5 ways turnstiles will transform user experience and protect revenue at your leisure facility
Leisure facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools, must safeguard their members, premises, and revenue. However, it’s essential that these security measures do not hinder accessibility and provide a positive user experience for paying members and visitors.
IDL has a broad range of experience providing entrance control solutions for sports facilities projects including gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools, and also leisure environments at several education facilities, including the University of Birmingham’s Sport and Fitness Centre and University of Strathclyde.
Drawing on this expertise, we’re sharing five benefits turnstiles offer sports facility owners and managers:
- Streamline user experience
In today’s tech-driven world, consumers now expect seamless, intuitive, and often touchless entry into their gym or leisure facility. Fastlane turnstiles integrate with all known access control systems – as well as leisure management software that connects to membership databases – allowing business owners to choose how their members gain entry, with options including smartphones, QR codes, or biometric data such as fingerprints. This ensures an enhanced user experience and robust security while eliminating the need for staff to man the entrance.
As well as improving the experience for regular members, tech integrations can help managers deliver a streamlined experience for visitors or guests. They can receive temporary and time-limited credentials, enabling them to try out services or access facilities for special events, opening up options for marketing promotions.
Turnstiles offer a positive experience for all users with inclusive design, including options for wider lanes of up to 1200mm to accommodate sports wheelchairs. This ensures that all users, regardless of mobility requirements, can enter and exit through the same point.
- Enhancing the member experience
In leisure facilities with a smart entrance control system, staff are freed up to focus their attention on assisting members. With access and security handled by a reliable unmanned entrance control system, staff are able to focus on the delivery of other services and duties, rather than constantly policing who is entering and leaving the facility.
Smart entrance and access control systems also enable owners to access data and use the insight gathered to improve customer service, offering premium member benefits, for example, such as access to exclusive facilities such as spas, or even 24-hour opening. Fastlane turnstiles can allow entry to only certain credentials during specific time periods – easily monitoring peak and off-peak memberships. In addition, IDL’s Door Detective can be used to secure internal doors, allowing facilities to layer access throughout a facility and restrict entry to certain areas, if required.
- Protect revenue and reputation with smart entrance control systems
Ensuring only authorised individuals gain entry is vital for protecting revenue. Tailgating, where members let unauthorised users in or share credentials, can be a significant problem, especially in gyms operating around the clock without staff onsite 24/7. Fastlane turnstiles and Door Detective are equipped to detect multiple entries on a single access card, triggering alerts and tracking these incidents. When integrated with leisure management software, managers or security staff can access data on which members permit unauthorised access into the facility, and it can be handled accordingly.
The safety of members, staff, and their belongings is also a top priority for leisure facilities, and unauthorised access and theft can cause severe reputational damage. Leisure facilities are increasingly operating with reduced numbers of staff or no staff on-site during off-peak times, and not having robust security in place can risk exposing the facility to crime or leaving members feeling unsafe.
A smart integrated entrance control system prevents unauthorised access and can reduce crime rates in such facilities. Fastlane turnstiles can be integrated with CCTV and can issue alerts and trigger alarms for unauthorised entry attempts, allowing for remote monitoring and offering reassurance to customers. For further security, Door Detective can be installed to safeguard internal doors and emergency exits, extending protection throughout the facility.
- Delivering valuable insights to optimise operations
Beyond security, entrance control systems provide valuable operational data about how and when visitors are using a facility. This provides insight into visitor patterns, allowing businesses to efficiently plan staffing around peak hours. It can also be used to track occupancy in real-time providing an accurate headcount for safety and emergency planning.
When integrated with other building management systems such as lighting and HVAC, the insights into building use can help facility managers optimise resources, including achieving goals such as reducing energy consumption.
- Reliable and safe for high-traffic locations
As a manufacturer rather than just a supplier, all Fastlane and Door Detective products are designed and manufactured in-house in the UK using the highest quality materials. Our turnstiles go through an extensive soak test—a 48-hour running test to check that no faults arise and ensure our products stand the test of time. When properly serviced, they will last for many years, offering clients long-term reliability, low cost of ownership, and return on investment.
Tailored solutions for leisure environments
IDL’s solutions are crafted to complement modern leisure facilities, ensuring that functionality, durability, and visual appeal go hand-in-hand.
While the benefits of turnstile entrance control are clear, every leisure facility has its own specific needs. A customised solution ensures that each facility’s unique challenges are met, balancing security, accessibility, and user satisfaction.
Fastlane and Door Detective products are designed to deliver this tailored approach, offering state-of-the-art technology and refined aesthetics to meet the diverse demands of modern leisure facilities.
To find out more about how entrance control can support your leisure facility, or to arrange a private demonstration of our Fastlane and Door Detective products, please contact our team by calling +44 (0)208 890 5550 or send us an email to info@fastlane-turnstiles.com.
