Cardio entertainment has been a featured must-have amenity for every health and fitness facility for the last 25 years. It’s personal because entertainment allows members to enjoy those fat-shredding cardio workouts. Being able to watch their favorite TV programs while exercising creates an environment where members feel they can engage their minds, while their bodies are busy getting in shape.
Advances in technology provide a variety of convenient entertainment and member engagement solutions that result in meaningful, brand-building experiences for club operators. Here are some considerations:
1. Club TV audio on smartphones: Mobile TV audio applications enable exercisers to easily download mobile apps to hear TV audio on their smartphones throughout the facility — during their warm up, cardio and strength training sessions — without interruption. These systems also enable operators to connect with their members through branded mobile marketing messages, special offers, banner ads and class schedules. Other smartphone audio applications allow operators to stage Group X or virtual classes in the middle of the club.
2. Seamless cardio TV entertainment: A range of innovative choices include banks of TV monitors with wireless TV audio receivers built-in to cardio equipment consoles from leading manufacturers; individual cardio TV monitors positioned on rail-mount systems or built-in to the cardio equipment; and personal touch screen cardio machine TVs that enable exercisers to stay connected on social media or surf the web.
3. Digital signage statement: The latest digital signage systems deliver a big branded “welcome” every time members enter your club. Features include simple set up with HDMI-compatible television and quick-start design templates so operators may easily provide news and special promotional offers and announcements. With an integrated marketing platform, clubs may also cross-promote with local businesses — frequently drawn from their own membership base — to generate referrals and added revenues.
4. Manage your cardio equipment assets: Nothing is more annoying to club members than an “out of order” sign on their favorite cardio machine. Keep them running strong. Wireless cardio machine tracking technology allows operators to extend equipment life, minimize downtime and optimize service schedules by monitoring their entire cardio equipment inventory 24/7 from one, convenient online platform.
Fitness has always been personal. Fitness is about people making the commitment to improve their lives. As an industry it is our responsibility to help them succeed. Make the most of every membership and referral opportunity, understanding entertainment and engagement make all the difference.
Tony Garcia is founder and president of MYE Fitness Entertainment, an industry leader in the design, development and application of fitness entertainment and technology. For more information, visit myefitness.com.
