Utilizing Gamification to Boost Member Engagement

Shay Amir, a co-founder and CEO of Spivi, shares how utilizing gamification can help boost member engagement.

The fast evolution of the fitness industry is hard to ignore, with significant changes happening in just a few years. Traditional workout equipment has been replaced or enhanced by cutting-edge, high-tech equipment in gyms and fitness clubs, providing real-time feedback on physical activity. Advanced systems equipped with industry-standard technology use this wirelessly transmitted data for further analysis and tracking. By utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), these systems can even learn and recommend personalized goals and next steps for each individual.

Introducing gamification elements based on real-time data is an additional layer that enhances engagement, mainly if you find it hard to stay self-motivated or like to be part of a group.

With access to real-time data and detailed post-workout analysis, gym members can set and track their fitness goals and milestones in a breeze. Making these predetermined milestones part of their routine motivates them to aim higher and achieve more with each personal accomplishment, letting them earn quick wins and raising the bar one step at a time.

These quick wins are super engaging. It’s about seeing the transformation as it happens, something you couldn’t see in a short time without visual indicators like numbers, gauges and graphs. They provide the right amount of positive feedback one may need to stay encouraged. The level of engagement is then also demonstrated as many gym members choose to share their progress with friends for feedback, further increasing their level of engagement in their fitness activities.

Combining gaming elements with fitness activities based on real-time data creates stimulating and rewarding experiences that encourage physical fitness activity. This may involve gamified workouts, fitness routines, competitions and awards based on results.

Gamified fitness is a novel and distinctive approach that emphasizes achieving personal and group accomplishments during exercise. Fitness gamification demonstrates that many of us enjoy receiving rewards for our efforts. We may become discouraged and abandon our goals if we don’t see tangible results.

The concept of receiving rewards in the realm of fitness, like games that often utilize this same principle, offers rewards that motivate players to keep playing. People are more likely to stay engaged in these activities longer when the possibility of receiving an award for working out for a specific period or hitting a personal best. The gamification of fitness encourages individuals to adopt healthy fitness habits, allowing them to achieve their goals more quickly and efficiently. While visible changes in appearance may take several months of consistent exercise to occur, immediate feedback and rewards make it easier for members to maintain motivation when working out.

As many people need more patience to continue exercising without seeing tangible rewards, they often abandon their fitness journey early on. Luckily, boosting your member’s engagement has never been easier using technology. There are quite a few solutions out there that can help you achieve that goal. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right technology partner:

Choose technology that is compatible with your members’ existing wearables. Many already have their own devices, such as heart rate monitors and the Apple Watch.

Choose a partner that has mileage in the industry. Such a partner would ideally have the experience working in different environments and good customer service.

Choose a solution that connects with your membership management system for ease of use, transparency and less friction.

Choose a solution that can work when your internet connection goes down. Life happens, and when it does, members may be upset if they don’t get their stats after the class.