Why health and fitness needs large format displays
Large format displays in health clubs and gyms have been a common site for many years but their usage is changing and expanding. Grinding out the miles on a running machine or cross trainer is made infinitely less dull when you're distracted by a TV in front you, either mounted on the wall or built into the training machinery itself.
Making gains
As well as displaying entertainment, these screens can also display key performance metrics like your running pace; calories burned; and time elapsed. While the stroke rate on modern rowing machines versus virtual ‘ghost competitors’ can help elevate and inspire you while you train.
But now, many gyms and health businesses are installing larger displays and they are being used for more than just member information panes in traditional areas like cafes and reception areas.
Smarter scheduling
Class times and descriptions in health clubs can be scheduled and displayed outside the studios on a large format display. Not only can this confirm and deliver important information on class timings and the type of exercise involved in a class, but it can also explain the physical benefits. This might include information about what a kettle bell class focuses on or how to target specific individual goals – such as weight loss, cardio improvement and core strength training.
Yet it’s inside the exercise studio where large format displays are increasingly finding a home. Classes are traditionally coached by an individual fitness instructor, but virtual trainers (shown at the front of the class on a large format display) can help health and fitness centres save on staffing costs and ensure class schedules run more smoothly.
Patented exercise regimes – such as Zumba, the Warrior Workout, EOM’s 12-Week program, and branded extensions from the likes of Men’s Health – can be broadcast to classes via large format displays too. ‘Celebrity’ trainers offer up some of the most popular services, with the likes of Joe Wicks’ Body Coach program available to gyms on a subscription broadcast basis.
Making gainsHelping gym goers assess and monitor their improvements is another area in which large format displays are becoming useful. A traditional notebook that records each member’s targets and improvements is one of the administrative areas fitness instructors have to spend time completing.
Using software-based services, such as those from Technogym, enables staff to not only see individual gym goer’s results, but also improvements to classes as a whole. Being able to do this on a large format display mounted on the gym wall makes the process more engaging and immersive, with animated results and data available. Monitoring the state of exercise equipment, and spotting potential technical problems before they affect the equipment, is also a huge bonus for gym staff.
Large format displays have a natural place in more traditional areas of health and fitness clubs too. Both in advertising member offers with inspirational calls to action and in detailing new equipment and classes. They can also function as a member check-in servi
ce, if such large format solutions include touch screen technology; face recognition cameras/software; and the ability to scan member cards.
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