Working to Solve with CIRCLECLOUD GO & CIRCLEFIT

Software Eco-system puts the User and Club Owner in Charge

The business of Fitness is as much about solving as it is about selling.  Whether you sell memberships, equipment, training or all of these, those businesses that frame their daily activities around solving, are the ones that realize the greatest success and frankly, career satisfaction.  Standing between every customer and every sale is a problem that needs solved.  Circle Fitness is a company who understands the challenges of identifying customer problems and putting in the hard work to solve them.  They’ve gathered remarkable talent from around the globe to develop user-friendly designs and best of breed technology.  In this article, we’ll introduce you to some examples of technology Circle Fitness has in development that solves customer and owner problems.   You’ll also see how they can reveal new opportunities for operational efficiencies and customer engagement.

CIRCLECLOUD GO SOLUTIONS FOR THE MEMBER / CUSTOMER

CircleCloud Go is a comprehensive wellness eco-system that becomes your customer’s personal wellness manager.  It begins with the CircleFit app, a free cell phone and tablet download. Circle’s powerful app will boast a real time internet connection with CircleCloud, and their equipment’s TFT consoles via Bluetooth.  This will give your customers the power to master their workouts with their own mobile device.  After an easy registration process, your customer is well on their way to setting a target, building a workout (with your help) and tracking performance metrics.

Once the CircleFit app is running, the next step is a trip to the Circle Intelligent Body Analyzer (IBA), or the InBody570 from Inbody USA.  Body composition analysis is essential to understand the relationship between health and ideal weight, and more importantly, what specifically makes up the user’s total weight.  Body analysis breaks down the user’s weight into four components, fat, lean body mass, minerals and body water.  The results of the analysis solve the problem of determining where your customer currently stands, and acts as a guide to help them set and achieve fitness goals.

Next, your customer’s body analysis stats are linked to their mobile device, and trainers will be able to assist them with setting up an individualized, custom workout.  Choose the type of cardio equipment, then set level, interval time, speed and incline.  Settings will be available for Circle’s 7 & 8 series of treadmills, ellipticals, upright and recumbent bikes, featuring the Entertainment Plus TFT Touchscreen.  While enjoying all the benefits of tracking progress and gathering data in the background, users will also be able to casually surf the web and enjoy music or videos.        

Creating workouts and tracking targets will be easy with the CircleFit App connected via Bluetooth to Circle Fitness equipment.  Five different exercise targets will keep customers motivated and on track to the trainer’s fitness plan.  Targets include Calories, Body Fat, Weight, Frequency and Distance.  The CircleFit app will provide users with detailed and encouraging information on the status of their workouts, including progress charts and target goals.  The status reports will be easily shareable to social media to encourage their workout buddies to keep pushing.

Finally, the My Performance module will track stats for individual sessions, and then compile monthly and annual reports.  Exercise will not only be tracked while at the gym, but outside the gym as well with the exercise app and wearables integration.

CIRCLECLOUD GO SOLUTIONS FOR THE FITNESS BUSINESS OWNER

While your member / customers are tracking their progress with the CircleFit app paired with Circle Fitness cardio equipment, you’ll be able to monitor and manage your equipment using the Circle Asset Manager.  With it’s clear and intuitive UI, Circle Asset Manager will allow you to maintain and maximize equipment efficiency with ease, while increasing engagement with customers.

Let’s start with the Asset Manager overview.  A detailed summarized overview gives you a clear state of the Circle Fitness machines in the facility.  Need a quick look at equipment status, usage trends, software updates and technical support updates?  Circle Asset Manager has you covered.

Here’s an example:  every Circle treadmill’s total distance and 60-day average distance is tracked.  With this knowledge, you can make educated rotation decisions to extend life and balance usage of equipment.  Daily usage will also be trackable so you can review peak and off-peak usage information.  Preference charts instantly show owners which machines are most popular, and which are most suited for the needs of clientele.

Customer engagement is more important than ever, and Circle Fitness will help solve your engagement efforts through your Asset Manager portal.  You’re provided access to the CircleFit Facility Calendar, which allows you to easily post club news, offers and events.  Facilities will also be able to post class schedules by uploading them directly to Circle TFTs and the CircleFit app, so customers will have the latest information, wherever they may be.   

The Circle Fitness Development Team is working hard on products that SOLVE, products that have been years in the making.  These are technology advancements that are being created to enhance the customer experience and the business of Fitness.  As these advancements are introduced across the country in coming months, club owners and managers will want to learn more about solving with Circle Fitness.

Brigadoon Fitness. A name you may not be familiar with…but worth learning about.

A strong start in the industry.

Nearly seven years ago Brigadoon Fitness^™ acquired Hotel Fitness^®, a trusted name in the industry for over 20 years.  Hotel Fitness is best known for designing and equipping hospitality fitness centers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.  Hotel Fitness is now a division of Brigadoon Fitness, and continues the tradition of providing products and best of class service to the hospitality industry.

Since the acquisition, Brigadoon Fitness’ commitment to quality, innovation and service continued to help them grow a loyal following at an impressive pace.  People outside the hospitality space took notice of the Brigadoon value proposition, so Brigadoon responded by expanding into new markets.  Quickly, Brigadoon created their very own cardio line, setting new standards for innovation, efficiency and durability.  Feature-rich products included high-efficiency motors, commercial grade belts and recyclable components.

In 2014 they launched their Green Series^™ cardio line partnering with P&F Brothers, Inc., a Taiwanese based OEM and ODM manufacturer.  P&F had been making fitness equipment under the Circle Fitness^™ name for distributors throughout the world, so it didn’t take long for the Green Series family of commercial cardio equipment to gain acceptance in the marketplace.  The equipment quickly earned a reputation for durability, efficiency, ease-of-use, attractiveness and affordability.

From its start, Brigadoon hasn’t wavered from its pledge to change the way the fitness industry conducts business.  In an industry where four to six week lead times are the norm, service is slow and calls get routed to automated phone systems, Brigadoon Fitness is changing the game.  With a large U.S. based inventory of equipment and parts, orders get shipped within 24 hours.  Phones are answered by knowledgeable representatives and warranty or service needs are handled quickly by experienced technicians.  It’s this responsiveness, reliability and their commitment to excellence that continues to define them.

A great partnership gets even better.

In 2018, the company again looked to the future and made an obvious choice.  With the global recognition of the Circle Fitness brand coupled with the national presence of Brigadoon Fitness / Green Series line, they transitioned their brand from Green Series to the internationally recognized Circle Fitness name.  The equipment kept the same durability, ease-of-use, attractiveness and affordability, while getting a new name and branding – CIRCLE FITNESS.  “As our business continues to grow and evolve, so has the need to position ourselves as an international provider,” explains Dave Krites, Executive Vice President at Brigadoon Fitness.  “Circle Fitness products have been sold throughout the world for more than a decade and manufactured by the same folks who helped us bring our Green Series line to the market.”   What changed?  Brigadoon Fitness is now the exclusive, master distributor of Circle Fitness products in North America, offering an extensive cardio line under the globally recognized Circle Fitness name.  Global recognition with national presence.

Changing the way the industry does business.

“Brigadoon Fitness offers products that closely align with some of the industry’s long standing brands, but most of the time at a lesser cost to the customer,” says Krites. Whether delivering products to an end user, such as a hotel, apartment facility, university or fitness center, or working with their extensive list of dealers, they take the time to see the deal through from start to finish.  “We have structured our business around the ability to get our customers the product they need, when they need it,” states Krites.  “We are a responsive company, we do not want to be the one the customer is waiting on.”  Quick to ship – great quality at a fair price – and products that spec against the best – it’s no surprise so many are jumping on board with Brigadoon.

It’s simple.  Whether you’re an end user or a distributor, you soon realize why so many are quickly aligning with Brigadoon Fitness.  It’s their commitment to providing the ideal customer experience.  This approach is driven by a company philosophy centered on what Brigadoon refers to as ICE – Ideal Customer Experience.  “It’s a culture; a way of life,” explains Krites.  Decisions are made keeping this in mind.  “When our customers win, we win.  We want to know our customers better than anyone else,” says Krites.  “We ask questions, take the time to listen and try our best to provide solutions that help them win.”

As Brigadoon has evolved, it has built its reputation on providing durable, high-value, commercial fitness equipment at affordable prices.  The company not only carefully selects it’s manufacturers to meet it’s high standards, but it also collaborates with those companies’ product design teams to customize features and functionality that stay ahead of market trends.

Looking to the future.

The company continues to add new products and features as it identifies specific needs.  It’s broad range of fitness equipment expands well beyond treadmills, elliptical and stationary bikes.  It also includes group cyclingequipment, multifunctional machines, single/dual weight stations, benches and racks, stretching apparatus and fitness room accessories.  Recently they have introduced an entirely new exciting line of cardio under the name, Sport Series^™ that includes a Variable Motion Trainer (VMT), an Athletic Trainer Treadmill, Suspension Elliptical, Air Rower and a Front Drive Indoor Cycle.  “We are always looking for ways to help our customers work out,” says Krites.  “We are just getting started.”

FORT WAYNE, IND. (April 6, 2018) — Brigadoon Fitness is proudly featured in the April edition of Business People Magazine.

Brigadoon Fitness builds its business around the ideal customer experience.
Brigadoon Fitness, a Fort Wayne-based supplier of commercial fitness equipment nationwide, takes a bold approach to selling its products. Rather than focusing primarily on product specifications, the company places its emphasis on making sure customers get what they need, when they need it. It seems like a subtle difference, but it not only ensures that Brigadoon provides quality products, but more importantly, it also delivers a service experience that is second to none.

Kevin Feldman, vice president of sales and marketing, explains, “We are a customer service focused organization selling fitness equipment, not a fitness equipment company with customer service.”

That approach is driven by a company philosophy centered on what Brigadoon calls the Ideal Customer Experience (ICE). Its culture has been built around making decisions that always consider the impact to the customer, with the understanding that getting it right will ultimately drive sales.

David Krites, executive vice president at Brigadoon Fitness, explains it this way. “If we can’t give the customer a better experience buying from us, they’re going to have no motivation to do so,” he says. “We don’t make choices just to save money. We make choices to improve the customer experience. It’s about having the right people and the right products in the right places at the right time.”

Stocking levels, product features and even internal processes are all measured against a central question: How does this change/improvement/idea improve the Ideal Customer Experience? Understandably, Krites and his Brigadoon team have to know their customers very well to effectively answer that question.

“We want to know our customers better than anyone else,” says Krites. “We ask questions, take the time to listen and are as transparent as we can be.”

Those kinds of conversations have driven the trajectory of Brigadoon’s business. The company started in 2012 selling fitness equipment in the hospitality industry as Hotel Fitness. As the company recognized a need in markets beyond the hotel and resort space, Hotel Fitness became a division within the expanded Brigadoon Fitness family.

As Brigadoon has evolved to meet customer needs, it has built its reputation on providing durable, high-value, commercial fitness equipment at reasonable prices. The company not only carefully selects its manufacturers to meet its high standards, it also collaborates with those companies’ product design teams to customize features and functionality that stay ahead of market trends.

“We listen to the market, solicit feedback from our customers and present solutions they’ve requested,” says Feldman.

For example, Brigadoon has long offered a family of commercial cardio equipment that is energy-efficient, manufactured with recyclable components and engineered to significantly reduce the carbon footprint. In order to reach a broader audience with these products, Brigadoon recently announced it will transition from its private-labeled Green Series brand to the more widely known Circle Fitness label of its manufacturer.

“Circle Fitness products have been sold throughout the world for more than a decade and manufactured at the same state-of-the art factory that makes Green Series equipment,” says Feldman. “The ability to tap into Circle’s global name recognition, resources, advanced technologies and worldwide service and distribution channel will be incredibly valuable to both our domestic and international customers.”

Likewise, the company continues to add new products and features as it identifies specific needs. Its broad range of fitness equipment expands well beyond the treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bicycles that are top-of-mind for most people. It also includes group cycling equipment, multifunctional machines, weight stations, benches and racks, steppers and a variety of fitness room accessories. Brigadoon also offers pool and patio furnishings under its Orange Italia brand.

“We want to offer the best products in our market segment,” says Krites. “We offer great quality at reasonable prices, and that value proposition supports our success.”

In fact, quality plays a significant role in Brigadoon’s value proposition. Brigadoon understands that within each client’s budget, he wants to receive the best equipment that will last the longest at the most reasonable price. Taking a cue from a Volkswagen tag line, Krites likes to describe Brigadoon products as “great for the price of good.”

Availability impacts success as well, and Brigadoon has gone to great lengths to ensure it has a ready inventory. Orders are generally shipped from its Fort Wayne-based distribution center, where they are often fulfilled within a day of being placed. Many competitors do not carry stock and instead simply relay orders to the manufacturer, where lead times may be lengthy.

“We’ve won quite a few customers because we have the product in stock,” says Krites.

Besides that, he continues, “We answer the phone. You are always going to talk to a real person here. Details like this make a big difference.”

Krites and his team have made creating the Ideal Customer Experience part of everyday life at Brigadoon. They passionately believe that satisfied customers drive future sales, so they continue to invest in the details that affect them.

“The better the benefit we offer to the customer, the more people will be attracted to it,” explains Krites. “People may buy fitness equipment on specs one time, but at the end of the day, it’s the service that matters.”

All customer interactions at Brigadoon – whether internal or external – are governed by five principles. It strives to show respect, be responsive, act reliably, build close relationships and maintain an excellent reputation. Above all, it wants to relentlessly push the bar higher in all areas.

“If we’re going to invest time to talk about something,” says Krites, “it had better improve the customer experience.”

Ultimately, Brigadoon knows that when the customer wins, it wins, so delivering the Ideal Customer Experience provides the most effective path to success.

FORT WAYNE, IND. (August 7, 2017) –Brigadoon Fitness has reached a milestone this August, celebrating 5 years of business.  The company has grown and expanded from its initial acquisition of Hotel Fitness, to working with customers in a variety of industries, including multi-family, education, military, fire and police, parks and rec, health clubs, governmental and corporate wellness.

Over the past 5 years, Brigadoon Fitness has quickly built a reputation for providing customers with quality commercial fitness equipment and unparalleled customer support.  In addition, the company has developed its own lines of commercial cardio equipment, under the name Green Series.  The Green Series family of commercial fitness equipment includes treadmills, ellipticals, recumbent bikes, upright bikes and indoor cycles which are sold directly and through a network of more than 130 dealers throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

“I take great pride in joining our employees, clients and business partners in celebrating our company’s 5^th anniversary.  We have come a long way in a just a few short years and I am excited about our future,” stated Bruce Dye, CEO of Brigadoon Fitness.

Looking ahead, Brigadoon Fitness plans to continue its growth by developing more products, increasing the size of its dealer network, adding to its workforce and expanding into additional industries.

FORT WAYNE, IND. (August 30, 2016) – The following article appears in the August 2016 issue of Private University Products and News magazine.

Considerations when in the Market for New Fitness Equipment.
With budgets finalized and students back on campus, it’s likely your institution is preparing to invest in new fitness equipment. In other words, let the buying season begin. On average, properly maintained cardio equipment should be replaced every three to five years. Strength equipment can last up to 10 years or more. If you are in the market, here are a few suggestions to consider and questions you will want to ask before making your next purchase.
What do we want or need?
Before you begin investigating suppliers, have a clear understanding of the specific needs of your fitness center. How often is your current equipment being used and which products need replaced? What are the most popular items and why? Who is using the equipment and for what purpose? What do the users like, dislike and why? You may also want to survey the users of the equipment. They can provide terrific insight, and can confirm or dispel any beliefs you might have. Another great place to look is in the industry trade publications. Review the ads and articles and check out the vendors’ websites. If you haven’t attended a tradeshow in a while, now would be the time. Not only will you have the chance to see and test the equipment, it’s a great place to develop relationships with peers and vendors alike. All of these resources will provide a wealth of information on the newest products, technology and trends to help you make an informed decision.

Who do we invite to the dance?
Now that you’ve determined what you need, the next question is who you should ask to bid? If you don’t have a good list of contacts, a terrific place to start is the PUPN Marketplace or NIRSA Buyers’ Guide. You do not need to be a subscriber or member to access either of these resources. Additionally, talking with peers at other institutions is highly recommended as they can share their experiences with specific vendors, product quality, delivery, maintenance and post-sales support. Depending on the amount of equipment and specific needs, inviting at least three to four vendors to submit a bid should be adequate. Contact both local and national suppliers and spend some time talking and/or meeting with each. Ask for recommendations and don’t be afraid to consider equipment and product features that are different from the norm. Also, many suppliers will offer demo units to evaluate, especially if the quantity of equipment you are interested in purchasing is significant.

Total Cost of Ownership
There is the price you pay and then there’s what it cost. Sure, price is important, but don’t overlook the total cost of owning the product. Even the most durable equipment will require service and ongoing maintenance. It’s important to understand these expectations and costs. Although, purchasing equipment with all the bells and whistles can be attractive, some users may be intimidated and need assistance to operate. Further, repairs can be costly and require certified technicians to maintain. Be sure to inquire about the ease-of-use, training requirements, ongoing software upgrades and any additional facility needs (IE. electrical, WiFi, cable, space). Warranty protection, maintenance, post-sales support, parts availability and other facility requirements can vary greatly by manufacturer and significantly impact the overall costs. Be sure to read and understand the product warranty completely, including the fine print—are replacement parts freight costs covered? Is a lifetime warranty defined as the average life of the product or forever? How responsive is the service department? Try calling or sending an email to each vendor’s customer service department and evaluate how quickly your call or email is answered. Talk with other customers about their experience with both the overall product quality and vendor’s after-the-sale support. Did the product meet expectations? Did the vendor honor their commitments? Would they purchase the same equipment and work with the vendor again? Why or why not? All of these items should be considered part of the total costs and weighed accordingly.

How are you going to pay for it?
Once you have determined what you need and who you are going to purchase from, the next step is deciding how to pay for it. Should you buy it outright or lease it? Leasing has become much more common and provides an opportunity to change your equipment every few years. On the other hand, buying the equipment saves money by eliminating interest and providing you the ability to sell or donate it at a later date of your choosing. Most equipment vendors can refer you to reputable third-party finance companies or offer in-house financing options.
Purchasing new equipment for your fitness center can be an exciting and rewarding experience. A well designed and equipped fitness center will attract more users and help market your institution to prospective students, professors and administrators. Do your homework, ask a lot of questions, lean on the vendors for answers and include numerous people in the process.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Feldman is Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Green Series Fitness, and wrote this article for Private University Products News.

Kevin M. Feldman
VP Sales & Marketing

FORT WAYNE, IND. (January 4, 2016) — The new 8000 premium treadmill from Green Series Fitness, a Brigadoon Fitness company, is proudly featured in the Winter edition of the National Fitness Trade Journal. Distributed to fitness centers, athletic clubs, YMCA’s, JCC’s, military bases, rec centers and professional sports teams throughout the U.S., the National Fitness Trade Journal is the longest running publication in the fitness industry.

A Premium Treadmill without the Premium Price

The recently launched 8000 premium treadmill is a testament to everything Green Series Fitness exemplifies.  Stunningly modern, yet meticulously crafted, the new 8000 represents the next stage in Green Series Fitness’ growing cardio equipment portfolio.  Designed for health clubs or any facility seeking a premium treadmill without the premium price, you’re simply not going to find a better value.

Remaining true to its roots and the Green Series name, the 8000 is powered by a 6.0 HP, AC NextGEN III Eco-Drive System™, delivering an unsurpassed combination of energy-efficiency and power.   Working in concert with industry-leading drive motors and controllers, Habasit® premium running belts and SlikDek® reversible decks, the 8000 can reduce electricity costs by 30 percent.  Extensive field tests have also shown the NextGEN III Motor to run up to 20 percent cooler than comparable competitor’s treadmill motors under the same load and conditions.

The 8000 treadmill offers two user-friendly console options proving that advanced technology does not have to be complicated.  The Entertainment Series console features a vibrant, high-definition, 19” touchscreen with HDTV, WiFi and Bluetooth® connectivity, integrated Apple® and Android® compatibility, USB and CSAFE charging ports.  Employing Virtual Connect™ technology, users can also enjoy their choice of 10 pre-loaded forward motion videos of beautiful sceneries from throughout the world, included at no additional cost.  A 19” LED is also available offering Bluetooth® connectivity, USB and CSAFE charging ports, toggle shifters for speed and elevation and a durable reading rack.

And if performance and comfort is what you desire, the 8000 delivers with its exclusive Smooth Deck Absorption System, biomechanically engineered to ensure a stable and flexible running surface for users of up to 500 lbs.  Further, with easily adjustable speeds of .2 to 17.2 MPH, elevations of up to 20 percent and over 20 exercise programs, the 8000 will appeal to users of all fitness levels.

What is Fueling the Growth of Green Series Fitness?

Three years ago, Brigadoon Financial, a private investment company, acquired Hotel Fitness, with a mission to grow the hospitality sector and expand into other markets.  Leveraging decades of experience in fitness, distribution, customer service and sales, the company has more than tripled revenues, engineered multiple lines of Green Series cardio equipment and developed a nationwide dealer network.

Operating under the Brigadoon Fitness umbrella, Green Series Fitness and its family of commercial cardio products are delivering some of the most energy-efficient, reliable and affordable equipment in the fitness industry.

So how does a relatively small and unknown company produce equipment that consistently outperforms many of the biggest names in the industry?  First, by partnering with the leading global manufacturers and challenging conventional thinking.  Second, by benchmarking the world’s best fitness equipment and aiming even higher.  Third, by testing and assessing Green Series products in the most demanding proving grounds.  And finally, by providing unmatched customer service combined with the smartest warranty protection in the industry.

Focused Product Innovation

While other cardio equipment manufacturers may focus on integrating cutting-edge technology with their products, Green Series Fitness is taking a somewhat different path.   “Our goal is not to provide the most advanced or feature-rich cardio lines on the planet,” says Dale Hansen, Director of Product Development at Green Series Fitness.  “Rather, we remain focused on delivering the best overall value and lowest total cost of ownership.  That means committing our resources to developing products that are incredibly durable, efficient, easy to use and affordable, while providing unparalleled customer service and support,” states Hansen.  “At the same time, we recognize the importance of staying current with the latest technology and advancements—we just prefer to do so without overwhelming users with intimidating or cumbersome programming that adds significant costs to the products and frequently goes unused.”

Smart Warranty Protection and Customer Support

It’s one thing to say your products are reliable.  It’s another to back it up. The Green Series warranty is yet another example of how Green Series Fitness continues to challenge conventional thinking.  Traditionally, manufacturers attach different warranties to different products, regardless of where and how the equipment is being used.  The Green Series warranty is based on the fitness application and amount of use.  Light commercial environments, defined as non-dues-paying facilities with up to six hours of daily use, deserve longer warranties, regardless of the products’ commercial rating.

All Green Series cardio equipment, including the new 8000 Treadmill, when used in light commercial settings, include a 10 year frame, six year motor (upgraded to seven years on the NextGEN III Motor), six year parts, two year wearables and one year limited labor warranty.  Full commercial applications carry a 10 year frame, five year motor, three year parts, two year wearables and one year limited labor warranty.  Extended labor warranties are available as well.

Changing How the Industry Does Business

In an industry where four to six week lead times are the norm, service is slow and calls get routed to automated phone systems, Green Series Fitness is changing the game.

With a large U.S. based inventory of equipment and parts, orders get shipped within 24 hours or the same day if needed.  Phones are answered by knowledgeable representatives and warranty or service needs are handled quickly by experienced technicians.  It’s this responsive reliability and commitment to excellence that has many industry insiders taking notice and driving Green Series Fitness to new heights.

Experience the most reliable and efficient products at these upcoming conferences:

– IHRSA, March 21 – 24, Orlando, Florida
– NIRSA, April 3 – 4, Orlando, Florida
– YMCA General Assembly, July 14-17, Kansas City, Missouri