The Benefits of Cashless Vending Machines for Gym Owners
Cashless vending machines offer greater convenience, security, and efficiency, making them an attractive option for modern gyms and fitness facilities. Benefits of cashless machines compared to their cash operated predecessors include:
Increased sales and revenue:
In a world where increasing numbers of gym members are no longer carrying cash, the ability to simply “tap and go” has become expected as the norm. The ability to pay by card or mobile wallet increases the likelihood of multiple purchases simply by making it convenient. Studies have also shown that people are more likely to spend more when using cashless payment methods compared to cash. (You’ve probably noticed it in your own spending behaviour before as well!)
Reduced vandalism and security issues:
With no cash being stored in the machine, the risk of vandalism, attempted theft or tampering is reduced. Digital transactions also minimise the likelihood of people attempting to use counterfeit money or overseas currency.
Lower maintenance costs:
With no need for emptying cash, replenishing the change float or counting money, cashless vending machines save gym owners time and hassle. Traditional machines are also prone to coins getting jammed or being unable to read poor quality notes, which can cause frustration for both users and operators and lead to lost sales and costly maintenance fees.
Better Hygiene:
In a post-pandemic world, ‘contactless’ is still a high value selling point! Any way you can reduce touchpoints in your facility, helps with maintaining a more hygienic environment for your members and staff.
Remote Inventory and Data Tracking:
With many facilities now operating on a 24 hour basis, any ways that a gym owner can work remotely is a plus. Cashless vending machines often come with smart technology allowing owners to monitor sales and inventory in real time, restocking as needed without having to manually count items. This data is also useful for making decisions about future inventory based on popular items.
Why gym owners should consider installing a vending machine
The advantages of installing vending machines are significant. No only do gym members gain 24/7 access to essential nutrition and hydration products, but vending machines can generate almost passive income. Specialist gym vending provider, Worldwide Vending and Refrigeration tell us that gyms with a vending machine selling sports nutrition and supplement products can generate revenue of up to $1.00 per member per week. For a club with 300 members, that’s up to $15,000 per year!
When installed in the right location with the right products, vending machines can be a pretty exciting cash cow. One entrepreneur in the US recently reported earning approximately $900 USD a month from a single soft drink vending machine.
Your silent salesperson is working for your club 24/7. Modern vending machines can also be customised with vinyl wrapping to complement a gym’s branding. The traditional soft drink and confectionary inventory that used to be completely misaligned with the health and fitness scene can now be replaced with an array of pre and post-workout supplements, electrolyte drinks, and nutritional snacks such as protein bars or energy balls.
Many gyms are taking on the opportunity to offer pre-prepared meals such as those from Youfoodz and My Muscle Chef, providing convenient meal solutions for their members. There are even options to stock small fitness accessories such as massage balls, supplement shakers, towels and resistance bands.
Factors to consider before installing a vending machine in your gym
Before installing a vending machine, gym owners should evaluate the space requirements needed. While a small machine can be as compact as only consuming 1 square metre of floor space, it’s important that its placement doesn’t disrupt gym operations or member flow. Operators should also research local regulations regarding vending operations, including health and safety standards.
Factor in electricity consumption, restocking expenses and potential repair costs. Maintenance of the machine itself may well be part of the purchase agreement from your vending machine supplier. As far as payment systems go, cashless vending machines are definitely becoming the industry standard.
The options really are endless when it comes to gym vending machines now. To discuss a vending solution for your facility, talk to Worldwide Vending and Refrigeration today.
Check out these articles:
Business Spotlight: Laith Cunneen on growing Peak Physio to six clinics and building a clinical platform for fitness professionals
When Laith Cunneen opened Peak Physio in 2012, it was a single clinic. Fourteen years on, the business has six locations across NSW, has treated more than 50,000 clients and has grown revenue by more than 30 per cent in recent years. Along the way it has built an Instagram following of 72,000, a figure
How a young franchisee grew his Plus Fitness franchise memberships by 40% in 15 months
When Joshua Thomas took over Plus Fitness Katoomba in 2025, aged 25, the Blue Mountains club had been trading since 2013 and was due for investment. Fifteen months later, memberships are up 40% and monthly visits have risen 75%, from around 4,000 to 7,000. The turnaround came from a rapid refit, a policy of putting
J.I.M Infrared Fitness Review: What 21 Days at Joy In Movement Taught Me
Why I Wanted to Try J.I.M Infrared Fitness When Joy in Movement (J.I.M) offered me a complimentary trial, I jumped at it. I’ve trained in gyms for more than 25 years and I’ll never say no to a sauna, so a workout that combines movement with infrared heat sounded right up my alley. I’ll admit
No Mirrors, Dogs Welcome: How Project Better Built a Gym Members Won’t Leave
When COVID lockdowns forced gyms to close, more than 100 Project Better members kept paying anyway. Co-founder Jess Curl explains how a community-first model took the brand from a garage to a fifth Melbourne site, and what other gym owners can learn from it. Almost 10 years ago, Jess Curl set out to build a
How to Write A Media Release That Grabs Attention
Knowing how to write a media release is one of the most cost-effective marketing skills a fitness business owner can learn. A single story in your local paper, a trade publication or a national outlet can bring in more members than months of paid ads. The challenge is getting noticed. Journalists receive hundreds of pitches
Inside inLIFE Wellness First Franchise Round: What It Reveals About Scaling a Fitness Business
inLIFE Wellness opened franchise applications to the public for the first time since launching in 2019, a milestone for a boutique wellness network that has grown to 60 studios across Australia and the United States without any franchise marketing. Founder Scott Capelin, who has spent 25 years building and operating fitness businesses, built the model
Inclusive Gym Equipment: Are You Ready to Be First?
Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey found that one in five people live with a disability, and that group is almost twice as likely to be physically inactive as the general population, with the gap widening further for people with multiple impairments. The picture in Australia isn’t dramatically different. Two products on our radar this
How a Cronulla-Born Brand Sold 80+ Territories Across Australia
Most fitness franchises spend their first few years finding their footing. J.I.M (Joy in Movement) spent its first three years selling out. Since opening its debut studio in Glenhaven, Sydney in July 2023, the infrared-powered, 30-minute workout brand has sold more than 80 territories across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT. There are
Could Your Facility Become an Official RUN X™ Centre? Inside the First Treadmill World Championship
A landmark partnership between Technogym and World Athletics is turning connected treadmills into a global competitive stage, and Australian fitness centres have a front-row seat. Running is already Australia’s most accessible sport. Parkrun draws tens of thousands of participants every Saturday morning. City2Surf sells out in minutes. Fun runs fill up months in advance. Australians