Carlsberg Don’t Do Gyms, But if They Did…

… it’d probably be the best in the world. And given the number of gyms popping up everywhere, this is what it takes to stand out from the crowd.

Smart treadmills, peloton bikes, bluetooth dumbbells, smart rowing machines, it all sounds a bit advanced for us, a GAA Legend and Aoife. However, going to the gym is becoming a daily activity for many people, like eating breakfast or having a shower, and as the number of gym goers increases everyday, the time, money and research spent on improving facilities increases also.

The treadmill, for example, showcases the evolution of gym equipment. If you’ve ever thought of the treadmill as punishment then you’re not alone because believe it or believe it not, that was civil engineer Sir William Cubitt’s actual intention when he invented it back in 1818 (PBS, n.d.). Sports and fitness wasn’t on his mind at all… unlike us! 203 years on, a treadmill without a screen and heart rate monitors in a modern gym would simply be looked at as an antique. And still this equipment continues to evolve. The future of smart treadmills and other classic gym equipment will no doubt be increasingly computerised in order to enhance each individual’s performance and improve their overall gym experience.

Even in general, smart gym equipment is popping up everywhere nowadays. At its most basic level, smart gym equipment connects to the internet and has a screen which you can stream workouts on however once you have the addition of smart devices and wearables connectivity, you reach a whole new level of interaction (Moscaritolo, 2021). Most people would not consider gyms to be pioneers in the evolution of information technologies, after all they are just big rooms full of metal and iron read to be pumped aren’t they? Well in this post we hope to delve into how this smart equipment can be of use to gym goers and also how the implementation of various other information systems and technologies can ensure the overall smooth running of the said gym!

Currently, 84% (Smart Gym Equipment Ltd, n.d.) of individuals using cardio machines such as treadmills, simply press ‘Quick Start’ to begin their workout and then just get on with it, plain and simple. This is done without any conscious plan and is based loosely off of their own judgement. In the long-term, it seems somewhat unlikely that this method could yield successful results, inevitably meaning that goals may prove difficult to actualise, realise, materialise. Which after all is the ultimate goal of working out isn’t it? Smart Gym Equipment Ltd is one particular Irish company which aims to revolutionise the way in which gym goers get their heart pumping. It’s time to forget ‘Quick Start’ and embrace ‘Smart Start’. Smart Gym Equipment Ltd say that their new innovative feature measures the user’s endurance via regular interval endurance tests and then calculates a personalised cardio program for more effective endurance training. By logging into their Smart Gym Equipment account and connecting their fitness wearables (see Aoife’s previous blog ‘Is It Time to Break Up with your Fitness Tracker?’ to educate yourself on the possible dangers of these!), a user’s training date is automatically logged whether it be from the cardio connected machines within the gym or the data collected from their wearables outside the gym!

Moreover, metrics such as one’s heart rate and blood levels are no longer just of interest to high level athletes. A UK sports tech company Sportstech has developed their latest treadmill model the F75 which serves to incorporate multiple smart functions, including compatibility with a pulse belt heart sensor. This function enables runners to train optimally by providing accurate measurements of their pulse and pulse ranges in which are best to achieve their goals. Data can then be easily accessed on the user’s phone and read at any time. The accuracy and precision of the data collected by such devices is increasing at a high rate, with gyms competing for the most advanced machines to attract more customers. For many competitive athletes, wearing trackers and monitors has become very common and this leap in gym equipment could be a very smooth transition.

We’ve all heard of a Peloton before but how many of us have actually used one? Well, neither of us have and we don’t know anyone who has so we presume it’s not many, most likely owing to the large initial cost. At around €1600 for the most basic bike plus the monthly content prescriptions, it’s quite an investment for one individual however this cost is not substantial for a gym. Added to that the vast number of people signing up for spin classes these days and there’s clearly a considerable demand for coached biking sessions. So why not provide your customers with bikes which offer these guided classes and more? According to Peloton their diverse team of instructors expertly guide each class to keep them lively, challenging and engaging. It can also be seamlessly integrated into a gym environment as it functions silently and can be connected to with headphones meaning other gym users are not disturbed. The large screen allows you to view these Peloton videos while also providing users with the opportunity to track their calorie expenditure and distance and incorporates technology to configure a schedule that suits each individual. The company aims to continually update their software and features to ensure things are kept fresh which in turn keeps your gym current also! Of course there is a small fee associated with this (approximately 15 euro a month) but not only is that a fraction of one members monthly fees but it also negates the need to hire a spinning instructor (who may not be as diverse with their classes and delivery times etc) and therefore seems a pretty reasonable price. It also saves your clients having to plan around class times and means they can choose how they want to structure their session while also having the choice to utilise the remainder of the gym’s facilities before, during or after their spin. Paying a single gym membership in comparison to paying around 10 euro for each spin class is a no brainer. Talk about value for money, eh? It’s a deal that is sure to attract avid spin-goers with a flair for the gym also.

Next up is dumbbells, you lift them up and put them back down, right? NOT ANYMORE. Or not with the introduction of of new smart bluetooth dumbbells! But how smart could a dead weight be? Well, companies such as Bowflex have developed a new set of dumbbells that take strength training to another level. These innovative dumbbells have integrated bluetooth technology, transforming the system into a personal trainer. Using sensors, these dumbbells are able to record your number of repetitions, sets and the time taken to complete each (Sport-Tiedje, n.d.). With the help of the company’s app, your performance can be measured and recorded to your phone or tablet, allowing the individual to track and improve their progress without the need to manually input reps and weights such as what is required in yet another one of Aoife’s blogs, ‘Can Apps Really Help You Better Monitor Your Athletes’. So if you can’t see smart dumbbells being added to your local gym any time soon, check out that post to see what apps can help you track your progress. As Michael is frequent gym goer himself, he would argue to leave the dumbbells as they are as he can’t imagine it being too hard to count repetitions and sets, “Don’t try to fix what isn’t broken”. However if I were a gym rookie like Team Scotland member Mr. James Nolan, we could see how it may be helpful.

Being a proud owner of a rowing Ireland hoodie, Michael has encountered a few ergs in his time. Technologym SKILLROW is one example of a smart rowing machine currently available on the market. The company not only claims to simulate the most realistic water rowing experience but it also provides an intuitive console perfectly positioned for the user to view useful performance data from all workout positions. ‘But Michael and Aoife’, we hear you ask, ‘nearly all modern rowing machines have those little screens?’. Well, this machine also provides the added benefit of being able to connect to your phone through Bluetooth and actually store these metrics for future reference! Everything you need is on your SKILLROW app, allowing you to dive straight into the action and see the performance data live on your phone in real time. User’s can choose from a range of in-built programmes in the app whether it be time, distance, calorie and rep goal-orientated. And the best part of all? Users can monitor their metrics and progress through the detailed post-training summary of results.User’s can choose from a range of in-built programmes in the app whether it be time, distance, calorie and rep goal-orientated or even to race your friends. And the best part of all? Users can monitor their metrics and progress through the detailed post-training summary of results.

There’s even a little phone holder to make sure there’s nothing holding you back from training like a true champion.

Incorporating IT such as these examples into your gym equipment is sure to make your gym stand out in the sea of gym’s available to people these days and it is definitely a strong USP for attracting new customers. If nothing else it makes your gym stand out from the crowd. These in depth data collecting technologies really are changing the everyday person’s gym experience and have the possibility to completely transform the style of training undertaken by individuals. But is it always for the better? To relatively new gym goers this may seem off putting and beginners may feel overwhelmed by all the statistics and figures being thrown at them when they’re just about managing to understand training plans and learning and perfecting the correct form required for various basic exercises. By avoiding this kind of technology and sticking to traditional equipment, less (mental) time and effort is required to complete a workout. And who can blame them, there’s so much to learn, what’s the need to overcomplicate everything so soon?

However, for those avid gym attendees striving to perfect every little aspect of their performance, to make any kind of tweak to maximise their gains or maybe to try and overcome that plateau they’ve reached, this smart gym could be exactly what they need. Even relatively inexperienced gym goers who are fascinated with these metrics and see it as a way to progress quickly could benefit massively from this style of training. Clearly, a smart gym might not be for everyone but there is still a clear, defined market for it and there is no denying the demand that exists for the accessibility to these metrics.

In addition to this initial surface-level attraction, a smart gym would also mean that Gym operators and coaches can utilise these various pieces of technology in order to simplify routine activities, such as checking a person’s past training logs to provide advice or coaching, and also to provide unprecedented levels of support to their clients.

Of course, all of this equipment is more expensive than the more basic alternatives also available, meaning a large capital investment would be required to ever start up a gym such as this. For the reasons outlined previously though we feel that there are some definite reasons why it would be worth paying more for this technology.

Then there’s also the issue of all the different apps each of machines we mentioned use and their different databases. To create one cohesive information system and gym, all of these machines would need to be on the same platform and ideally only require one app for the users. Whether a gym sources all their machines from the one company or outsources a computer scientist to make one cohesive platform that is for them to decide. Copyright could also be an issue with this second scenario. However, as the want for smart equipment increases we believe that this problem of a singular database will become less of a problem as companies begin to expand their skill-set and produce a more diverse collection of equipment meaning all the required products could be sourced from the one company.

Aside from the benefits associated with incorporating information systems into gyms in terms of attracting customers, there’s also benefits that can be attributed to the implementation of IT in the overall running of the gym. Just like any other business, gyms can integrate information systems in order to simplify or reduce the amount of work required for routine running. According to Meghan Barnett, “The IT systems put in place serve numerous functions such as:

• Record keeping. It is easier to monitor the members when their details and activity are recorded and kept track of.
• Track expenditure. A gym owner is able to know how funds have been spent and where they have been channeled by a click of a button
• Smoothen check-ins. They hasten the check-ins for the members to avoid long queues and complaints.
• Run equipment. Some equipment in the gym has been computerised to ensure that everything is well regulated.”

Without the smooth running of these functions, or if not well looked into and understood, the poor management which results can lead to monetary losses and poor service rendered (Barnett, 2019). An IT system attracts more members through its professional appearance as it represents the gym as a serious establishment/business rather than just a warehouse full of iron and egos. These IT systems and services are now a must have for busy gyms and improves the experience for the gym user as well as staff whilst at the same time maximising profits and improving security (Barnett, 2019).

In conclusion, there is a whole host of ways in which information systems can be incorporated in a gym setting. Whether it be through smart equipment or management aids, the gym users experience is constantly being improved and upgraded. Personal preference may dictate whether this is necessary or not however evolution is inevitable regardless. The management systems are already a common fixture in modern gyms but to many people the idea of smart equipment might seem slightly futuristic or far-fetched. Although, considering we are in the Age of Technology, we here at Team Scotland believe that smart gyms such as this may make an appearance sooner than we might think.

~ Aoife and Michael

Bibliography

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Peloton®, (n.d). | Peloton®, Exercise Bike With Indoor Cycling Classes Streamed Live & On-Demand. [online] Available at: https://www.onepeloton.co.uk/.

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SportsTech (n.d.). F75 High-end Treadmill | Available now at Sportstech. [online] Available at: https://www.sports-tech.uk.com/treadmill-f75

TechnoGym (n.d.). Rowing machine Skillrow — Connected Gym Rowing equipment — Technogym. [online] Available at: https://www.technogym.com/int/skillrow.html