11–20 of 78 posts
But no gym would want to do this because it violates their business model.
Most gyms are not in the business of encouraging people to work out. Gyms are in the business of encouraging people to sign up. A person who signs up for a year, comes for a week or two, then never comes again is almost pure profit.
I have no interest, but my strength training doesn't use machines. And I use progress as my motivation. But no gym would want to do this because it violates their business model. Most gyms are not in the business of encouraging people to work out. Gyms are in the business of encouraging people to sign up. A person who signs up for a year, comes for a week or two, then never comes again is almost pure profit.
Playing a MMO game in the gym as the article suggests? Not my style (distance running is an endeavor of solitude). It'll definitely appeal to some gym goers. You tend to have people who either do it alone, do it with a few select partners (weight lifting), or do it in more of a social way with lots of people (workout classes, team sports, etc...). The latter may be interested in something like this.
That's a completely stupid idea that will never work, as is obvious to anyone who's actually ever attempted to get people to do things. It fails on so many levels that it's not really even possible to write a concise, structured rebuttal of it. Off the top of my head: - Too weird, most normal people won't do it - Not everyone gives a damn about video games - Too much of a financial risk for gyms to sign up to such a…
* It's a space with so many social possibilities, but 95% of the time everyone acts as if everyone else were invisible.
* All I get for entertainment is banks of TVs with mind-numbing rolling news coverage, mind-numbing sports, and mind-numbing (and slightly pornographic) music videos.
If I wasn't in the middle of a PhD I'd be tempted to have a go myself.
"Poiesis is King of the elliptical trainer!" "Achievement unlocked: 200 pound club" "New badge: Power Hour" "Most consecutive workout days: Poesis (42)"
Add an iPhone app maybe for cardio workout tracking that's harder to cheat.
This would be totally awesome. Maybe stick a leaderboard up on one of the big screens. Only problem is that it would encourage people to visit the gym, which is a bit of a problem for the current business model. You might have to switch to pay per use. Or maybe charge extra for the frequent users? But then there's a monetary barrier to working out.
I have to ruefully say that if it weren't for the fact that this actually actively contradicts the current business model, it's a great idea.
It'd at least do well for retention I'd wager.
I have no interest, but my strength training doesn't use machines. And I use progress as my motivation. But no gym would want to do this because it violates their business model. Most gyms are not in the business of encouraging people to work out. Gyms are in the business of encouraging people to sign up. A person who signs up for a year, comes for a week or two, then never comes again is almost pure profit.
I agree with regards to the business model, but the question is whether World of Weightlifting brings in sufficient new customers or decreases churn. My LTV to my gym is over $6k. If they convert the MMORPG crowd, they make money hats.
Where do you get these phrases? You're making me laugh at work :)
What he's describing is just like team rowing, or tug-o-war or a sport like american football, rugby, basketball, etc.
We've had this technology for thousands of years.