If you own a gym, coworking space, or similar business, you understand that ensuring happy members is essential. One of the best ways to do this is to give them the option of working out any time they choose. However, there are some pros and cons to offering 24-hour access to your facility.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of offering 24-hour access to your facility so you can decide if it’s right for your business.
What is 24-Hour access?
24-hour access is a service where you allow members to come into the facility any time of the day/night, whether the staff is present or not.
How to Provide 24-Hour Access to Your Facility
It can be a bit tricky to offer 24-hour access to your facility. There are so many options, but let’s look at the essential components.
Insurance
This is foundational for offering 24-hour access to your facility. You’ll want to check with your insurance provider to determine if your policy allows for this. In most cases, you’ll need a specific clause to offer 24-hour access to the facility to your members.
Updated Waivers/Documents
This relates to the insurance policies. You will need to ensure that members you are providing 24/7 access agree to terms/liabilities. You’ll want to have documents on file that show their agreement to comply.
Access Control System
You’ll want to have a system for access control at the entry points of the facility. This way, it can be locked, but those with the code or keycard can get in. There are several options for access control systems.
Cameras
Since there will be times when your facility is not staffed, you’ll want to have cameras to help you keep an eye on things. Additionally, it gives you a record of what is going on if no staff is on-site.
Pros of 24-Hour Access to Your Facility
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the pros of offering 24-hour access to your facility.
Members can utilize the facility any time of the day/night
There may be many people who would love to make use of your facility, but due to their hectic schedule, they don’t get a chance to stop by during standard business hours. By offering 24-hour access, your members can utilize your facility before or after work. While this does come with an additional cost, it can also increase your membership since it’s easier to access on their schedule.
Decreases membership turnover rate
Your members want value, and providing them with 24-hour access can increase the value of the membership. While this won’t keep all of your members from canceling their membership- this does help to minimize this from happening.
Profitable for gyms with low staff/membership
This is perhaps one of the primary reasons a gym offers 24-hour access. Many gyms operate on thin margins, so any way to increase profitability at least deserves some consideration.
Providing access to the facility 24 hours a day can be an additional revenue stream and increase your ACV or average client value. Also, you may attract new members that place importance on off-hour access.
In addition to these, there are some cons to offering 24-hour access that should be considered.
Cons of 24-Hour Access to Your Facility
There are some disadvantages to offering 24-hour access to your facility. We’ll take a look at these below:
Increased liability
As mentioned above, you may need to increase your insurance because there are safety/security concerns to providing 24-hour access to your facility. This is especially true if you don’t have enough staff or security cameras in place.
Excessive wear/tear
When you are factoring in the costs to maintain your facility, excessive wear and tear from offering 24/7 access may not seem like a significant issue. However, consider how much wear and tear equipment goes through when you’re only open during standard business hours. Just imagine how much this increases when equipment is being used during off-hours.
Limited availability
One of the most common misconceptions about providing 24/7 access to your facility is that you’re also available 24/7. This isn’t necessarily true, but it may feel this way for those in understaffed facilities or high demand. You’ll want to make sure that you communicate your availability clearly to your members.
Conclusion
Offering 24/7 access to your facility can make or break you. Therefore, you must take the time to consider both sides before you make your decision. By offering 24/7 access, you increase member loyalty and retention- and you may even attract new members- which means your profits increase. On the other hand, you have to keep in mind that you will need to increase your insurance and risk more wear/tear on your equipment and increase security needs. The professionals at Securiteam can help you with your security needs- contact us today!
