Prevent Tailgating with a Gym Access Control System
One of the biggest security threats gyms face is ‘tailgating’. This is when unauthorised individuals follow members into the gym without using their own access credentials.
Not only does this compromise the security of your facility, but it can also result in revenue loss, insurance issues, and damage to your gym's reputation.
In this blog, we’ll explain tailgating prevention strategies and how a robust gym access control system can help you tackle this issue.
We’ll look at the risks of unchecked tailgating, the benefits of implementing effective anti-tailgating measures, and how gym owners can secure their facilities while maintaining a positive experience for their paying members.
Introduction to Gym Access Control and Tailgating Prevention
What is Tailgating in Gym Security?
In gym security, tailgating refers to the act of an unauthorised person gaining access to the gym by following a legitimate member through an entry point, such as a door or gate, without using their own access credentials.
Essentially, someone "tails" behind a member as they enter, bypassing the usual security protocols.
Tailgating is a significant issue because it undermines the effectiveness of your gym’s security system. Non-members may enter and use your gym’s amenities without paying, which can lead to lost revenue.
In addition to this, tailgating raises liability concerns. If an incident occurs involving an unauthorised person (e.g., injury, damage to equipment), it could create complications, particularly when dealing with insurance claims.
Unauthorised access could potentially invalidate insurance policies, exposing the gym to further risks.
The Importance of Preventing Tailgating in Your Gym
Allowing tailgating to go unchecked creates multiple risks for gym owners. The most obvious is revenue loss. Non-members who gain access to your gym without paying are essentially using your services for free, which directly impacts your bottom line. But the risks extend beyond just money, tailgating also undermines your gym’s security as it creates loopholes that members can exploit.
From a member’s perspective, discovering a lack of security or knowing that others are exploiting access without paying can lead to frustration and a loss of trust in your gym. Member satisfaction may suffer, and over time, you might see increased churn as members decide to leave for a gym they feel is more secure.
Addressing tailgating goes beyond just security, it ties into your broader risk management strategy. Ensuring only authorised individuals are granted entry is a critical part of maintaining a secure, trustworthy environment for both staff and members.
A gym that actively prevents tailgating demonstrates a commitment to providing a safe and fair space for everyone.
Why You Need Anti-Tailgating Solutions for Your Gym
Prevent Revenue Loss
When non-members gain access by tailgating, they use your gym’s resources, like equipment, fitness classes, and showers, without paying for them. This takes away from the value of what you’re offering to your members and hurts your gym’s income.
Avoid Insurance Exposure
Unauthorised access isn’t just a financial issue. It can also put your gym’s insurance coverage at risk. Most insurance policies require you to ensure that only members and authorised staff have access to the premises. If an incident occurs and it's found that someone entered through tailgating, it could lead to a claim denial or higher premiums.
Stop Member Churn
Paying members who see others entering the gym without permission might feel that their membership is less valuable or unfair. This can result in frustration, loss of trust, and ultimately, members deciding to leave. Keeping your gym secure shows that you care about their experience and the value of their membership.
Revenue Protection
With a reliable anti-tailgating system in place, you can ensure that only paying members are using the gym. This directly impacts your revenue, preventing loss from unauthorised access.
Member Trust
By preventing tailgating, you're reinforcing the idea that your gym is a secure, member-only space. This builds trust and reassures members that they are paying for a premium service. They are more likely to remain loyal to a gym that actively works to protect their interests.
Insurance Compliance
Many insurance policies have clauses about maintaining a certain level of security. By investing in an anti-tailgating solution, you're proactively ensuring that you meet these compliance requirements. This helps lower insurance premiums and protects you from costly claims.
How Anti-Tailgating Solutions Integrate with Existing Gym Systems
A good anti-tailgating system is easy to integrate with your existing security infrastructure, such as access control systems, CCTV, and intercoms. The integration means that you don’t need to overhaul your entire security setup.
Instead, you can seamlessly add anti-tailgating technology into your current systems, allowing you to maintain control over your gym’s access points while benefiting from enhanced security.
Additionally, the installation process is simple and causes minimal disruption to your daily operations. Most anti-tailgating systems can be set up with no need for complex rewiring or equipment replacement, making it a cost-effective solution that won’t interfere with your gym’s operations.
Whether you’re upgrading an existing access control system or starting fresh, these solutions provide a turnkey upgrade that helps safeguard your gym against unauthorised access.
How Anti-Tailgating Systems Work in Your Gym
AI-Powered Tailgating Detection
AI-powered tailgating detection systems use machine learning algorithms to identify when an unauthorised person enters the gym by following a legitimate member. The system tracks movements through entry points, analysing patterns in real-time.
If someone enters behind a member without using their own access credentials, the AI immediately flags it as a potential tailgating event.
Unlike manual systems, where security staff have to review footage after an event, AI tailgating detection works automatically, detecting unauthorised entry as it happens. This means there’s no delay in spotting a security breach, and the gym can take immediate action to resolve the issue, preventing any potential damage or loss.
Real-Time Alerts and Reporting
With AI detection in place, real-time alerts are sent to gym owners and staff as soon as a tailgating incident is detected.
Whether through live dashboards or push notifications (such as WhatsApp alerts), gym owners can track security incidents instantly, ensuring they can act quickly.
This instant reporting means no event goes unnoticed, and gym owners are always in the loop about what’s happening at their gym, even if they’re not physically present. By staying informed in real-time, gym owners can make quicker decisions, increasing the overall security and operational efficiency of their facility.
Detailed Incident Reporting and Compliance
Every tailgating event detected is logged automatically for easy tracking and review. This creates a comprehensive audit trail that helps gyms maintain compliance with security standards and regulations.
These detailed logs can be used for follow-up actions, such as contacting members involved in tailgating incidents or ensuring proper documentation for insurance claims.
Whether you need to prove compliance during an insurance audit or track frequent security breaches, the incident reporting system ensures you have the data you need for full transparency and accountability.
How Secure24’s Anti-Tailgating Solution Works
Secure24 offers a complete anti-tailgating solution designed to provide seamless detection, alerting, and reporting for gym owners. The system uses advanced AI-powered technology to detect tailgating events in real-time, notifying you immediately when unauthorised access occurs.
It’s not just a set-and-forget solution. Secure24 provides a customisable setup tailored to your gym’s unique needs.
Whether you’re managing a single entrance or multiple zones, the system adapts to fit your security requirements, ensuring you have full control over who enters your gym and when.
Scalable and Flexible for Any Gym
No matter the size of your gym, Secure24’s anti-tailgating system scales with you. You can easily monitor multiple doors and camera feeds simultaneously, allowing for complete coverage of your facility.
As your gym grows, you can add more cameras or access points without the need for an expensive system overhaul.
The best part? Secure24 doesn’t require a long-term contract, so you can expand or adjust the system as your needs change, all while paying only for the services you actually use.
Proven Results and Customer Satisfaction
With over 60 gyms across the UK and Ireland successfully implementing Secure24’s anti-tailgating solutions, the results speak for themselves.
Our clients have seen a significant reduction in unauthorised entries, which translates to improved security, revenue protection, and member satisfaction.
Customer testimonials highlight the effectiveness of the system in maintaining gym security, with many clients praising the easy integration, real-time alerts, and the ability to monitor incidents remotely.
Gym owners can rest easy knowing their facilities are secure and that their members are getting the full value of their memberships.
Types of Gym Access Control Systems for Tailgating Prevention
Card and Key Fob Access Control
Traditional card and key fob access systems are commonly used for gym entry. Each member is given a card or fob that they use to unlock the gym doors by swiping or tapping at an access point.
This system helps prevent tailgating by ensuring that only members with authorised cards or fobs can enter. Since each access card or fob is unique to a member, the system can detect when someone tries to enter without proper credentials.
However, while cards and fobs offer a solid level of security, they can be shared or lost, which means tailgating still remains a potential concern unless additional safeguards are in place.
Biometric Solutions for Enhanced Security
Biometric access control systems offer enhanced security by using physical traits like fingerprints or facial recognition to grant access. Unlike traditional cards or fobs, biometric data is unique to each individual and cannot be shared or replicated. This makes it an excellent option for preventing tailgating, as it ensures only the registered member can enter.
The added security of biometric systems minimises the risk of unauthorised access, providing peace of mind for gym owners and a high level of convenience for members, who no longer need to worry about losing their access cards or fobs.
Mobile Access Control Systems
Mobile-based access control systems use smartphones as a key for gym entry. Members simply use their phones to gain access, typically through an app or by scanning a QR code.
This system is incredibly convenient for members, as they don’t need to carry physical cards or fobs. Mobile systems also offer flexibility, as gym owners can easily update permissions or revoke access remotely.
These systems can be integrated with gym management apps, creating an all-in-one solution for both access control and membership management.
This integration simplifies operations and provides additional tools, like tracking attendance and member activity, which further enhances security and efficiency.
Integrating with CCTV and Other Security Tools
A key feature of modern access control systems is the ability to integrate with existing CCTV systems, intercoms, and other security tools.
This integration provides a more comprehensive security solution, as it allows gym owners to monitor entry points in real time. When a member scans their card or uses biometric access, the CCTV system can automatically start recording, adding an extra layer of documentation.
Intercoms can also be linked to access control systems, allowing gym staff to verify the identity of individuals trying to enter during hours when the gym might be less staffed.
Combining these tools helps to prevent unauthorised access and provides better overall visibility into who is entering and exiting the gym.
Gym Tailgating Prevention FAQs
What is the cost of an anti-tailgating gym access control system?
The cost of an anti-tailgating access control system can vary depending on the system type and the size of your gym. Installation fees typically cover the hardware, while monthly fees often include system maintenance and real-time monitoring.
Many systems also charge based on the number of doors, cameras, or zones being monitored.
Secure24’s gym monitoring service starts at £1.57 per hour, which is a flexible option for gyms of all sizes. This allows you to scale your security coverage as needed without long-term contracts or hidden fees.
Maintenance costs will vary depending on the system's complexity, but they are typically minimal and can often be bundled into the overall service.
Can I add anti-tailgating prevention to my existing security setup?
Yes, Secure24’s anti-tailgating system can seamlessly integrate with your existing CCTV and intercom systems.
There’s no need for a complete overhaul of your security infrastructure. By adding AI-powered tailgating detection to your current system, you can enhance your gym’s security without major disruption or additional costs.
This integration ensures that all security systems work together for a more cohesive and effective solution, making the process of preventing unauthorised access simpler and more efficient.
How does AI-powered detection prevent tailgating?
AI-powered detection uses machine learning algorithms to analyse video feeds from your cameras and identify unauthorised entry in real time.
The system recognises patterns of behavior, such as one person entering with another who hasn’t used their credentials, and immediately flags the event as a tailgating attempt.
The advantage of AI over manual systems is its ability to detect and alert in real time without needing human review. This means no security events are missed, and gym owners can take immediate action, reducing the risk of unauthorised access.
Are there any long-term contracts or setup fees?
No, Secure24’s anti-tailgating solutions come with no minimum term and no hidden setup fees. You only pay for the monitoring hours you use, making it a flexible, risk-free option. This gives you the freedom to scale the system based on your gym’s needs without being tied into long-term commitments.
If your needs change over time, you can adjust your plan to match your current security requirements, ensuring you always have the right level of coverage.
Can I monitor gym access remotely?
Yes, with Secure24’s system, you can easily monitor your gym’s access points remotely. The system allows you to view real-time alerts and live dashboards from any device, so you’re always informed about what’s happening at your gym, even when you’re not there.
In addition to live monitoring, you can receive push notifications (such as WhatsApp alerts) whenever a tailgating incident occurs, allowing you to take immediate action.
This feature provides peace of mind, especially for gym owners who want to stay connected to their gym’s security without needing to be physically present.
