RFID Pumps Up Women's Workouts
Curves International has introduced an automated personal-training system that gives the fitness company a competitive advantage.
By Marty Weil
Nov. 17, 2008—Curves International, based in Waco, Texas, is one of the largest fitness center franchises in the world, with more than 10,000 clubs located in 60 countries. The company, created specifically for women, is known for its innovative 30-minute circuit workout. In July 2007, the firm introduced CurvesSmart, an RFID-based system designed to provide members with personal and immediate feedback during training. An electronic device containing an RFID interrogator is mounted on each piece of equipment in the circuit, and members wear RFID-embedded wristbands to activate the system.
"Being a leader in the health and fitness industry, we realized that we needed to change, innovate and increase what members can get from their workouts," says Katie Mitchell, a research assistant and CurvesSmart trainer with Curves International's continuing education and research department. "The system is meant to motivate and challenge users to maintain an exertion level that is safe. It guarantees maximum benefit based on the user's unique body signature."
The system was developed by MyTrak Health System, an Ontario, Canada, company specializing in automated health-management solutions for fitness and rehabilitation centers. "Curves' founder, Gary Heavin, wanted to deploy a monitoring and accountability system in our clubs that would recognize each member individually," Mitchell says, adding that Curves was looking into developing a system based on RFID technology. "We knew we needed a simple tag that our members could easily carry with them during the workout, and RFID tags seemed well suited to our requirements."
Nov. 17, 2008—Curves International, based in Waco, Texas, is one of the largest fitness center franchises in the world, with more than 10,000 clubs located in 60 countries. The company, created specifically for women, is known for its innovative 30-minute circuit workout. In July 2007, the firm introduced CurvesSmart, an RFID-based system designed to provide members with personal and immediate feedback during training. An electronic device containing an RFID interrogator is mounted on each piece of equipment in the circuit, and members wear RFID-embedded wristbands to activate the system.
"Being a leader in the health and fitness industry, we realized that we needed to change, innovate and increase what members can get from their workouts," says Katie Mitchell, a research assistant and CurvesSmart trainer with Curves International's continuing education and research department. "The system is meant to motivate and challenge users to maintain an exertion level that is safe. It guarantees maximum benefit based on the user's unique body signature."
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| An electronic device containing an RFID interrogator is mounted on each piece of equipment in the circuit. |
The system was developed by MyTrak Health System, an Ontario, Canada, company specializing in automated health-management solutions for fitness and rehabilitation centers. "Curves' founder, Gary Heavin, wanted to deploy a monitoring and accountability system in our clubs that would recognize each member individually," Mitchell says, adding that Curves was looking into developing a system based on RFID technology. "We knew we needed a simple tag that our members could easily carry with them during the workout, and RFID tags seemed well suited to our requirements."
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