How Nexkey makes NuEx Fitness’s business possible and how it was crucial during this pandemic
“My particular business model doesn't work without Nexkey, and my members love it!”
NuEx Fitness is a gym where members can train with fitness professionals in small personalized sessions. From classes to training sessions, NuEx melds personal training and small-scale community fitness, making their gym experience impactful, yet personal.
Once the pandemic hit, an already friction-filled process of relying on physical metal keys became more arduous. Things got harder during the COVID-19 shutdown when Julius Jones, the owner, couldn’t always leave his house to help manage the gym’s access after hours. Nexkey’s mobile access control platform gives Julius control over his space so he can run his business efficiently and safely during COVID.
Julius can rest easy knowing that with Nexkey, even when he’s not on-site, his members can continue getting the practice they need in a way that is COVID conscious. Julius can also now remotely unlock and secure his space for anyone, even deliveries. By tracking and scheduling member access, and only giving a small group of people 24h access, he can make NuEx Fitness more secure where his members and his business don't have to compromise their physical health because of COVID-19.
Could you tell me a little bit about your gym?
I have a gym which is mainly for personal training. Everything that we do here is instructed. Our members know that this is not a free for all, just do what you want, come in blind and try to figure it out type gym. That's the difference between NuEx and other gyms. There’s lots of structure and intention behind how we build opportunities for wellness and exercise. It's usually a small group or one-on-one with a trainer.
How many people attend these fitness sessions and what is being taught?
Our classes top out at 12. That's the cutoff. The only time I reached that number is during a sports season since I train track and field and volleyball teams for agility and speed. That's when the members really come out. Your daily personal training needs high-intensity interval training so it's not so intense like CrossFit and it's not aerobics. Everything that we do is technique-based as if you were working one-on-one, but it's on average about six people per class.
We take personal training moves and then put them in a class setting. So some of the stuff I have to tweak because you can't do one-on-one with either and not enough equipment, or it takes too much time to explain the movement or certain things. It is very unique and personalized.
When did you know modern access control was something that you needed?
I always knew I needed something like Nexkey. With my clients, I'm not always at the gym, so if I give them workouts that they need to practice on before a one-on-one to check in soon, then they pay for the access they need for the duration they want.
Nexkey helps them work out safely and helps my members prepare in advance for workshops. They need access to the gym if I'm telling them to do a certain exercise on certain equipment. Because not everybody has this equipment at home, the perfect way to do this is to allow access 24 hours a day with Nexkey. Having Nexkey helps provide access at any time—a real game-changer that makes our business function the way it should.
What tough situations for your gym have Nexkey helped avoid?
There were a few times where I was using manual keys, and I grabbed the wrong key. I have three cars and all my cars have keys, and I grabbed the wrong set of keys. So I had to call my wife and ask “Hey, can you come down to the gym? I locked the door.” She was working so I had to drive all the way home, grab the right key, come back. Nexkey stopped making moments like this a problem.
How has the Pandemic affected your business?
For starters, my UPS guy usually comes by our gym at 4:30 PM, but there are products that I sell and I don't get them ready till maybe 5:30 PM, sometimes 6:00 PM. So he's still out and about. With Nexkey, I can shoot him a text and say, “Hey, I left the packages by the door.” Boom, temporary code, or remote unlock. He grabs the shipment, Nexkey locks the door behind him and he's done. I don't have to always be outside managing this, I can manage it from home. That was a lifesaver during this pandemic.
“That was definitely a lifesaver during this pandemic.”
With COVID-19, shipping has been a nightmare. So to say that I can have it out at 7:00 PM because my UPS driver will shoot back and make me his very last pick up is everything. Nexkey remote unlock is the only way this arrangement will work.
“Nexkey remote unlock is the only way this arrangement will work.”
Also because it's COVID, I can’t always be around the gym, but with Nexkey, my small set of members can schedule access and use the space to exercise, and I can use remote unlock or Nexkey user settings to set this up for them. It makes my business work during the pandemic.
How do you manage access with Nexkey?
There's an admin setting for me with full control, and then everyone gets the user feature. So for UPS, I'll just unlock it remotely so we don't have to worry. Once, I was out of town that day and forgot that my business hours were operating, and the cool thing about Nexkey is you get the reminder. So, I was just looking at my notifications and it said doors unlocked so thank god for remote lock features!
Why was it important for you to get Nexkey?
I'd say, Nexkey is incredibly valuable. Nexkey is part of my business model. That's why my particular business model doesn't work without Nexkey.
“That's why my particular business model doesn't work without Nexkey.”
And I've been looking for a long time. So When I finally figured out what Nexkey was offering, it was a no brainer.
How do people feel about using Nexkey?
They love it. With Nexkey, I can charge for the increased 24h access they get with Nexkey. And people just say “Cool. Put it on my account.” They pay it because they want to know that the door locks behind them and they are practicing in a secure place, so they feel safe.
Secondly, they can come and work out anytime they want, whether it's midnight, 6:00 AM. Cause I'm only here from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM and so all the folks who have it, they love it. There's no, “Ahh it's okay,” No! They all say, “Oh my God. I love this, thank you!” It's always five stars from every person that has it.
“Customers say, ‘Oh my God. I love this, thank you!’ It's always five stars from every person that has it.”
Most gyms have monthly fees for fewer hours anyway, so the folks here are thrilled paying for 24-hour access to exercise.
Would you recommend Nexkey to similar businesses?
Yes! Nexkey is a service that you can offer to all businesses. If the business has a membership type scenario plus access needs, I don't think anybody will say, “No, I don't want to pay it.” The only time someone doesn’t is probably because they are tight on a paycheck but those are case by case situations that need different consideration anyway. I think that if folks can pay the monthly for gyms like mine it's a no-brainer to use Nexkey.
“It's a no-brainer to use Nexkey!”
So yes, 100% of everybody else is like, “Hell yeah for Nexkey!” And then for a business owner, You can charge a fee for 24hr access or limited access to offset the small subscription fee.
People get more hours than a regular monthly fee for regular gyms. I like that you can also see how many people are using the door and when with Nexkey. Times they logged in and other metrics. So it's a good business move for any business that has a membership base or any field of business.
Anything that I haven't asked yet that you would like to share?
No, the customer service is great! There is even 24hr emergency service line which came in handy when I had an issue where I made an error and it got worked out in under 20 minutes. Everything was super cool and smooth. What's more, Nexkey then color matched the hardware to my gym storefront doors! This was imperative because my building is in an HOA, so the appearance of the doors cannot look different. The locks work with my current setup. And if you're standing, looking at all the other doors, you can't tell them apart. You have to walk up to examine it, otherwise, just walking by, it looks all the same. I liked that. That's a thumbs-up as well!