021 #IHRSA2017 LIVE: The Importance of APIs & Using Fitness Technology To Give

For episode 56, where learning and growing from the CTO of FitMetrix, Josh Lloyd about using technology for the member to win. This is something that we explore quite a bit on the show, but this is a deeper discussion where we are learning from Josh about the strategy and tools that will connect the sometimes disparate technology silos inside and outside the club to help bring them back together. In this podcast we're talking about not only how to use technology to enhance and uplevel the customer experience but also how to incentivize healthy living through data points collected via gamification and that relationship to smart push notifications sent to members. FitMetrix was founded in 2013 to solve a need around group training but has now evolved to a more robust platform that does much more by bringing in best practices from outside the fitness industry: FitMetrix has significant technical experience and believes customer service is the most critical path to success. With technology racing ahead faster than ever before what are the smart data sets that club owners and operators can piece together in a tracking solution designed to increase member retention while giving clients better results? The answer to that question and much more takeaways for club owners, operators, and fitness pros in this episode with Josh Lloyd. About Josh Lloyd Josh Lloyd is the co-founder and CTO of FitMetrix, which provides state of the art technology to gyms and health clubs to give members the ability to schedule, train and receive real-time tracking of effort and performance through a facility's website or customizable app. FitMetrix has partnered with hundreds of gyms across the nation, including Life Time Fitness, Gold's Gym, Cycle Bar, Cooper Institute, US Fitness and more. Prior to co-founding FitMetrix, Josh was the co-founder and visionary of ShopVisible LLC, which provided business owners with smart technology that combined solutions for customer service, back office, inventory, marketing, accounting and IT into one SEO friendly tool. Due to the success of ShopVisible, Josh was ranked as one of Atlanta Business Leaders' Top 25 Entrepreneurs in Atlanta in 2012. Prior to ShopVisible, Josh was the Director of Research and Development for CareMedic Systems Inc., as well as Omega Systems Inc. Josh has a bachelor's degree in business from Florida Atlantic University and has 20 years of experience in professional software development. Listen To Episode 056 As Josh Uncovers Why Josh left the automotive industry to retail and now fitness How key data from treadmills, ellipticals, rowers, and other cardio pieces can be used to tailor the member experience by tying them into a deeply functional tracking solution Why getting the information from the members exercise sessions while in the club is a powerful proactive fitness facilities How to use leaderboards to drive member journey in class settings How to use smart activity data that ties into the long tail of a member's journey How proactive fitness facilities and health clubs are creating an ecosystem that contains brand evangelists How a brand can bring value to a member even when they aren't in the 4 walls of the club The role of wearables and insurance companies in big health data and how facilities can explore a win-win Why Josh believes that this is the most exciting time to be in the fitness industry Understanding "Emotional Resistance" – why people do things to sabotage their success in reaching fitness goals Why FitMetrix partnered with Perkville to engage more members in 2018 Actionable steps for club owners, operators, and fitness professionals around technology and members Top 3 Takeaways From The Show The merging of the inside club data and outside club data is more important in 2018 than before. Josh believes that smart aggregate data from treadmills, ellipticals, rowers, and other cardio pieces can be used to tailor the member experience by tying them into a deeply functional tracking solution. By getting the information from the member's exercise sessions while in the club, proactive fitness facilities can now reach more of an emotional context for motivation by delivering detailed and actionable incentives to members. Josh speaks to the power of using leaderboards to drive more members to a successful health journey. At the end of the day when the technology is not there, you're self-regulating. When a member's stats are up on a leaderboard at the same time of the people next to them, they are going to push themselves harder, and everyone's going to push themselves harder, which creates a more dynamic class experience that they'll tell their friends about. When we view the power of wearables and creating a true ecosystem that is built for the member to win, clubs that partner with insurance companies and medical fitness organizations will now start to rise above their competitors as we look towards 2018 with more tools, technology, and the need for programs that reward people at their deepest needs. Power Quotes From Josh Lloyd "What we must ask as an industry is what can we be doing outside of just booking a class, outside of what is just happening in the studio, but also what are the other opportunities we can use to engage with the member?" - Josh Lloyd on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "At the end of the day when the technology is not there, you're self-regulating. When you're up on a leaderboard at the same time of the people next you, you're going to push yourself harder, everyone's going to push themselves harder." - Josh Lloyd on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Josh Josh Lloyd on LinkedIn Become a Member of FIT-C FitMetrix on the web FitMetrix on Twitter Fitmetrix on facebook Fitmetrix partners ABC Financial Club Ready Emotional Resistance – why people do things to sabotage their success in reaching fitness goals Outside Online - The Surprising Ways Your Fitness Data Is Really Being Used 054 Sunil Saha: Fitness Loyalty Programs For Revenue & Engagement 042 Josh Cherry: The Future of Fitness Gamification 049 Michael Wood: Fitness Devices, Data, & Ecosystems Josh Lloyd - Developing The Future Of Fitness 053 Nir Eyal: Consumer Behavior & Creating Habit Forming Products John Hancock Wearables Program - Vitality Points Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com Become A FIT-C Podcast Sponsor Contact the Fitness Industry Technology Council to become a Podcast Sponsor Review our various options for Sponsorship Send us a Facebook Message

28 Marras 201733min

On episode 055, get ready for a compelling and insightful conversation live from Titleist Performance Institute in San Diego, CA with its Co-Founder Dr. Greg Rose, a pioneer in 3-dimensional biomechanics, strength and conditioning, and expert in fitness technology. In this podcast we're taking a deep dive into the success of TPI and it's impact on the fitness industry as a whole. If you are a fitness pro or operator that has been curious about using technology, apps, and movement screens to deliver better results to your clients and revenue to the club, you're going to enjoy this thought-provoking show. Through the past 17 years, Greg has helped thousands of golfers of all skill levels reach peak athletic performance. His cutting edge yet research-based form of functional training combined with golf-specific motor learning drills have made Greg one of golf's top strength and conditioning professionals. Greg has also been an integral component in the creation of the "Jugamos Todos" program developed by TPI Sports, working in conjunction with the Mexican Ministries of Health and Education, along with the support of the Mexican Football Federation by launching this Physical Education Program deployed across the country's elementary schools to create a sports movement based program, as one of the foundations for thier official FEMEXFUT app-based Youth Pathway. What new technology can fitness pros and operators begin to harness that support low-cost movement screening, help fight childhood obesity, and deliver more ROI to clubs? The answer to that question and much more takeaways for club owners, operators, and fitness pros in this episode with Dr. Greg Rose. About Dr. Greg Rose Greg is a board certified Doctor of Chiropractic and holds an engineering degree from the University of Maryland. Greg specializes in assessing and treating golfers, 3-dimensional biomechanics, strength and conditioning, manual therapy, rehabilitation, nutritional supplementation and therapeutic exercises. Combining an engineering background with an expertise on the human body, Greg helped pioneer the field of analyzing 3-dimensional motion capture models of the golf swing. That research has helped golf professionals all over the world gain a better understanding of how the body works during the golf swing. Through the past 17 years, Greg has helped thousands of golfers of all skill levels reach peak athletic performance. His cutting edge yet research-based form of functional training combined with golf-specific motor learning drills have made Greg one of golf's top strength and conditioning professionals. Greg also helped develop the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), a revolutionary movement assessment that helps identify altered motor control and guides medical practitioners on how to treat patients more efficiently. Greg frequently appears on the Golf Channel. The TPI certification seminar series has made Greg one of the most requested speakers in golf health and fitness. He has lectured in over 21 countries and has been featured in many golf and news publications. Listen To Episode 055 As Greg Uncovers How an early engineering job working on a golf course led him to be one of the first (if not the 1st) specicliazed golf chiropractors in the United States What impact Titleist Performance Institute is creating in the fitness, golf, and technology worlds How Greg became an early pioneer in 3D Motion Capture technology Understanding the major comments and types of 3D Motion Capture: Video Infrared Electromagnetic Inertial sensors The power of performing a physical screening under 3D motion capture for athletes and fitness clients Why the use of force and pressure tools in motion capture is so beneficial to the coach Why Greg believes that nutrition is more powerful than working out Understanding the layers of longterm behavior change: the "elephant" in the room How sugar is as addicting to the brain as heroin for both adults and children Why TPI will be creating a Health & Fitness Certification for the USPTA in 2018 How TPI is creating positive health impact in Mexico to combat child obesity Greg's 3 pillars of success in the fitness industry: Be the best at what you do Get results Create your community Why Greg has learned that when it comes to clients having longterm success, look at movement patterns first Uncovering the 1-1 vs. group training paradigm: Why people work harder in groups and stay longer Actionable takeaways for facilities looking to begin implementing new technologies for fitness staff 2018 trends and developments around the industry and globally Top 3 Takeaways From The Show When we understand the next level of results-driven fitness technology, diagnostics are everything. Greg shared in our podcast that screening with the right technology first and programming second will create optimal results and the help to support the best movement patterns. There any many technology apps, devices, and ways to screen an athlete in both golf and general fitness out there, and exercise prescription and periodization should only come after effectively screening the athlete or the client. Greg believes that over the next several years we will see a unique way to tailor exercise programs to the client through a kiosk that screens for movement in our big box clubs. With the exponential growth of fitness technology, the screening capability and quality assessment tools will become even less expensive and ubiquitous in the industry which will lead to an increase in personal training packages and member engagement. With youth obesity of an all time high, Greg sees technology as one of the causes of the problem and also simultaneously the solution. The specialized app created to help Mexico youth is just a first step on the path to using technology as a powerful tool to move the needle back to health. We are becoming more clear everyday about the fact that in the age of a technology revolution, its really hard to get kids to move, so if we want to win the battle against childhood obesity, we must use smart technology to do so. Power Quotes From Dr. Greg Rose "You must realize that when it comes to behavior change pshycology and losing weight, there are two parts of you: the rational and the emotional. Your logical brain understands that you need to lose weight, but your emotional being must also be convinced." - Dr. Greg Rose on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "I think that most wearables are stuck in logic." - Dr. Greg Rose on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "In the age of technology revolution, its really hard to get kids to move, so if we want to win the battle against childhood obesity, we must use smart technology to do so." - Dr. Greg Rose on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Dr. Greg TPI on facebook TPI on Twitter TPI on Instagram TPI on YouTube TPI on the web Dr. Greg Rose - My TPI Dr. Greg Rose on LinkedIn 3D Motion Capture Methods FTP #049 Michael Wood: Fitness Devices, Data, & Ecosystems NASM BCS Course Gamification Pokemon GO HRV: The Mother of All Biomarkers MIT Sports Conference eSports Mexican Football Federation Youth Pathway App FMS: Functional Movement Systems FIFA Malaria Campaign Mexico Youth Soccer Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com Become A FIT-C Podcast Sponsor Contact the Fitness Industry Technology Council to become a Podcast Sponsor Review our various options for Sponsorship Send us a Facebook Message

21 Marras 201742min

New technologies in the fitness space are helping everyone achieve greater results as digital reward programs are making the gym experience more enjoyable for customers and more profitable for owners. In the past, running a loyalty program was fairly expensive and required a great deal of manual effort. Now there are automated tools available and tailored to the fitness space that allow members to track progress, use points, and interact with the club, all without the need for additional staff to facilitate the process. This episode is for club owners, operators, and fitness professionals to explore the impact of how digital reward programs can be used to drive engagement, increase spend-per-member, and improve customer retention. For episode 054 we're joined by Sunil Saha, the Co-Founder and CEO of Perkville, a company offering custom automated loyalty programs in minutes that is revolutionizing how businesses motivate their customers to help them grow. Sunil also discusses how fitness management systems are investing heavily in their API's and mobile platforms which is opening up the ecosystems for new players to come in and have an incredible impact on engagement and member experience in the health club industry. With the plethora of technologies at our disposal to increase customer loyalty, how can we use these digital platforms and automated services to enhance the member experience and reduce monthly attrition? The answer to that question and much more takeaways for club owners, operators, and fitness pros in this episode with Sunil Saha. About Sunil Saha Sunil Saha is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pervkille, a company offering custom automated loyalty programs in minutes that is revolutionizing how businesses motivate their customers to help them grow. Sunil has been working in technology for over 15 years since graduating with a BA in Human Biology from Stanford and enjoys working in teams to build things that the fitness industry needs in the era of exponential technology, including product management, internet services, healthcare, small business marketing, and more. Listen To Episode 054 As Sunil Saha Uncovers The customer loyalty trends that Sunil believes will impact the fitness space in 2018 How mobile platforms are allowing companies to digitize their loyalty programs The ways technology is impacting the member experience in small and large facilities How to measure the effectiveness of our customer loyalty programs Why larger facilities should focus on driving down their monthly attrition rates How facilities can use A/B Testing to increase referrals and optimize landing pages Strategies for facilities that sell monthly packages to increase their Repeat Customer Rate Striking the right balance on spending enough to keep members engaged without breaking the bank How facilities can generate customer loyalty by exceeding their member's expectations Why new members need to receive meaningful rewards within 3 to 6 months of joining How to create customer advocates who will share their experience on social media and help leverage powerful word-of-mouth advertising How to identify the activities and rewards that are compelling for your members The split testing techniques that Sunil used at LinkedIn How to use rewards to gain information by enticing members to fill out surveys Why engagement increases 30-50% when staff members are properly trained to talk about the program How Perkville is experimenting with machine learning to identify members who may stop coming to the club Additional technologies that are impacting customer loyalty in the fitness verticle How to create loyal customers by using tech to respond to member issues Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Exceeding member expectations is a critical piece for any facility who wants to increase customer retention. Sunil recommends implementing loyalty programs shortly after a member joins and allowing them to start seeing rewards within the first 3 to 6 months. This can act as a successful differentiator for your facility and quickly create a loyal and engaged customer. Along with creating this up-front value, it's also necessary to show member's their progress along the way to keep them motivated as they work towards their goals. Leadership from the top down regarding loyalty programs through educating staff is paramount. If a loyalty program is going to be successful, it's necessary to share, communicate, and properly disseminate within the club. Sunil has seen a 30-50% increase in engagement when staff members are properly trained to talk about the value of loyalty programs. It's important that club's find a good balance between their marketing efforts and their spending. What Perkville helps clubs figure out is how to spend enough to reward and keep members involved without breaking the bank. Facilities must identify the rewards that are compelling enough for their members, while also setting points at the right values on the earning and the redemption side. When the club sets the points at the right values, they increase the chance of having a meaningful and cost-effective program, which at the end of the day means more members seeing their health goals come to fruition. Power Quotes From Sunil Saha "Being able to test is key to understanding how your marketing programs are performing." - Sunil Saha on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "If you structure your membership program incorrectly, it will either cost you too much money or fail to have an impact on your business." - Sunil Saha on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Quickly responding to customer feedback is one of the fastest ways you can build customer advocacy." - Sunil Saha on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Sunil Saha Sunil Saha Perkville: Rewards and Loyalty ABC Financial Jonas Fitness Mind Body Club OS InTouch CRM Listen360 Medallia MyZone FitMetrix Linkedin Yahoo The Peanut Butter Manifesto GymSales Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com Become A FIT-C Podcast Sponsor Contact the Fitness Industry Technology Council to become a Podcast Sponsor Review our various options for Sponsorship Send us a Facebook Message

14 Marras 201731min

For episode 053, we're joined by best selling author, speaker, and behavior change expert Nir Eyal, as he shares the powerful insights and strategies that companies inside and outside the fitness industry use to create engaging products and foster repeat clientele. Today on the show, we navigate the intersection of psychology, technology, and business, as Nir provides a comprehensive approach for using modern technology to build habit-forming products and how to apply these techniques to the wellness and fitness world. We dive into the psychological principles that lead to habit change with Eyal's "Hook" model, which involves four main steps: trigger, action, variable reward, and investment. He explains the value of understanding these different stages, and how building around your user's' own internal drivers will help to create an emotionally rewarding experience and keep customers coming back for more. With all the advances in our modern world, how can club owners and fitness pros combine new technologies and these habit-forming principles to make a profound impact on health, create loyal fans, and increase member retention? The answer to that question and much more takeaways for club owners, operators, and fitness pros in this episode with Nir Eyal. About Nir Eyal Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. The M.I.T. Technology Review dubbed Nir, "The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology." Nir founded two tech companies since 2003 and has taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. He is the author of the bestselling book, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products.In addition to blogging at NirAndFar.com, Nir's writing has been featured in The Harvard Business Review, TechCrunch, and Psychology Today. Nir is also an active investor in habit-forming technologies. Some of his past investments include: Refresh.io (acquired by LinkedIn), Worklife (acquired by Cisco), Eventbrite, Product Hunt, Marco Polo, Presence Learning, 7 Cups, Pana, Kahoot!, Byte Foods, Anchor.fm, and Symphony Commerce. Nir attended The Stanford Graduate School of Business and Emory University. Listen To Episode 053 As Nir Eyal Uncovers Behavior design principles that can build healthy habits into our wellness routine The crucial difference between forming habits and developing addictions How to maintain our ethics when manipulating the habits and behaviors of the consumer How gym's can use tech to create sustainable and healthy behavior change for their members The basic tenants of products and services that lead to habit formation How facilities can minimize advertising costs by increasing member retention Understanding our "present bias" nature how to speed up reward systems How to create present moment rewards that hook people into healthy behaviors Why simplicity is key for creating sustainable behavior change How clubs can use client's biometrics and activity data to create a virtual coaching experience How we can leverage "tribe effect" and "social contagion" to steer our actions Communication tools that to add accountability and build engaged communities How to identify the needs of your target consumer and deliver on your promises The "Hook Model", a basic framework of the 4 key stages: Trigger: How does the loop initiate? In the beginning, this may be through external triggers (such as an email, notification, icon badge, etc) but through successive loops, the user eventually creates internal triggers where a particular thought or emotion will send them back to your product. Action: Once the user is aware they need to use your product (through the trigger), what it the simplest action they can perform to get some kind of reward. For example, a Facebook "Like". Variable reward: How are they rewarded for this behavior? This could be social validation (e.g. "my friends approve!"), collection of material resources (e.g. add a photo to a collection) or personal gratification (e.g. inbox zero). The "variable" part is important - rewards should not always be predictable, encouraging users to repeat the cycle. Investment: Finally, the user needs to put something back in to increase the chance of repeating the loop. This could be content (e.g. a book in your Kindle), user entered data (e.g. profile information or linked accounts), reputation (e.g. something to gain a 5 star seller review), or a learned skill (e.g. I'm now really good at this software program). The investment also sets up the trigger to for the next cycle of the loop. Top 3 Takeaways From The Show It's more profitable for clubs to keep their existing members than to acquire new ones. Gym owners must not fall into the mentality that losing customers each year is simply par for the course and that all they have to do is keep advertising to bring in new business. Nir recommends placing a heavy emphasis on using tech that will engage the member and keep them coming back so businesses save on costly advertising and avoid aggressive marketing campaigns. Nir reminds us that we have to understand that human behavior is symptomatic of what's known as "present bias." This tendency proves the importance of creating an immediate reward system to hook our customers and bring the gratification from their actions closer to the present moment. Using exciting new tech and social contagion can help create better exercise habits in members by adding more enjoyment to the workout experience. With the exciting advances in technology, it's important to develop a truly ethical framework for "hooking" people through psychological manipulation. Some of the technologies we see today drive addiction with little regard for the detrimental impact on the consumer's health, but Nir believes if we keep wellness at the forefront of our product creation and tech implementation we will be successful in building healthy habits to enhance the lives of our consumers. Power Quotes From Nir Eyal "Wherever new technologies suddenly make a behavior easier, new possibilities are born ." - Nir Eyal on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "The big problem with humans is that we have a "present-bias" and don't assess the future consequences of our behaviors. We can change our actions by using technologies to bring the rewards closer to the present moment with the long-term goal of getting people to enjoy these behaviors." - Nir Eyal on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "There are only three ways to capture your competition's users' habits. Either make the reward more fulfilling, send users through the hook faster, or cycle through the hook more frequently." - Nir Eyal on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Nir Eyal Amazon: Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products Kindle: Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products Audible: Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products Nir's Blog The Hook Model The Four by Scott Galloway 023 The Truth About Health Clubs & Behavior Change - Jan Middelkamp 048 Bryan O'Rourke: The Latest In Betterment Technology 2017 Google Facebook Apple Amazon Alexa WhatsApp Get Fit Over 40 Gym Hero Pro Fitbit Dexcom Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward-looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com Become A FIT-C Podcast Sponsor Contact the Fitness Industry Technology Council to become a Podcast Sponsor Review our various options for Sponsorship Send us a Facebook Message

7 Marras 201736min

For Episode 052 we're joined by Simon Hall, Principal Consultant at Fitness Business Experts and the General Manager of MYPT App, to show us the strategies needed to leverage technology and social media for generating leads, creating an engaging community experience, and increasing customer retention. Even in our fast-paced digital world, we still see a serious lag in the adoption of social strategies and new technologies with many of today's clubs and personal trainers. This failure to take advantage of social platforms and new advancements in the fitness space will cause many facilities to suffer as others begin to offer a more exciting and emotionally engaging experience. Coming up, Simon breaks down the concept of creating a "Club-Within-A-Club." With the recent success of studio and boutique training centers, he shows how larger gyms can create a similar appeal within their existing facilities by transforming the experience around exercise classes. We talk about how many forward thinking club's now have specific ecosystems for their group training programs through using new technologies, upbeat music, and specialized branding. These features add a custom feel for the members and fosters a community around these segments of the gym that provide their own unique atmosphere apart from the main facility. We also talk about the shocking statistics of members who aren't aware their gyms are even on Facebook. Simon explains the importance of having someone to be the technology "Champion" in the club, who takes charge of social media interaction, and leads the digital front for customer retention. It's one thing to have the technology, but implementing and bringing it to the consumer in a seamless way calls for someone who is tech-savvy, enjoys creating content and posting on social platforms, and has a true passion for building a trusted bridge between their customers and technology. With the high level of competition and rising consumer expectations in our industry, how can clubs and fitness professionals take advantage of new technologies and social platforms to offer a unique experience, build an engaged community, and increase member retention? The answer to that question and much more takeaways for club owners, operators, and fitness pros in this episode with Simon Hall. About Simon Hall From hotel health club receptionist to respected industry consultant, Simon has held key roles: General Manager of Fitness & Marketing for the New Zealand YMCA, Manager of the Australian & New Zealand Fitness Industry Survey, consultant to many leading independent and popular fitness club chains. He was also Chairman / board member of Fitness New Zealand. As Principle Consultant at Fitness Business Experts, he assisted all types of fitness businesses and operations to manage their business, improving operational efficiency, setting and managing marketing strategy, membership sales processes and training and anything to improve their bottom line. Simon is also the General Manager of MYPT App, a mobile app development company. MYPT has created a Personal Training management platform for trainers to manage all aspect of their business from lead generation to accounts tools and client management. Along with his proven insights on fostering a deep connection between clubs and their members, Simon is also revolutionizing how personal trainers manage their business with MYPT App. This incredible lead generation tool is opening the door to hundreds of new potential clients for qualified fitness professionals in their local areas, as well as offering the payment and accounting systems that trouble so many small business owners. Listen To Episode 052 As Simon Hall Uncovers How MYPT App is helping fitness professionals manage their business and attract new leads Simon's volunteer work protecting his local beaches as a Surf Life Saver The current digital strategies clubs should implement to increase retention rates The power of creating a separate boutique "Club-Within-A-Club" experience inside larger facilities Important trends in fitness technology that Simon has noticed over the past 30 years How boutique clubs are utilizing new technologies to up-level the customer experience Leveraging social media to engage with members, create a community feel, and increase customer retention The benefits of sending fitness reports to your members after classes and workouts How big-box clubs can implement a uniquely branded, high-engagement group exercise model Why the boutique portion of your facility is a good place to begin implementing technology The geographical location features of MYPT App that connects clients with qualified local trainers Blending technology into the club to keep members motivated, active, and retained New combination boutique studios that combine 2 or more offerings such as yoga, spin, boxing, group training, etc. Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Clubs have no choice and now must fully embrace social media as an important tool for customer retention and member engagement. Currently, even though the majority of clubs have Facebook Pages and most their members are on social media, many facilities are failing to leverage these powerful platforms to connect with their customers. Simon recommends simple actions like displaying your social feeds on screens in the lobby and having group trainers casually invite members to engage and tag their gym and workout on social media. Many trainers have a difficult time with lead generation and managing the accounting side of their business. If a fitness professional would like to spend more time perfecting their training craft and less time attracting new customers, there are now technologies that can solve this problem. The MYPT App is creating leads by pairing trainers up with local clients in need of their services while also providing calendars, scheduling, reminders, payment processing and so much more. Simon shows us the increased potential of fitness technology when combined with a "Champion" in the club who can lead the technology charge. In an era of exponential technology growth, what's most important to fitness professionals and operators is to understand where they are missing opportunities to engage and increase retention by formulating a trusted bridge between their customers and the technology. Power Quotes From Simon Hall "Owners and operators need to place a much higher focus on the two biggest challenges we still face in our industry, customer acquisition and retention." - Simon Hall on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Whether it's for social media or high-end features, clubs need someone to 'Champion' their technology, get people involved, and ensure a smooth integration with members." - Simon Hall on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Clubs who are taking their time to adopt new technologies need to quickly get on board. Consumer expectations are rapidly increasing and businesses who fail to implement new features and foster a community atmosphere though social media will be left behind." - Simon Hall on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Simon Hall MYPT Website MYPT Facebook MYPT Instagram Simon on LinkedIn Simon's Slide Share Presentations Fitness Industry Technology Council: Fit-C Fitness Business Experts Surf Life Saving Bru Coffee - Bondi Beach YMCA of Sydney Australian Fitness Industry Survey Statistics Digme Fitness Studios Rachel Cosgrove Orangetheory Fitness Harbour Clubs Barry's Bootcamp 050 Bryan O'Rourke Tim Webster Facebook LinkedIn 1Rebel UK Flow Athletic District Fitness Results Fitness Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com Become A FIT-C Podcast Sponsor Contact the Fitness Industry Technology Council to become a Podcast Sponsor Review our various options for Sponsorship Send us a Facebook Message

31 Loka 201734min

For Episode 51 we are joined by Garrett Marshall, Divisional CEO of Fitness On Demand, to discover how digital video programming is helping facilities enhance personalization, take advantage of underutilized space, and provide a greater variety of exercise formats to the consumer. We're also exploring how to leverage the consumer fitness groundswell in our space. Fitness On Demand™ is a market-leading delivery platform of virtual fitness. Since 2010, their services have allowed facilities around the world to economically deliver premium fitness programs to their users. With programming and services designed to optimize space, streamline operations, and offer unparalleled variety, their services are a perfect addition to fitness facilities, apartment complexes, hotels, and more. It's been shown that on average, functional training and studio rooms inside of clubs remain vacant 60-70% of the time. These new technologies are allowing facilities to capitalize on this space and provide a new digital experience to their members. Aside from the traditional gym setting, we also see this feature becoming a powerful amenity at resorts, hotels, and health facilities who want to provide their customers with an effective and engaging workout experience 24 hours a day. With the groundswell of consumer health and fitness awareness on the rise, how can we leverage these cloud hosted technologies to take advantage of underutilized space, reduce operating costs, and provide members with unique and engaging workouts? The answer to that question and much more takeaways for club owners, operators, and fitness pros in this episode with Garrett Marshall. About Garrett Marshall Garrett Marshall is the Divisional CEO of Fitness On Demand™, a market-leading developer of fitness delivery products for media and programming. Garrett combines a breadth of experience with an industry-specific, laser-focused, career path. Investing himself fully in each opportunity along the way, Garrett has been fortunate to play a role in several successful fitness businesses. His achievements span a variety of employment positions in small and large organizational settings. In the past, he served as a consultant to the commercial division of Snap Fitness, the Chanhassen, Minnesota-based franchisor of compact, state-of-the-art, 24/7 fitness centers, and as the manager of business development for Fitness on Request, based in North Maple Grove, Minnesota, which also markets video-based group fitness workouts. His first foray into the industry was as a membership sales associate with Life Time Fitness, Inc., a chain of large, full-service clubs based in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Listen To Episode 051 As Garrett Uncovers How on demand fitness programming will apply to the commercial fitness space Ways that commercial brands can take advantage of the rising consumer health awareness How clubs can utilize technology to minimize the "dead" times in studio and functional training rooms The frequency and format preferences that members desire from on-demand fitness training Garrett's insights from 15+ years in the fitness & technology space His recipe for success when implementing video training into the group exercise setting The need for commercial operators to have a digital and mobile strategy Fostering connection and the "tribe effect" using digital platforms The 28-day on-boarding process that customers receive when implementing Fitness On Demand How clubs can reduce costs by using on-demand fitness to replace the live classes and formats they have simply carried over to satiate member demand The Fitness On Demand mobile application that gives club members access to their routines and regimens when they can't make it to the gym. Knowing when to schedule virtual programming to meet medium-interest times in the day, or when to leave the product open for on-demand to use How Fitness On Demand integrates with the Health Kits on Google play and iOS to capture key pieces of vital work out activity when members engage through their mobile application Task management systems Garrett recommends for busy professionals How Fitness On Demand plugs into non-traditional facilities like resorts and hotels Garrett's conviction and purpose that fuels his leadership in the fitness industry The top factors that currently appeal to the consumer: Experience, Convenience, Personalization, and Education Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Garrett believes that although it's one of the most engaging amenities, group fitness has also traditionally been one of the largest operating expenses for facilities. To address this issue, Fitness On Demand is uniquely positioned to help the customer add more value with digital video programming by offering added frequency, availability, and a variety of training formats, while at the same time reducing labor costs. Clubs can seek out technologies like Fitness On Demand to offset the expenses of underutilized space and for a digital replacement to live group classes. Personalization is one of the top appealing factors we see over and over when researching the behaviors of fitness consumers. In order to personalize products and services, you need to intimately know your target demographic. This requires we understand our customer's behaviors, whether it be a current member or a new prospect. Achieving this comes down to the value of data we collect as club owners and operators, and how we act and execute based on that information. In order to effectively integrate and utilize new technologies in the club, there needs to be continuous education for fitness professionals and staff members. It's imperative to take a top-down leadership approach and ensure every level of employee within the club, from management to the trainers and sales staff, knows what the integration of any new technology will achieve, has a complete understanding of why they are doing it, and can easily communicate that to members and new prospects. Power Quotes From Garrett "In order to personalize your products and services, you have to intimately know the behaviors and preferences of the target consumer." - Garrett Marshall on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Data collection needs to be at the forefront for all aspects of how the member interacts with the facility." - Garrett Marshall on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "As much as our product is designed to be an on-demand and self-service tool, it's a feature that really requires ongoing implementation; not just installation." - Garrett Marshall on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Garrett Marshall Garrett on Linkedin Fitness On Demand Fitness On Demand Classes Fitness On Demand Facebook Garrett Marshall: Leveraging the Consumer Fitness Groundswell IHRSA Live 2017 - Garrett Marshall IDEA World Fitness Convention IHRSA CES 24 Hour Fitness Lifetime Fitness Wellby® Daily Burn 039 Shannon Fable: Demystifying Group X With Technology Toodledo Productivity App Siri Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com Become A FIT-C Podcast Sponsor Contact the Fitness Industry Technology Council to become a Podcast Sponsor Review our various options for Sponsorship Send us a Facebook Message

24 Loka 201732min

As we fast-approach the one year anniversary next month for the fitness + technology podcast, today we're guided through some of 2017's most critical insights at the bleeding edge of trends and forecasts in our industry with the president of the Fitness Industry Technology Council, Bryan O'Rourke. In this special 50th episode, we cover so much ground and discuss the pivotal fitness and wellness devices for the cloud so that our club operators, owners, and trainers can embrace the meaningful technologies and avoid falling behind the competition. We learn from Bryan about his take on the the way our 3 basic models in the commercial fitness space are being disrupted, how technology makes you the CEO of your own health, why more people die today from overeating than from famine, and the social and economic forces at play that have a direct impact on how all of us will do business in fitness in 2018 and beyond. If you've been listening to the show for a while and have received value from one or many of our expert guests, simply leave us a five star review for the podcast. Your voice helps the show reach more leaders and savvy fitness-tech minded professionals like you find the show, and gives our industry what it needs most right now: the credible, trustable, and tactical information to thrive in this digital era. Over the past 50 shows, we've made a big focus on simplifying a sometimes cumbersome job of finding the reliable and detailed information about the trends occurring in the industry so your business can make informed technology decisions, and in this powerful conversation, we also uncover with Bryan how the rising level of consumer expectation will impact the need for club owners and operators to both embrace and implement the key technologies that will make a difference. With legacy technology systems in the United States driving risk aversion and slowing technology adoption in the fitness industry, what can we do as a fitness technology community to close the gap and serve more clients than ever before? The answer to that question and much more takeaways for club owners, operators, and fitness pros in this episode with Bryan O'Rourke. About Bryan O'Rourke Bryan O'Rourke is an experienced CEO, strategist, investor and advisor who helps organizations and professionals realize their full potential and solve their biggest challenges. With a track record of building teams and growing global brands, his network of associates and partners have served organizations large and small. His present focus is on fitness, wellness, health clubs, technology, innovation, finance, marketing and business development, but his expertise and consultancy extends to a number of disciplines and industries. As an executive and owner in multiple companies he is also President of the non-profit Fitness Industry Technology Council, driving innovation and collaboration the fitness space. He is considered a leading expert on technology, consumer and business trends and his views have been published in periodicals like the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Inc. Magazine, CBI and many others. IHRSA named him one of 13 to watch in 2013. Bryan has contributed to two significant books on Innovation in the fitness sector. He delivers engaging customized keynotes and strategic working sessions and is a highly sought after speaker and facilitator who has delivered his message at industry conferences and organizational events on four continents. Listen To Episode 050 As Bryan & Josh Uncover How technology makes you the CEOP of your own health How to use the tools and resources from the Fitness + Technology show to accelerate your businesses and career Bryan's favorite interviews and insights from the past 50+ episodes Blending the human aspect with technology to create an all-inclusive health, wellness, and training experience How to find reliable and detailed information about the trends occurring in the industry so that businesses can make informed technology decisions The gap between what's happening in the marketplace and how business owners are choosing to operate The large number of businesses that don't have a reliable resource or means to analyze the data they collect Connecting the dots between credible data and creating long-term behaviors changes for club members The growth and collaboration we see with medical components and our health and fitness routines How the CTA and Wellness Subcommittee are creating important standardizations for tracking and using data The technology that may lead to a "dream dashboard" that will include activity and biosignature data Why the U.S. is lagging in technological adoption compared to many Asian countries and the protocols that might help close the gap How Apple's iOS 11 updates will allow for a more seamless club ecosystem The need for club owners to embrace current technologies so they don't fall behind the competition How the Fitness Industry Technology Council is supporting and mentoring new businesses and entrepreneurs The ways that machine learning and AI may affect the health and fitness industries The 3 basic models we see in the commercial fitness space Membership This model is about selling first and lacks a focus and emphasis on the health outcomes of members. Community/Entertainment People connect to their communities in a socialization construct with exercise being the main component. We are seeing this become more present with obstacle course races such as Spartan and Tough Mudder, and engaging group fitness activities such as Zumba. Outcomes This is the smallest piece of what we see in today's marketplace, although Bryan feels it's where we will find the most growth in years to come. People are realizing that with the rising costs of health care and the wellness epidemics we are facing, there is a serious need for a more holistic, proactive, and results-focused approach from their trainers and facilities. Top 3 Takeaways From The Show As the speed of technology increases, it's more important than ever for club owners, operators, and fitness professionals to make it a priority and "bake" into their weekly calendar the job of seeking out reliable and detailed information about the trends affecting our industry. This habit will provide the ability to make informed technology decisions and ensure members and clients receive the user experience the market is demanding. The advancements in tech have created a seamless fitness experience at many leading facilities, and clubs that fail to stay on top of the current trends members want in today's marketplace will surely lead to falling behind the competition. To succeed in this new era of the fitness industry, it's imperative that business models include an emphasis and focus on the health outcomes and results of their members - not just new business units. As our population is suffering from more disease and the rising cost of health care becomes unsustainable, people across our nation are now seeing that a proactive and results-oriented program is of extreme importance. Bryan believes that in this age of over-information, it's imperative that we don't fall into paralysis by analysis and fail to implement new technology. We are reminded in a previous episode by Marty Weems from Team EXOS that we have to keep pushing forward in this regard. With Bryan's leadership and through this show, you can trust that the Fitness + Technology podcast will continue to seek out the most trustable information you depend on as we move faster towards wellness, fitness, and betterment technologies that are changing the landscape of how you run your fitness business. Power Quotes From Bryan "From a recent survey, two-thirds of businesses use digital marketing platforms, and one-third of those companies admit they don't know how to use it." - Bryan O'Rourke on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "In today's modern world, fitness is evolving into the larger space of overall physical and mental betterment." - Bryan O'Rourke on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "The greatest products and services of our fitness space have not been created yet." - Bryan O'Rourke on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Being proactive as the CEO of your own health is really important to both the quality of anyone's life in the long run and in the cost of maintaining your quality of life in a sustainable way. That dynamic is not going to go away, in fact it's going to become even more pronounced." - Bryan O'Rourke on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Bryan 2017 Fitness Technology Council Fitness Tech Trend Report Episode 010 Technology & The One Thing That Hasn't Change About Fitness - Robert Dyer Episode 023 The Truth About Health Clubs & Behavior Change - Jan Middelkamp Episode 007 Behavior Change, Technology, & Fitness - Dr. Michael Mantel Episode 026 Fitness Technology & Attrition: What Works Best? - Marty Regan Episode 024 Connected Fitness & Beyond - Dan McDonogh, Under Armour Episode 037 The Movement For A #PHIT America - Jim Worthington Episode 032 Technology Disruption Vs. Adoption - Adam Zeitsiff Epidode 043 Technology & Force Multiplied Fitness Training - Team EXOS Episode 029 Technology & Medical Fitness - JR Burgess Episode 036 Remembering Michael Scott Scudder Episode 044 Dave Wright - Fitness Industry Technology Council Episode 047 Fitness Industry Technology Council - Steve Groves Episode 041 John C. Havens: Artificial Intelligence In The Fitness Industry Episode 048 The Latest In Betterment Technology 2017 - Bryan O'Rourke Episode 001 Bryan O'Rourke: A New Era of Exponential Technology Part 1 002 Bryan O'Rourke: The New Era of Exponential Technology Pt 2 Spartan Race Tough Mudder CTA - Health and Fitness Technology Standards CES 2018 Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Sportec Conferece "The Leapfrog Effect" 17th Annual IHRSA European Congress - London (Oct. 23-26) Garmin Fitbit Siri Alexa Amazon Echo Google Home The Apple Watch Apple AirPods EuropeActive Events Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com Become A FIT-C Podcast Sponsor Contact the Fitness Industry Technology Council to become a Podcast Sponsor Review our various options for Sponsorship Send us a Facebook Message

17 Loka 201735min

We're exploring fitness devices, data, and ecosystems that matter with the CEO of Michael Wood Fitness and the CFO of Koko FitClub, Michael Wood. In this podcast, Michael uncovers what he believes is the recipe for success in merging the digital experience with in-person training. Michael is widely recognized as one the nation's top strength & conditioning experts. Through his leadership, Koko FitClub started as a integrated software company back in 2005. Not long after, they developed a strength training product with the goal of creating a unique turn-key coaching facility where the need for on-site trainers was to be obsolete. They saw moderate success with this new style of automated coaching, and soon realized that a critical component was missing: Human connection. When Koko FitClub realized their digital experience needed to be upleveled to provide their members with both the technology and human connection they were looking for, they innovated a unique way to blend their tech with traditional training and semi-private exercise classes. From these pivotal changes, the members had a one-of-a-kind experience of tracking, coaching, and programming that provided a new and exciting way of working out. Listen in as Michael also speaks to technology and its role in taking a proactive and holistic approach to our wellness and shares the essential nutrition and mindfulness apps that support monitoring to make lasting changes in health behaviors. This all-encompassing wellness approach that Koko delivers, inside and outside of the club, shows the true value of providing members with a unique blend of digital coaching, in-person training, and the online tools and resources to transform their nutrition and mindset. But with the almost endless ocean of new technology, apps, devices, and platforms emerging in fitness and wellness, what are the integral parts of the optimal ecosystem in 2018? The answer to that question and much more takeaways for club owners, operators, and fitness pros in this episode with Michael. About Michael Wood Michael Wood, CSCS, is widely recognized as one the nation's top strength & conditioning experts. He serves as CEO of Michael Wood Fitness, formerly the Sports Performance Group, founded in 1988. The award-winning fitness-consulting company calls some of the biggest names in the athletic, academic, and entertainment industries their clients. The company has completed more than 35,000 training sessions to date under Michael's guidance. Michael is also the Chief Fitness Officer at Koko FitClub, LLC, which develops interactive software and hardware for the $60B worldwide fitness and wellness industry. Koko FitClub is a national franchise with currently more than 100 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Michael's honors have included receiving the coveted Boston Magazine "Best of Boston" award and in both 2004 and 2005 Men's Journal named Wood one of the top 100 trainers in the United States. In the December 2004 issue, the magazine also included Michael on their trainer "Dream Team," comprised of the nine best trainers in the U.S. He is also a member of the Fitness Industry Technology Council and works with clients via the Wellness Roundtable. He is also a former member of Power Bar Team Elite. Michael has also raised money for two scholarship funds when he reached the summit of Africa's highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340′), in 2008 with Thompson Safaris. His professional experience includes director of business development and business director at two Velocity Sports Performance franchise locations, and director of strength and conditioning at New England Sports Academy. In addition, he had the great fortune of working as assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Connecticut and senior exercise physiologist at the Nutrition, Exercise Physiology and Sarcopenia Laboratory at the USDA-HNRC on Aging at Tufts University. Michael has also consulted for Sage Strategies, LLC, a premier management consulting firm specializing in the health and fitness, as their corporate fitness expert. Listen To Episode 049 As Michael Uncovers Why the fitness industry has seen the numbers of tech devices rapidly increase and how this affects our space How the integration of digital coaching and in-person training provide a unique gym experience at Koko Fitclub Why he founded Michael Wood fitness, LLC to address the unique demands of the fitness industry The mission, vision, and change he is creating with Michael Wood Fitness Michael's proven insights from nearly 30 years at the forefront of fitness and wellness technology Why human connection was a critical component in the success of Koko's automated member tech Koko's Smart Trainer technology that demonstrates various exercises and 30 minute workouts from celebrity trainers The "personal USB stick" that allows every member to track data from their workouts Why trainers are a necessity on location to assist members with the digital aspects of the club Koko's principles of success that ensure they stay above the national average for weekly visits The functional training classes that are attracting the younger clientele Why Michael believes integrating fitness and lifestyle data into our programs will drive proactive health Understanding the "betterment" technology sector what this means to our fitness space Using nutrition tracking to produce a sustainable behavior change The top nutrition apps that are helping us to eat better, lose weight, and get healthy Koko's online nutrition program and tools that provide a holistic wellness experience Why Fitbit and Dexcom are partnering to produce continuous glucose monitors Using biomarkers and genetic testing to get a deeper picture of our health Delivering the personal attention that brings out the best in member experience Koko's 3 pillars of individualized coaching: Foundation How Koko FitClub coaches works closely with members to set goals and outline a realistic plan to get there. They re-establish your body's natural movement patterns and work to build a foundation of fitness in just a few weeks. This is where you'll build a workout habit that "sticks". Concentration To concentrate on goals, instructors safely increase the intensity of the coached workouts, including total-body strength and cardio conditioning. A personalized nutrition plan will help improve energy and fuel greater results from the workout. Transformation Reshape the body from the inside out with a sustainable, coached training program designed to burn fat and build lean muscle for life. With just 2-3 sessions a week on average, members feel stronger and leaner with more energy to take on new challenges. Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Michael reminds us of the incredible potential of fitness technology when combined with dedicated coaching and human connection. In an era of exponential technology growth, what is most important to fitness professionals and operators is to understand their unique and signature type of service that utilizes the best-of-the-best in the tech but also formulates a trusted bridge from a member to a dedicated coach. Michael shared that Koko's digital coaching model didn't actually find true success until the physical coach was inside the gym. Whether it's for personal training or facilitating the integration of Koko's technology, the human connection aspect is a highly critical piece of their success. It's important to remember that fitness begins from the inside out. While of course exercise is an essential piece to any wellness routine, Michael believes we must now pivot in the fitness industry towards a comprehensive wellness approach with a key focus of mindfulness. He recommends apps like Sugar Rush to help regulate our intake and glucose levels, and Inside Tracker to get a better understanding of our biomarkers. But regardless of whatever device or application used it's the true integration of personality, technology, and human connection that will drive a successful ecosystem. Power Quotes From Michael Wood "In addition to our digital coaching, the in-person trainer is key for helping members learn our technology and get results in a safe, quick, and effective manner." - Michael Wood on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "Once we were able to pair our digital experience with a good knowledgeable coach, Koko's success was taken to a new level." - Michael Wood on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "The best exercise program in the world isn't going to change someone if you can't adjust their mindset and behavior." - Michael Wood on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Michael Michael Wood Fitness KoKo FitClub Men's Journal Velocity Sports Performance Khalsa Chiropractic 048 Bryan O'Rourke: The Latest In Betterment Technology 2017 Tufts University Headspace Welltory MyFitnessPal Under Armour Sugar Rush - Discover Added Sugars in Your Food 042 Josh Cherry: The Future of Fitness Gamification Fooducate Koko Fuel Nutrition InsideTracker Shapa App Thomson Safaris Mathews McGarry: What is Heart Rate Variability Training? Nudge Coach Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com Become A FIT-C Podcast Sponsor Contact the Fitness Industry Technology Council to become a Podcast Sponsor Review our various options for Sponsorship Send us a Facebook Message

10 Loka 201740min