I was at a conference recently, and some of the speakers were talking about some of the upcoming trends and technology in the industry.

The sheer volume of information on new and innovative tech was overwhelming.

As a club owner or manager, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed when hearing this information.

The FOMO (fear of missing out) or falling behind can quickly kick in.

In business, this is often referred to as shiny object syndrome. It is more attractive to chase the shiny new objects than focus on the fundamentals. The problem is, there is a new shiny object every few months which can lead to a lot of distraction and poor use of time.

I am a big believer in technology and the leverage it can bring. However, the reality is that most of the innovative technology that is talked about at fitness conferences will unlikely be the big game-changer.

It is easy to waste a lot of time and effort in exploring and pursuing these technologies. This time could be more effectively invested in more impactful areas.

The core fundamentals of health and fitness will remain the same – move, eat well, increase muscle strength/tone. In addition to this, the foundation of any successful gym will be relationships and the human to human connection that builds a sense of community.

Technology should only be implemented when it helps enhance these core fundamentals.

Here are 4 questions to ask yourself whenever considering new technology for your gym?

Does this help engage members?

Does this help us improve the efficiency of our club operations?

Does this help us increase connection and our relationship with members?

Is this technology already proven in multiple instances?

So, embrace technology, but don’t let the shiny objects take up too much of your attention!