workout content is also available on Freemotion machines. That means users can pick up where they left off with their NordicTrack or ProForm machines at home, hop on a Freemotion machine in their local gym, and do the same workout. This is part of the company’s omnichannel fitness push to make gyms more connected through technology. 

The post iFIT Embraces AI Fitness With New NordicTrack, ProForm Machines appeared first on Athletech News.

With more and more fitness brands aiming to stretch their offerings out with an omnichannel approach, Xivic is providing top-tier elasticity. 

The modern technology consulting firm has an abundance of clients stemming from multiple fields but has seen an increased demand for connectivity and innovation, especially from those in the fitness sector of late. This is true of brands both large and small. 

“Being extra seamless and connected with your offerings is what most clients want,” said Xivic VP of Growth Jessica Carak. “We always take an approach to strategize a custom solution that can work for any client, whether it’s a small, boutique fitness studio with 30 clients or a larger, multi-location franchise business with thousands.”

While the demand for connected services remains high, Xivic is committed to doing things the right way. That involves detailed testing and an open-minded approach to finding solutions. 

Slow & Steady Wins the (Digital) Race

Xivic argues that patience leads to production when determining which digital solutions fit for its clients. The brand has found that taking the time to determine the correct plan of action for each distinct client, rather than making a drastic move to find quick results, leads to more sustained success. 

“Our first step always is to evaluate a fitness brand’s capabilities, its audience, clientele and desired services,” said Xivic Chief Strategist Bahman Zakeri. “It’s important to know that not everything needs to be in place at one time. We highly recommend going slow, taking an iterative approach and adding in small elements where we can so we can test, learn and make sure that we’re delivering the best possible solution.”

Xivic services include digital consulting, product engineering, cloud & DevOps, data engineering and digital marketing. Solutions can range anywhere from QR code-based workouts to something more sophisticated like a vocal biomarker analysis.

“Our recommendations are really based on the evaluation of that specific brand’s clientele,” Carak added. “We offer the solution that makes sense for their audience.”

Xivic has found that most clients value all kinds of improvement. Any new solution broadening a fitness brand’s omnichannel fitness approach, even a less demonstrative one to start with, is helpful in the long run. 

“At the end of the day, no matter your budget, there’s always some solution out there whether it be through tech or marketing to improve your client’s experience and drive more growth,” Carak said. “With each connection we bridge for our customers, there are more opportunities to personalize and build brand loyalty.”

The way Xivic determines which solutions are right for which clients is as concrete as it gets: speaking directly with brands and conducting trials.

“It’s important for all brands to realize that an omnichannel offering requires a lot of effort and testing,” noted Carak. “Here at Xivic, we’re embedded in testing and data. We like to survey some of those clients of the fitness brands and make sure that we better understand what they’re looking for and strategize a custom solution based around that.” 

What’s Trending in Digital Fitness

Several innovations in the tech space have caught the eye of Xivic clients over the past few years. While addressing that demand, Xivic maintains its targeted and cautious approach in determining the right solution for each one. 

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is such a buzzword,” said Carak. “People come to us and say they want AI, but is that really what they need, or is it something like a data processing solution? What we focus on is simple solutions that people can actually use and both sides see the benefit.”

While Carak mentioned that AI is a frequent ask of larger companies, all are interested in enhancing their video offerings in the wake of the pandemic. She also noted that the call for personalization has also reached Xivic’s doorstep, though that’s a concept the brand is more than eager to deliver on. 

“Whether people know it or not, they expect some level of personalization these days,” said Carak. “From a brand perspective, you can sell personalized solutions at a higher price point. With that personalization is going to come customer loyalty and to extend your customer lifetime value.”

The post Xivic Helps Fitness Brands Win in the Digital Age appeared first on Athletech News.

It takes most boutique fitness and wellness brands years to achieve liftoff, though Kohr Method has reached the stratosphere in a fraction of that time, using software as its launchpad. 

Kohr Method, a wellness studio focused on functional movement and nutrition programming for aging individuals, achieved some success out of the gates thanks to its robust offerings and low barrier to entry, boasting 80 active clients at the turn of the new year. However, the brand was looking for a boost coming into 2024, prompting a leap of faith.

After signing with Momence, a studio management software platform for boutique fitness and wellness businesses, it didn’t take long for Kohr Method to see results. Despite serving members of an older age who are naturally less tech-savvy, Momence’s user-friendly interface came in handy for Kohr and its clientele.

“I will be honest because of the older population we serve, I was nervous about the actual migration from our old software provider to Momence,” said Emily Seaman, Kohr Method Founder and CEO. “When we opened I personally sat down with almost every member to help them get set up on the old app, log in, show them how to book, and cancel classes. I was worried that I would be in for the same thing again when teaching members how to use Momence. But I didn’t have to. Momence is super user-friendly.”

The software upgrade was just as beneficial on the member acquisition side. Kohr Method sold a total of 43 introductory passes in 2023. After signing on with Momence, it nearly surpassed that in just one month, selling 42 in January of this year. 

“It was completely unexpected for us to sell as many introductory passes in January as we did in all of last year after making the one simple change of moving from our old provider to Momence,” said Seaman. “Our classes were all becoming waitlisted from the new clients we were welcoming through our doors.” 

We had to stop selling the introductory passes so that we could help everyone book into classes,” she adds.

When it came time for Kohr Method to shift its focus from merely selling introductory passes to converting potential new members into full-time ones, Momence was there to help again. The wellness studio has achieved a 50% conversion rate from intro passes to full memberships since the start of the new year. 

A ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Business Owners

According to Seaman, Momence’s true value lies in its ability to handle all aspects of running a successful fitness or wellness studio. 

“What makes Momence so unique is that it’s a one-stop shop for all your business needs in a single platform,” said Seaman. “Everything from marketing to sales, to operational functions to support your business. This means that the contact data is in a single system and you communicate with them in that same system too. It really is an all-in-one platform.”

By themselves, the emailing, texting, phone services, marketing automation platforms and CRMs that software brands provide can only accomplish so much. The lack of fluidity between those offerings leaves gaps in intel and halts efficiency. Momence fixes that, weaving them all together under one hub. This makes it possible to send hyper-segmented messages and responses to nurture a personalized member experience.

“When we think about other software solutions, they all choose a plug-and-play approach, rather than building something from the ground up to be truly consolidated in a single platform,” said Momence CEO Vojta Drmota. “This results in a disconnected solution where things like leads, tasks, members and more just fall through the cracks.”

Drmota added that when Seaman first approached Momence, she was worried about a “breakdown” in communication between her staff and prospective or current members. 

“They were using a number of different platforms and some of the biggest, most problematic challenges they faced stemmed from the breakdown in communication in the member journey,” Drmota said. “After migrating to Momence, the breakdown was immediately resolved. Emily has shared on many occasions that prospective and current members’ communication has greatly increased and she could easily spend all day inside of the Momence inbox.” 

The Power of Aligning With the Right Platform

Seaman also points to the importance of finding a software provider whose offerings are in sync with a brand’s current and future ambitions. 

“All the time,” said Seaman when asked if she sees competitors go with the wrong software provider. “It’s super important to figure out how you want software to support your business. We wanted to choose a software solution that we could grow with as we grow as a business. Momence supports studios and gyms at all of the different stages of business growth, from a single (studio) to multi-location and franchise businesses.”

The software also establishes a domino effect, as it handles day-to-day tasks which then frees up owners to concentrate on big-picture decisions. This was a key goal of Seaman’s when she decided to own her own wellness business. 

“My personal goal has been to work myself out of a job and to help lift others up as I go,” Seaman said. “The more I take off my plate, the more responsibility is given to our staff to empower them in lead instructor or management roles. The biggest gift (of Momence) to me has been getting my time back to work on the business.”

Seaman shared that before signing on with Momence, she needed to put in the hours equivalent to a full-time job tending to Kohr Method each day. Now, she finds herself working around five hours per week. 

“We’ve designed Momence in a way to give them the tools to do business in a better, more efficient way than they would have been able to otherwise,” Drmota said. “As a result of the way the platform is designed, it has given studio and gym owners time back to work on the business as opposed to being stuck inside the day-to-day. Now they can get back to what they really love doing — the reason for becoming an owner in the first place.”

The post How Kohr Method Used Momence Software To Transform Its Wellness Biz appeared first on Athletech News.

The digital revolution is in high gear and has become an integral part of fitness consumers’ experience and expectations. Hybrid fitness, accelerated by the pandemic, is here to stay — and reaching club members inside and outside the four walls of the gym or studio has become a non-negotiable. 

Technogym, a trailblazing brand in fitness, wellness, sport and health, is leading that transformation. Founded in 1983, Technogym has carefully created an unparalleled ecosystem of connected smart fitness equipment, digital services and training content, along with a Technogym app. 

From AI-powered precision training to on-demand fitness content to integrated third-party software, devices and apps, the Technogym ecosystem delivers a fully personalized experience for users while enabling operators to attract and retain members. 

Personalized Training Thanks To AI

“Today, a consumer can activate a personalized training program, thanks to our AI system — anywhere and anytime — on the cloud, at home, at clubs, on the go,” said Enrico Manaresi, Technogym’s media relations director. “This allows operators to provide the customers with a fully personalized program and experience inside the facility and the clubs, but also outside.”

Technogym continues to develop its advanced offerings, setting new standards in fitness and wellness. The brand recently introduced Technogym Checkup, which uses AI and enables users to embark on a personalized and targeted training journey based on their physical and functional constitution. 

“Our AI-based assessment station … represents the access point to the ecosystem in order to measure physical and cognitive parameters and to a fully personalized program for every single individual that evolves over time thanks to AI,” explained Technogym founder and CEO Nerio Alessandri. 

After a user logs into the Technogym app, Technogym Checkup measures body composition, strength, balance, mobility and even cognitive abilities. The technology can also calculate a user’s ‘Wellness Age’ so members can get a baseline assessment and work to decrease their age—a nod towards the booming longevity space. 

The data is then processed by Technogym AI Coach, the brand’s digital trainer, to provide a customized prescription tailored to the user’s needs, conditions and goals. Users can track progress and improvements, resulting in adaptive training programs that evolve with them. 

Best of all, the Technogym ecosystem allows the training program to be accessed anywhere and anytime. 

Technogym’s Open-Platform Approach

Technogym’s omnichannel strategy and open platform capabilities meet fitness consumers where they are digitally. As consumer use of external apps, wearables and fitness trackers have become a centerpiece in the fitness experience, Technogym’s integration with Runkeeper, Apple, Garmin, Polar, Fitbit and more gives operators an edge.

“Technogym ecosystem is an open platform that can work with any fitness equipment, (including) the equipment of other brands already in use in the club,” Manaresi said. “We can work with any software and we can work with any consumer device or app. We work with Samsung, we work with Apple Watch, we work with popular apps such as Strava. The idea is having an open platform partner with the operator.”

Technogym’s overarching goal, Manaresi said, is to personalize the training experience for every single individual, creating an immense growth driver for clubs and operators.

“A precise program according to what they need, which can be fitness, performance or health,” he explained. “And when it comes to the operator, our goal is to have the partnership to increase their business (as they) manage the entire journey of the consumer inside the club and outside the club, while driving attraction, retention and secondary spending.”

A Vast Library & Content Integration 

T‍echnogym’s ecosystem also includes content, with a factory TV studio devoted to creating immersive fitness content that is offered across any equipment brand. 

Technogym has cultivated a massive library of over 1,000 workouts across HIIT, strength training, boxing, yoga, Pilates and guided meditations through self-guided workouts, trainer-led workouts and classes. There are also signature programs for those keen on a specific sport, such as golf, sailing, skiing or running — which were created by professional coaches. 

“It’s unique,” Manaresi said. “There are other brands in the consumer space offering, for example, connected (cycling) classes — but Technogym today offers (content) across any equipment. We try to have the biggest library possible of content and choices. And then of course AI allows users to personalize and pick the right elements.”

The Gold Standard in Wellness

Technogym’s ecosystem and omnichannel approach have made it a top-tier provider for clubs, hotels, physiotherapists and medical centers, allowing them to personalize each aspect of the member experience while providing cutting-edge technology that improves the healthspan of users. 

It also earned the brand the title of official and exclusive supporter of the cardio, strength and functional training equipment for participants who will compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Technogym is equipping 29 athletic training centers in Paris with 1,200 pieces of equipment for nearly 15,000 competing athletes. 

As Manaresii aptly states, “Technogym is recognized all over the world as the wellness company.” 

The post Technogym Powers the Hybrid Fitness Revolution With Open Ecosystem appeared first on Athletech News.

Working with fitness software can at times be like trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. Business owners must adjust their operations and processes to fit the tech.

Wodify Workflows flips that script. As the first ‘low code’ platform in wellness technology, Wodify Workflow gives fitness owners the power to configure the tech the way they want so that it solves for how they want to run their business operations.

Workflows was recently launched as an Add-On Solution to Wodify Core – an all-in-one customer retention platform designed to help owners and operators manage operations and create unique member experiences that translate to retention and revenue.

Workflows gives gym owners the complete ability to automate & integrate every part of their business, improving client and lead retention seamlessly while eliminating lost leads, disengaged clients, and inefficient processes.

“In my years in the fitness industry, I’ve found that most gym owners know what they need to do to achieve better lead conversion and retention, they just can’t configure the tech to manage it well,” says Brendan Rice, CEO of Wodify. “Workflows unlocks that ability.”

Reach Your Clients At the Right Time, Every Time

Workflows is a powerful system that combines tech-enabled automation with human intervention. For example, when a new lead is created, they can be enrolled into a “new lead” workflow and the system is prompted to send a welcome email, create a task for a coach to call them, and send automated text messages.

Workflows can be created to facilitate everything from new leads to member milestones to setting a reminder that a client is injured and a trainer needs to create a recovery program. The workflows can be configured with the outreach steps and pace that are appropriate for the business and the intention.

Wodify users aren’t left on their own when it comes to configuration.

“We don’t expect gyms to be able to configure and customize the tech on their own,” said Rice. “We’ve curated a team of tech and fitness experts to help clients design solutions that fit their needs and then assist in configuring the software toward those solutions. We like to think of ourselves as the outsourced IT department for all of our customers.”

‘Recipes’ for Success

The platform also offers pre-built “Recipes,” with each recipe consisting of a set of triggers and actions including calls, automated emails, texts and more. A recipe could consist of two or three steps; as many as fifty or sixty steps might make up a one-year client nurturing program.

“We’ve created these recipes based on industry best practices and years of insights from our own data that we’ve acquired from working with thousands of gyms,” noted Rice.

Operators can essentially “turn on” these best-in-class pre-set marketing campaign Recipes and move on to focus on other areas of the business.

“The impetus behind Workflows is to give operators and owners the peace of mind that the workflows are always running in the background with a systemized and proven approach – an approach they’ve configured to fit the needs of their business.”

Rice gives an example of one nearly lost lead that was saved due to Workflow.

“A client recently had a lead that took a class and did not return. The lead fell off the radar. Three weeks later the lead responded and became a member. The follow-up that continued to prompt this person to come back would never have happened without Workflows.”

Supporting an Omnichannel Strategy

Rice says Workflows gives structure and support to any fitness brand’s omnichannel strategy.

“Workflows facilitates engagement outside of the gym walls by automating messages and creating tasks for follow-up outreach. It’s fully integrated to work with other applications.

Workflows also goes beyond the typical marketing automation tools by allowing owners and operators to automate any business process they can imagine.

When asked what operators and owners can expect to gain from Workflows, Rice points to several benefits: 

“Operators will get time back in their day to spend on other areas of the business,” he says. “The proven lead nurturing and retention campaigns increase revenue. The tech also unlocks ideas and insights leading to more efficient and effective ways to run the business.”

“An operator may have always wanted to handle retention or follow-up a certain way but could not because the platform being used didn’t allow it. Workflows is fully customizable,” he adds.

Rice calls Workflows enterprise-grade technology that can be used by any brand – from a CrossFit or neighborhood gym to a franchise business with hundreds of locations.

“Everything we design helps any and every gym owner improve conversion, retention or optimize business efficiency,” Rice says. “Workflows plays across all three of these.”

The post Wodify Software Adapts to Your Fitness Brand, Not the Other Way Around appeared first on Athletech News.

The gym industry is booming post-pandemic, but much of that growth has been funneled into the coffers of large chains and franchise brands, which have seen their numbers surge since facilities re-opened following COVID lockdowns. 

REP Gym Pass is out to help mom-and-pop gym brands get in on the action. 

Launching this September, REP Gym Pass allows fitness enthusiasts to find and book sessions at locally owned gyms across the United States.

For a monthly fee, REP subscribers can access the platform’s entire network of gyms. At launch, REP will offer options of a 5-day, 10-day and unlimited pass. 

The idea behind the platform is simple but potentially revolutionary: users can try out new gyms, especially while traveling, without having to commit to a full membership. On the other side of the equation, gyms that are part of the REP network gain access to a large pool of potential clients, increased visibility and a share of the platform’s revenue.  

“REP aims to be a catalyst for the growth and exposure of locally owned gyms,” REP Gym Pass founder and CEO Zac Paul tells Athletech News. “Our goal is to shift market share to local gym owners who are passionate about their gym and their community.”

Revenue Sharing for Gyms

On the surface, REP seems to function similarly to apps like the highly popular ClassPass, but for gyms instead of boutique fitness and wellness studios. However, there are some important distinctions designed to give gyms that utilize REP a bigger slice of the revenue pie.

Importantly, 70% of all pass revenue will go directly to REP’s partner gyms, giving locally owned facilities an additional revenue stream beyond traditional memberships. REP will use the remaining revenue portion to invest in marketing efforts, including initiatives with local influencers, to drive exposure for its partner gyms.

“With this ‘co-op’ payout structure, gyms will not only see revenue from people that walk through the doors, but also from non-active and non-local users,” Paul says.

He believes this unique payout structure is a top selling point for gyms interested in joining the REP platform. 

“Any of these gyms are relatively limited to seeing faces and revenue from within their neighborhood,” Paul says. “For these gyms to see revenue from the other side of the country is a massive catalyst towards floating their overhead and scaling their business.”

New World of Fitness Possibilities

For gym-goers, the benefits of a platform like REP are compelling. While traveling, users can attend locally owned gyms across the country instead of being forced to use chain brands or hotel fitness centers. They can also use the platform to test out new gyms in their area before committing to one spot with a full-time membership. 

REP will cater primarily to “high-caliber bodybuilders and powerlifters,” many of whom prefer to work out in specialty gyms rather than big-box chains. But traditional fitness enthusiasts may also be intrigued by the ability to work out in local gyms while on the road. 

“Nobody likes being stuck with a hotel gym,” Paul says.

REP has around 50 gyms already onboard in states including California, New York and Texas, with more locations in the pipeline. The platform is targeting 100 in-network gyms for next month’s launch.

Notable REP partner gyms already include Pwrbld Gym in Pennsylvania, Performance Strength Academy in New Jersey, Georgia Strength Compound (owned by famous powerlifter Steve Goggins), Big Iron Gym in Washington and multiple independent Metroflex locations in Texas and Oklahoma.

REP’s 5-day plan is priced at $33/month for an annual subscription; a 10-day plan starts at $55/month; and the unlimited plan starts at $111/month.

Through the app, users will be able to leave reviews of gyms they attend. 

Ahead of the launch, REP’s team is focused on tweaking and improving the platform to make its tech more seamless for users and gym partners.

“REP operates on an independent system, where we’ll never ask a gym to install hardware or face any administrative burden when a user walks through the door,” Paul explains. “They’ll check in and accept the gym’s liability waiver through our app, and they’re ready to go.”

“On the other end, gyms will have a web-based portal to track usage and also see contact info,” he adds. “This way they can follow up with the user and try to secure them as a full-time member.”

The post REP To Launch as Monthly Subscription Service for Local Gyms appeared first on Athletech News.

At a point in the year where fitness brands can struggle — as members often put the gym second to outdoor activities or vacations — Ekhos Agency is helping drive them back to the forefront.

To help operators reel members back in during this lax season, the fitness-focused social media brand recently launched an e-book detailing ways to boost engagement and generate new leads specifically during the summer. The guide features tried-and-true methods, including digital marketing and automation strategies, that can give any studio a spark. 

“As the owner and heartbeat behind Ekhos, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenge that studio owners face in keeping members engaged amidst vacations and summer distractions,” said Saskia Topp, Ekhos Agency’s Founder. “However, working closely with our clients, I’ve also experienced the excitement of seeing our strategies come to life, turning potential slow periods into times of growth and connection. Together, we transform summer challenges into opportunities for success.”

E-Book Overview

Ekhos’ guide to summer success spans six chapters: Summer Fitness Challenges; Enhancing Social Media Presence; Special Summer Promotions; Outdoor Classes and Events; Creating Engaging Content and Automation Marketing with Ekhos. 

These chapters reflect every challenge faced by fitness businesses who are competing with vacations and favorable weather. 

Readers will learn about the little things that go a long way when gyms implement challenges, alternative avenues that can lead to increased social media engagement, new ways to generate leads, ways to use the summer weather to your advantage, intel on posting cadency and cutting-edge tools to help grow on your social presence faster. The ways in which Ekhos delivers on said topics is explained in detail as well. 

“This e-book is your roadmap to a sizzling summer for your fitness studio,” the book promises. “We will walk you through our tried-and-true methods to ensure your studio stays lively and growing.”

Other compelling ideas covered in the e-book include humanizing your brand, personalized messaging, follow-up tendencies and more. 

“At Ekhos Agency, we’re all about helping fitness studios like yours succeed, even during the challenging summer months,” the book continues. “By leveraging our digital marketing expertise, we can help keep your current members engaged and attract new leads to your studio.”

Help From the Right Hands

The importance of maintaining a strong social media presence has evolved from a forward-thinking concept to something almost every successful business understands at this point. Ekhos is one of the only brands that specializes in delivering that specifically for those in the fitness sector.

The agency established itself as a leader by doing its homework and extra credit on each new client — conducting multiple meetings, mulling over assets and doing whatever it takes to learn everything it can about a brand before crafting a detailed strategy to move forward with. 

From there, the Ekhos utilizes both advanced analytics and the “human element” to assist clients — touching on two contrary but equally beneficial aspects of social media management. Ekhos consistently provides insights derived from clients’ successes and setbacks, but at the same time is known for helping brands establish “ambassadors” to headline their brands. 

“I prefer calling them ambassadors rather than influencers because these are individuals who genuinely care about your brand both online and offline,” Topp told ATN in December. “In today’s landscape, people are drawn to authentic, human-centric content rather than forced or fake content.”

This balance keeps brands sharp and informed internally and seem genuine externally for optimal success. 

Download Boosting Your Fitness Studio’s Engagement and Leads in the Summer with Ekhos Agency here.

The post Boost Your Fitness Studio’s Engagement and Leads in the Summer with Ekhos Agency appeared first on Athletech News.

For 10 years, Michael Wuest successfully managed a CrossFit gym in Columbia, Missouri. Despite generating 50-100 new leads per month, he faced a stark realization about retention in his first year: 50% of his membership base churned, predominantly around the six-week mark. 

This alarming trend prompted a deeper investigation into the customer experience. Wuest discovered that the primary reason for member departure was the overly busy classes, which led to inadequate individual attention and a disconnected experience. To address this, he focused on the critical first 100 days of membership, identifying key communication needs to enhance personal engagement. 

He found that 30% of departing members felt neglected in the bustling environment. He designed a framework for the first 100 days, mapping out the customer journey to identify key interaction opportunities supported by strategic touchpoints via email and SMS. He created feedback loops, prompting member check-ins at the 2-week, 30-day, 6-week, 60-day and 90-day marks.

These comprehensive measures significantly improved member retention by seamlessly integrating new members into the gym community and ensuring a consistent and personalized client experience throughout their journey.

Being Solution-Oriented 

For a CrossFit owner or any gym owner or operator retention is the castle, and the right type of deeply customized communication at the right time is the key.

The issue then becomes time. What CrossFit owner or yoga studio operator has the bandwidth to maintain highly personalized strategically-timed communication with every member? 24/7?

Enter artificial intelligence (AI).

Wuest set out to develop a solution, and 4 years later, co-founded UpLaunch, a marketing automation and CRM platform that utilizes AI for personalized communication, marketing campaigns, and more.

Using UpLaunch, his retention rates jumped to 90%. UpLaunch – now called Zen Planner – grew to $1.5MM annual recurring revenue (ARR) and was acquired by Daxko in January 2020 with Wuest becoming the vice president of marketing for the SMB Division.

Wuest says that given his past, he is determined to help gyms win at the retention game, and he believes AI is a key component to making that happen.

Creating Stickiness

“AI can be used in so many ways, and can act like an owner or operator’s right-hand man, picking up much of the work that goes into communication, marketing, follow up and more so gym owners can be on the floor – where they want to be – working with members,” he says.

He points to the critical first 100 days of membership previously mentioned.

“When I realized the impact of the right communication and touch points in those first 3 months, I saw a huge opportunity to transform new members into brand ambassadors rather than losing them.”

Wuest touches on the psychology involved in the onboarding process, and how critical it is to be supportive. 

“Anyone joining a new gym typically has a little anxiety,” he says. There are thoughts of ‘Am I fit enough?’ “Do I view myself as a CrossFitter or a student of the Dojo?” These individuals are vulnerable, but they joined the gym for a reason. If you keep fueling that fire, you can turn it into an inferno.”

Wuest created a way to communicate and share information that makes it easy for fitness business owners to understand and use. It is Zen Planner’s Engage feature, and it meets each new member where he or she is and cultivates them with highly personalized content at just the right pace and cadence.

“This playbook helps gyms virtually walk alongside members, orienting them, checking in, and more,” he says. “After 6 weeks, once members have found their footing, we prompt them to write a social media review, solidifying their membership mentally and publicly while promoting the gym. It continues from there.”

Clearly, once a member moves past their first 100 days, retention measures don’t stop. Wuest says AI gives gyms the power to execute highly personalized life cycle marketing campaigns that continue strategically throughout each membership.

“It’s important to remain in lockstep with members even when they aren’t in the gym, and AI can do this by delivering customized content, check-ins and more,” said Wuest.

AI Assistant 

Wuest says AI is a valuable asset that provides operators and owners with continuous, critical feedback on each member’s experience, allowing for refinements and enhanced retention rates.

“AI can monitor a member’s attendance consistency, results, engagement in different areas, and more,” he says. “If a member’s attendance drops, AI can alert the owner or operator and even handle communication to get that member back. It’s a built-in trigger.”

AI-powered chatbots are another valuable tool for gyms.

“Bots can handle typical Q&A, answer questions about the gym, membership packages, pricing, and more, and identify leads, placing them into the sales funnel immediately.”

Wuest sees great value in this for both gym owners and prospects.

“The name of the game is speed to lead,” he says. “The faster a prospect’s questions are answered, the better. Often, these questions come in late at night. It’s impossible for a gym owner to respond 24/7, but a bot can.” 

Bonus: The bot also compiles the types of questions they receive so the owner can address pain points in their marketing. 

Digging into the Data

Gyms have long used CRM tools and software to gather data on their members. That’s marketing 101. Now, gyms can use AI to act on that data, eliminating time spent pouring over reports.

“AI can build predictable models to determine when someone may be considering canceling their membership, versus an owner or staff member mining the attendance data and guessing when a member might be on his or her way out.”

Beyond retention, this ability can translate to upselling.

“These predictability models can help gym owners identify which members might be ripe for PT, or other services the gym offers.”

The Virtual Road Ahead

So what does the future of the fitness industry look like, with AI?

“AI will continue to unlock more tools for gyms to build profitable businesses,” Wuest says. “It will save owners an immeasurable amount of time while helping to foster deeper, more personal relationships between members, the staff and the gym.”

He also says AI can feed into other marketing resources for significantly better results and efficiencies.

“Systems like Zen Planner can be integrated with paid media for deeply-targeted prospecting – reducing costs and delivering superior results,” he says.

In the end, Wuest holds true to his passion and mission to help gyms win.

“I have lived the life of a gym owner and it’s not easy. Not by a longshot. So we use technology and AI now to make gyms more profitable, buy back time for owners and operators and help them to live a better life. That’s been my mission for many years.”

The post AI-Powered Retention Strategies for Gym Owners appeared first on Athletech News.

Any studio or club operator knows that handling billing and collections is tedious, time-consuming, and frustrating. You didn’t get into the business to run the back end, but hiring staff to manage billing, database management, delinquency management, collections, and member management tasks is costly.

The clear solution is to outsource them, but to whom? Which of the dozens of software platforms and services on the market is the best for your business?

Why not consider a company that’s been managing these crucial tasks while increasing revenue for its partners for forty years?

Over 3,000 fitness facilities have entrusted their business to Jonas Fitness (JFI), and beyond its longevity in the industry, the company stands out in several ways.

Jonas Fitness’ Member Billing Services combines industry-leading techniques and best practices with ala carte billing solutions to increase revenue and collections for its partner clients.

A Customized Approach

With options such as full-service billing software, a dedicated billing rep, on-shore 1-800 call center services, automated collection services, and a Member Services Center, it’s a customizable one-stop-shop for facilities.

“For about the cost of a part-time employee, our Member Billing Service takes back-end tasks off the table for operators,” says Christie Crockett, Supervisor of Member Billing Service. “We work as a natural extension of the facility, and this provides operators with the peace of mind of knowing that behind the scenes, we’re taking care of everything, freeing them up to focus on the day-to-day operations of their business.”

“I love Member Billing Services because it’s allowed me to breathe and to worry about the millions of other things I do. It’s changed my life,” adds Nicole Flemming, Information Systems at American Family Fitness.

Jonas Fitness offers a unique, tailored one-on-one experience by pairing a dedicated specialist with every facility and providing specialized feedback along the way. Crockett says this approach directly impacts revenue.

“This approach of working hand-in-hand with the operator allows us to truly understand their business, identify potential areas for improvement, increase revenue streams, and stay ahead of any issues,” says Crockett.

Your Business at Your Fingertips

Jonas Fitness’ Member Services Call Center can also handle club processes from member cancellations to freezes to fee waiving.

“Our call center manages it all,” notes Crockett. “Under your direction, we implement your business practices while focusing on providing excellent customer service to your members.”

Member Management Services is interactive, and Crockett says it provides all of the benefits of in-house software plus the advantages of outsourcing billing.

“This means member changes, payments, and notes are immediately visible in your system, so you’ll never have to wonder if a member has been contacted or worry about a member’s status,” she explains.

In addition, with JFI MBS running your billing process for you, all funds are settled directly into your account, providing quicker access to your money.

The platform offers automated monthly summaries and the ability to view your corporate dashboard for up-to-the-minute daily business reports, allowing you to stay current on your club’s billing status.

Additionally, JFI experts perform due diligence billing research and inform operators of significant data trends or issues they uncover.

Decrease Decline Rates, Increase Revenue

Crockett says decreasing decline rates is something JFI can reverse due to the company’s many years of experience.

“When onboarding, we review a client’s current data and billing practices, and many have decline rates well above industry standards,” she explains. “For these clients, we implement a customized and varied combination of draft days and past due sizes and have been able to increase collected revenue and decrease payment declines for our clients.”

Delinquency Management

In addition to handling billing processes, Jonas Fitness offers various delinquency management services, including IVR (Interactive Voice Response). IVR allows members to update billing information and make payments over the phone.

MBS also utilizes automated phone calls, SMS text messages, and emails to alert members of their balances, renewal reminders, and credit card expiration dates.

Customers who have left Jonas Fitness to try other platforms consistently come back.

“I returned to Jonas Fitness after testing another platform,” says Jaye Danforth, Owner at American Fitness 24/7. “JFI provided better customer service and a customized approach, and I love having a dedicated billing and communications specialist to handle my needs.”

The post You Didn’t Get Into the Fitness Business To Run the Back Office appeared first on Athletech News.

Too many fitness brands are leaving prospective fitness members with inquiries “on read,” according to a new study from Keepme, an AI-powered platform for fitness operators. The company has just unveiled a new approach to improve response times (and drive memberships) with AI-powered membership sales agents.

The latest offering follows Keepme‘s ‘Time to Reply’ studies in the U.K. and North America, demonstrating a considerable delay in response times on inbound fitness leads.

“HubSpot reports that 82% of consumers expect responses within 10 minutes, and Salesforce found that 77% of customers expect to interact with someone immediately when they reach out,” Keepme’s global director of marketing, Hilary McGuckin, said. “However, our studies revealed over 50% of North America membership inquiries went completely unanswered, with clubs having an average response time of 236 minutes across email and 2240 via social media.” 

Improved Response Times

Fitness gyms and boutique fitness studios are keen on keeping members engaged with the latest equipment and modalities, but having prospective membership inquiries go unanswered may mean losing out to competitors. 

“We know from our research that leads responded to within 5 minutes are 100 times more likely to ‘connect’ and 21 times more likely to convert into genuine membership opportunities,” McGuckin said. “So, certainty of reply and timeliness is critical. As a result we’ve designed the all new Keepme’s AI Sales Agents in direct answer to this, ensuring fitness clubs can meet these critical response times, and significantly improve their lead conversion rates.”

Keepme AI sales agents can navigate customer inquiries via live web chats, emails, social media, WhatsApp, in-website voice activation and inbound and outbound calls — all within a 24/7, 365 setting. In addition to providing accurate service information, Keepme sales agents offer personalized interactions with natural language processing, guiding prospective members to book tours and trials.

As McGuckin points out, Keepme’s study shows a major disconnect between consumer expectations and delivery.

“The implication is that most operators’ sales funnels simply aren’t optimized for lead generation because they can’t meet the expected level of digital service provision in 2024,” she continued. “Our AI Sales Agents are about helping operators bridge this gap regardless of channel, to become more technologically competitive at a time when consumers expect it.”

Keepme founder and CEO Ian Mullane noted that the data from the study speaks for itself.

“We need to set a new standard for lead generation and prospect experiences in the fitness industry,”he added. “We believe Keepme’s demonstrable experience and expertise in AI development will allow us to achieve this. These intelligent assistants work tirelessly across all your communication channels, transforming how you engage with fitness leads. They drive membership sales by reducing the ‘speed to lead’, elevating your club’s response and follow-up actions to unprecedented levels.”

Last September, the platform rolled out Creator, a generative tool designed with gym content marketing teams in mind that learns a fitness brand’s tone and voice to produce engaging content and drive growth across blog posts, social media and emails. 

The post Keepme Introduces AI-Powered Membership Sales Agents appeared first on Athletech News.

The Paris Olympics are underway featuring the world’s top athletes, but Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) wants workout enthusiasts to know that high-level, science-backed training isn’t just for those competing at the highest levels of sport.

One of the world’s largest and fastest-growing boutique fitness brands, Orangetheory combines heart-rate-based interval training with advanced heart-rate monitoring for both elite athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts alike.

Scott Brown, vice president of fitness at Orangetheory, spoke with Athletech News about how the fitness brand designs its programs to drive member success.

“We utilize a functional, total-body approach in most workout designs,” Brown told ATN. “This means we’re training the body to improve its capabilities across endurance, strength and power while blending our exercise selection with a balance of the major movement patterns.”

Real Data, Effective Workouts

Orangetheory’s appeal, for many, lies in the adaptability and precision of its functional total-body approach: participants can customize their workout to their individual fitness levels.

“The beauty is in the adaptability where the member and the coach can dial up or down specific components to reach specific goals when needed,” Brown said. 

OTF’s use of metrics is well-known in the fitness industry. Each workout is tracked with a heart-rate monitor, and members receive performance summaries in their mobile app, including their heart-rate zones.

“We have a wide variety of data and metrics to help each member learn more about themselves and monitor what matters to them,” Brown added. “For those who want to dive deeper, they can use a dynamic heart rate graph where you can scrub the timeline and see what your heart rate was compared to the output on the treadmill and rower, plus see how your rate reacted to the floor exercises.” 

Next-Level Personalization

While many fitness programs use heart-rate data, OTF uses this data to create personalized workouts.

“Our MaxHR algorithm tailors maximum heart rate calculations based on individual performance data gathered during classes rather than relying solely on generic age-based formulas,” Brown explained. ‘

Orangetheory members receive heart rate zones uniquely calibrated to their fitness levels, leading to more effective training.

“Our system goes a step further by using this data to create a truly personalized workout experience for each member,” he noted. 

Compete Against Yourself

OTF also runs a series of fitness benchmarks throughout the year so members can track their progress. The benchmarks connect to the principles of endurance, strength and power, and are frequently updated in the mobile app.

“For many members, all the details are not important; just that when they started, they were unable to jog a mile, and now they can,” Brown said. “We can also use the benchmarks as proxies for the members with athletic goals to focus on specific physiologic traits we want to improve like anaerobic power, VO2 max, and lactate thresholds.” 

As the Olympics drive interest in intense fitness training, many studios hope everyday people will push their athletic limits.

“My personal hope is that more and more people embrace the athlete’s journeys and find motivation in their dedication and determination,” Brown concluded.

The post For Orangetheory, Science-Backed Training Isn’t Just for Olympians appeared first on Athletech News.

In the fitness industry, keeping new members engaged is as crucial as getting them in the door. With a 28.6% annual attrition rate, gyms face significant challenges in retaining members. But the onboarding process offers a golden opportunity to create lasting connections and build a thriving community.

Fitness On Demand, a leading provider of omnifitness and member engagement solutions, understands these challenges and offers a range of tools to enhance onboarding and boost member satisfaction across various settings. In this discussion, we’ll delve into common onboarding pain points and explore effective solutions.

Leading this discussion is Andy Peat, CEO of Fitness On Demand and an industry veteran with over 18 years of experience. Andy’s expertise lies in leveraging data and cutting-edge technology to drive innovation and positive change within the fitness landscape. With a track record of success, Peat has a proven ability to foster growth and elevate member experiences.

Read on to find out more about how effective onboarding strategies can transform your gym’s retention and member satisfaction.

How can owners start to ease or eliminate friction in the onboarding process for new members?

To ease or eliminate friction during the onboarding process, gym owners can follow what I call “The CAP Principle”:

Connection: For new members to be successful, they need to make connections at your gym with other members as well as your fitness professionals. Scheduling group fitness and personal training sessions are the best ways to achieve this, and you can even offer members initial consultations for learning larger movements. In fact, having just two meaningful connections in the first month can reduce cancellations by 33%. Most gyms offer a free personal training (PT) session, which is a great way to get to know someone, understand their goals, and introduce them to your gym. However, this one session on its own won’t make a lasting impact. You need to create a sense of accountability and help members form new habits while they’re still motivated.

Attendance: One of the best ways to build accountability is by encouraging attendance with other people. On day one, you should help new members schedule times to be in the gym for a group class or a training session. When these commitments are added to their calendar and involve other people, it’s much harder for them to delay or skip.

People need to attend the gym four times in a month, with one visit at minimum. The attendance requirement involves four bookings from day one. These can be personal training sessions, group fitness classes or member functions. The goal is to book members for four sessions at sign-up to form a habit and build relationships. Ideally, every member is given four training sessions in their first month.

Progress: In addition to showing up, people need to see the progress they’re making to maintain their motivation. When they’re just starting out, it’s easy to have unrealistic expectations or overlook their steady progress. It’s our responsibility to help them understand what they can and should expect to accomplish in their first 30 days and celebrate their milestones.

If people feel or see a sense of progress early, it will result in a happier feeling and attachment to the gym. Fostering this feeling will increase motivation and drive routine. Progress can be seen through fitness testing (tied to personal training), body scans, or rating their feelings in week one versus week four.

Problem addressed: This principle tackles the issues of new members feeling isolated, lack of commitment, and unrealistic expectations, all of which can lead to early cancellations.

What’s the best way for owners to capitalize on new member motivation and prevent them from quitting in the first six months?

Most gyms offer one free personal training session for new members, but this isn’t enough. To capitalize on their motivation while it’s at its peak, you should schedule at least four sessions in the first four weeks:

• Week 1: Conduct an initial consultation session to understand their goals, perform an initial fitness test, and build a program for them to follow.
• Week 2: Hold the first official personal training session to strengthen their sense of accountability and connection with your gym, without focusing on selling ongoing PT sessions.
• Week 3: Conduct a technique session to teach them something basic, like proper form for deadlifts or squats. This gives them a sense of progression and demonstrates the value of having a trainer.
• Week 4: Perform a retest session. Have them redo the fitness test from week one to prove the progress they’ve made, reinforce their motivation, and create a prime opportunity to sell ongoing PT sessions.

Problem addressed: This approach deals with insufficient initial engagement and support, helping new members feel confident and motivated from the start.

How else do you build new member motivation?

Giving your members a simple way to try out classes or workouts on their own is one of the easiest ways to build their confidence. Offering a diverse library of on-demand classes that members can access in your open studio spaces or from the comfort of their home helps. This allows members to gain a new perspective on classes they may be intimidated by and provides more autonomy to try something new on their own terms. We’ve seen members who are initially shy or intimidated eventually work up to joining live classes.

Problem addressed: This strategy helps overcome intimidation and lack of confidence in trying new classes, gradually building members’ comfort and involvement.

Can owners start to ease the onboarding friction before someone officially joins the gym?

Absolutely. These strategies and platforms make a huge impact right after someone starts their membership, but they’re also vital before someone decides to join. Some of our most successful customers use these strategies in their marketing efforts to stand out from the competition. For example, offering a month of free, personalized instruction can attract more leads than competitors offering just one PT session. Additionally, having a fully booked class schedule, bolstered by on-demand classes, can be a significant converting factor for prospective members during tours.

Problem addressed: This approach addresses limited appeal and insufficient differentiation from competitors, making your gym more attractive to potential members.

How do you build a fitness community that embraces people of any fitness level and keeps members coming back year after year?

Encourage interactions between staff and members, and also among the members themselves. More and more, people are going to the gym as a way to socialize. They want to see people, be greeted when they walk in, and know they’re going to have fun and enjoy themselves while getting fit. Creating a welcoming, social environment is key to building a fitness community that embraces people of any fitness level and keeps them coming back.

Problem addressed: This strategy combats the lack of social engagement and community building, fostering a supportive and interact

By implementing these strategies, gym owners can significantly improve their onboarding process, reduce friction, and enhance member retention, ultimately leading to a thriving fitness community.

The post How Better Member Onboarding Prevents Attrition appeared first on Athletech News.

Life Time is raising its full-year revenue guidance to between $2.56 and $2.59 billion following strong second-quarter performance, with founder and CEO Bahram Akradi touting high engagement numbers and noting that Life Time clubs are “everything to our members.”

LTH shares rose 8.6% in early hours trading Thursday in response to the earnings announcement. 

“The midpoint of this range will deliver approximately $1.31 billion of revenue in the back half of this year, versus $1.14 billion last year, implying a 14.6% revenue growth rate for the second half of 2024,” Akradi told investors on Thursday’s earnings call.

In the second quarter, Life Time’s revenue rose 18.9% to $667.8 million due to continued strong growth in membership dues and in-center revenue.

Life Time center memberships grew by 42,398, or 5.4%, since June 30, 2023, and increased by 30,626 from March 31, 2024. The operator’s total subscriptions (including center memberships and digital on-hold memberships) also trended upward by 5.5% to 878,767 from June 30, 2023.

“The second quarter also was an important inflection point for the company as we achieved positive free cash flow as expected and a net debt leverage ratio of 3.0 times, which was two quarters earlier than our plan,” Akradi said.

The luxury athletic country club operator opened three new centers in the quarter.

Member Experience Is Priority #1

In terms of consumer behavior, Life Time continues to have waitlists for its centers, and, despite an average monthly membership due of $190, is impervious to any tightening of the purse strings. 

“For an entity focused on particular deliverables, as long as you’re delivering the customer what they’re looking for, I think there’s plenty of customers who are willing to pay for that,” Akradi said. “We are not seeing any weakness at all anywhere across our business.”

It’s a point that Akradi emphasized, noting that the demand to become a Life Time member is organic.

“These results are with zero salespeople in the company,” he stated. “We’ve told you guys this for the last three years, but maybe now the results speak for themselves: there’s zero promotions. There’s no advertising for the membership.”

Akradi takes issue with the term “gym,” underscoring Life Time’s commitment to serving as more than a place for fitness – but a lifestyle. 

“(Life Time) — it’s everything to our members,” Akradi said. “It’s their social place, it’s their beach club, it’s their programs, it’s their network. Yes, they get a workout, and we are constantly working on how to improve those things from a member’s point of view.”

Investing in AI, Personal Training & Pickleball

When asked what other kinds of programs Life Time is looking to invest in, Akradi was quick to respond: artificial intelligence.

The lifestyle operator recently partnered with Microsoft to launch L.AI.C, an AI-powered Life Time member companion that lives within the Life Time member app. The initial iteration will answer basic questions such as club hours and descriptions but will eventually provide personalized class suggestions, tailored workout programs and more. 

“I think the most important transformation in this era is AI,” Akradi said. “If you’re not going to be ahead, you’re going to be ridiculously behind.”

Providing a rough sketch of plans, Akradi said AI will first improve the Life Time member experience regarding engagement. Eventually, the club operator plans to use the technology to create additional efficiencies.

Personal training, stretching and nutrition are all seeing an increase in interest, while pickleball remains a priority. Life Time is continuing on its mission of establishing 1,000 courts in the next 18 months and just filed a patent for an improved ball for the popular racket sport.

Akradi, a personal fan of pickleball, remains bullish on the sport and says it’s the activity that will get America “off the couch.” Earlier this spring, Life Time signed Lululemon as its official pickleball and tennis apparel partner.

“I think it’s got a very high potential of being an Olympic sport by the next Olympics,” he said of pickleball. “We’re all in. We’re going to support the sport just like we do with everything else.”

Life Time also sees demand from an employer perspective, with roughly 20 times as many applicants from personal trainers. 

“It’s really the best position we have ever been in,” Akradi said.

The athletic country club operator also appointed Erik Weaver as its executive vice president and chief financial officer. Weaver had served as Life Time’s interim CFO since January.

The post Life Time Raises Revenue Guidance on Continued High Engagement appeared first on Athletech News.

To celebrate the upcoming Olympics in Paris, fitness technology company Myzone is running a Games-themed challenge for workout enthusiasts across the globe. 

The “MEPs to Medals Challenge,” Myzone’s first-ever Olympics challenge, will take place from Friday, July 26, to Sunday, September 8. Gym-goers of any experience level can join in on the community event, using Myzone’s heart rate technology to track their achievements and race for spots on the “podium”. 

Myzone, a fitness technology company known for its heart rate-tracking tech, aims to encourage users to push themselves physically and mentally. The brand offers software for gyms including motivational class screens and fitness equipment, as well as its popular app that can be downloaded to smartwatches. Myzone also sells its own brand of heart rate monitors, available in watch, scale, and clothing form.

As participants exercise utilizing a form of Myzone tracker, they can collect Myzone Effort Points, also known as MEPs, which rise with heart rate. The higher the heart rate, the more MEPs users receive. 

Myzone has hosted multiple events throughout the years, including the Capitol Hill Congressional Physical Activity Challenge. 

Dave Benham, owner of 300 Core clubs in the UK, says the fitness company’s challenges have been beneficial to his members. 

“Myzone challenges always create a buzz in our clubs,” Benham said. “They’re a fantastic way to bring our clients together, boost attendance and strengthen connections. We all love to test our physical capabilities and both Myzone and the Myzone challenges give us that extra edge to see just how far as a team we can go.”

This summer and fall, Myzone is encouraging gyms with the brand’s equipment to promote the event to their members, suggesting putting together teams to earn as many MEPs as possible. Members with the highest average MEPs can be rewarded with “podium spots” in homage to the Paris Games. 

Ben Hitchcock, Myzone’s chief marketing officer, says this Olympic challenge exhibits Myzone’s desire to encourage fitness enthusiasts all over the globe. 

“Our MEPs to Medals Challenge embodies the spirit of the Games by celebrating the myriad of ways people can achieve glory through exercise while reinforcing the importance of community, teamwork and effort,” Hitchcock said. “We want to light the flame of enthusiasm and support clubs across the world to encourage their communities to embark on a challenge of Olympic proportions.”

The post Myzone Holds Olympics-Themed Challenge for Gym-Goers Worldwide appeared first on Athletech News.