More than 200,000 gym-goers (214,121, to be exact) rely on HybridAF to access facilities around the world.
- That said, HybridAF is used in different ways by different people, depending on their unique needs, goals, priorities, and schedules. Similarly, no two gyms are exactly alike.
We understand this, which is why HybridAF allows gym owners to offer unattended access in a way that best suits their community, culture, and members.
For some, this means charging an additional fee for unattended access, while others include it as part of their regular memberships to add value. Some gyms offer unattended access-only memberships, while others provide one-time or weekly access for visitors and drop-ins.
The Five Types of Members HybridAF Can Service
The Traveler
Frequent gym-goers who travel often want to maintain their regular training routine while on the road. For these travelers, a flexible gym membership is ideal—one that doesn’t require committing to random group classes while they’re away but still allows them to stick to their personal training program.
- This is where unattended access comes in. Travelers can easily purchase a one-day or one-week pass, sign a waiver, and reserve a time slot through the gym’s app.
For the record: HybridAF integrates seamlessly with all major gym management platforms—PushPress, Zen Planner, Wodify, Kilo, Mariana Tek, Pike 13, and more. Once the traveler purchases their pass, HybridAF grants them access, ensuring a smooth process.
While many gyms aren’t located in cities that see a high volume of visitors, those that are can take advantage of unattended access to create a new, hassle-free revenue stream.
- Take Joe Tape, owner of The Strip Barbell in Las Vegas, Nevada, for example. He uses Acuity, a platform that integrates with HybridAF, and has welcomed nearly 4,000 drop-ins over the last 18 months, each paying $25 per visit.
Ben Benson is another gym owner successfully tapping into this market. You can read his full story here. Read his story here
The Competitor
Whether training for elite CrossFit competitions, Hyrox, an Ironman, or Olympic weightlifting, many gym members have specific goals that require specialized training.
Unattended access is ideal for these members who may enjoy group classes but also need additional time—two or three extra days a week—to focus on their individual training. This is especially true for those working toward goals like qualifying for events such as Wodapalooza or completing specific workouts for an online qualifier.
- Without unattended access, gym owners often find themselves feeling guiltyabout making extra trips to the gym, such as on Sundays, to unlock the door for a few members needing to repeat a CrossFit Open workout or for a team to complete their online qualifier routines.
With unattended access, gym owners can take that much-needed day off, confident that their competitive members are still getting the training they need to meet their goals.
Worth noting: Scott Panchik, a CrossFit Games veteran and owner of CrossFit Mentality in Mentor, Ohio, chooses not to offer group classes on Thursdays or Sundays at his gym. However, with unattended access, his members can still train on those days, making up missed workouts or following their own programs.
The Parent
With the busy schedules of taking kids to school, working full-time, and shuttling children to their various sports activities, parents are often some of the busiest members at a gym.
For many, the only time they can fit in a workout is at 5 a.m., before the day’s chaos begins, or at 8 p.m., after the kids are in bed.
Unattended access is a perfect solution for these parents, allowing them to train three or four days a week, often during hours when group classes aren’t available.
HybridAF gym owners often notice parents sneaking in workouts on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, as kids’ sports typically interfere with morning classes. With unattended access, parents can still get a weekend workout in and enjoy some much-needed personal time.
This system prevents parents from canceling their membership when life gets hectic (which, with kids, never truly settles down). Instead, they can maintain their fitness and keep their membership. It’s a win-win for both the gym and the parents.
The Sport-Specific Athlete
Whether it’s a high-level swimmer or a college football or basketball player, sport-specific athletes often follow a strict training program tailored to their needs.
For college athletes home during the summer, offering unattended access allows gym owners to capture members they might not otherwise have the chance to serve, helping keep their training consistent even while away from school.
The PT Member
Life happens, and sometimes we find ourselves in need of physical therapy—whether from a spill on the ski hill or a hamstring injury from softball.
For members recovering from injuries, it can be frustrating to attend class and feel limited in their movements as they work their way back to full health. Even though gym owners may encourage them to keep attending and work around the pain, it’s not always practical. Often, these members end up putting their membership on hold or quitting altogether.
Additionally, these individuals often have rehabilitation programs prescribed by their physical therapists. Unattended access can be the perfect solution, allowing them to continue their gym routine while following their rehab program and gradually returning to normal training.
The Bottom Line
Unattended access offers gym owners a unique opportunity to serve a diverse range of gym-goers, each with different needs, goals, priorities, and schedules.
For members, it means getting the training they need. For gym owners, it can generate additional revenue through upselling current members, attracting new members, selling drop-ins, and ultimately improving client retention.
