Uncaged Fitness

Uncaged Fitness is a modern 24/7 gym designed to empower individuals of all fitness levels to push past their limits in a motivating and community-driven environment. Located in Worcester, MA, the gym offers a spacious 20,000-square-foot facility equipped with cutting-edge strength and cardio equipment, a dedicated boxing and functional training area, a sauna, and a wellness center. With 24/7 access, Uncaged Fitness provides members the flexibility to train on their schedule.

To run a thriving fitness business in Worcester, a city with higher-than-average crime rates thought to be 85% less safe than most US cities, the owner, Cody Savoy, recognized the need for a robust security solution to ensure member safety. “So I really like my members to be safe. That’s my main concern - their safety and my liability.”, says Cody. Implementing Kisi’s cloud-based security system allows Uncaged Fitness to manage 24/7 facility entry efficiently, ensuring that only authorized members can access the gym at any time, even during unstuffed hours.

Building a scalable and secure fitness business with Kisi

From finding the right location to ensuring a steady flow of members, starting a gym from the ground up comes with significant challenges. In a city where security is a concern, Cody knew that member safety could make or break his business. To eliminate the risk of unauthorized access and create a trusted, secure environment from day one, he turned to Kisi’s cloud-based security system.

To streamline operations and automate and unman as much as possible while creating a welcoming culture, Cody integrated Kisi’s access control with Glofox, his gym management software of choice. To further increase security in his 24/7 spaces, he turned to Kisi’s video surveillance integration with Cisco Meraki, enabling the tailgating detection functionality.

With Kisi, Uncaged Fitness enjoy:

• Tailgating detection
• Automated 24/7 gym with unmanned hours
• Integrations for streamlined operations
• Mobile access control
• Enhanced membership experience
• Group access management
• Additional revenue stream possibilities

Let’s dive into the specifics.

Tailgating detection

Tailgating, the act of an unauthorized person following a paying member through an entry point without scanning in, can be a major security risk for gyms. With 24/7 access that includes unmanned hours, preventing it was a top concern for Uncaged Fitness.

Kisi's tailgating detection increases members' safety by reducing the risk of theft and unwanted visitors. By tracking entries and flagging potential security breaches by sending push notifications on Cody's phone, the system helps maintain a safe environment without requiring on-site staff, giving both the owner and members peace of mind.

What's more, having this functionality helps mitigate any potential incidents and reduces liability risks; "If anything, it saves me a lawsuit in case somebody that comes in gets hurt without signing a waiver," says Cody. Not many people might realize it, but walking in or tailgating into a gym without having paid for it is considered breaking and entering. Businesses, like Uncaged Fitness, that employ closed-door access control systems and video monitoring can sue the trespassers and the members letting them in.

Running a 24/7 gym with unmanned hours

Successfully running a 24/7 gym means balancing accessibility with security, especially during unstuffed night hours. Working over 80 hours per week, Cody can get some well-deserved rest at night, relying on Kisi and the live incident police notifications.

Uncaged Fitness was open even during the holidays: "I'm always here on holidays", says Cody. "I know that some people don't have families or people to go to. Holidays can be hard for some people. So, I feel like the gym's always been a place for people to get their stress out and be with people. So, I've always been here on holidays. All we've done is just adjusted the time that Kisi has been active.", he continues.

Unlock and access schedules, as well as the lockdown functionality, ensure only active members can enter, reducing the risk of unauthorized access while allowing the gym to operate smoothly without a full-time front desk staff.

Keep your fitness space secure and operational 24/7

Enhance security, reduce operational costs, and discover new revenue streams with cloud-based access control.

Integrations for streamlined operations

To keep operations efficient and security tight, Uncaged Fitness integrated Kisi with Glofox for seamless member management and Cisco Meraki cameras for real-time monitoring. This connected system automates access control, simplifies membership tracking, and enhances security, allowing Cody to focus on growing the gym without getting bogged down by daily admin tasks. “It is just a very seamless entry experience, like a seamless integration back and forth. I like the fact that it was integrated with my billing software”, he says.

The Cisco Meraki cameras are not only a crime deterrent but also provide real-time visibility. By integrating with Kisi, all access events are available with video footage, so Cody gets notified in real-time and can quickly review any suspicious activity, verify entries, and address security concerns like tailgating or after-hours incidents.

Mobile access control

Managing physical keycards or fobs can be a hassle for both gym owners and members, especially in a 24/7 facility. To eliminate this friction, Uncaged Fitness implemented Kisi’s mobile access control, allowing members to unlock the gym doors directly from their smartphones and smartwatches.

Mobile access minimizes the risk of lost or shared keycards, further reducing the chances of unauthorized entry. Members can seamlessly enter the gym without needing to carry anything extra, and the owner can instantly update or revoke access when needed. This level of control is crucial for maintaining a secure, well-managed facility, especially in a city where safety is a priority.

Enhanced membership experience

The Uncaged Fitness members are the ones benefiting most from Kisi. Cody loves being able to provide them with a seamless and enjoyable experience that goes beyond just great equipment. It’s about creating an environment where they feel safe, supported, and in control. With Kisi’s mobile access, members no longer have to worry about carrying keycards, forgetting them at home, or waiting for staff to grant entry. They can simply use their smartphones to unlock the doors, making it easier than ever to fit workouts into their busy schedules.

Being able to conveniently access the gym at any time is becoming a kind of a running joke. “It’s working. So, even if I die, you can come and work out in the gym,” says Cody to members jokingly. “And they love it. They get a crack out of that.”, he says.

By integrating Kisi with Glofox, Uncaged Fitness also enhances the overall membership experience by automating access based on subscription status. This means no more awkward conversations about expired memberships. If a payment lapses, access is automatically revoked until it’s renewed. The result is a smoother, more professional operation that lets members focus on their fitness goals while the technology handles the rest.

Group access management

With 800 members joining in just two months, Uncaged Fitness has quickly built a strong fitness community supported by a team of eight dedicated personal trainers. Ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for such a rapidly growing membership base is crucial, and Kisi plays a key role in making that possible. The possibility of setting up different access groups with different access permissions without the need for issuing keycards automates operations and reduces overhead. This ensures everyone gets the appropriate access rights and that both trainers and clients can focus entirely on their workouts rather than worrying about access issues.

Security and convenience are just as important for the eight tenants renting space in the building, who receive complimentary memberships as a separate access group. The Glofox integration further simplifies the trainers’ workdays by ensuring only active members can book sessions and enter the facility.

Even more revenue possibilities with Kisi

In addition to enhancing security and convenience, Kisi also opens the door to new revenue opportunities for Uncaged Fitness. By leveraging Kisi’s flexible system, the gym can implement innovative pricing strategies, optimize membership offerings, and expand to new locations with ease.

Membership tiers

Uncaged Fitness started by offering only one member package. With the Kisi and Glofox integration, they can swiftly introduce membership tiers with different access levels. Premium members could receive 24/7 access, while basic members might have restricted hours, creating an incentive for upgrades.

Dynamic pricing with reporting

The extensive access reports and custom dashboards Kisi provides give valuable insights into user behavior, usage trends, and patterns. Cody is aware that “It’s most used from 7 till about 9. And then in the morning from 4:00 a.m. till 7”. Based on this data, the gym can increase revenue and optimize space utilization by implementing dynamic pricing. For example, lower-cost memberships could provide off-peak access, while peak-hour access could be priced at a premium. This not only maximizes revenue but also helps manage gym capacity more efficiently.

Scalability & new locations

As Uncaged Fitness grows, Kisi makes expansion seamless. The cloud-based system allows the owner to manage multiple locations from one platform, ensuring consistent security and access policies across all gyms. Whether opening a second location or adding specialized workout areas, Kisi ensures that access control and security remain efficient and scalable.

Secure your fitness business with Kisi

Securing a gym while ensuring well-run operations and a smooth experience for members can be a challenge, especially for a new fitness business. Uncaged Fitness needed a solution that would support its growth from the start while allowing seamless 24/7 access even with no staff present. With Kisi, the gym eliminated the hassle of managing keycards, reduced the risk of unauthorized entry, and created a secure, welcoming space for both members and staff.

By integrating Kisi with Glofox and Cisco Meraki cameras, Uncaged Fitness streamlined operations and improved security without adding complexity. Automated access control ensures only active members can enter while tailgating detection and real-time monitoring provide an extra layer of protection. These features helped to focus on growing the business rather than managing access issues.

Are you looking to enhance security, simplify operations, and create new revenue opportunities for your fitness business? Talk to one of our security experts and get a tailored demo of our scalable and reliable fitness solution.