How Gyms Protect Members and Profits with Automated Security Solutions
Gyms are places of health and wellness. But they are also places of risk. Due to gyms’ membership-based business model, unauthorized access or tailgating (“piggybacking”) is a central, ongoing concern. But there are other threats that stem from large numbers of people using specialized fitness equipment and common areas such as locker rooms, spa facilities, pools, and parking structures. Activities in these areas introduce slip-and-fall risks, theft opportunities, and other health and safety concerns.
Over the past year, Covid-19 brought new challenges as gym owners were required to reduce density and enforce mask wearing and social distancing compliance. Like so many other sectors, from retail and manufacturing to healthcare and education, the fitness industry is embracing intelligent video surveillance and gym access control to better manage risk and protect business operations. Video, touchless 24-hour gym access control and gym management software are coming together for a more streamlined and effective way to manage gym operations and ensure the safety of members and employees.
Tailgating: attacking a pervasive threat head-on
Tailgating is a significant problem for the fitness industry. When non-members piggyback off paying members, it’s not only a revenue loss for the gym, it’s also a security risk, leading to issues with theft and liability. Even though a swipe card or key fob system for gym entry is convenient, it’s prone to misuse by members letting their friends into the facility with their credentials. Tailgating can also be more nefarious, with bad actors waiting around the gym entry systems, and following unsuspecting members into the facility to commit theft, vandalism, or other crimes. A 24-hour gym entry system is not a complete tailgating security solution on its own. Adding video surveillance to a gym security system identifies tailgaters and enables real-time intervention.
Camio real-time video search easily integrates with automated keyless entry systems like Openpath to enable gym owners to use existing cameras to identify tailgaters. Using AI and machine learning, Camio turns standard 2D cameras into 3D sensors — without the cost and complexity of installing specialized devices for infrared, laser, or stereoscopic vision. Gym video surveillance cameras gain a new sense of depth and understanding by segmenting and tracking people as they move on a 3D floor-plane grid that defines the areas inside and outside of each entrance. Because Camio is software-based, setup is simple and can be done remotely in minutes. Data storage can be retained on-premise or in the cloud for as long as needed. Integrated with a gym door access system, this helps owners differentiate authorized club members from tailgaters, and take action to protect their business.
Action and insights via real-time alerts and dashboards
Each time the number of people passing through a gym entry system is greater than the number of people authorized to enter, Camio triggers a tailgating alert. Alerts are sent automatically to authorized personnel — and optionally to the people involved in the tailgating incident — and can be viewed from any browser on any device. Camio notifications use templates that can be customized according to a gym’s culture and risk tolerance. Automatic alerts are especially useful in managing 24–7 gym access control systems during off-peak hours, helping keep staff informed without tying them to the front desk or reception area.
Automatic alerts aren’t the only analytics-driven tool. Interactive dashboards enable staff to view streams, communicate with team members and send incident links, making gym operations more efficient. Dashboards also identify trends and vulnerabilities in gym security systems, and measure the impact of security policy changes with data comparisons to prior periods.
Around-the-clock operations and risk mitigation
For NRG Lab, which owns and operates gyms in Massachusetts, persistent tailgating was resulting in ongoing lost guest fee revenue. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the gyms also needed to reduce occupancy to meet safety guidelines and protect the well-being of its members. New regulations also necessitated a move to 24/7 operations to sustain profitability and meet member needs. So, it was essential to monitor unauthorized access on the 24 hour gym entry system, especially when the front desk wasn’t staffed.
Because NRG Lab uses Openpath for 24 hour gym access control, adding Camio gym video surveillance and tailgating detection was deployed remotely in less than 45 minutes. Camio is software-based and uses existing cameras, so there are no client apps to download or proprietary equipment to purchase. For small gyms without on-premise servers, the Camio Box gateway connects cameras to the cloud without requiring network changes. Only one short training session was required to choose the desired alerts. And Camio is completely secure, utilizing best practices such as TLS encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy and 256-bit AES encrypted storage.
“Camio set up our tailgating solution in less than an hour using our existing cameras. Now we’re able to protect our profit margins by charging for non-member guests and protect the well-being of everyone who passes through our doors.”
— Luther White, President and CEO, NRG Lab
Once NRG Lab deployed Camio, the gyms saw immediate results. Within the first two months, tailgating declined by more than 70%. The system served as a deterrent, and reports from the 24 hour gym access control system allowed gym managers to identify and charge a fee to members who knowingly allowed tailgaters. Management was able to identify and bill offenders based on their gym access control credentials, providing video clips as needed for corroboration. At $20 per guest pass, the company gained 11x ROI. And because the 24 hour gym access control system accurately tracked all members and guests entering, there was no need for overnight front desk coverage. The gyms were able to stay open 24/7 without hiring more staff. Camio also made the gym safer by detecting people without masks during the pandemic at the same time it detected tailgaters.
AI frees management to focus on what’s important
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning enable Camio to recognize what’s important, saving gym owners and management hours of combing through video footage to find the few seconds that matter. Camio learns continuously to expedite video review with 50x greater efficiency via 90% fewer false positives and 5x faster search.
Technological advances in gym video surveillance and gym management software allow club owners to use the cameras already in place to their fullest advantage. Camio real-time video search puts cameras to work to understand the problems that warrant human attention. They keep a lookout, so staff members don’t have to. And not just at entry doors. Camio’s flexible SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) and usage-based cost model allows gyms to shift Camio to the cameras and areas with the most need. Discover what’s happening not only at entrance doors but also in other areas of the gym. Video footage is used to back up investigations or shared with law enforcement to verify or dispute claims.
A holistic approach to gym security
Camio is a modern, open and interoperable platform that not only integrates with gym access control solutions like Openpath, but also with gym management software and systems such as ABC Fitness Solutions. Siloed, proprietary security solutions are costly, with lock-in to closed systems with little control. With cloud-based systems and open architecture, gym security systems can function together to improve safety and increase ROI. For example, with Camio, onsite cameras have the power to become an intelligent and secure video monitoring platform.
Contact us to learn how to easily and economically move from passive surveillance to active security — in less than an hour.
