021 #IHRSA2017 LIVE: The Importance of APIs & Using Fitness Technology To Give
Fitness + Technology4 Apr 2017

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

On episode 21 we're spotlighting a few exceptional conversations with some of the top influencers at the crossroads of fitness and technology, live after the FIT-C roundtable meeting during IHRSA 2017 in Los Angeles.

With the options and choices of club software systems on the rise, how do APIs and the ability for cross communication between platforms benefit the health club?

Be sure to stick around for our second half of the show with Josh Donovan from GIVE Fitness -->

In this first segment, were talking with fitness technology expert, Karl Etzel, about APIs (application program interfaces) and how they can help in both monetization and in serving the customer. For health club executives and owners, API functionality is an important topic to consider when purchasing technology systems.

Karl Etzel is a Transformation Catalyst, Strategic Decision-Maker, and Technical Expert in fitness technology known for his entrepreneurial drive in developing vision and setting strategic direction in the face of fast-changing technology and market dynamics through effectively aligning products/channels/end-users. With a deep background in health and fitness, cloud services / PaaS, online marketing, and SMB enablement, Karl brings a strong professional expertise to the industry space around program management and product management roles.

Karl is talking with us on the show about API's, or application program interfaces. Simply put, an application programming interface allows software systems to talk to one another. When you as a human being sit down to use a piece of software you use a user interface (UI), and when one piece of software wants to use another piece of software, they use an (API).

Listen To Episode 021 As Karl Uncovers
  • How the open API can increase revenue for clubs through smart data sharing
  • Why have APIs become so important in app and web service development
  • Who should know about APIs in the club and how does that relate to their fitness business
  • What are some common mistakes when planning APIs
  • The growing segments of APIs being used to create further developments of niche markets
  • Why "Agile Development" and live beta testing are now standard practices
  • How API's enable better business model innovation, which is one of the most powerful and sustainable competitive advantages
  • Why "owning the customer" looses in business vs. "serving the customer"
  • Security threats and issues to watch for with APIs
  • Using tethered CRM, POS, and ERP systems with APIs
  • Understanding the best types of data sets that are commonly used with an API in clubs
  • Karl's interest in the future of Cognitive Performance
Top 3 Takeaways From The Show
  • In the world of fitness tracking, we see many APIs, and there's now many different models emerging that will deliver even more value to the customer. The continued fracturing of the market and development of more niche models are exciting as the type of contextualized data that is being shared helps to monetize and serve customers in a progressive and powerful way.
  • As the market grows and as customers and consumers expect faster innovation that APIs will enable, one of the reasons people are resistant to opening APIs is because they don't want to "lose the customer they own" but the reality is that you don't own the customer, you serve the customer. The people who resist this idea of opening up is born out of a mentality of scarcity. What most people don't realize is how much revenue they can drive with an open API and a new mindset.
  • API's enable better business model innovation, which is one of the most powerful and sustainable competitive advantages in all industries. APIs make it really easy to innovate and build things quickly. The old-school engineering model of software development is gone and agile development, two week release cycles, live beta testing and rapid iteration are now the norm. For the club owner, karl believes that you don't necessarily want to share your data outward, but you do want to share it among your own systems until you get to a certain scale where population data could make things interesting. The real key with API integrations is to understand your segment in entirety and have a clear picture of what problem you're trying to solve. Power Quotes From Karl

"For the club operator, the question you want to ask is, does your solution vendor have an API that makes it easier for me to integrate my system with other solutions? If you are a technology company executive, you should be thinking about how APIs plug into your business at the strategy level. APIs are not just a technical detail that you can leave to engineering." - Karl Etzel on the Fitness + Technology Podcast

"APIs make it really easy to innovate and build things quickly. The old-school engineering model of software development is gone and agile development, two week release cycles, live beta testing and rapid iteration are now the norm. For the club owner, you don't necessarily want to share your data outward, but you do want to share it among your own systems until you get to a certain scale where population data could make things interesting. The real key with API integrations is to understand your segment in entirety and have a clear picture of what problem you're trying to solve." - Karl Etzel on the Fitness + Technology Podcast

Resources Mentioned From Karl Josh Donovan: Using Fitness Technology To Give

In this featured segment we're talking with the Owner of GIVE Fitness in Atascadero, CA Josh Donovan about technology focused member sales and engagement approaches that are changing the way for-profit and nonprofit businesses interact in health and fitness.

Josh is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and 13-year fitness industry professional who years ago was looking for a way to use his experience and understanding of the fitness industry to "create a different type of fitness product" with a focus on using technology. After meeting Matt Holguin, the founder of Working to Give (WTG), a for-profit company with a singular purpose-driven business model, together, Donovan and Holguin created WTG's Fitness Division and in 2013, launched GIVE Fitness.

With Working To Give, 50% of its profits are reinvested in the firm to sustain growth, and the other 50% is contributed to the local community. Since its opening, the GIVE Fitness club has acquired over 3,000 members and donated more than $50,000 to Atascadero-area initiatives. A member of the Fitness Industry Technology Council, Josh Donovan believes it's important for the industry to integrate technology into the prospect and member experience to truly connect with consumers to understand them at their deepest needs and desires.

Listen To Episode 021 As Josh Uncovers
  • What Josh has learned over the past three years when it comes to understanding what technologies help club operations the absolute most.
  • Why GIVE Fitness is a "cashless environment" with no membership staff or sales team and why all sales are integrated through the website.
  • How to use technology to change the way for-profit businesses and nonprofit businesses interact
  • How to sustain nonprofit efforts combined with profitable health clubs in the fitness industry
  • Why being fluid and flexible when creating a culture in your health club is paramount
  • Why using social media in real time is a powerful tool for transparency and trust ability
  • Understanding the GIVE Fitness mission: "To exceed member expectations at every opportunity with fitness facilities that are maintained, affordable, accessible and safe."
  • Why giving members something they truly can belong to will increase revenue and lower attrition
  • With the obesity epidemic in our country, why the GIVE Fitness ownership deemed it imperative to open up the market in order to make fitness more accessible and affordable to the community of Atascadero.
  • On a larger scale, why GIVE Fitness has established a vision to "Transform the fitness industry by becoming pillars in the communities in which we conduct business. We will do this by generously donating 50% of our profits to programs that strengthen personal character, create value in people and provide opportunities for personal growth."
Top 3 Takeaways From The Show
  • Josh believes that you don't use people to get things, you use the things to help people. It's important to understand what your members want and what your members need. The first step when selecting and in using any piece of technology is to have a grasp on who you're serving and why they want you to serve them.
  • Josh and his business partner Matt are demonstrating that it is possible and profitable to have both a non-profit and for-profit business model using technology to thrive in our ever-changing fitness space. By providing an accessible fitness center for real people to come in, and driving sales through a cashless environment, this outside the box thinking has produced great results for GIVE Fitness.
  • With transparency in business for both nonprofits and for profit companies, in working together they must have a focus on communicating to staff that with all the technology devices out there, how do they use them to really help members? Because this entire process, in the end, is all about the member experience.
Power Quotes From Josh

"The heart of our business at GIVE Fitness is giving. We give 50% of our profits back to the community where we do business, so in order for that to happen we have to be a profitable fitness center first. Hitting member expectations and exceeding them becomes paramount because that has to happen before we have any funds to give. The obesity epidemic is real and it's something that I'm really passionate about. This is why I want to provide an accessible fitness center for people to better their lives, add years to their lives, and truly participate." - Josh Donovan on the Fitness + Technology Podcast

"In using new technologies, we had the unique opportunity in starting from the ground up to be intentional around creating our culture and to have it be something very specific. We all live in a world that's real time, so if I post something on Facebook about the gym and then post something about my personal life, our members don't see any differentiation around that." - Josh Donovan on the Fitness + Technology Podcast

Resources Mentioned From Josh Support This Podcast 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

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

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Optimizing Fitness Technology Innovation With Ernst De Neef

Optimizing Fitness Technology Innovation With Ernst De Neef

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Ernst De Neef. Ernst is the Co-Founder & CEO of Funxtion, an Amsterdam-based B2B SaaS digital fitness content platform company that empowers gym operators around the world with the ability to personalize and distribute digital fitness experiences to their members at scale. Today, Ernst joins Bryan in a conversation on Funxtion's operation and his insights on how to help businesses optimize their offerings. If you are interested in applying for our 2022 Innovation Award, please visit: http://www.fittechcouncil.org/fitc-innovation-award-2022 One Powerful Quote: 10:23: "Problems cannot be solved on the same level of awareness that created them." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:13: Bryan opens the show by inquiring with Ernst on his theory behind leading fitness technology innovation in the Netherlands. 6:59: Bryan asks Ernst to share why he started Funxtion. 12:25: Bryan and Ernst talk about the new evolution as a result of Funxtion's technology. 17:30: Bryan follows up with Ernst about some of the dynamics that operators need. 21:50: Ernst shares his pearls of wisdom to the listeners. 25:20: Ernst highlights the trends he sees will happen in the next 5 years. 27:22: Bryan wraps up the show with Ernst imparting his final words. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernst-de-neef-312a251/ https://funxtion.com Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernst-de-neef-312a251/ https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

1 Nov 202229min

Insights For Startups & Other Key Trends With Steve Maisonet

Insights For Startups & Other Key Trends With Steve Maisonet

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Steve Maisonet to the show. Steve is the Co-Founder & CEO of MoFit, a fitness tracking and community engagement app that helps gyms and fitness clubs engage, motivate, and ultimately retain their members longer. MoFit provides an engaging, fitness tracking experience that is unique to each gym brand and helps build stronger gym communities. Today, Steve joins Bryan to share his insights for startups as well as discussing other key trends in gamification, personalization, and engagement. Learn more about Club Industry's Executive Summit: https://www.clubindustryshow.com Learn more about FitNation 2022 Edition: https://fitnation.co One Powerful Quote: 16:42: "You have to always stay in tune with your members. Understand their current motivations and tap into both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation drivers to keep them coming to sustain their motivation, and this is just an ongoing process that you have to do with your members." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:14: Bryan opens the show by asking Steve his view on the challenges in technology for gyms and how this started MoFit. 7:41: Bryan and Steve talk about intuitive user experience and providing real value. 9:56: Bryan inquires with Steve on his approach to engagement with MoFit and his thoughts about it. 14:42: Steve discusses the barriers and problems existing for clubs to keep member motivation. 17:50: Steve shares his views on proper personalization. 20:02: Bryan and Steve talk about the disparity in personalization and a single source solution. 23:14: Steve talks about his company MoFit. 27:03: Bryan wraps up the show with Steve sharing his advice for startups. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemaisonet/ https://www.mofit.io Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemaisonet/ https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

4 Okt 202230min

Marketing & Scaling To Profitability With George Liu

Marketing & Scaling To Profitability With George Liu

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes George Liu to the show. George is the Founder & CEO of Gym Pillars, a performance based agency that uses a pay-per-performance model to help small gyms scale profitably. As an avid listener to the podcast, George joins Bryan to share his story and the lessons he's learned in marketing and helping gym owners scale to profitability. Learn more about FitNation 2022 Edition: https://fitnation.co Learn more about Club Industry's Executive Summit: https://www.clubindustryshow.com One Powerful Quote: 10:51: "What I learned in the process as far as best practice was that often times marketing and sales is really just being human and caring about the other person that you are connecting with." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:21: Bryan opens the show by asking George about his background. 6:31: George shares about starting his firm, Gym Pillars. 10:43: Bryan inquires with George what he learned from selling and marketing in the gym space. 13:55: Bryan and George talk about opportunities and challenges in marketing for gyms right now. 19:34: Bryan asks George about Gym Pillars and its business model. 25:23: Bryan and George talk about decoupling conversations of marketing from real business model profitability and operations. 29:26: Bryan and George talk about positioning your brand and adding value. 35:16: Bryan asks George to share about marketing, the key things to start, and think about. 43:29: Bryan wraps up the show with George sharing his final pearls of wisdom. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgel1022/ https://www.willtocommit.com/ https://www.presskitnow.com/georgeliu Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgel1022/ https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

23 Sep 202249min

Integration Platforms And Why They Matter With Amie Boring, Mike Rucker, & Jarron Aizen

Integration Platforms And Why They Matter With Amie Boring, Mike Rucker, & Jarron Aizen

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Amie Boring, Director of Marketing Technology at 24 Hour Fitness, Michael Rucker, Chief Digital Officer at Active Wellness, and Jarron Aizen, CEO & Founder of Hapana, to the show. The panel joins Bryan in a conversation on the details of integration platforms as a service and the implications for why they matter to club operators. To learn more about IHRSA 2022 in Miami, visit the registration page here: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2022-request One Powerful Quote: 19:13: "I think one of the burdens of the fitness industry is there is an aversion to variable cost." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:13: Bryan opens the show by introducing the panel. 5:29: Bryan asks the panel how they are using integration technology in their respective roles. 11:09: Bryan asks the panel how operators can piece together their data platforms as a single source. 14:16: Bryan inquires with the panel about the implications of integration platforms impacting the fitness industry and its stake holders. 21:52: Amie shares her perspective on marketing services as a single source of truth on data. 23:26: The panel shares their additional views on integration platforms impacting the fitness industry. 26:15: The panel shares their observations on integration platform tools for the fitness space. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.24hourfitness.com https://www.activewellness.com https://hapana.com https://www.middle.app https://www.perkville.com Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amie-boring/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrucker/ https://twitter.com/performbetter https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarronaizen/ https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

15 Juni 202231min

Gamification, The Metaverse, & Other Buzzwords With Shay Amir

Gamification, The Metaverse, & Other Buzzwords With Shay Amir

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes back Shay Amir, Founder & CEO of Spivi. Spivi is an interactive fitness tracking and streaming platform made for gyms to track performance and motivate members both in-studio and at-home. Spivi's performance tracking, gamification, and visuals help keep engagement and motivation at the forefront of every workout delivered. Today, Shay joins Bryan in a conversation on gamification, the metaverse, and other buzzwords in advance to Bryan's upcoming talk. To learn more about IHRSA 2022 in Miami, visit the registration page here: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2022-request One Powerful Quote: 29:39: "To be part of all of that, you have to accept technology, or you have to accept that technology is going to be part of your business and not just on the managing side of it." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:25: Bryan opens up the show by asking Shay his views on gamification. 7:55: Shay comments on Bryan's remarks on the enormity of gaming today. 10:31: Bryan asks Shay how he defines the metaverse. 16:38: Bryan inquires with Shay about decisions and fair exchanges in the metaverse. 24:41: Bryan and Shay talk about the experience around the dynamics of gamification and what solutions can be delivered in this format. 29:30: Bryan wraps up the show by asking Shay to impart his final advice to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.spivi.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayamir/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayamir/ https://twitter.com/ShayAmirSpivi https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

13 Juni 202233min

Digitization In The Fitness Industry With Alister Rollins

Digitization In The Fitness Industry With Alister Rollins

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes good friend, Alister Rollins to the show. Alister is the Founder & CEO of Move Technologies, a firm that provides clients with innovative branded digital products, all of which are designed to better monetize customer bases while keeping members physically active and connected with their brand and community. Today, Alister joins Bryan in an open conversation about digitization, tech trends, hyper-personalization, and entrepreneurship in the industry space. To learn more about IHRSA 2022 in Miami, visit the registration page here: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2022-request One Powerful Quote: 20:50: "I think trust is such a key word, and all brands need to be so focused on trust, and I believe trust is built of alignment, autonomy, and transparency. I think if you can deliver those three things to the consumer and to your potential future members and members, then you develop trust." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:56: Bryan opens the show by asking Alister about his general views on digitization in the fitness industry space. 8:08: Alister talks about why brands need expertise to help them understand the nuisances in digitization for their business. 9:54: Bryan asks Alister about his inspiration for the foundation of Move Technologies. 14:44: Bryan inquires with Alister about his thoughts in best practices on hyper-personalization. 17:17: Bryan continues the conversation with Alister on other dynamics in digitization and the implications for brands and their consumers. 23:28: Alister imparts his pearls of wisdom to listeners on what to consider for their technology and digitization strategy. 27:58: Bryan and Alister talk about entrepreneurship and the sustainability in venture capital investments coming into the market. 31:59: Bryan wraps up the show with Alister sharing his final thoughts to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alister-rollins-151b8a1/ https://www.movetech.cc/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alister-rollins-151b8a1/ https://twitter.com/alisterrollins https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

12 Maj 202233min

Personalizing Nutrition As A Fitness Necessity With Monique Nadeau

Personalizing Nutrition As A Fitness Necessity With Monique Nadeau

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Monique Nadeau to the show. Monique is the founder of EatLove, a San Francisco based digital health company specializing in personalized nutrition. Prior, Monique was an investment banker, the youngest Managing Director globally at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and did political work including advising on presidential campaigns and for other national leaders, developing moderate, results driven economic policies. Today, Monique joins Bryan in a conversation on EatLove and the intriguing technology behind it for personalizing nutrition. To learn more about IHRSA 2022 in Miami, visit the registration page here: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2022-request One Powerful Quote: 23:56: "I see the continuation of several of these trends only magnified where personalization is table-stakes." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:33: Bryan opens the show by asking Monique why she started EatLove. 5:26: Monique describes the uniqueness of the EatLove platform. 7:30: Bryan asks Monique to tell the story behind the algorithms of EatLove. 12:04: Bryan inquires with Monique about her challenges in building her concept of EatLove. 15:37: Bryan and Monique talk about fitness partners and how brands can coalesce their business solutions to create more value. 21:02: Monique shares her experiences about her clients. 23:55: Monique expresses her thoughts on sustainability and where the future of nutrition is going. 28:00: Bryan wraps up the show by asking Monique to impart her final pearls of wisdom to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenadeau/ https://www.eatlove.is Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenadeau/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

28 Apr 202232min

Bagels In NYC And More On Content & Digital In Fitness With Allison Rand

Bagels In NYC And More On Content & Digital In Fitness With Allison Rand

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O'Rourke welcomes Allison Rand to the podcast. Allison is a digital marketing and content executive who has worked with a variety of brands on creative campaign development, content creation and distribution, social media, product development, and design. She is currently the VP of Marketing for YouFit Gyms, and today, Bryan discusses with her the principles of marketing and understanding its practicality in today's business world. To learn more about IHRSA 2022 in Miami, visit the registration page here: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2022-request One Powerful Quote: 6:53: "Everything's changed, but nothing's changed because, while the mediums have become more sophisticated and the content is allowed to be more sort of casual, we still yearn for community at home and in club. The way we create and the way we publish has completely evolved, but we're still all looking for the exact same thing." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:53: Bryan opens the show by introducing Allison's background into marketing. 6:31: Bryan asks Allison her perspective on content and the digitization of content. 7:44: Bryan and Allison talk about trust in community and the tools for influencer marketing. 10:42: Bryan and Allison talk about having the right partners and right attitude to avoid big mistakes and false assumptions. 12:52: Bryan and Allison discuss marketing as an integral part of business. 17:43: Bryan inquires with Allison about how operators should manage member's data. 21:53: Allison shares her advice to listeners on what they should think about with third party vendors and data. 23:32: Allison shares her thoughts on content and content production for clubs and brands. 32:48: Bryan and Allison talk about attending IHRSA 2022. 34:42: Bryan wraps up the show by asking Allison to impart her final pearls of wisdom to the listeners. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonrand/ https://www.youfit.com Guest Contact Information: https://www.facebook.com/allison.rand https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonrand/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163

13 Apr 202237min

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