September 2023 Club of the Month, presented by ABC Fitness:
Fitometry Health Club, est. 2023
When Nigel Gilbert, the CEO of Fitometry Health Club, first helped found the Ridgewood, New Jersey, gym, it was done so with a clear purpose: to be a facilitator of fitness and not just a fitness facility. Gilbert said they recognized several years ago the fitness landscape was changing. The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated interest and uptake of digital offerings.
Below, Gilbert details how Fitometry Health Club reaches members no matter their location, what makes the gym standout, what excites him the most about the fitness industry in 2023 and more.
How did Fitometry Health Club come about?
A new normal now exists with people wanting to seamlessly flex between gym-based, virtual and remote fitness. With this backdrop, we imagined a health club that’s there for members wherever they are — at home, in the gym or anywhere in between. We envisioned a complete, integrated fitness experience designed to help each member achieve their personal goals. That vision came to reality as Fitometry. After years of development, we opened our doors in 2023 with this philosophy: The world is connected, your fitness should be as well.
What is the mission of Fitometry Health Club?
Our mission is centered around empowering members to feel savvy about their fitness. What does this mean? It means we’re dedicated to providing more than just workouts and exercises. We’re committed to equipping our members with the knowledge, skills and confidence to truly understand and navigate their fitness journey. Our model includes five pillars: mindset, nutrition, movement, recovery and digital feedback to track, inspire and educate in a way that’s optimally tailored for each member.
Helping members feel savvy about their fitness goes beyond guiding them through the motions of a workout. It’s about understanding the ‘why’ behind their fitness goals, as well as the ‘how.’ We believe when members grasp the principles of exercise, nutrition and overall wellness and apply them based on their interests and goals, they are better equipped to make informed decisions and take action.
What makes Fitometry Health Club unique?
We’ve built the total fitness experience on the idea that fitness is actually a continuum that extends beyond a workout in a gym. A total fitness experience addresses the physical, mental, instructional and inspirational needs of each individual.
Fitometry is unique because we connect in-person and remote member experiences for a total view of their health and fitness. Because we are fully digitized, members aren’t tethered by the club’s four walls distinguishing us from traditional gyms. That said, when our members choose to come to the club for exercise, they experience premium amenities, immersive state-of-the art-equipment and our open-air rooftop space.
How has technology improved the member’s fitness experience?
We integrate with third-party apps and devices like Garmin, Fitbit and Apple watches to enhance insights into members’ fitness journeys. These connections allow us to gather and analyze data from a range of sources, both inside and outside our facility, helping us enhance our services. By recognizing patterns in data such as class preferences and member engagement, we improve our services. These insights are especially crucial for our remote services where staff observation isn’t possible.
For members, syncing their personal devices with Fitometry’s system transforms how they approach healthy living. They can easily track all their daily activities, whether at the gym or elsewhere, in one place. This eliminates the need to separate their fitness data across different platforms.
What is your favorite thing about partnering with ABC Fitness?
ABC Fitness has given our club the ability to create and curate inclusive in-club and digital fitness experiences. Through this partnership, our members are empowered to manage their own journeys by booking classes, personal training sessions and recovery services conveniently through our app.
What excites you most about the fitness industry 2023?
There are many exciting trends happening in fitness today. Three standout in particular:
Advanced Personalization. The fitness industry has been moving toward personalized experiences for some time. Further advancements in technologies that better recognize member needs and customize workout plans are coming. They will promote stronger social engagements with members.
Focus on Holistic Wellbeing. The fitness industry is shifting toward a more holistic approach, addressing not only physical fitness, but also mental and emotional health. There’s a movement to integrate mindfulness practices, meditation and stress reduction techniques into fitness routines. We believe this is a critical component of the total fitness experience and are thrilled to see broader attention being paid to this area.
Resurgence of Functional Fitness. Fitness which focuses on exercises that mimics real-life movements, improving overall body functionality are on the rise. This trend will likely continue to gain traction as people recognize the benefits of staying fit for daily activities and longevity.
What advice or encouragement can you give other club owners looking to start new clubs/franchises?
Embrace technology. A new normal exists with people wanting to seamlessly flex between gym-based, online and in-person fitness. Clubs need to be positioned to be wherever our members are — at home, on-site and on-the-go — and provide integrated fitness experiences to help them meet their individual goals. While incorporating technology into your model may seem daunting, the advantages this path can create for members can be priceless.
Created in partnership with ABC Fitness. Visit abcfitness.com for more information on how they can help your fitness business.
