A Rotterdam 24hr gym has installed Paxton10, a combined access control and video management system utilising scalable smart credentials, and remote site monitoring. Stoker Fitness explains the impact of its new system. On-campus gym, Stoker Fitness was established at Thorbecke college 17 years ago, following the opening of several other small gyms in the city centre.
Prior to the Paxton10 installation, Stoker Fitness members could only use the facilities during regular opening hours, when the building’s supervisors were present. The gym industry is changing, and according to Willem-Jan, the current trend is for members to have flexibility and more time to exercise at their own convenience. This means that gyms are now expected to be open 24/7, and they need to have a security system which monitors and secures the facility and equipment without the gym’s employees present.
To update its security system, Stoker Fitness contracted Ricor Security. Supervising the gym outside of regular opening hours when there are no employees scheduled to work was the biggest challenge according to Willem-Jan. He explained: “In order to open up your business to members without being physically present requires safeguards in place.” Another primary requirement was to give members access via their smartphone.
When Paxton10 launched in the Netherlands in July 2020, Ricor Security saw an opportunity to deliver the features and functionality for Stoker Fitness’ requirements. The solution provides access control and video management in one system, providing a platform that is easy to manage and user friendly. Offering access via smart devices and the ability to monitor sites remotely, the combined system’s modern simple software appeared to be the ideal choice.
Lorenzo van Emmerik, Video Systems Expert at Ricor Security, said: “With Paxton10, we were able to provide simple access control in combination with mobile access via the Paxton Key app. It was simple and easy to achieve with this new system.” Using the Paxton Key app, available for iOS and Android, members of Stoker Fitness can open the controlled entrances to the gym with their smartphone or smartwatch. The smart credentials are “created in seconds” using the web based Paxton10 software and are remotely issued to a new user via an email sent directly from the system.
Additionally, gym members arm and disarm the burglar alarm system upon entry and exit, ensuring the site is secured when empty, but minimising any risk of false alarms when the gym is in use. This is achieved by using the Paxton10 Alarm Connector, and the Trigger & Actions feature to automatically switch the alarm on or off when a user presents a valid smart credential.
Members can now make use of 24-hour gym access, whilst maintaining the required level of security for the site. Regular opening hours are a thing of the past, and the gym operates with complete flexibility for its employees and members.
Stoker Fitness hopes that this will minimise busy periods, allowing a constant flow of members throughout the day, as well as increase diversity in the sports offered at different times – as there is more flexibility for use of space. Willem-Jan said: “The new Paxton10 system significantly improves the user experience, our members now have more confidence to work out as they have access to the facilities when there is no supervision. This removes one of the barriers to exercise that some members experience and provides a much calmer environment.” “Monitoring the system remotely and being able to check in and see that everything is going well gives me convenience and peace of mind.”
