Market research in your location has shown that 24 hours gyms are needed. So now you are considering opening your own fully available gym.
Maybe you are worried about losing your free time and private life? Well, on the other hand, you can provide an open access workout zone with those special automatic entrances and a gym check in system…
So many doubts! Check out our great list of pros and cons for 24-hour gym owners.
Incomes
24 HourFitness is one of the top revenue-earning health clubs in the U.S., generating approximately $1.47 billion annually (Livestrong.com).
What is 24 hour gym access?
24-hour gym access allows members to use the gym facilities at any time of day or night, providing flexibility to exercise according to their own schedules.
Members can join such gyms through secure entry systems, such as key cards or biometric scanners, thanks to a gym check-in system, ensuring that the gym is accessible and safe outside of regular staffed hours.
Gym Going Trends
About 35% of gym-goers stay in the gym for one to two hours per session. The most popular time to go to the gym is early morning between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., with 38% of gym members attending during this time (Gymdesk).
How to Offer a 24 Hour Gym Access?
To offer 24-hour gym access, implement secure entry systems to your location. They can be cards or biometric scanners, install security cameras, ensure adequate lighting, and have emergency protocols in place (read more about gym insurance for this case).
Additionally, provide clear instructions and support for members using the facilities outside of the regular schedule of staffed hours.
A recommended option for this kind of gyms is implementing a gym management system. The best software management provides such benefits for the gym owner and the customers:
- gym automation
- integrations with card readers or QR Code readers
- check-in app
- gym POS – an automated reception
- and more
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WodGuru streamlines tasks and enhances your workflow, saving you half an hour per member each month—one of the top-rated solutions for gym owners!
Benefits of 24 Hour Gyms
1. Increased Membership Appeal:
- Time Convenience: Attracts clients who prefer to work out at unconventional times, including night owls and early risers.
- Open Schedules thanks to a gym booking software: Appeals to employees with irregular work hours, such as shift workers and students.
- Flexibility of Making Decisions: is valuable for freeriders, who come to the gym irregularly and don’t like making commitments of scheduled training sessions eg. once a week.
2. Competitive Edge:
- Market Differentiation: Differentiates the gym from competitors that have restricted hours, potentially increasing market share.
- Varied clientele: The success of this kind of gyms is attracting many different customers who would never sign up because of various unsupportive job and life conditions.
3. Income Potential:
- Higher Membership Fees: Important benefits here are ability to charge a premium for the convenience of 24/7 access and collecting easy online gym payment processing.
- Increased Membership: Potential to attract more customers overall due to flexible hours.
- No Staff Required: Using technology to partly substitute the presence of the trainers, reception employees and other customer service specialists significantly reduces overall operating costs for the gym owner.
4. Operational Benefits:
- Spread Out Usage: Reduces peak time congestion, leading to better equipment availability and less wear and tear during high traffic periods. Apart from that, thanks to higher incomes, mentioned above, the possibility of investments and changing the equipment for a better one, is more achievable.
- Consistent Revenue: Steady flow of income, as members can use the facility at any time, potentially leading to more consistent incomes. Read more about how to increase gym revenue.
5. Customer Satisfaction:
- Convenience: Enhances customer satisfaction by providing the flexibility to work out at any time, leading to higher retention rates.
- Simplicity: thanks to introducing technology solutions, an incredible convenience is given to the customers who just want to come to the gym, check-in quickly and work out their way.
- Recommendations: Satisfied customers recommend your company to their friends and family, providing new customers flow. Read more about recommendation programs, for example Ambassador Program.
Cons of Running 24 Hours Gyms
1. Increased Operational Costs:
- Staffing: Need for additional employees or personnel maintaining security during night hours, increasing payroll expenses for the gym.
- Utilities: Higher costs for utilities like electricity, heating, and cooling due to day to day (and not only “day”) continuous operation.
- Maintenance: Increased gym cleaning costs (also employees who will be maintaining the facility) to ensure the gym remains in good condition 24/7.
2. Security Concerns:
- Safety: Have in mind higher risk of incidents during late night hours when fewer staff and members are present. At later times, the risk of fights and vandalism, drunkenness and irresponsible customers also increases.
- Surveillance: Need for enhanced security measures, such as cameras and access control systems, to ensure customer safety.
3. Management Challenges:
- Consistency: Maintaining consistent service quality and cleanliness at all hours can be challenging. This kind of gym requires a qualified and well organized planner or manager.
- Staffing: Difficulty in finding reliable staff willing to work overnight shifts. Read more about gym staff management software.
4. Wear and Tear:
- Equipment: Increased usage can lead to faster wear and tear of gym equipment and facilities, making it necessary to have more frequent repairs and replacements.
5. Regulatory and Insurance Issues:
- Compliance: Ensuring compliance with local regulations regarding 24-hour operations. Read also our article about legal requirements of running a gym.
- Insurance for gyms: Potentially higher insurance premiums due to increased liability and risk associated with operating around the clock.
6. Community Impact:
- Noise: Potential for noise complaints from neighbors, especially in residential areas.
- Traffic: Constant traffic and parking issues might arise, leading to potential disruptions in the neighborhood’s peace and quiet.
- Incidents: In areas attractive to local drinkers and rogues, a 24-hour gym could experience increased vandalism, loitering, and safety concerns. This might deter members, require additional security measures, and strain local law enforcement resources.
Useful Hints for 24 Hour Gym Owners
By implementing these strategies, gym owners can create a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for their members around the clock.
1. Implement the Best Gym Management Software
Wherever you are, you can access WodGuru from any device connected to the internet. Our mobile app gives you full control over your gym, regardless of your location. Check on your gym whenever you feel like it.
2. Enhance Security Measures
Surveillance Systems: Install comprehensive CCTV systems to monitor all areas of the gym.
Access Control: Use key cards or biometric systems to control access and track member entry and exit times.
Emergency Protocols: Ensure there are clear emergency protocols and that emergency buttons and phones are easily accessible.
3. Arrange Staffing and Customer Service
Night Staff: Hire reliable night staff for cleaning, maintenance, and customer service.
Virtual Assistance: Implement virtual customer service options for off-peak hours, such as chatbots or on-call support.
4. Keep the Place Maintained and Clean
Regular Cleaning: Schedule regular cleaning sessions during low-traffic times to maintain hygiene standards.
Maintenance Checks: Conduct frequent maintenance checks to ensure equipment is functioning properly and safely.
5. Influence Member Engagement and Retention
Flexible Membership Options: Offer flexible plans that cater to different schedules and needs.
Customer Feedback: Regularly seek feedback from members about their experiences and make necessary improvements. You can ask your customers to fill a short survey honestly and offer them benefits in return.
Community Building: Create a sense of group belonging with events, challenges, and group activities that can be done at any time. Engage your members through your gym social media too.
6. Use Technology
Mobile App: Create a fitness app for your clients. It will help them with simple and quick booking classes, and checking in.
Use a gym Point Of Sale – a useful function of the gym management system which enables the customers to come in and out with convenience, without any assistance required.
Online Meetings: Offer online classes and resources that members can access 24/7.
7. Develop Marketing Strategies:
Targeted Marketing: Use data analytics to understand client’s usage patterns and tailor marketing efforts accordingly.
Promotions: Run promotions during off-peak hours to attract more members to use the gym at those times.
Sanitization Stations: Ensure sanitization stations are available throughout the gym.
Health Checks: Implement health checks or screenings if necessary, especially during pandemic times.
9. Manage the Financial Side of Your Gym
Cost Efficiency: Monitor utility usage and find ways to reduce costs during low-usage periods.
Revenue Streams: Explore additional money earning possibilities such as personal training, nutrition counseling, and merchandise sales.
10. Keep the Operational Efficiency
Energy Management: Use energy-efficient lighting and equipment to reduce operational costs.
Smart Scheduling: Optimize staff schedules based on peak and off-peak hours to ensure efficiency.
11. Assure Member Safety
Buddy System: Encourage members to use a buddy system for late-night workouts.
24/7 Assistance: Provide 24/7 emergency assistance through on-call staff or emergency contact systems.
Key Takeaways
- If you want to start running a 24/7 gym, be aware of both the good and bad sides of such a business.
- The main positive sides of 24/7 gyms include the greater possibility of using premises, and therefore wider earning options.
- The main negative sides of such companies are higher costs of cleaning, maintenance and more frequent replacement of equipment.
- If you want to manage your gym well, even at night and from anywhere, invest in a gym management software. Some of its features are automatic reception, online booking, and online payments.
FAQ
Although moderate exercise helps you sleep, doing something intensive, such as high-intensity interval training is detrimental in reducing waking energy at night. June 6th 2023.
In the 24-hour gym there is arguably a cleaner team working all the night, during night time and during quiet times. During cleaning, some equipment may become temporarily out of service, so it’s necessary to have a flexible schedule. July 7th 2023
With little free time that we possess nowadays, every possibility to work out is making a big difference. This kind of offer attracts people whose job or lifestyle is varied – shift workers, night owls or early birds.
