How to Use Technology to Keep Your Members and Clients Safe

Last year, the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted various businesses across all industries. However, brick and mortar enterprises that relied on physical interactions bore the brunt of the pandemic ⁠— and this includes fitness businesses such as gyms, health clubs, and studios. In fact, a recent report notes that the US fitness industry revenue dropped by 58 percent last year, with 17 percent of fitness facilities permanently closing their doors.

Thankfully, business is now gradually picking up as fitness enterprises continue to follow local health mandates and more people get the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite this, a lot of people are still apprehensive about exercising inside fitness centers. Understanding the measures put in place to keep them safe can help reduce that anxiety. Here, we’ll discuss five technologies that can help you make your clients and members feel safe working out in your establishment.

Contact Tracing

How often do your clients visit and how long do they stay? You can use Lenzvu as an integration within Mariana Tek’s platform to provide insights and alerts about client attendance at your gym. The Lenzvu sensor securely detects cell phones when in the vicinity of the device. The best part is it does not require guests to install an app or take actions so the barrier to entry is relatively low. It’s a simple tracing solution that doesn’t require any wiring. The data collection is anonymous, but clients do have the option to securely enter their details like whether or not they’ve had the COVID vaccine or whether they feel comfortable with physical contact such as hugs or high-fives while in your facility. 

Spot scheduling

Another way to encourage your clients to visit your fitness center is by guaranteeing them a spot. Through appointment and scheduling platforms, your customers can choose what equipment and classes they’ll use on the day of their visit. This allows your business to cater to those who are practicing social distancing measures and ensure that your clients will have a fuss-free fitness experience. In addition, having this technology can make your receptionist’s jobs much easier and provide your members with superb customer service. 

Kiosk self-check-in

Another tech solution that can help your members feel secure in your fitness center is a self-check-in kiosk. Using these devices, you can monitor and check the health of every member before they enter your gym. Aside from utilizing thermal imaging technology for integrated fever screening, a self-check-in kiosk may also use touch sensitive electronics and screens to allow your members to input their information. 

Touch sensors and screens are more durable than mechanical buttons and switches, so you won’t need to worry too much about maintaining the device if you decide to install one for your fitness facility. 

However, many people are still wary about touching devices that other people have used and you should make it a point to sanitize the kiosk self-check-in after every use. If you don’t want to do this, you can also install touchless kiosk-self-check-ins that use gesture-based hand navigation tools or NFC-enabled devices.

Mobile self-check-in

You can also have your members check-in to your fitness facility using their mobile phones. By using a check-in app that is integrated into your fitness facility’s system, your members can check-in by scanning your establishment’s QR code at the entrance. Prior to going to your fitness facility, your members need to fill in a digital form with their data on the app, and upload it along with their proof of vaccination and digital signature. As an added integration to the Mariana Tek platform, Lenzvu also offers a hands-free check in feature. 

The data they input can then be saved for future visits. This makes checking-in so much easier as your clients won’t have to manually input their information every time they visit your establishment.

Livestream classes

If there’s one thing that fitness businesses have learned from the pandemic, it’s that going digital can help stay afloat during tough times. So, you should continue to accommodate those who might never feel fully safe inside a physical establishment by livestreaming your fitness classes. This can also help you establish an online audience and generate revenue in case the country experiences another pandemic. You can livestream fitness classes using various online video platforms such as Zoom or Vimeo OTT.

Leverage DigitalDoor Keys

One Mariana Tek partner, Facilikey, provides you with a unique opportunity to create a safe space for members who are at risk or need to socially distance because of those in their care. By providing a digital door key, you can create open gym times so folks who are concerned about COVID safety can still get their work outs in without having to increase costs by staffing these times.

The technologies we’ve listed above can help you safeguard the safety of your members and clients. For more posts and insights on how to better manage your fitness facility, be sure to check out our blog.

Safety and technology go hand-in-hand. See how fitness studio management software can elevate your studio’s health and safety protocols while enhancing member experience. Book a demo today!

Read more:

Leverage technology to prioritize safety in your studio. Learn about the essential tools in The 6 Tech Must-Haves for New Fitness Studios.

Ensure you’re legally compliant in your virtual classes by reading Everything You Need to Know About Music Licensing for Your Virtual Studio to avoid any issues.