Access Control for Gyms
Access control for gyms – right now we are all looking to when and how the lock down will ease and end. Trying to predict anything right now is a challenge (I’m reminded of JK Galbraith’s statement “Economic forecasting was invented to make Astrology look respectable”) but we can make some reasonable assumptions. Speak to your Leisure Management Service provider to ask what improvements they are making to their systems in order to make it as easy as possible for you to meet what are likely to be stringent guidelines for re-opening:
- Limit the number of people entering
- Put robust anti-tailgating systems in place
- If your facility has unstaffed hours provide effective systems to monitor the site
- implement surface body temperature screening
1. Limit the number of people entering
With regards gyms opening it seems reasonable to assume that those facilities who can show they have mechanisms in place to limit the number of people in their gyms will go a long way to convincing authorities, the public and their staff that it is safe to re-open. Of course there are a number of elements to this but in essence at the very least you need access control to manage this. It can be contactless and does not require staff to monitor it. Many leisure management software applications already provide access control but fewer provide controls on the number of people entering a facility or room within a facility.With regards gyms opening it seems reasonable to assume that those facilities who can show they have mechanisms in place to limit the number of people in their gyms will go a long way to convincing authorities, the public and their staff that it is safe to re-open. Of course there are a number of elements to this but in essence at the very least you need access control to manage this. It can be contactless and does not require staff to monitor it. Many leisure management software applications already provide access control but fewer provide controls on the number of people entering a facility or room within a facility.
2. Put robust anti-tailgating systems in place.
Many clubs just have a single outside door which may have access control on it. Linked to point 1 above, the trouble is with a single door is that once open any number of people can pass through. It is not cost-effective for clubs to completely revamp the entrance or door spaces but there are reliable systems on the market which can successfully manage open doors and control access through it.
For further information call us on 01295 660 566 or email enquiries@allrightnow.co.uk
View our Tailgate Solutions
3. If your facility has unstaffed hours provide effective systems to monitor the site.
Many gyms have been extending their unstaffed hours to increase revenue without substantially increasing their cost base. But this comes with risks. Managing access is certainly one of them, but safety and security are key and especially now in a post-COVID world. We would recommend at the very least that you have a CCTV system with remote access via your mobile phone and panic alarm(s) that are also monitored in the event of an emergency. The problem with a lot of sites though is that they are privately owned with limited resources and the onus of monitoring unstaffed hours falls on the owner/manager. We would recommend that owners consider putting in place monitored CCTV systems which can actively monitor unstaffed facilities and allow owners especially (since the responsibility eventually falls on them) to rest easy and ensure staff and members alike are properly protected in the event of an emergency.
For more information about or Gym Secure Service please visit www.gymsecure.co.uk or contact us 01295 660 566 or email enquiries@allrightnow.co.uk
4. Implement body surface temperature screening.
It is early days yet as companies rush out body temperature screening solutions to integrate with access control but the systems are on their way and within a few months will begin to be integrated into existing UK access control solutions. As I have written elsewhere, these are not foolproof and certainly are not medical devices but they will provide an additional level of safety and therefore one less disincentive for people not to visit your gym. This sort of technology could well be a key differentiator going forwards in terms of which exercise facility I attend.
For more information about body temperature screening solution please contact us on 01295 660 566 or email enquiries@allrightnow.co.uk
In conclusion, I would recommend that you first speak to your leisure management software provider to see what systems they already have which you may not be aware of and what plans they have in place in order to help leisure facilities manage risk in a post-COVID world.
For more information please contact us on 01295 660 566 or enquiries@allrightnow.co.uk
