Ben Hackney-Williams, the head of content at Myzone, shares how to unlock the secrets of universal appeal through heart rate tracking.
New starters need steps to follow that remove the gymtimidation and offer achievable goals. Helping every individual to meet the WHO guidelines for physical activity is the perfect start, especially with heart rate monitor tech that rewards effort and allows them to move in whichever way they wish.
Heart rate zones also offer the best way to earn gym veterans’ loyalty is in providing them the tools to accurately monitor their performance and train for whichever discipline or physicality they want to excel at.
Both newbies and the athletic elite can be united in their fitness journey with one simple invitation to join a challenge that levels the playing field, regardless of ability. When embracing heart rate training, if the heart rate zones are based on an individual’s max heart rate, it means that points earned are based on individual effort. This means that 80% of a 27-year-old football player’s effort is still equal to 80% of a 72-year-old grandparent’s effort.
Offering a leader board based on effort creates a real opportunity for shared experiences, both in and out of the gym, with a mechanism in place for an operator to engage with each individual, motivate teams and have each participant also get involved in praise and healthy bouts of competitive chat. This is what community thrives on.
Even with challenges aside — and it can’t be understated how effective they are — this effort rewarded approach makes every workout contribution even more appreciated by those members with a goal-mindset, too. The nature of status rewards over the long term make goal setting the perfect route to performance, and therefore loyalty, for years. Whether it’s points-based each month and trying to better previous goals, or members simply looking to reach 10 years of continuously meeting the WHO guidelines for Hall of Fame status, the right tech will provide a platform for healthy living and wellbeing improvements that bring benefits to both body and business alike.
What about out of the gym? If members run outdoors or want a digital offering of live and on-demand classes, app integration can be costly. However, your technology partner should offer ways for you to engage with any member workout outdoors, in the pool, or in the digital space, all through one app offering.
Lastly, the social side of fitness is a key ingredient not only to long-term behaviour change, but also to cementing a thriving community that educates, motivates and supports each other. Integrating messaging functionality and the ability for members to comment on each other’s workouts is the lynchpin of keeping your people together and not just loyal to you, but close to each other on their collective fitness journey.
Keep your community growing and the motivation flowing with these easy steps to tech adoption adding value that’s more than the sum of its parts.
