Club Management - May/June 2008 - (Page 23)

Golf/Sports & Recreation Management Go Cutting Edge with Fitness Equipment Upscale resorts boost guest satisfaction by offering the latest and greatest By Bryan Green The Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Rey, California, recently installed the Ab-X by Precor. T he ﬁtness industry is characterized and driven by new product introductions and innovations. Staples like free weights, treadmills and recumbent bikes will long have their place in ﬁtness centers. But often it’s the implementation of new technologies and cutting-edge products and accessories that can make the difference in a facility’s bottom line. The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, recently took delivery of an impressive array of top-of-the-line, entertainmentintegrated ﬁtness equipment. Not only does each piece of cardiovascular equipment come equipped with personal viewing screens, but the equipment itself now has a voice – literally. The Biltmore is the ﬁrst hospitality-based property to install equipment featuring Precor’s new InSite technology. This impressive new digital technology allows for the “self-evaluation” of cardiovascular equipment as well as the automated communication needed to initiate repairs, set reminders for scheduled maintenance and compile an abundant amount of usage data. These machines are equipped to wirelessly transmit this data directly to the facility’s designated service provider and key facility management contacts. “We used to have to wait for a guest to complain about when a treadmill was down, and now we get a call from our service provider before we even know we have a problem,” said Theresa McQueen, director of ﬁtness for the Biltmore. “The amount of control my team now has over maximizing our facility’s equipment is really incredible.” The Biltmore also plans to upgrade its ﬁtness facility with an enhanced composite rubber ﬂoor, a juice bar, retail support and increased group exercise variety. The hotel’s current ﬁtness offerings extend well beyond the facility itself, going into the property’s award-winning pool and other adventure-based activities. “Our guests have many choices in terms of where they wish to stay, and exercise services have become more and more of a factor in their decision making,” McQueen said. “Therefore, we’ve increased our emphasis and believe we’ve dramatically increased our repeat business for the hotel as a result.” The Biltmore is not alone. Luxury operators such as the Ritz Carlton and Auberge brands have followed similar paths based upon consistent guest feedback. Recently, the Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Rey, California, invested in a signiﬁcant upgrade to its ﬁtness center with an eye on tapping state-of-the-art products to satisfy the demand of a unique customer base. Due to its proximity to both the Los Angeles International Airport and the city’s sports and entertainment hubs, the hotel serves many of the professional sports teams that travel to Los Angeles. To maintain its upscale reputation, the facility needed the latest in entertainment features, including personal viewing screens and iPod docking stations. To satisfy the demands of elite athletes frequenting the facility, several of the industry’s latest and most effective multipurpose Paramount’s new European-style SP leg extension machine MAY/JUNE 2008 • 23

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Club Management - May/June 2008

Club Management - May/June 2008 Contents President’s Message Accounting & Financial Management Board Governance Wine Society Quenches Thirst for Knowledge, Camaraderie Building & Facilities Management Tennis Pro Education Increases Your Bottom Line Cover Story: BMI Golf Management Golf/Sports & Recreation Management Human & Professional Resources Relationship Building in the Internet Era The Ultimate Cellar Raid Products and Services Marketplace External & Government Influences HFTP Insight: HITEC 2008 Features Latest in Club Technology New Directions Global Outreach Advertiser Index/Advertisers.com Club Wrap

Club Management - May/June 2008

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