New from Life Fitness, VIVO allows operators, club staff and members to manage all aspects of the workout process, improve customer and instructor interaction and provide greater business intelligence.

Integrating Life Fitness cardiovascular and strength equipment with innovative new software, wireless systems and communication tools, the result is a seamless technology solution designed to put facility managers in control of key competitive touch points - enrolment, retention, programming, staffing and operations.

Chris O'Connor, General Manager of Life Fitness UK, says: “Fitness operators want to embrace technology where they can design and deliver personalised content and special offers for every member, and they want to connect with each individual by using the communication method that they prefer. Hence VIVO.”

VIVO provides the systems necessary to establish personalised activity and equipment programmes, monitor progress towards goals, and enhance member and trainer access to relevant facility and workout information.

By providing triggers to a handheld PDA to notify an instructor that a member needing attention has arrived at the club, VIVO ensures that the right members get the right attention at the right time. In addition to notifying the instructor of the member's presence, it also allows the instructor to see a member's programme history and data, and make changes to their programme then and there.

Using wireless technology, VIVO connects a gym's fitness equipment both inside and outside the gym via the worldwide web. The system also accommodates non-equipment based workouts such as studio classes, swimming and other outdoor activities.

VIVO's CRM applications allow operators to message members and provide data on member behaviour, the popularity of classes and programmes, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

Detailed equipment utilisation reports, data on fitness programme popularity, reports on asset usage, links to the Life Fitness Service team and the knowledge needed to proactively control staffing are all easily available. In addition, VIVO integrates seamlessly with existing front desk or reporting systems that the customer may already have.

O'Connor continues: “VIVO allows operators to stay in touch with members, users and prospects, their staff and their business. It also simplifies and improves interaction between members and the equipment, their fitness instructors and personal trainers, and general club administration.

“In summary, VIVO will increase member acquisition and retention, enrich the member experience, enhance operational effectiveness and improve the quality of data production.”