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Integrating Tech and Data for Sports Performance Facilities

September 24, 2020 by Sports Facility Expert

sports performance

Owning an indoor sports facility can be a great option if you’re looking for more control over when you can offer your services. Sports performance athletic training and practice can continue in a safe and comfortable space, at a time that is convenient for your clients. They are not restricted by the whims of mother nature.

But many of your clients are looking for more than just a place to practice. We all know the percentages. For example the NCAA says just 7.5% of high school baseball players will play in college – and athletes are looking for an edge. It is important to offer results-oriented strength and performance training to your athletes. And this starts with integrating technology and data into your sports facility.

Ironworks Performance

One strength and performance facility that uses technology to take their athletes to the next level is Denver’s Ironworks Performance. They were founded in March of this year by Christian Backes, Director of Athletic Development. He has worked hundreds of players – including professional and Division I, II and III college athletes.

Christian had been using eSoft Planner to help manage his business as he supported athletes in their efforts to reach their goals even before he started Ironworks. Once his facility opened, Christian knew that in order to offer the individualized support an effective training program requires, he would need the same kind of powerful scheduling solution.

“We have a variety of programs, including private, semi-private and team training — not to mention our online services,” Christian said. “The software helps us to avoid over-booking. With only two full-time coaches and one part-time, it was important that we have a way to optimize our time.”

Here are a few more ways that Christian said he integrates eSoft Planner into his data-driven and results-based business model.

Assess Initial Ability

When athletes first sign up, the Ironworks Performance team does a complete assessment of an athlete’s skill level. This includes determining past issues and experiences with movement, agility, and nutrition. Performance metrics are measured and documented to set a baseline. The real importance of this initial meeting is to find the athlete’s goal. Whether this is to increase speed, mobility, strength, or injury prevention.

For the first few weeks after they opened, Ironworks used pen and paper to keep track of sign-ups. But after many of their teenagers began losing their waiver forms, they quickly understood their need for scheduling management software. Using the member profile to collect data and paperwork is critical.

“eSoft gave our athletes the ability to simply click to agree to a waiver,” Christian said. “We still provide them with a hard copy of the waiver forms, but the software just makes the process easier for everyone involved.”

Build a Schedule to Meet the Client Needs

Based on an athlete’s specific goals, Christian and his team develop class schedule that is personalized specifically for the athlete.

“We use eSoft to send reminders to our athletes, to track attendance for individual and team classes. It all helps us to help keep the athletes accountable for their own development,” Christian said.

Ironworks also looks forward to utilizing eSoft Planner’s member portal. Which gives athletes and their parents the same insights into class attendance and scheduling as their coaches have.

Keep in Touch

Prior to starting his own strength training program, Christian used the TrainHeroic app to remain in contact with his athletes even when they were away visiting colleges, at another gym or playing in state tournaments. It’s no surprise that online training has become a large part of Ironwork’s business — especially in an age of COVID.

“We do a lot of private training, and eSoft allows us to set up individual plans for online-only training where a client only pays so much for a certain amount of hours a month,” Christian said.

By using eSoft Planner to manage their coaching resources even with their online communications, Ironworks can maintain a balanced approach that helps athletes avoid regression in strength and performance.

eSoft Planner for sports performance gives facilities the ability to manage teams, track class participation, send reminders to athletes and even communicate facility closures. If you’re tired of cumbersome scheduling software — or worse, pen and paper. Let eSoft streamline your operations by providing the same team schedule visibility for all your clients.

If you want to discuss how eSoft Planner can help you integrate data-driven technology for your athletes into your facility, contact us for a demo today!

Filed Under: Sports Facility Operations

preschool at sports facilities

An Unconventional Cure for Empty Daytime Hours: Preschool Programming

January 30, 2018 by Sports Facility Expert

It’s not especially tough to fill our sports academies when kids are out of school. But during school hours, most of our facilities are sitting practically empty. I’ve already suggested various ways to monetize those slower hours, including: Programs for homeschoolers Fitness programs for adults who have nontraditional work hours or who want to work… [Read More]

Filed Under: Sports Facility Operations Tagged With: sports facility programming ideas

Top Posts of 2017 - Sports Facility Expert

Top Posts of 2017

December 22, 2017 by Sports Facility Expert

As the year comes to a close, I always like to look back and reflect on the things we covered throughout the year on the blog. I look in Google Analytics to see which posts got the most visits, then list them again for anyone who may not have had a chance to read them… [Read More]

Filed Under: Indoor Sports Facilities Best Practices, Sports Facility Management, Sports Facility Marketing, Sports Facility Operations, Sports Facility Start Up

Best Practices for Selling Sports Facility Rentals

7 Best Practices for Selling Sports Facility Rentals

November 16, 2016 by Sports Facility Expert

Rentals are a major source of income for most of our sports facilities. They’re also a nice complement to the services that require more energy to run, such as classes and camps. However simple rentals may seem, though, they’re also more likely than any other service to ruin your profit margins. Use these best practices… [Read More]

Filed Under: Sports Facility Management, Sports Facility Operations Tagged With: Best Practices: Lessons and Rentals

Best Practices for Sports Complex Concessions at a Sports Complex

Tips for Running Profitable Concessions

October 27, 2016 by Sports Facility Expert

Whether they’re visiting for a tournament, double-header, or even a long birthday party, families spending hours at your sports complex are going to get hungry. Why not feed them? Concessions are a great way to boost revenue and keep your clients happy — but only if they’re run professionally and efficiently. Brad Bischoff worked in… [Read More]

Filed Under: Indoor Sports Facilities Best Practices, Sports Facility Operations

A Winter Checklist for Sports Facilities

A Winter Checklist for Sports Facilities

October 20, 2016 by Sports Facility Expert

Things start to get hectic at indoor sports facilities this time of year — at least for those of us who don’t enjoy year-round warm weather. That’s why it’s a good idea make your winter plans now. Along with the heavier work schedule winter typically brings, we also get much busier in our personal lives… [Read More]

Filed Under: Indoor Sports Facilities Best Practices, Sports Facility Operations

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About Me

Hi, I'm Mike. I successfully sold my indoor sports facility in 2015 to focus on running a software company that produces eSoft Planner, a scheduling system for sports facilities. Click here to contact me directly.

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