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September 28, 2017

Wi-Fitness: Why Connectivity is Key at the Gym

By Special Guest
Ana Leung and Kris Peterson, Leung, Director, Product Marketing, Ruckus, & Peterson, CIO & CMO, Chuze Fitness

Whether you’ve recently relocated or simply want a change of pace, choosing a new fitness facility can often be as challenging as the workout itself. Many gym goers strive for a cost-effective option close to their home or office, but attractive “extras” like a juice bar, spa, or state-of-the-art equipment can also sway their decision.

While nice physical amenities are important, good Wi-Fi connectivity is also becoming a key part of every fitness plan. And, as such, high-speed Wi-Fi has emerged as a top amenity in a growing number of fitness centers, such as Chuze Fitness. Why is that? Because wireless technologies and applications play such an important role in almost every gym-goer’s experience. 

Technology Enhances the Workout Experience

Fitness fads are typically “here today and gone tomorrow,” but key technologies, such as Wi-Fi, are here to stay. More people are relying on mobile exercise apps like Aaptiv to stay on top of their workouts and research shows that they do work. A recent study showed participants who used fitness apps were more active and had a lower body mass index compared to non-users. 

Anyone who strives to maintain an active lifestyle knows a lack of motivation can strike at any moment, no matter your age or experience level. Streaming video and music services like YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify help fitness fanatics stay energized and moving to the beat. Chuze Fitness provides high speed Wi-Fi throughout most of their 23 facilities so members can enjoy their favorite shows and music without burning through their data plans.

Even fitness fanatics tend to stay connected to their office off the treadmill as well, taking breaks to check their email or Twitter feed. For these members, Chuze Fitness makes sure that they can be as productive as possible by making sure they get uninterrupted Wi-Fi access.

 

Beyond Your Standard Gym

Wi-Fi in fitness facilities can also great streamline operations and enhance convenience for members. Signing up for membership or for classes can be done through kiosks or tablets connected to the Wi-Fi network. Wirelessly-enabled digital signage placed in strategic locations can promote an opening for a massage session or a special on smoothies. Many gyms also host activities and events throughout the year, such as Relay for Life, in which participants take turns walking around a track for 24 hours to raise money for cancer. In this case, both volunteers and participants can use the gym’s Wi-Fi to post about their experience on social media, check in with their friends and family, and stream shows or movies to stay awake.

 

Improving Guest Access for a Better Workout Experience

In this digital age, Chuze Fitness has fully embraced connectivity, making sure their members had a first-rate experience with every visit, including fast and reliable Wi-Fi. To deliver that experience, the fitness chain required access points able to support high-density environments with hundreds of users streaming music and videos, as well as reliable coverage for facilities ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 feet.

Management opted for the ease of use and flexibility of Ruckus Cloud Wi-Fi, which allows IT personnel to monitor and manage all 23 locations from a single centralized web-based dashboard and through the mobile app. Now, Chuze Fitness has fast and reliable Wi-Fi service that satisfies customers and employees alike. The simplified and speedy deployment enables the fitness chain to meet the needs of their fast-growing retail chain, and empowers management to constantly explore new ways to improve guest access.

Connected devices continue to play a larger role in our everyday lives, and the gym is no exception. We rely on mobile apps to fuel our exercise routine almost as much as we rely on our pre-workout supplements to keep us energized. Fast and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity in fitness facilities around the globe will provide gym goers with the motivation they need to make progress toward their personal fitness goals.




Edited by Ken Briodagh


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