How Big Data is making an even bigger impact!

There’s nothing like the sight of big data in the morning. It’s everywhere and used by everyone, but in what ways is big data benefitting industries? In industries like health and fitness, the numbers are benefitting outlets like apps, studios and, of course, gyms.

During my gym time I decided to ask my trainer, Abby, some questions about how they use big data on the daily. Here are 5 ways that our gym uses big data:

Security

The first way that gyms use big data is for security. Whenever someone wants to enter the building, they need to scan their membership card or have an appointment scheduled. Every minute of every day, the gym staff knows how many people have passed through their building, who those people are and why they were there; so basically, they’re watching you. While monitoring the flow of members is primarily a safety tactic, it has also proved helpful with keeping the coronavirus at bay.

Memberships

When activating a membership at the gym, you automatically hand over some of your personal data in order to gain access to the facility at any time. This data is most helpful to properly categorize members by age and reasoning for joining, in order to market for the correct demographic. The facility will also keep track of every time you visit along with your training sessions and membership payments. Creepy? Maybe. Convenient? Definitely.  

Trends

Trends are probably one of the most prominent ways that big data is used to a gym’s benefit. As every member scans their card to enter the building, that data is clocked and put into the system which helps identify peak days and times of avid gym-goers. For example, most people have a Monday, Wednesday, Friday workout schedule, which is why I make a point to go on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to avoid the foot traffic! Trends can also be seen in anything from membership cancellations to how many towels are used per day.

Popularity

When it comes to popularity, the gym’s group classes are what really shine. With data from the rosters, class schedule, and class types, the gym staff can pinpoint which classes are rocking, and which are flopping. Knowing these attendance statistics can help determine which classes will be renewed for another 10-week session and which one may need to switch it’s time to get more traction. This data is helping to create a spacious environment and balanced schedule so that 100+ people don’t show up to the 6:30am Zumba ready to shake it to Shakira because that was the only class available!

Success

Some gyms host a variety of programs for members in order to motivate them in staying active. While the sign up list can be off the charts, the end success rates can sometimes suffer. For this reason, it’s beneficial to collect the data of who started the program, dropped out, and who finished it to the end. Knowing why someone may have quit is important to the program’s longevity due to possible needs for change to the organization tactics or overall.  

But, How can a gym harness big data to use it outside of the box?

Well, one way to go the extra mile would be to collect monthly data, like starting weight, from members that may be working towards a bigger goal. This data can then be combined with their current exercise schedule to create a realistic plan for achieving large goals in a healthy way. At the end of the day, both parties could benefit from this information by tracking how well a specific regimen works while keeping an eye on the program success rate for future use.

As you can see, big data is a big deal, and it’s only getting bigger. By collecting and monitoring it, organizations can keep their work in tip top shape while making sure you get the best experience. I can’t wait to see how big data changes the future of industries everywhere.