9 min
In a society that never sleeps, a 24 hour gym not only offers unparalleled flexibility for gym goers but also opens new, lucrative doors for entrepreneurs like you.
Operating a gym around the clock can be an excellent way to maximize revenue, serve a broader audience, and stay competitive in an evolving fitness industry. However, transitioning to a 24 hour gym model—or starting one from scratch—requires careful planning.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps, from understanding your clientele to handling legal considerations and streamlining daily operations.
Understanding your clients (gym goers)
Before making the move to a 24 hour gym, it’s crucial to understand who your gym members are and how they will use your facility during off-peak hours - and during unstaffed and staffed hours.
For a gym to thrive with 24/7 access, there must be a consistent demand for workouts outside traditional hours. Consider whether your target audience includes:
- Shift workers who have irregular work hours, such as medical professionals, factory employees, or security personnel.
- Students who have irregular schedules and need late-night workout options.
- Busy professionals who are early birds or prefer late-night sessions.
- Competitive athletes who may train at unconventional hours.
For existing gym owners
If you already operate a gym and are considering a 24 hour gym transition, analyze your current traffic patterns. Look at peak and off-peak usage trends, survey members to gauge interest in extended hours, and review competitor offerings in your area.
A high number of members requesting later/night access or lingering past closing time can indicate strong demand for a 24 hour gym model. Conducting member surveys and reviewing entry data from access systems can help determine whether demand exists.
Additionally, consider your local competition—are other gyms in your area offering 24/7 access?If so, staying open around the clock might be necessary to remain competitive.
For new gym owners
For those opening a new gym, market research is essential.
Need some guidance about how to open a gym? Check this guide.
Assess the local population, identify gaps in fitness services, and compare the potential cost versus revenue of running a 24 hour gym. If your area has a strong base of night-shift workers or a lack of existing late-night gym options, a 24 hour gym could provide a competitive advantage.
Legal considerations for gym owners
There are legal and regulatory factors to address. These considerations impact your gym’s day-to-day operations beyond just extended hours.
Security and liability
Operating a 24 hour gym requires security measures such as:
- Surveillance cameras: high-definition security cameras should be installed throughout the facility, especially at entrances, exits, and high-risk areas like free-weight sections.
- Emergency systems: providing members with access to emergency buttons, intercoms, or automated emergency call systems ensures quick responses to accidents or safety threats.
- Restricted access systems: keycards, mobile app entry, or biometric authentication help prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the facility.
- Energy efficient lighting: ensure all areas, including parking lots and entrances, are well-lit to minimize security risks during late-night hours.
Membership agreements and liability waivers
Your standard gym membership agreement may need revisions to account for unstaffed hours. Clearly outline terms regarding:
- Member responsibility: gym members must acknowledge that they are training at their own risk during unstaffed hours.
- Emergency protocols: inform gym members of emergency contact numbers and safety measures.
- Guest policies: clearly define if and how guests can access the gym during unstaffed hours to avoid unauthorized usage.
Staffing and labor laws
Even if your gym primarily runs unstaffed, some jurisdictions require some staffed hours. Check local labor laws regarding:
- Overnight staffing requirements for commercial fitness facilities.
- Employee scheduling laws that may impact cleaning crews or personal trainers.
- Remote monitoring compliance if staff members oversee security or operations off-site.
Location
Some cities and neighborhoods restrict businesses from operating a 24 hour gym due to noise ordinances, traffic concerns, or zoning laws. Before committing, confirm:
- Noise control policies and whether your gym needs additional soundproofing.
- Parking regulations for late-night members.
- Business licensing requirements for round-the-clock operations.
Health and safety regulations
Without staff present at all times at the fitness center, extra precautions are necessary to ensure a safe environment for members. Compliance with health and safety regulations may include:
- Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs): some areas mandate that gyms provide AEDs for medical emergencies.
- First-Aid stations: stocked first-aid kits should be placed in accessible areas.
- Clear emergency procedures: post signs with step-by-step emergency response guidelines to assist members in case of accidents.
- Gym equipment: Include clear and safe instructions on how to use the gym equipment for the new gym goers.
Daily operations of a 24 hour gym
Running a 24 hour gym means you need to eliminate as many complications as possible. The best way to do this is by using gym management software to automate administrative and repetitive tasks.
Not sure where to start? Check out this guide on the best gym management software solutions for gym owners.
Member management, access control systems, billing, class scheduling, and reporting should all be handled through a single platform. Using multiple systems can create more confusion than efficiency, so opting for an all-in-one solution will streamline your operations and minimize errors.
Access control for 24 hour gyms
A key factor is ensuring that only paying members can enter at any time. Choosing the right access system for your gym can be a challenge, but with the right information and examples, it becomes a lot easier.
Key cards: RFID and magnetic stripe readers
RFID and magnetic stripe readers offer a smooth check-in experience similar to using a pass in a hotel room. Your members swipe their card, and voila, access is granted!
However, convenience comes with challenges: what if the pass is lost or, even worse, shared with non-members? The risk of fraud is present and requires additional measures, such as regular checking of check-in dates and visual identification by staff during staffed hours.
Barcode scanners and mobile app
Barcode scanners can also be a digital key for your clients through a mobile app. A unique QR code linked to each client can not only grant access but also provide valuable check-in data.
Tourniquet Systems
Turnstile systems, especially full-body gates, are the fortress guards of the gym world. They allow one person through at a time and make it nearly impossible to sneak in unseen.
But beware: while they provide a high degree of security, their imposing presence can intimidate potential new members. It’s essential to strike a balance where you create both a safe and inviting environment.
Make running your 24 hour gym using technology
Automating operations not only saves time but also minimizes the margin for error and enhances the overall member experience. Using fitness management software is crucial to track control over your gym without requiring constant supervision.
Here’s how you can streamline operations and make your gym run smoothly, even without full-time staff.
Mobile Check-in
One of the most useful tools for a 24 hour gym is mobile check-in. This system allows customers to register from their phones or through a QR code, eliminating the need for a staff member to oversee entry.
This option is convenient for members as it provides flexibility, reduces wait times, and offers a smooth entry process without requiring interaction with staff. Additionally, access control systems can help ensure only authorized members are allowed into the gym, adding a layer of security by restricting access outside of regular hours.
Advanced Check-in rules for smart management
With fitness software, you can create advanced check-in rules that align with your gym’s policies. For example, you can block access for members who have overdue payments or send reminders to those with low credits. These automated systems not only save time for you but also ensure that your policies are consistently enforced.
This allows for smart management, ensuring that only members who meet your criteria can access the gym at all hours. With this level of automation, you’re reducing the need for manual checks, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.
Cleaning & maintenance automation
Without staff present 24/7, it’s essential to keep your gym clean and well-maintained. Automated scheduling systems within fitness management software can help with this. You can schedule cleaning tasks during off-peak hours when there are fewer members, or even use robotic vacuums and floor cleaners for regular upkeep.
Additionally, members can self-report broken equipment via an app or on a digital platform. This ensures that any issues are addressed quickly, even without immediate staff on-site. A maintenance schedule can be programmed directly into the system, so maintenance teams are alerted when regular checks or repairs are needed.
Unstaffed operations & customer support
Though your gym may be unstaffed, that doesn’t mean your customer service should suffer. With digital customer support tools, like apps and chatbots, you can provide immediate assistance to your customers. Many fitness management platforms offer integrated chat systems that allow customers to submit inquiries or report issues in real-time.
For more urgent matters, you can set up remote assistance, where staff members or third-party support teams monitor and assist with problems during off-hours. This provides peace of mind for customers, knowing they can get help even when no staff is physically on-site.
Membership pricing & upsells
Your pricing should reflect the value of constant access. This can help you get more revenue if the customers value the extended hours.
Also, consider upselling services like personal training, group classes, or vending machines with supplements. These add-ons increase profits while offering more value to your customers.
Community building
There are plenty of ways to keep your community engaged and motivated. Digital leaderboards can encourage healthy competition, while challenges ** ** or fitness programs can help customers stay connected even when they’re visiting the gym at odd hours.
Sending automated birthday messages, acknowledging milestones, and offering exclusive classes for specific member groups (like night owls) are all great ways to foster a sense of community that increase the member retention.
How Virtuagym can be the solution for managing your 24 hour gym
Running a 24/7 gym can be challenging, but Virtuagym provides the perfect solution to simplify operations, enhance security, and improve member experience. Here’s how:
1. Integrated access control
Virtuagym integrates mobile check-ins, RFID cards, and biometric scanners to secure 24/7 access. You can customize entry rules for different membership types, ensuring only authorized members can get in.
2. Automated member management
Manage memberships, attendance, and billing automatically. With Virtuagym, renewals, payments, and member tracking are all automated, saving time and effort.
3. Customizable check-in rules
Set rules to control access, such as blocking customers with unpaid invoices or expired memberships, keeping operations smooth without manual intervention.
4. Integrations
Integrate Virtuagym with other platforms like accounting or marketing tools, making it the one-stop solution for managing every aspect of your gym.
5. Scalable for growth
Whether you’re running one location or multiple, Virtuagym can scale with your business, growing alongside your needs.
If you want to learn how other businesses have used Virtuagym, don’t miss their stories on this page.
