Staying on Beat with Tracking Technologies

In today’s world, members are looking for ways to know their hard work is making a difference. One way to do this is through heart rate tracking technology.

“VASA includes tracking technologies as part of its overall fitness offering,” said Doris Thews, the senior vice president of fitness and innovation at VASA Fitness. “We believe it is a benefit to our members and we communicate our offerings across all touchpoints. We use technology to motivate our members through our instructors, personal trainers and coaches.”

Offering heart rate tracking technologies successfully at your club starts with an educated staff.

Thews said they make sure their staff understand the technologies so they can help members connect the dots and become motivated by measurement. They also work hard to make sure tracking technologies are accessible to all members.

“VASA spends a lot of time and effort educating the staff to ensure they understand our equipment and technology offerings,” said Thews. “VASA leverages Myzone technology for our exclusive Studio Red, Studio Cycle and personal training products. We have created exclusive programming and use this technology to motivate, track progress and communicate with our members to push themselves to meet their fitness goals.”

VASA understands members are busy and want to get the most out of their workouts — even the “casual fitness” consumer. Technology helps document and give them credit for their work in and out of the gym. “It provides a more holistic view of why each workout is so important,” explained Thews. “After all, everybody — regardless of age — loves to get credit for hard work. Tracking technologies provide this, and we think it will be hard for gyms to be successful without it.”

If your club is considering adding heart rate tracking, Thews recommends doing your homework and make sure to understand the needs of your clients and instructors before adopting a technology. This ensures your club can meets those needs.

VASA has learned consumers are beginning to expect technology not just for tracking their workouts, but as a way to communicate with their trainers, coaches and workout buddies as well.

“Our members get excited to track progress while adding in some ‘smack talk’ in group chat features,” said Thews. “We believe technology aids in creating community, accountability and results, while having fun and getting healthy.”