Implementing a gym workout software for your fitness centre can be a big step forward from using pen and paper card programs.

The right gym workout software can help you save time, improve member experience and enhance your new member onboarding.

Here are 5 critical considerations to look for in gym workout software.

Ease of use

The right gym workout software should make your life easier.

Ease of use is a critical consideration when identifying suitable workout software.

Features like drag and drop and filtering options can make designing a program quick and easy on any device.

Ideally creating a digital workout program should be faster and easier than writing out a program on a paper card.

Are the pictures easy to see, is the naming of exercises consistent, these are some of the questions you need to ask.

Make sure the software is easy to use for both the trainers in the gym and the members.

Members can access their workout on their phones

Most members will carry their phone in the gym. Whether to listen to music, flick through social media or watch youtube between sets, the bulk of members will have a device with them.

This makes smartphones the ideal platforms to share a members workouts program with them.

Be sure to explore how a workout software displays on a phone, is it mobile optimised or is the user experience less than ideal? Are workouts displayed through an app or a mobile-based site?

Ultimately you want to ensure that the user experience on mobile is pleasant and easy to learn because if it’s clunky your members will not engage with their program on such devices as much as you would like which can increase the chances that members don’t follow their program and reach their goals.

Trainers can easily use a tablet on the gym floor

Another important consideration is the tablet compatibility of a gym workout platform.

Tablets are great for trainers because they can easily adjust workout programs on the gym floor as they work with a new member rather than having to go back and update a workout on a computer.

This increased mobility not only saves time, but it also looks professional.

Tip- Make sure your WiFi coverage on the gym floor is strong for the best results when managing workout software on a tablet.

You can easily add/remove/change exercises in your master database

One of the potential pitfalls of using workout software rather than pen and paper is exercise choice.

If a trainer wants to prescribe a particular workout exercise and its not available in the exercise database of the software this can frustrate the trainer.

Some workout software has a limited range of exercises which makes it hard for trainers to prescribe the type of training programs they want.

Be sure to confirm that your exercise program software has the option to add new exercises, remove exercises and change existing exercises from an admin level account.

This allows for greater flexibility for the trainers so they can create programs with the level of freedom they wish.

One exercise we do with new clients to our software is to get their trainers to list all the unique exercises they want to be able to prescribe when creating programs. This means when they start using the software that the bulk of exercises they most commonly use are already there and ready to go.

You have easy to use communication tools including email, SMS and automation.

Communication is a critical part of the new member onboarding experience.

You need to send out login credentials, follow up on member progress and remind members when their program needs updating.

It’s important that your workout software has a range of communication tools to communicate with member both individually and in bulk.

We also recommend using different types of communication and messaging such as using both emails, SMS as well as face to face contact.

Automations are also a useful tool that allows you to engage more proactively with members without a huge amount of time and effort.

For example, if you want to send an SMS reminder to members after 6 weeks to get their program updated the right workout software can do this for you.

If you are interested in workout program software for your health club you may be interested in FitDesk – For more information go to www.fitdesk.com.au