Here at Ashbourne Membership Management, we pride ourselves in the expertise and knowledge that goes into our blogs and today’s topic, Pass Sharing, is no exception.
Over our twenty five years in the fitness industry, we have assisted hundreds of gyms in combating this common problem within the fitness industry. In this series of articles, we will be taking a look at the proven methods we have recommended and used to address this costly issue that can cause reputational and financial damage to any fitness facility. We have seen it affect every type of independent gym and fitness club, from large, established gyms to small, specialised clubs.
Pass-Sharing, sometimes called ‘Pin-Sharing’ depending on the system of verification used by the fitness facility is a term many independent gyms and fitness club owners will already know.
This will be the first in a series of articles where we look at not only the solutions to this problem, but how independent gyms can start to identify whether it is occurring in the first place.
We have always advocated a data-driven approach as a way to combat many modern problems facing independent gyms and fitness clubs, and this issue is no exception. We will be leveraging our technical expertise within the fitness industry to help identify and deal with these contract-violating actions in a safe and efficient way.
And that is exactly what we will be focusing on here, because without the approach data infrastructure, it can be incredibly challenging for an independent gym or fitness club’s management to ascertain if Pass-Sharing is even occurring
How an Independent Gym or Fitness Club can identify Pass-Sharing/Pin-Sharing
To many independent gym owners, Pass-Sharing is a known entity, but it is important we establish a working definition.
Pass-Sharing (Also called Pin-Sharing or increasingly under the umbrella term ‘Access-Sharing’) are all terms given used to describe a series of contract-violating behaviours that paying members of a gym or fitness club can partake in.
Access control is always an important issue for independent gyms and fitness clubs and Pass-Sharing highlights why it can be costly in more than one way to neglect the access solutions used in a fitness facility.
The issue occurs when a gym’s member gives their ‘pass’ or ‘pin’ to one or more non-paying non-members. This can be shared either physically, for example giving them the key fob or card they would use to get through the access controls of the gym. Or it can be digital, sharing the method of access, for example a QR code, on their phone.
No matter whether digital or physical, the end result is the same. These non-members will now find themselves with the same access to the independent gym or fitness club’s facility that a paying member would have. Not only without paying, but without signing a contract nor having agreed to any health and safety terms.
While this constitutes a significant violation of the membership terms of nearly every gym or fitness club we are aware of, it can be a prevalent and pertinent problem if an independent gym hasn’t invested appropriately in its security and access control infrastructure.
Not only that, if news of Pass-Sharing reaches the general, paying membership, it can represent a significant loss in reputation, morale and trust for the facility in question.
If it is discovered a culture of Pass-Sharing/Pin-Sharing has become widespread and untreated, it can demoralise members, damage retention and eventually impact profits. More than that, it can signify a loss of control, respectability and perceived competence for the independent gym in question.
Because of this Ashbourne has always taken Pass-Sharing as a high priority issue, not only to tackle if and when it is discovered, but also how to identify in the first place. Many independent gyms and fitness clubs we have worked with have had Pass-Sharing and Pin-Sharing occurring under their noses for a significant period of time.
Which is why in our next article we will be looking at how data, staff, security equipment and access controls can all be utilised to identify Pass-Sharing at both an individual level and as a broader trend.
But if you are an independent gym or fitness club owner or management and you are concerned that Pass-Sharing might be occurring within your facility, don’t just wait for the next article, contact us today!
We have helped countless independent gyms understand and prevent their Pass-Sharing problems. With our state of the art access controls, biometric verification and data insight software, we can turn an intractable problem into an easy quandary to solve within a short timeframe.
Here at Ashbourne we are dedicated to giving our partner gyms and clubs the tools they need to make sure that their facility and members are safe and secure. Whether it is new access controls such as full-height turnstiles or advanced biometric scanners to all but eliminate Pass-Sharing overnight. We have something that will work for every gym. If you are interested in knowing more, please do not hesitate to contact our demonstration team here and we can start to understand how Ashbourne Membership Management can make your gym safer, more secure and all importantly, more profitable.
Get your club in shape.
Want to discover how? Let us show you.
Simply select your preferred timeslot and we’ll be in touch to have a chat about your health club,
the goals you want to achieve, and how our system can help you.
the goals you want to achieve, and how our system can help you.
Get your club in shape.
Want to discover how? Let us show you.
Simply select your preferred timeslot and we’ll be in touch to have a chat about your health club, the goals you want to achieve, and how our system can help you.
Get your club in shape.
Want to discover how? Let us show you.
Simply select your preferred timeslot and we’ll be in touch to have a chat about your health club, the goals you want to achieve, and how our system can help you.
