Explore the impact of fitness technology on the rapidly evolving fitness industry. Learn how integrating technology to create immersive fitness studios can help fitness operators adapt to changing customer experiences. Explore what immersive fitness is, and how visuals, audio, and lighting solutions can deliver exceptional experiences designed to boost customer retention.
The fitness industry is evolving fast, which means fitness operators need to keep up with ever changing customer expectations and workout habits. The emergence of new technology, hybrid working, and the influence of social media have all contributed to these transformations. These changes can be a great advantage for fitness operators looking to evolve with opportunities to integrate immersive fitness technology into their offering and create immersive fitness studios.
We’ll explore how fitness technology can transform gym spaces, highlighting how an immersive fitness studio can boost member motivation, engagement, and attendance.
Immersive Fitness: What is it?
Before we get into why fitness operators should be integrating immersive fitness technology into their studio space, let’s explore what immersive fitness is.
An immersive fitness class enables members to fully engage in the workout through advanced fitness technology. These studios typically feature a large screen and surround sound, with many operators enhancing the experience further with innovative visuals.
These classes aim to make working out more fun by taking the focus away from the body and instead, creating an exciting, all-encompassing experience for gym goers. Les Mill have run extensive testing which was published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, showing that immersive classes increase satisfaction while actually decreasing the rate of perceived exertion for new exercisers.
Immersive fitness technology offers the collective energy of group workouts while seamlessly integrating music, video, dynamic lighting, and digital content to create a captivating, multisensory experience. This cutting-edge approach enhances motivation, focus, and performance, transforming your facility and making fitness both fun and engaging for members.
Why does the immersive experience work so well? Gym-goers seek more than just a place to exercise – they’re looking for motivation. Technologies like apps that integrate with equipment via Bluetooth allow members to gamify their workouts, transforming them into community challenges that boost motivation and engagement. This trend points to a hybrid future for health and fitness operators, where apps and new tech empower members to track and monitor their progress, keeping them motivated to reach their goals.
Fitness spaces come in many shapes and forms and a truly immersive experience comes from a combination of solutions. Hutchi has been pioneering immersive experiences with advanced audio, visual, lighting, and automation technologies since 1991. From David Lloyd Blaze fitness studios, Rhythm and Cyclone, and the immersive Les Mills The Trip, to the multi-sensory Virgin Active gyms, our bespoke solutions ensure seamless integration and future-proof support.
With an abundance of technology available now, people don’t even need to leave their homes to enjoy the benefits of workout technology. That’s why fitness operators need to offer fitness in more engaging ways, and immersive environments are the future of fitness.
Incorporating a range of apps and new tech will inspire members to track their efforts. Sometimes we all need that extra incentive to go to the gym, right? By using apps and virtual content on large screens with community-building aspects, gyms can keep members engaged through regular and meaningful touchpoints which will offer that motivation and engagement. These innovations are giving people more control over their fitness journey and helping them reach their goals in new and exciting ways. A win-win for fitness operators, members, and overall public health.
Fitness operators need to offer space, technology, and wellness services in innovative and engaging ways, and immersive environments are the future of fitness. Live classes with enthusiastic instructors can be supported by an immersive fitness experience, using video display walls and audio technology solutions. Think cycle studios with huge screens and cinema-quality immersive content that transports riders to another world.
Immersive cycling studio at Westmanstown Club, Dublin, showcasing a large video wall and surround digital lighting strips, installed by Hutchi.
All immersive studios will feature some form of projection, whether that’s onto a cinema scale screen or simply projected onto the walls of the studio. These can be used to display inspirational journeys, such as a cycle through the French Alps or a modern digital landscape.
Immersive fitness technology has the huge advantage of offering that collective energy of people working out together. Seamlessly integrating music, video, and lighting effects for an immersive and motivating experience can lift your facility to another level while members find getting fit fun.
Virgin Active trusted Hutchi to create an all-encompassing, multi-sensory member experience, integrating immersive technology with key fitness floor brands including Wattbike, MYZONE, MyRide+ and SWIMTAG.
Spectacular Feature Lighting
The lighting of the studio takes the visuals to the next level. Having lighting that encompasses the whole studio makes exercisers feel like they are in the on-screen experience.
Fitness studios can use colour indicators to show how hard rider are working. Some studios, like David Lloyd’s Rhythm classes, sync their lighting with this colour indicators to turn the whole studio the colour that riders show be aiming for. This use of room filling light helps riders lose themselves in the workout.
When entering the studio, members are met by chevron-style strip digital RBG lighting suspended overhead, installed at varying heights across the ceiling to create an uphill feel that mimics the virtual classes on the display upfront. RGB lighting lines the podium and synchronises with the other lighting in the space, and a series of spotlights and moving heads surround the cycling studio and provide additional lighting and feature effects. Altogether, the lighting creates a mesmerising, dynamic atmosphere, boosting exercise performance.
Since launching the new cycle studio with feature lighting and AV solutions, the University of Strathclyde saw a rise in the popularity of the classes.
Immersive Audio Solutions
Sound plays an integral part in any immersive experience. For high intensity classes like HIIT, you need loud and powerful music that washes over exercisers letting them feel the rhythm of the experience. Research has shown that adding music to your workout benefits motivation and output without making you feel like you’re working harder.
But these days, fitness operators around the globe use far more than music alone to create unforgettable immersive fitness experiences. Now you can expect to have all your senses engaged when working out, with stunning visuals, incredible sounds and even carefully chosen scents becoming a part of the experience.
Knowing what audio solutions to install can be tricky though. Depending on size of your studio, bigger isn’t always better. Talk to sound professionals to understand your requirements and get the best sound experience possible.
But the audio equipment is only one aspect of immersive sound. Take time to curate a playlist that reflects the workout you’re delivering. Gymbox take this to the next level by having DJs in their studios, creating an immersive party to work out to.
The Grangemouth Sports Complex team wanted to transform their existing cycle studio into a Les Mills Immersive studio, so they brought Hutchi onboard. From studio lights to full virtual cycling centres, we’ve delivered a variety of technology integrations throughout Grangemouth Sports Complex, including their gym and Les Mills Immersive cycle studio. Their vision was to create an energetic and motivating environment unlike anything else available to their members.
For audio, we installed a distributed split stereo audio system throughout the studio to deliver a powerful soundscape. The speakers are suspended on dropped rods from the ceiling grid; carefully configured for the ceiling’s weight limitations.
Angled towards the central screen, users experience an immersed sound experience that helps focus attention on the visuals at the front of the room.
The end result is a distinctive and memorable cycle studio that quickly became a favourite amongst the local cycle class community. Feedback from members has been incredibly positive, and the studio has been a fantastic addition to Grangemouth Sports Complex.
Immersive Fitness Experiences
Done right, immersive fitness spaces can give your members an exercise experience that leaves them excited for more. Whatever your vision is for your immersive experience, ensure it’s well thought out, so it takes your members on a journey that works for them.
At Hutchi, we ensure that your immersive vision is well-executed, tailored to member needs. Our integration expertise and bespoke solutions blend these technologies seamlessly, with comprehensive support across the UK and EU, including secure access control, digital signage, networking, and ongoing maintenance.
Explore how Hutchi’s innovative approach can elevate your fitness environment, creating compelling experiences that boost member engagement and satisfaction.
It’s been a bountiful time for the UK fitness industry, which is experiencing a healthy post-pandemic boom. Valued at approximately £2 billion in 2024, there has been an influx of fitness solutions appearing, ranging from mega gyms to boutique studios.
That’s down to the general population becoming a lot more health conscious – and increasing awareness of the importance of physical health means that people are prioritising fitness for their physical and mental wellbeing. That, along with public health initiatives to promote increased nationwide physical activity, means the demand for gyms is soaring.
So, it’s great news for gyms and fitness operators looking to increase their industry presence. But the buck can’t stop there. For gyms and fitness studios who want to stay ahead of the competition, they need to differentiate their offering. Keeping up to date with the latest fitness trends and fitness technology is the best way to ensure people stay interested in entering the gym on a regular basis.
Immersive fitness technology has the huge advantage of offering that collective energy of people working out together. Seamlessly integrating music, video, and lighting effects for an immersive and motivating experience can lift your facility to another level while members find getting fit fun.
Live classes with enthusiastic instructors can be supported by an immersive fitness experience, using video display walls and audio technology solutions. Think HIIT studios with LED video walls, blended with light and music, and an all-encompassing multi-sensory experience that immerses gym members into a different zone.
Speaking of HIIT, also known as High Intensity Interval Training, these classes have been a fitness staple for the past decade. HIIT has been popular for years, but online data suggests there’s been a resurgence recently. Hutchi has worked with leading UK fitness providers to build and install innovative HIIT studios by using unique fitness technology integrated solutions and focusing on delivering exceptional customer experiences. Read on to find out about our top five HIIT studios that we’ve installed, in the UK.
The Gym Group use best-in-class audio-visual tech and custom-coded integrations with Fiit, the #1 rated fitness app, to deliver live and on-demand classes in a way never before seen. To deliver these unique classes in-house, The Gym Group required a virtual studio space that delivered an immersive fitness experience. That’s why Hutchi ensured their one-of-a-kind studio mimics the lighting and audio sequences shown on the Fiit class content, giving members the impression that they are in the same studio as the instructors.
Bringing an immersive fitness experience to their members that had previously only been available in high-end boutique gyms fits perfectly with The Gym Group’s mission statement; ‘Breaking down barriers to fitness for all’.
“Hutchi have helped us with our mission to break down barriers to fitness for all. We can now offer a previously exclusive immersive fitness experience in a low-cost gym environment. The way the in-room feature lighting and audio mirrors what’s happening in the FiiT class really gives the impression the instructor is in the room with you.” – Sarah Grime | Design and Development Manager, The Gym Group
www.richardjohnsonphoto.com
www.richardjohnsonphoto.com
David Lloyd | Blaze: An Immersive Fitness Experience
Looking to conquer the demand for HIIT and the explosion of boutique studios, David Lloyd Clubs met the trend head-on with ‘Blaze‘, an immersive fitness experience. Delivered in a purpose-built studio, Blaze is an instructor-led circuit style group workout that combines cardio, martial arts, and strength training, designed to take members on a journey through different heart rate zones, challenging personal fitness levels to the max.
Hutchi provided and installed an AV solution for an intense full-body HIIT workout studio with specialist equipment, where members can track performance and reach their goals. While instructors challenge them to achieve results, Myzone, a wearable heart-rate based system that monitors heart rate, calories, and time exercising with the numbers projected onto digital screens, encourages partakers to keep going alongside their classmates.
Blaze leadership boards and awards encourages members to feel a sense of community and belonging as well as motivation to keep improving their results. Through ultramodern aesthetics, seamless tech integration, and intuitive control, David Lloyd creates an authentic fitness experience to rival even the very best of boutique studios.
“Blaze has been a spectacular success. The AV doesn’t just look and sound amazing – it’s that Hutchi really understand how behind-the-scenes functionality impacts our member experience. More engaged instructors make for happier and harder working members, which means we’re happy too!” – Michelle Dand, David Lloyd Clubs, Group Health & Fitness Manager
Gymbox | HIIT with Edge
As an unconventional disruptor to the boutique fitness market, Gymbox wanted to create something truly unique. They asked Hutchi to help them build a brand standard to launch and scale their unique fitness concept. So, we worked with the gym’s founder and operational team to provide the full works of integrated technology solutions to bring their brand essence to life.
We’ve helped the team shape and grow every essence of their technology requirements to showcase these elements, keeping the principles the same, but bringing a disruptive element to the signature style of each new gym. Combined with their cool, world-class instructors, full-size boxing rings, nightly resident DJs, these classes make for an immersive member experience you can’t get anywhere else. With a huge list of unique and exciting classes, Gymbox gives HIIT a whole new meaning.
Transform Wellness Centres | HIIT classes for Rehabilitation
We decided to focus on integrating audiovisual dynamics and lighting, aimed at supporting member motivation with fully controllable ambient settings according to the programme and patient needs.
Led by personal trainers and rehab specialists, the classes at Core Wellness Centres take place under an array of feature lights that sync to the sections of the class. Lighting is critical to highlight the session’s interval workouts, where the intensity of the lighting increases as the workout gets harder and harder; followed by a 10 second rest period which features white light to signify rest.
Members can track and visualise their progress in real-time thanks to a Myzone integration displayed on a large screen, a wearable heart-rate based system that monitors heart rate, calories, and time exercising, with the numbers projected onto digital screens, motivating members to keep moving during the workout. Simultaneously, it creates an online logbook of all physical activity that can be viewed anywhere and tracked by the team to keep members on track with their goals.
What sets this HIIT studio apart is the philosophy of owner, Dr Joe Tilley – “Movement is life and life is movement! Exercise to us is not optional, it’s a necessity!”
We worked with Victus Soul from an early stage to map out their requirements and integrated fitness technology to help them deliver a carefully designed premium experience from the moment you walk through the door. We delivered an end-to-end AV and lighting solution across the entire site to help Victus Soul achieve their vision of creating incredible member experiences.
The workouts take place in darkened studios, with feature lighting getting members in the mood to give their all. Victus Soul also uses tailored scents to create an immersive experience. Tied in with the lighting and sound, members are given the feeling of walking into the boxing bout of their lives.
So, there you have it, our top five HIIT studios in the UK, all installed by Hutchi, and seamlessly integrated with immersive fitness technology which allows the fitness operators to adapt to changing needs of customers, and start delivering exceptional experiences designed to boost customer retention.
Hutchi has been pioneering immersive experiences with advanced audio, visual, lighting, and automation technologies since 1991. Transform your HIIT studio with Hutchi’s integrated AV, lighting, and automation systems. From basic setups to fully immersive environments, we provide end-to-end solutions that enhance member experience and operational efficiency. With our expertise in integrating advanced technologies, providing bespoke solutions, and offering comprehensive maintenance and support, we ensure that your space is equipped for both immediate impact and long-term success.
We’re looking for an experienced Finance Assistant to join our team here at Hutchi. In this role you will be proactively managing the creditors ledger of the organisation. Ensuring that invoices follow the correct procedures, are accounted for correctly and managing supplier relationships.
Responsibilities
Posting invoices and credit notes and ensuring they’re coded correctly in the system.
Preparing and processing supplier payment runs.
Ownership of the Creditor ledger.
Ensuring invoices flow through the correct approval processes before payment.
Communicating with relevant suppliers to process invoicing or payment queries.
Supporting the order process with suppliers and purchasing department as needed.
Compiling of month end accruals as required.
Involvement in updating business cashflow model.
Dealing with external and internal queries by phone and email
Ensuring that all accounts payable activities comply with relevant financial policies and procedures.
Managing supplier account terms and setting up new suppliers.
Maintain vehicle documents and providing support to scheduling department.
Investigating and resolving outstanding creditor items.
Carrying out other duties as required.
Skills and Qualifications
Working knowledge of general accounting procedures.
Ability to work meticulously and pay careful attention to detail.
IT literacy, including knowledge of relevant accounting software Sage 50.
Strong organisational skills, as the role typically handles high volumes of invoices.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to actively listen to others and relay information clearly.
The ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and creditors.
The ability to work well in a team and collaborate with others.
Experience working in a similar role.
What we offer in return
A collaborative and agile working environment with high levels of autonomy
A competitive salary
Group life insurance
Defined Contribution Company Pension Scheme
32 days paid holiday
We design and build sustainable, integrated technologies that make spaces work for people. We engineer light, sound, access, networking, connectivity and more. Wherever people come together to work, learn, stay or play, we can take care of the technology that makes the experience work brilliantly. Over the past 30 years, we have built a strong reputation, and are the current market leader in the health and fitness sector. Now we are looking to spread our services to industries far beyond.
Please send your CV to careers@hutchison-t.com for consideration in the first instance.
We’re looking to expand our busy AV Projects team by hiring a self-motivated Project Manager who will play a key supporting role in planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and bringing AV installation projects to a successful conclusion.
Who we are looking for
You’ll already have an awareness of project management within your current role and as a quick learner be keen to develop your experience further. You hold excellent time management and prioritisation skills and are prepared to take responsibility to manage multiple projects simultaneously. You’ll coordinate with other departments to ensure all aspects of each project are technically correct, installed to the highest standards and delivers on the customer brief, on time and within budget.
We’re looking for a creative problem-solver and dedicated individual who will fit within our collaborative culture. It’s fair to say we’ll need you to be flexible and resilient, as this role will require some additional effort from time-to-time especially around project deadlines and completion dates. You will also be required to visit project locations in your region (and potentially across the UK) as part of kick-off, planning, progress, and handover meetings.
Main Duties
Understand the scope for each project within your portfolio through conversations with Technical Sales, ensuring that the customer/end-user understanding is fully aligned
Lead communication with the customer in a professional and competent manner and keep them informed about project delivery
Create installation schedules using relevant tools
Communicate and manage risks to project delivery
Manage effective procurement of project materials using HT expertise and systems to achieve the right fit for quality, best price, best delivery to site, and highest margin
Lead each project through a collaborative one-team approach
Ensure each project team member is equipped to perform optimally and is in receipt of key documentation; tools, equipment and materials, key contacts, etc
Ensure that the project delivery team is aware of performance expectations
Ensure that the quality of execution for each (sub)project meets customer expectations
Manage the project costs against the plan and within the company profitability margin
Upsell HT services to customers including project maintenance contracts, with the view to adding value to the end user experience
What you’ll need to be successful in the role
Some commercial installation experience, ideally within AV/Electrical/IT/Access Control
Demonstrable ability to collaborate positively with Sales & technical colleagues
Demonstrable ability to collaborate positively with various other internal departments such as Design, Purchasing, Scheduling, Installations, Services, Fabrication, TechDev
Conversant with contract documentation such as bid drawings, site surveys, health & safety frameworks, technical specifications, programme scheduling, construction coordination, material procurement, labour resource planning including sub-contracting, financial agreements, and project commissioning / variation / completion / aftercare
Project management experience gained in a small to medium sized organisation, in a relevant sector
Commercial acumen, with financial management experience in a similar role
Resilient to changing requirements and scrutiny, with a growth mindset
Process & detail-driven, customer focused, naturally collaborative, always professional and positive
Holder of a clean driving licence which is valid in the UK, and willingness to travel to customer sites as required, to be actively involved with technical and non-technical colleagues and customer stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of each project
Self-aware mentor and collaborative leader
Advantageous
Recognised project management certification
Technical qualification/experience of electrical, telecommunications, instrumentation or IT
What we offer in return
A collaborative working environment with high levels of autonomy
A competitive salary
Group life insurance
Defined Contribution Company Pension Scheme
32 days paid holiday
Please send your CV to Careers@Hutchison-t.com for consideration in the first instance.
Hutchison Technologies is a fast-growing Scottish technology company. We deliver premium audio/visual solutions to leading fitness and retail brands; provide medical equipment to the NHS; in-home displays to energy suppliers; and fitness apps for luxury hotels.
Explore the impact of fitness technology on the rapidly evolving fitness industry. Learn how integrating technology can help fitness operators adapt to changing customer experiences. Read on and start delivering exceptional experiences designed to boost customer retention.
The fitness industry is one of the most quickly evolving industries in the world. The emergence of new technology, hybrid working, and the influence of social media have all contributed to big changes in both consumer expectations and workout habits – giving opportunities for fitness operators to evolve by integrating immersive fitness technology.
However, there are fragilities of the sports system, with the pandemic hitting the sector hard, cost of living, high supply costs, and local authority funding, with several local councils effectively declaring bankruptcy. That’s a worry for the health and leisure industry across the UK, as the majority of leisure centres are owned by local authorities, according to the latest report by LeisureDB, who carry out audits on all UK public and private health clubs and gyms each year.
So it’s time to make moves. The UK government has set out ways to make it easier for people to get physically active and ensure the sports sector can thrive in the years ahead, by using digital technology to increase participation and activity and allow as many people as possible to continue to benefit.
The Digital Futures Report (2021), found that 98% of fitness and leisure operators in the UK think ‘digital’ will play an increasing role in the future and in 2023, the Digital Futures Report found 77% of operators say that ‘digital experiences’ play an important role for customers (compared to 63% in 2022). Technology can be transformative in making physical activity more accessible and relevant, and fitness operators can use technology to stay significant.
What’s Next for Health and Fitness in the UK
The sector is a vital part of preventative mental and physical health, and fitness operators will be leaning much more into the wellness aspect in the future. The 2024 Future of Wellness report found that there’s been a big shift in consumer mindsets, and people are more interested in knowing more about their overall wellness, from working out and eating well to mindfulness and sleep quality. Evolution of the fitness sector, with new technology focused on wellbeing and fitness, is proving to be a big opportunity.
The pandemic encouraged individuals to get active through digital technology, such as apps and virtual content, helping people to keep moving when the usual options were closed. That meant that people who previously felt exercise wasn’t for them could find new options tailored to their needs.
So how can fitness operators continue to utilise this technology and encourage members to visit their gyms?
It’s All About Community
According to the 2024 State of the Fitness Industry report by LeisureDB, the fitness sector is being driven by millennials and Gen Z who account for 80% of all gym members in the UK. That means gyms must deliver on what these generations are looking for while catering to their other members – which is community and connection, guidance, and coaching. They expect fitness brands to be kind, positive, and joyful, offering fitness experiences that combine variety, personalisation, progression, and education.
Consumers now have plenty of options on how they accomplish wellness, and so to succeed, gyms need to integrate technology to positively impact the lives of their members both inside and outside of the gym, providing access to support, content, and guidance whenever they need it.
Fitness apps may be popular, but humans are social beings, so the in-person experience is always best. Those who bridge the gap between the digital and physical world to offer an integrated fitness experience will be the big winners.
The Gym Group created a virtual studio space that delivered an immersive fitness experience designed by Hutchi. The key requirements were that the studio classes be a ‘destination’ experience, using immersive technology, that gives members a compelling reason to attend in-person; that their members should feel like they’re getting a premium experience; and that these new studios don’t remove useable gym space when not in use.
Similarly, FitBoxVirtual, a technology and content integration by Hutchi, creates and delivers scheduled and on-demand group exercise class experiences using frictionless technology solutions, tailored into a package to suit any audience. Virtual fitness classes are one of the fastest-growing areas as wellbeing and mindfulness becomes more mainstream.
Incorporating a range of apps and new tech will inspire members to track their efforts. Sometimes we all need that extra incentive to go to the gym, right? By using apps and virtual content on large screens with community-building aspects, gyms can keep members engaged through regular and meaningful touchpoints which will offer that motivation and engagement. These innovations are giving people more control over their fitness journey and helping them reach their goals in new and exciting ways. A win-win for fitness operators, members, and overall public health.
The more user-intuitive technology gyms and health centres have, the more ways they can stay connected with their members. Whether it’s a push notification about a new class, booking classes online, or introducing a new in-gym challenge, keeping gym-goers connected and informed is the best way to create an engaged membership community.
Get Into the Game
Gym-goers aren’t just looking for a place to exercise – they’re looking for motivation too. Gym technology, such as apps that integrate with equipment via Bluetooth to monitor workouts, give customers a way to gamify their workouts, turning workouts into community challenges, which is great news for maintaining motivation to reach their end goal.
The future is hybrid for health and fitness operators, with a focus on incorporating apps and new tech to empower members to track and monitor their efforts. Goal setting, gamification, and social sharing are all huge components of motivation, and sharing their success with friends and family will not only help them celebrate the wins but hold them accountable too.
Take Blaze, a purpose-built studio at David Lloyd for example. Hutchi provided and installed an AV solution for an intense full-body HIIT workout studio with specialist equipment, where members can track performance and reach their goals. While instructors challenge them to achieve results, Myzone, a wearable heart-rate based system that monitors heart rate, calories, and time exercising with the numbers projected onto digital screens, encourages partakers to keep going alongside their classmates.
“What differentiates BLAZE from other HIIT modalities is the attention to the immersive training environment. Hutchi’s technology integration and design have allowed us to create a specific user experience with selected colours used in the lighting sequences and bespoke music curated specifically for the product.
BLAZE brings together three different exercise modalities into one workout: RUN, LIFT, and FIGHT. This includes a Cardio Zone (treadmills), a Functional Strength Zone, and a Combat Zone (MMA), creating a unique and engaging fitness experience.”
– Alastair Crew, Product Head – BLAZE & BATTLEBOX.
Gyms can introduce leadership boards and awards – such as the number of repetitions achieved on a bench press, or most fitness classes attended. It encourages members to feel a sense of community and belonging as well as motivation to keep improving their results.
The Impact of Immersive Fitness Experiences
With an abundance of technology available now, people don’t even need to leave their homes to enjoy the benefits of workout technology. Fitness operators need to offer space, technology, and wellness services in innovative and engaging ways, and immersive environments are the future of fitness. Live classes with enthusiastic instructors can be supported by an immersive fitness experience, using video display walls and audio technology solutions. Think cycle studios with huge screens and cinema-quality immersive content that transports riders to another world.
Immersive fitness technology has the huge advantage of offering that collective energy of people working out together. Seamlessly integrating music, video, and lighting effects for an immersive and motivating experience can lift your facility to another level while members find getting fit fun. That means less pain more gain.
The team at Les Mills found that combining audio-visual effects with a structured workout can be a great way to inspire long-term fitness success by increasing satisfaction and decreasing the rate of perceived exertion – which is great news for those who struggle to maintain a regular exercise regime.
Virgin Active trusted Hutchi to create an all-encompassing, multi-sensory member experience, integrating immersive technology with key fitness floor brands including Wattbike, MYZONE, MyRide+ and SWIMTAG.
How Access Control Benefits Fitness Operators
For gyms and health centres, signing up new members is always going to be an important part of growth. However, keeping current members signed up is the real key to sustainable growth, profits, and keeping people more active. The Leisure DB’s State of the UK Fitness Industry Report 2024 research showed that 52% of gym membership cancellations were silent, with many former members simply cancelling their direct debit. Gyms need to get ahead of the curve here, and they can do that by capturing data, such as tracking gym visits and activity.
Access control systems that make it necessary for members to check in, give operators a simple way to spot those at-risk members, allowing the club to intervene and rebuild engagement. Otherwise, unsurprisingly, these unengaged members tend to eventually drop off the membership list. Alternatively, a contactless membership card system which allows for 24/7 gym access, can streamline fitness for businesses and gym-goers.
Everyone Active access control systems (reception). Hutchi delivered an access control solution that fit Everyone Active’s requirements.
“Our experience working with the Hutchi team has been really positive from the start. They came up with a user-friendly and welcoming solution to our specific challenge.”Ian Ling | General Manager, Westway Sports and Fitness Centre
Access control systems can also refresh tired and unused facilities. The UK government found that they could breathe new life into park tennis courts across Britain by making it easier to find, book, and get on court with new booking and entry systems. It dramatically improved user experience by empowering people to see the availability of courts in their local area online and book a slot in advance to avoid having to wait around for their turn on the day.
Access control systems are more than just ticket barriers. For example, access control plays a crucial role in safety and capacity management. Breezin, a digital pass technology that helps fitness operators swap paper and plastic for digital passes to bring better user experiences and reduce the carbon footprint; helping gyms to deliver cutting-edge experiences whilst being more sustainable.
Today’s health and fitness industry is all about the total experience. With so many choices out there, users are actively seeking out an exciting and satisfying experience when they go to the gym, pool, or studio. Technology is changing the fitness industry, for the better, and fitness operators have a chance to get ahead of the curve now.
Our Personal Best: Creating Cutting-Edge Fitness Spaces
From co-creating immersive experiences, to helping fitness operators bring their technological innovations to life, boosting member loyalty, integrating secure, efficient access control, health clubs and fitness centres depend on technology at every step. At Hutchi we use the full spectrum of technologies to engineer a total experience for the user.
Our solutions deliver audio, lighting and visual displays, and more, seamlessly integrated for an immersive and motivating experience that will lift your facility to another level. And as it’s about more than just what happens in the studio or gym, we’ll integrate access control systems (reception and carpark control), digital signage, networking & connectivity, design consultancy, and even service and maintenance.
Find out how we can lift your facility to another level through seamlessly integrated immersive fitness technologies. Our solutions deliver audio, video, lighting, access control systems, and more, seamlessly integrated for an immersive and motivating experience to boost your customer fitness experiences.
Cover photo: Les Mills Immersive fitness technology at David Lloyd
Dundee
Job Description
Hutchi is searching for exceptional people with outstanding skills to join our talented and committed team. We want people who have an interest in technology, who are passionate about building great relationships, and who enjoy collaborating in an environment that challenges the status quo.
Opportunity
We are looking for a motivated and experienced Finance Business Partner to join our team. As a Finance Business Partner, you will be responsible for partnering with other business units to provide accurate, relevant and timely information to the business to aid decision making and process changes.
Real time communication is critical to the role as is understanding the audience. Therefore, you must have developed communication skills coupled with commercial awareness and proven analysis abilities to form active and productive partnerships with operations and management.
Main Duties
Preparation of management accounts and accompanying commentary.
Construction and presentation of Budgets and periodic forecasting and gap analysis on these outputs.
Involvement in the month end process taking the closed ledgers through discussions with department heads to management accounts.
Review of transactional data to ensure correct information is carried into the management information packs.
Partnering with business units to provide insights to allow improvements in departments.
Supporting the data preparation for the year end audit and liaising with auditors directly to answer queries.
Point of contact on external surveys.
Ad hoc analysis as requested by members of the senior leadership team.
Ensuring good relationships with internal customers to facilitate free flow or information and discourse.
Supporting internal teams with timely information and commentary.
Monitoring of KPI’s in the management pack.
Requirements
Experience of a similar role together with a relevant accounting qualification and a professional development mindset
Excellent Excel knowledge
Experienced and skilled at presenting complicated data to non-financial individuals
Excellent attention to detail and data cleanliness
Strong negotiation and discussion facilitation skills
History in using and improving accounting software packages
Desirable
Line management experience
Experience producing year end accounts
Experience running a year end audit
Experience using Power BI, Sage or similar
Coding ability
What we offer in return
A collaborative and agile working environment with high levels of autonomy
A competitive salary
Group life insurance
Help at Hand benefit
Defined Contribution Company Pension Scheme
32 days paid holiday
Hutchi develop facility technology solutions backed-up with a wealth of relevant industry knowledge, detailed creative expertise and solid technical design capabilities and are currently positioned and marketed as the leading provider of audio visual and lighting solutions to the health and fitness industry. Over the past 30-years, we have built an impressive customer portfolio and reputation as the market leader within our sector.
Please send your CV to careers@hutchison-t.com for consideration in the first instance.
You may have noticed something different about us. We’re looking new and shiny. That’s because we’ve just launched our revamped website, hutchi.tech, unveiling our modern brand identity, and we’re so excited to share it with you. Switching from ‘Hutchison Technologies’ to ‘Hutchi’, the new name marks a significant milestone in our evolution.
Let’s go back to the start. We were launched in Dundee, Scotland by Bruce Hutchison in 1991, who was soon joined by brother Mark to form a family business that shared a vision to make life simpler through technology. Now with more than three decades in operation, we’ve become synonymous with the creation of integrated technology services that make spaces work better for people.
Today, there’s hardly any technology we don’t know our way around. We design and build sustainable, advanced integration technology that makes spaces work for people. We engineer light, sound, access, networking, connectivity, and more. And we make everything talk to everything else, creating seamless integrations that work from day one.
We take a holistic, customer-based approach, and that’s what our brand refresh represents. The new and improved website gives visitors a comprehensive overview of the services we offer, while highlighting the impact our advanced integration technology can have on the human experience of a space. It also better showcases how we can make spaces work better for specific sectors, showcasing case studies that allow you up close and personal with some of our projects.
Already nicknamed ‘Hutchi’ by many of our team and existing customers, the new name shows our dedication to delivering a personal support and unique expertise to our customers. And our rebranding wouldn’t be complete without a new tagline; “Made for people”. Whether that’s “technology made for people”, “experiences made for people”, “solutions made for people” – it highlights the human factor we keep front and centre when designing and delivering our solutions.
Many of our customers recognised us by our signature blue branding, so we made sure to include a strong blue in our new brand identity. This new blue is updated to be more electric and exciting, inspired by the vibrant blues we often use in our lighting designs or on LEDs on our data racks, and symbolises the fresh outlook for the brand.
We are in the process of changing our email addresses to @hutchi.tech, but not to worry, we’ll still receive your emails to our @hutchison-t.com email addresses as well as we transition. So that means you get to enjoy the beautiful new visuals, but don’t have to update your address book just yet!
The brand refresh and the website were delivered by nine.nine.nine design in cooperation with our internal teams.
Mark Hutchison, Technical Director at Hutchi, expressed his enthusiasm for our rebranding journey, stating, “We are excited to announce the launch of our new website and brand to our valued customers and partners. The transition to Hutchi demonstrates our passion for dynamic growth, reinvention, uniting, and remaining at the forefront of what we do. Standing still is never an option for Hutchison Technologies, and Hutchi will continue to propel us forward. This marks an important milestone in our company’s history.”
We invite you to explore our new website and discover the innovative solutions and services we offer. For more information, visit hutchi.tech.
About Hutchi
Hutchi is a new brand name by Hutchison Technologies, a technological integrator company dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions and services to customers across various sectors. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Hutchi leverages technology to enhance user experiences. Our team leverages expertise across disciplines, including audiovisual, lighting, access control, networking & connectivity, and technical design, to develop and deliver bespoke solutions for customers across a broad spectrum of industries.
For media inquiries, please contact Marketing@hutchison-t.com, or get in touch to find out how your business can benefit from integrated technology services.
For further updates and news, follow Hutchi on social media:
What’s the key to success when working with suppliers and contractors to deliver a project? We’ll let you in on the secret; it’s a detailed and well-considered project brief.
Providing your suppliers with a good brief can be the difference between receiving high-quality work delivered on time, or a frustrating project full of changes, delays and unmet expectations. Investing time in the brief upfront will save you time and money in the long run, not to mention build better relationships with your suppliers.
To help you get started, we asked our Technical, Projects and Sales teams what they find helpful to know when being briefed by clients. We used their advice to summarise their top tips on how to brief suppliers here.
Defining a ballpark figure will help suppliers understand the level of options to include in a proposal, and also sometimes avoid wasting your time by letting you know early that their solutions might not be possible in your price range.
Core requirements
Client Details – Who is the end client? Which key stakeholders should be included in follow-up calls and emails about the proposal and spec? Are any other contractors or consultants involved that we should be aware of?
Timescales – When is the project due to start and finish? Are there any other important milestone deadlines? Is quick turnaround required for one particular part of the build?
Project Outline – Here’s where you provide a brief overview of the work you’re looking for support with. This is a high-level description of the outcome you want to achieve and possibly some background context if relevant; not a full technical spec. For example, are you looking for a videoconferencing system as part of an office refurbishment? Is the fitness studio you’re working on a stand-alone project, or is it part of a wider leisure centre revamp? This will help the team understand what environment they would be working in and if they might need to tie in with other contractors on site.
Budget – You might not have an exact figure yet if you’re just scoping out options or feasibility, but even defining a ballpark figure will help suppliers understand the level of options to include in a proposal, and also sometimes avoid wasting your time by letting you know early that their solutions might not be possible in your price range.
More info about the venue
Type of Facility and End Users – Any additional information about the purpose of the building and what the client is trying to achieve with it. While it’s helpful to know if you’re integrating AV tech into a gym vs an office renovation, it’s even more useful to get an extra level of detail. Is it council leisure centre? Or a boutique high-end spin studio? Or perhaps a budget gym franchise looking to give their members something unique?
Type of Spaces – If you’re working on a large building project there’s a good chance there will be more than one type of space that needs technology integration. If you’re looking for an AV supplier to support with a hotel build or renovation for example, there will likely be a reception area with access control requirements, an event space with audio and lighting requirements very different to the guest rooms, and meeting rooms with specialist videoconferencing integrations. Listing the different types of spaces will help your supplier more quickly understand the scope of work and technical requirements.
Technology requirements
Integrations Required – Going into a bit more detail than in the Project Outline, what exactly do you need technology integration support with? Are there specific hardware, software or third-party products you need to integration and/or communicate with each other? If you don’t already have particular technology products in mind, you can describe the outcome you want to achieve. For example, you might know you want an integrated solution that allows you to film or live-stream from the space; lights that automatically sync with audio; invisible speakers to fit with your interior design aesthetic; or an access control solution that integrates with your existing CRM system.
Product Preferences – Are there any specific brands or products you would like included in your quote or spec? If not, that’s fine to say you’ve no preference. If you do know you need a specific product though, having this information early will improve the speed and accuracy of timeline estimates.
This isn’t a fully comprehensive project spec, but if you can include most of these key elements you’ll be off to a great start in giving a potential new partner an effective brief. Don’t worry if some of these elements are unknown though, any good supplier will work with you to understand your requirements and the scope of the project as part of creating a proposal.
Putting all your requirements into a project briefing template can also be a good way to provide consistent information when enquiring with a few different suppliers to get a feel for how well you might work together. If you’re taking this approach, it pays to be open with suppliers about also having discussions with competitors. This helps to build a basis of trust and may help them better explain how they differentiate from other suppliers.
Keep in mind that building a good working relationship with your suppliers is invaluable and there is more to consider than price alone when making the decision about who to partner with on a big project.
We have atrack record of successful partnerships working directly with leading brands in the Health & Fitness, Corporate, Retail and Hospitality sectors, as well as partnering with architects and M&E consultants to help them deliver successfully for their own clients.
If you think one of your projects could benefit from some technology integration support, speak to a member of our team about how we can help plan and integrate technology into your build or refurb project.
Whether it’s a fancy restaurant, fast-food chain, traditional pub, or stylish cocktail bar, when it comes to the highly competitive hospitality industry, a well-designed venue with on-brand design goes hand-in-hand with the food and drink options when creating a memorable experience for customers. And a memorable experience for your customers has the bonus effect of encouraging them to share their visit with their friends and followers on social media.
So, how can simple touches like lighting design and background music help restaurants and bars encourage their customers to promote their venue on social media and get that brand awareness boost? The goal is to empower customers to take great content, influencing their followers that your venue is a ‘must-visit’.
Let guests do the talking
From instagrammable feature lighting to TikTok worthy background music, every element of the design contributes to the overall vibe of a venue – and it enables patrons to capture eye-catching photos or videos, enticing their followers to jump on the hype. Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, social media is the first stop for many in search of local restaurant and bar recommendations. With over two billion users on Instagram, and one billion on TikTok, social media opens up a world of possibility for hospitality venues looking to boost their visibility and credibility.
Word of Mouth Marketing (WOMM) is becoming increasingly visual, and an Instagram post or story from a trusted source is much more convincing than a paid ad. According to Nielsen, 92% of consumers believe recommendations from friends and family over any other form of advertising. That word of mouth is key to having customers queuing out the doors and filling up booking spots.
And not just that, the mix of a tantalising menu and a trendy, welcoming atmosphere that keeps diners coming back time after time will encourage them to stay longer and boost customer loyalty.
‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ has never been truer than in the realm of restaurant marketing on social media. Stunning photographs and videos of mouth-watering dishes can evoke powerful emotions, triggering a desire to savour the flavours and indulge in the dining experience. Professional food photography, combined with creative storytelling, can elevate a restaurant’s online presence and distinguish it from the competition.
Light up their socials
Pairing functional and atmospheric design with great customer service and delicious food can gain any venue a strong social media presence. To capture the perfect ‘gram photo or TikTok video, diners need good restaurant lighting! The ideal lighting can transform any space, no matter the feel of the establishment.
The lighting design choice for a venue will depend on the theme of the restaurant or bar, and the emotions you want customers to experience. From soft dimming options that create intimate pockets, flattering warm glow emanating from a low light source, to quirky, colourful LED displays, presentation is everything for gaining #food and #cocktails posts.
If you give customers a beautiful setting, good lighting, and aesthetically pleasing products — they’ll be more likely to capture and share their experiences on social media. Take the Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh for example. While light and sound play a central role throughout the guided tours, they added to the brand experience by building light into the tables for guests to put their cocktails on, giving them an opportunity to capture pictures worthy for their social feed.
Amplify your following
What’s an atmosphere without music? Music sets the pace of the place, and whether your venue opts for loud music full of energy, or a more laid-back, sultry beat, the acoustics of a venue is an essential component of the impact for diners and the videos they’ll be sharing on socials.
Getting the audio integration in your venue spot-on means having a tailored sound that complements the atmosphere without competing with diner conversations. And a thoughtfully designed audio system ensures that the all-important visual impact isn’t disturbed with speakers and wiring, all while adding to impact of the customers’ ‘gram story.
Some venues may opt to have live DJ sets at certain times of the week to entice customers in, but it’s important to keep the customer experience at the forefront even between sets. Having a sophisticated, tailored audio system in place means a smooth transition when switching from a live DJ to a playlist, keeping you on the good side of a make-or-break experience for customers.
Create the customer experience
The atmosphere for any venue, whether that’s a bar, restaurant or café, needs to enhance the overall sense of connection and enjoyment for patrons, so investing in high-quality equipment is crucial. That could be state-of-the-art sound systems for crystal-clear audio, seamless video displays for visual storytelling, or feature lighting design for ambiance. Prioritising quality ensures that your venue stands out both in person and online. Investing in your venue will ultimately get more customers coming through the door, which is a win-win.
At Hutchi we do the hard work for you, managing every solution including audio, lighting and visual displays as well as network integration. It’s an exciting opportunity to create unique spaces that stand out from the crowd and inspire your customers to share their pictures and videos online – at no expense from you.
Ready to discover how you can enhance your space? Speak to our team today and start upgrading your guest experience.
