Staff intervention key to promoting functional training

Gym-goers are currently far from enthusiastic about functional training according to figures from GYMetrix.

GYMetrix measures use of gym equipment by detecting movement with load sensors and accelerometers, as well as on the ground surveys. The company has collaborated with Health Club Management on a feature for the April issue, which highlights usage and how to sweat the asset.

Although the health club industry has fallen in love with functional training – it forms a central part of Fitness First’s new rebrand – customers find the equipment baffling and are largely unaware of the benefits.

“Large sections of the media portrays functional training as a growing trend which must be tapped into, like an oil well which will explode, but we’re seeing the opposite. When gyms first put them in, the demand is zero. It’s a push trend, not a pull trend, and it won’t grow without staff intervention,” says founder of GYMetrix, Rory McGown.

Health Club Management talks to a number of leisure centres which have had mixed results with functional training. However, the message which comes through loud and clear is that staff intervention is key to the success of a functional training area.

Workshops, inductions, small group training sessions, vimeos, 'how to' cards and posters are all important in turning gym members onto the varied workouts and health benefits offered by functional training.

For the full story, see the upcoming April edition of Health Club Management magazine.