7A- Testing the Hypothesis, Part One
Opportunity: Many people experience gym "intimidation" in a public gym environment due to the variety of experience levels, confusing equipment, and physique insecurity. A lack of a workout partner may exemplify these feelings enough for a potential frequent customer to refrain from continuing.
The who?: New or inexperienced commercial gym members
The what?: They are having feelings of intimidation at the gym
The why?: Variety of experience levels, confusing equipment, physique insecurity, and a lack of a workout partner
Hypothesis:
Testing the who: As well as those looking to create a healthy lifestyle for themselves, the who also concerns commercial gyms who may be losing frequent customers due to gym intimidation. Meaning, members who stop going to the gym often cancel memberships and quit entirely, decreasing revenue to the company,
Testing the what: The boundaries of this need would include people who do not feel a sense of intimidation at the gym or those who would prefer to workout alone.
Testing the why: I believe that the why applies to all if not most gym-goers because often those who are on a higher experience level would prefer to workout with another person, possibly for other reasons. All people can benefit from this in some form. The why can take on a range of reasons, such as a need rooted in physique insecurity, loneliness, help with equipment setup, and a need for an accountaibility partner.
Interviews:
Person One:
Female age 27
She finds this need present in her daily routine of working out in the mornings by herself. She is an experienced lifter and has been going to the same gym for over a year. She experiences feelings of gym intimidation, mainly due to fear of being approached by other members of the gym. She mentioned this occurring previously and how it made her uncomfortable and anxious to return.
Person Two:
Male age 56
He found this need to be present in the past but did not agree that it is a current issue for him. He prefers to work out individually and enjoys his alone time. Once feeling acquainted and comfortable with his home gym, feelings of intimidation were removed. He understood the nature of the need for others and had previously experienced it when first beginning in the gym.
Person Three:
Female age 18
She believes that this need is fully present in her life as she has just begun her fitness lifestyle. She related this need to her level of inexperience and lack of knowledge related to machines and free weights at the gym. She agreed that having a workout partner would improve these feelings of intimidation and give her accountability to stay consistent.
Person Four:
Female age 20
She has been consistent with the gym for two years and has always gone alone. While she does not currently have a workout partner, she believed it would be extremely beneficial for growth. She recently felt like she has plateaued in her fitness lifestyle due to a lack of motivation and a tendency to skip workouts. She feels as if a partner would not only ease the gym intimidation she often still feels but would also provide her accountability to stay consistent and motivated.
Person Five:
Male age 20
He recently bought a membership to a commercial gym and began going consistently for the first time in his life. He feels this need often due to insecurities about his physique and comparison to other men. He believes that having a partner would ease his insecurity and distract him from comparing to other men and the weights they use.
Summary of Interviews: Given the five interviews done by observing gym members, I am more aware of the boundaries regarding my opportunity and the reality of its existence. It is clearer to me the types of people who have the unmet need and those who do not. It is logical to expand upon this opportunity based upon these interviews, but a larger range of perspectives would be preferred.
The who?: New or inexperienced commercial gym members
The what?: They are having feelings of intimidation at the gym
The why?: Variety of experience levels, confusing equipment, physique insecurity, and a lack of a workout partner
Hypothesis:
Testing the who: As well as those looking to create a healthy lifestyle for themselves, the who also concerns commercial gyms who may be losing frequent customers due to gym intimidation. Meaning, members who stop going to the gym often cancel memberships and quit entirely, decreasing revenue to the company,
Testing the what: The boundaries of this need would include people who do not feel a sense of intimidation at the gym or those who would prefer to workout alone.
Testing the why: I believe that the why applies to all if not most gym-goers because often those who are on a higher experience level would prefer to workout with another person, possibly for other reasons. All people can benefit from this in some form. The why can take on a range of reasons, such as a need rooted in physique insecurity, loneliness, help with equipment setup, and a need for an accountaibility partner.
Interviews:
Person One:
Female age 27
She finds this need present in her daily routine of working out in the mornings by herself. She is an experienced lifter and has been going to the same gym for over a year. She experiences feelings of gym intimidation, mainly due to fear of being approached by other members of the gym. She mentioned this occurring previously and how it made her uncomfortable and anxious to return.
Person Two:
Male age 56
He found this need to be present in the past but did not agree that it is a current issue for him. He prefers to work out individually and enjoys his alone time. Once feeling acquainted and comfortable with his home gym, feelings of intimidation were removed. He understood the nature of the need for others and had previously experienced it when first beginning in the gym.
Person Three:
Female age 18
She believes that this need is fully present in her life as she has just begun her fitness lifestyle. She related this need to her level of inexperience and lack of knowledge related to machines and free weights at the gym. She agreed that having a workout partner would improve these feelings of intimidation and give her accountability to stay consistent.
Person Four:
Female age 20
She has been consistent with the gym for two years and has always gone alone. While she does not currently have a workout partner, she believed it would be extremely beneficial for growth. She recently felt like she has plateaued in her fitness lifestyle due to a lack of motivation and a tendency to skip workouts. She feels as if a partner would not only ease the gym intimidation she often still feels but would also provide her accountability to stay consistent and motivated.
Person Five:
Male age 20
He recently bought a membership to a commercial gym and began going consistently for the first time in his life. He feels this need often due to insecurities about his physique and comparison to other men. He believes that having a partner would ease his insecurity and distract him from comparing to other men and the weights they use.
Summary of Interviews: Given the five interviews done by observing gym members, I am more aware of the boundaries regarding my opportunity and the reality of its existence. It is clearer to me the types of people who have the unmet need and those who do not. It is logical to expand upon this opportunity based upon these interviews, but a larger range of perspectives would be preferred.
Hi Taylor,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your response about gym intimidation. I think that this is a big trend going on right now in the world. It is very evident with Planet Fitness and other gyms that mainly advertise a comfortable gym situation. They want to encourage people in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds to work. I think you chose a good opportunity because there has also been a trend for healthier living and lifestyles and many people are beginning to work out for the first time.
Taylor,
ReplyDeleteGym Intimidation is definitely something that occurs for many people and is a great opportunity for you to create a solution. Personally, I enjoy working out with a partner because it pushes me to work harder and be better but when I workout with someone who is not motivated or experienced I find it frustrating. With that being said, each person that is looking for a gym partner can include his or her experience level so they can be paired with someone in their same weight/strength class. I am excited to see this opportunity progress throughout the semester.