Newtown Athletic Club (NAC) has created an area specifically for Technogym equipment, and uses the Technogym SmartKey to personalize members’ workouts, via its TechnoFit program. Steve DeAngelis, the director of the TechnoFit program, discusses how it has affected NAC.
Q: How has having a Technogym area (and the TechnoFit program) affected NAC?
A: The TechnoGym area has helped tremendously with member integration. The program offers a pleasant exercise environment where members will receive the highest quality customer service and care. The TechnoFit program is customized precisely to members needs so it offers a high-touch, high-feel environment.
Q: What kind of environment does the TechnoFit program foster (besides high touch and high feel)?
A: It’s a “club within a club” where members exercise in a pleasurable environment with ample support from our fitness staff. Trainers are on hand to help each member utilize the TechnoGym state-of-the-art equipment to its fullest potential in order to reach their personalized fitness goals. It’s a comfortable, private, and non-intimidating atmosphere.
Q: How did Technogym help you develop the TechnoFit program?
A: TechnoGym has helped tremendously with teaching their system to our fitness staff. They have network project managers that arrive on site to teach their system in meticulous detail. TechnoGym also has outstanding customer service — equipment and TechnoGym software issues are resolved in a timely manner.
Q: When we last spoke you said that about each month you have a promotion or contest to motivate members — what promotion do you have going on now?
A: We are currently running the Newtown Athletic Club Summer Olympics promotion. Since the Smart Key tracks distance covered, weight lifted and performance index, we use these statistics to monitor the competition. The events in the NAC Olympics mimic the Summer Olympics. Members compete in these events while I gather reports from the TechnoGym software to update contest results. Gold, silver and bronze prizes are distributed to the top contestants at the end of the competition. TechnoGym is also the official supplier of the 2012 London Olympic Games!
Q: Why should other club owners possibly execute the TechnoFit program in their clubs? What would be required to do so?
A: According to IHRSA, technology is a top trend in the fitness industry. This is the main reason why other clubs should implement some sort of TechnoFit program. TechnoGym’s equipment is high end so funds to purchase the equipment would be a requirement. A quiet area and a fitness director to control programming are two other requirements. TechnoGym will soon be introducing the Wellness Cloud, which offers a range of new business applications. Furthermore, through QR codes, members can log on to the TechnoGym website to monitor their own progress from home. We’ll be implementing the Wellness Cloud at NAC in September!
Interview by Rachel Zabonick
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
