Renowned fitness business influencer and respected global speaker Mel Tempest has become the first independent gym owner in Australia to adopt the CoverMe platform to streamline operations and improve workforce management.

Established in 2003 in a church hall in Ballarat, central Victoria, today Genesis Health and Fitness is a 1,500sqm facility with two fully equipped gym areas and three group fitness studios comprising a group cycling studio, a functional training zone offering boxing, Hyrox, Deka training and more, plus a group fitness studio providing Les Mills and freestyle programs and 24/7 Reformer classes. The club has 26 staff and offers more than 55 live group fitness classes per week alongside on-demand sessions and programs for kids and older adults.

Over the last two decades, Tempest has earned a reputation for driving innovation in the industry and creating opportunities for fitness professionals and club owners alike. She says the CoverMe platform adds value to her business, addressing some of the biggest challenges facing fitness operators by streamlining team management, compliance and communication. By automating time-consuming tasks, CoverMe helps operators reclaim between 5 and 15 hours every week saving thousands of dollars each year. At the same time, the app allows fitness professionals to easily connect with local studios, secure additional work and grow their income.

“CoverMe gives me immediate visibility across my team and the tools I need to take action quickly. It’s a live platform where everyone stays aligned, so I don’t need to waste time calling people, texting or posting in social groups every time there’s a change to the schedule. The flexibility of the dashboard also means I can work from anywhere in the world. I don’t need to be on the premises or glued to social media to manage my team efficiently,” she says.

Tempest says that group fitness is big business for operators and maintaining consistent schedules is essential for member satisfaction and retention. Yet many clubs still struggle with inefficiencies behind the scenes that drain staff time and cause class disruptions, which can negatively impact the member experience.

“Programming, staffing and marketing are the key pillars of successful group fitness models, and I believe CoverMe will become the fourth. The more connected and efficient our back-of-house systems are, the more consistent and enjoyable the member experience becomes. When clubs run efficiently, everyone wins.”