September 2019 - Parks & Recreation - 114

OPERATIONS

alized exercise routines. Some
smart equipment even goes as far
as offering classes via video and
virtual personal trainers to help
keep users motived and on track.
Though there are still concerns
to be addressed, such as privacy
issues related to tracking health
data, the integration of technology is growing in popularity and
smart equipment will become
more widely used as these challenges are resolved.

Making the Most
of Your Gym

(https://imaginarium.i-square.
us/eco-gym), has minimized its
carbon footprint by combining
power-generating fitness equipment with solar and wind energy,

Smart gym equipment allows
users to store their health
history, track goals and create
personalized exercise routines.
Some smart equipment even
goes as far as offering classes
via video and virtual personal
trainers to help keep users
motived and on track.
sourced from panels and turbines
attached to the roof, in order to
keep the lights on and the air conditioner blowing. The equipment,
112

Parks & Recreation

in most cases, is not enough by
itself to power an entire gym, but
it can significantly lower a gym's
overhead costs. Not to mention,
in today's eco-conscious society, it is critical to be looking for
green solutions and to diminish
waste, including from the energy
we produce. Harnessing the energy individuals are already exerting is an innovative and growing
solution for the fitness industry to
make a dent in its impact on the
environment.
It's also not surprising that
'smart' electronics have made
their way into the fitness world.
Everything, from our phones to
our fridges, is connected to the
internet - why shouldn't our
workout equipment be also?
Smart gym equipment allows users to store their health history,
track goals and create person-

| S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

Contrary to popular belief, the
most successful gyms are not always those with the shiniest equipment. In fact, most gym-goers prefer a space stocked with the right
equipment rather than quantity or
appearances. In order to determine
the right equipment for your gym,
knowing your audience is a must.
For many recreation centers, this
means serving a diverse pool of
individuals with varying needs.
Providing a variety of equipment
options in a space that is welcoming will attract patrons more than
having the newest gear on the
market. Incorporating uncommon
equipment that fosters unique experiences, such as rock-climbing
walls and large trampolines, can
also help to draw new faces into
your facility. No matter how large
or small your operation may be,
taking the time to strategize and be
intentional about the experience
provided through your equipment
can make or break the success of
your gym.
Lindsay Collins is the Associate Editor
for NRPA's Parks & Recreation magazine
(lcollins@nrpa.org).

September 2019 - Parks & Recreation

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