The fitness industry never stands still and the software that runs it can’t afford to either. Member expectations now reach into wellness, recovery and GLP-1 programs, AI is reshaping sales and service, and operators are adding, trimming and changing services as their businesses evolve. John Heppenstall, the senior sales executive at Jonas Fitness, says the operators best positioned for what comes next will build a flexible tech stack around their core needs rather than around whatever is newest.
Heppenstall joins Club Solutions editor and podcast host Taylor Gabhart to discuss the tech stack philosophy behind Jonas Fitness, the coming Compete Atlas platform and the company’s plan to make both Compete and Compete Atlas HIPAA compliant by the end of the year. Heppenstall also covered the role of AI in software development and member service, the questions operators should ask vendors about protecting personal health information and why long-term relationships remain central to selecting and keeping a technology partner.
Show Notes:
- At 0:35, Heppenstall traced 20 years in health and fitness software, from an assistant manager role at a fitness center to member management and payment processing companies, three of which were later acquired by Jonas Software.
- Heppenstall explained how Jonas Fitness lets clients choose among several mobile apps and CRM partners, so a change in one area doesn’t force a full software conversion at 1:55.
- At 6:05, Heppenstall described Compete as the core platform for member management, billing, point-of-sale, check-in and bookings, and said the web-based Compete Atlas begins rolling out this year.
- Heppenstall said both Compete and Compete Atlas will be HIPAA compliant by the end of the year as GLP-1 programs and health assessments bring more personal health information into member management at 7:30.
- At 9:35, Heppenstall advised operators to confirm their own obligations and their vendor’s compliance, since liability for personal health information falls on both providers and operators.
- Lastly, at 14:55, Heppenstall recommended that independent operators find a trusted technical advisor and plan technology around their growth goals rather than chasing the latest trends.
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