Yate Leisure is one of the largest sites in Circadian Trust’s portfolio, with around 4,000 members. Ben Beasley, director of commercial development, explains why they were an early adopter of Technogym Biocircuit, and how the offer has evolved

Yate Leisure has always been ahead of the curve with its fitness offers and in mid-2019 the charitable trust renewed its focus on innovation.

“We were aware of potential competition from boutiques and the budget sector,” says Beasley. “Technogym introduced us to Biocircuit and it seemed a fantastic way to dip our toes into the boutique-style market.”

Technogym Biocircuit is an adaptive circuit training workout that offers a completely guided programme in 30 minutes, including both connected strength and cardio equipment. It can be positioned as a separate offer, as a bolt-on to existing memberships, or as part of a full membership.

Investing in new and existing members
“One of our values is innovation, and Biocircuit was a way to invest in our members with a new offer they wouldn’t have seen anywhere else,” explains Beasley.

In fact, Yate Leisure was one of the first Biocircuit installs in the UK and the ideal new solution to meet the needs of all members – from the time-poor and deconditioned, to Exercise on Referral – also serving as an additional profit centre.

Beasley and his team had to decide how they wanted to position Biocircuit. The equipment can be installed in a separate room (ideal for a standalone membership) or within the main gym for greater visibility.

Yate Leisure had a room ideally placed to house Biocircuit, keeping it away from the main fitness offer, so it could be presented it as a bolt-on offer to target new market segments.

When it was unveiled in July 2019, Yate Leisure sold it on the basis of being a brand-new concept that offered a complete guided workout in 30 minutes.

“We forecast 10 member upgrades and 10 new sales a month,” said Beasley. “We were hoping for 363 users by the end of year two, but we hit 257 after eight months and it broke even well before we forecast.”

From profit stream to retention tool
When Yate Leisure had to close due to COVID, Biocircuit had already achieved its ROI, so when the site reopened, the focus switched from new member acquisition to retention, and Beasley changed the way it was offered.

He says: “Biocircuit had paid off its capital cost, so we made it available as part of a standard membership. People want flexibility and many now value space and order in their workouts.

“At that point, Biocircuit moved from being an additional profit centre to adding value to existing customers.”

Since reopening, large numbers of members have been inducted onto Biocircuit, showing how valuable the equipment is in adding interest and value for long-term members.

Streamlining bookings
At Yate Leisure, Biocircuit has its own booking system, but despite demand for equipment, there’s rarely a wait. The guided nature of the circuit means someone is finishing their workout every six minutes and users simply log on to the Technogym Unity pedestal and get going. This has become a USP that Yate Leisure uses to communicate the benefits to its busiest members to ensure their engagement. “Biocircuit has been an integral part of us revisiting our membership structure and offering members solutions that fit their new attitudes to exercising,” says Beasley.

Biocircuit for Exercise on Referral
Now Biocircuit is embedded in the standard member journey, the team is turning its focus to Exercise on Referral customers, as the set-up offers a cost-effective, time-efficient way to deliver one-to-one sessions, with the Biocircuit equipment delivering custom guided workouts, so one instructor can oversee a small group.

“Biocircuit gives us a cost-effective way to deliver Exercise on Referral without losing any of the close attention these members need,” explains Beasley. “We plan to block out entire Biocircuit sessions for Exercise on Referral customers so they will always be exercising with others on the same scheme.”

Driving a sense of community
The unique design of Biocircuit means it can be all things to all people, but there’s a rationale to programming its use for different demographics. By setting aside areas of the Biocircuit timetable for different user groups, Yate Leisure is creating pockets of community among similar demographics.

“Biocircuit is helping us recover from lockdown,” says Beasley. “It has reset our model to offer people variety and flexibility at a time that suits them. Technogym’s support has been invaluable in helping us invest in a product mix that meets people’s needs. It’s great to have an equipment partner that shares our values and views on building a wellness ecosystem that encourages more people to have an active lifestyle.”

More: www.technogym.com