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However, the market is developing quickly and the systems available
today have more demands made of them. Operators are looking
for intelligent systems that
learn with the member, offer virtual personal training, provide
motivation to the members, are simple and very quick to use
and positively affect retention. They also want a system that
is a useful management tool providing services such as regular,
personalised communication, easy access to member profiles
and usage, reporting on staff performance and overseeing equipment
usage.
With only one card needed for every user, Pulse SmartCentre
replaces manual card or paper systems with a single software
solution that benefits the entire fitness suite operation.
The intelligent design of the system connects equipment, staff,
management and members to improve efficiency, member retention
and
performance across the board.
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Barnsley Premier Leisure has recently switched
from a key system to the Pulse SmartCentre
system and sees some real commercial and
customer focused benefits in doing this.
Steve Roberts, Head of Business Development at Barnsley Premier
Leisure, is really impressed by the SmartCentre system and
knows that members find it easy to use. “Switching to
the SmartCentre system from the key system has offered us some
significant advantages. Because everything can be stored on
one card, our members only need to bring one card with them
to the centre – this gets them into the gym and also
carries all their personal settings for workouts and equipment
as well as providing us with a method of communicating with
them.”
The total system was also cheaper to install than the key system.
There is a significant cost saving to be made on the price
per card versus the price per key, which is beneficial to Barnsley
Premier Leisure.
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Members are also benefiting, not only from the ‘one card
does all’ approach but also from the time taken to log
into the SmartCentre system. “Members are actually able
to log into the system and start their workout within approximately
20 seconds,” comments Steve. “Our members don’t
want to spend 5 minutes accessing their information and choosing
their workout – they just want to get on with it and
the SmartCentre allows them
to do just that.”
One major benefit that Barnsley Premier Leisure has identified
with the SmartCentre is that the product is constantly developing
and there are opportunities for them to make suggestions as
to how they would like to see these developments happen.
“
There is real two way communication
with Pulse about the SmartCentre.
In no way did we ever feel
that the product that was delivered
was the final version. We are
constantly working together
to improve the product that
we have with Pulse and in return
we are offered free upgrades.”
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At the National Aquatic Centre in Ireland
they have installed a ‘no card
no use’ policy, meaning all clients
must meet with the instructor and have
a screening in
order to have a card. “It helps us to get to know our
members better, right from the beginning,” comments
Mairead Rooney, gym manager.
“
SmartCentre provides
us with information
that details the number
of clients using the
gym and how often.
We can also see what
our members are doing
with their programs
through a detailed
reporting system which
allows us to change
and monitor their progress.” The
Message Centre makes
contact easier. The
gym can see at a glance
who has been in to
the centre with an
option to contact via
external email for
those who
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are not making it to the
gym and may need advice on training whilst
absent. The Activity Centre is used to
log all alternative methods of activity
including classes. Often those who use
classes as their singular form of training
can feel left out of the club but with
SmartCentre this does not happen.
Mairead comments, “The feedback we have had from our
members is really positive, they can see who their instructor
is and contact them via email if they need anything. Communication
is a big plus.”
“
In our view the SmartCentre
is a neat, informative,
easy to use system covering
all the needs of a member.
It’s a must have,
for all clubs with high
expectations of giving
the customer the best
experience whatever their
fitness goal may be.”
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Joey Dunlop Health and Fitness Club
has been operating with the SmartCentre
since August 2008. The club have been
tracking the success of the system in
relation to training behaviour and the
change in behaviour of the staff.
“
Our members have had
obvious benefits from
the system,” comments
Benny Knight, gym manager
at Joey Dunlop. “ We
have noticed a marked
difference in their
training behaviour
since the introduction
of the system. From
an improvement in usage
to better results and
more effective use
of the equipment, which
is fantastic because
now we have a much
better chance of retaining
them as a member than
we did before SmartCentre
was installed.”
SmartCentre has been particularly well received by the more
mature users of the centre. “At first they were sceptical
about the technology, however, now they believe that it has
been a worthwhile tool and they like to view their workout,
reports and amount of calories they have burnt-off at home
and this is available by a simple email from the SmartCentre
to their email account.”
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Retention rates are up and Benny believes that this is helped
in no small way by the management programme. “SmartCentre
informs the staff of anyone who needs a programme review
rather than it being down to memory, it’s a great way
of improving our relationship with our members.”
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