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Growth Playbook - Powering Your Business with the Right Hardware ⚙️

In this Growth Playbook, we break down exactly what you need to build a streamlined, scalable hardware setup.

Updated over 3 weeks ago

Your hardware plays a key role in facilitating your day-to-day tasks. Whether you're running a high-traffic fitness studio or a boutique spa, choosing the appropriate hardware for your business can make check-ins faster, sales smoother, and client experiences better. This guide will help you choose and set up the right WellnessLiving-compatible hardware for check-ins, payments, class displays, and more – tailored to your business type and needs.

Key Considerations Before We Begin

WellnessLiving offers a broad array of hardware accessories and software solutions to streamline your operations.

Before we recommend the right hardware, we’ll take into account a few key factors:

  • Business traffic (how many clients you check in daily)

  • Staff availability (e.g. do you have a dedicated front-desk person?

  • Service types (appointments, classes, drop-ins, etc.)

  • Retail volume (if and how often you sell products)

No two businesses are the same, meaning your setup is custom tailored to you. As you read through this guide, keep in mind that you can mix & match components to find what works best.


Client Check-ins

A well-designed check-in experience saves your staff time, improves client satisfaction, and keeps your business secure. With WellnessLiving, you can mix and match tools like barcode scanners, tablets, and door access systems based on your operating hours and staff availability.

🔑 Want help choosing? Browse our complete guide to client check-ins to find your best fit.

For the Drop-In Gym or Fitness Club


Best for: 24/7 gyms, open access fitness centers, hybrid facilities with classes

Checking in during drop-in hours is quicker than you can say "check!" Let clients check in on their own – even if you’re not at the front desk.

🔎 Barcode Scanner

A barcode scanner enables clients to effortlessly scan their unique barcode from the Achieve Client App, eliminating the need to manually enter their information and getting them into the gym quicker. No typing, no delays.

💻 Tablet or Desktop Computer

WellnessLiving’s Self Check In App and Web Kiosk are intentionally designed to optimize your client check-in flow. Set up a dedicated device for the Self Check In App or Web Kiosk to minimize front-desk bottlenecks and allow staff to access the Staff Back Office uninterrupted. Clients can check in using their credentials or a barcode scanner.

🏷️ Key tags (Optional)

Order branded key tags for a personalized, elevated experience. Same barcode as the Achieve Client App, different vibe.

🚪 Door Access Integrations

Grant secure 24/7 access for clients to let themselves in during unstaffed hours with our door access integration partners.


For the Appointment-Based Wellness Center


Best for: MediSpas, massage studios, beauty salons, healthcare clinics

Ensure a smooth, private check-in experience for clients using the Self Check In App or Web Kiosk.

💻 Tablet or Desktop Computer

A dedicated tablet or desktop computer equipped with the Self Check In App or Web Kiosk near your front desk allows clients to check themselves in to their appointment with their phone number or email address – minimal staff supervision needed.

👩🏻‍💻 Manual Check In

Less traffic? Keep it personal by having a staff member check in clients directly via the Staff Back Office or Elevate App.


For the Class-Based Studio

Best for: Yoga and Pilates studios, MMA gyms, HIIT workout centers

Turn attendance-tracking anxiety into a thing of the past and avoid the pre-class rush with a self-serve check-in that syncs to your class roster.

The Attendance Kiosk simplifies the check-in process, allowing clients to easily locate their name under the corresponding session and check themselves in. It seamlessly integrates with your attendance lists and reports to offer clear and actionable insights.

💻 Tablet or Desktop Computer

The Attendance Kiosk can be displayed on a dedicated tablet or desktop computer near the front desk so it’s ready to go before the class begins. No logins, no delays, no staff supervision required!


Completing Forms and Waivers

Waivers and intake forms are a compliance must – and unfortunately, often a nuisance for clients. With the right setup, you can make it quick, private, and seamless to keep clients excited for what’s ahead.

📝 Tablet

Turn any tablet into a self-serve form station using Kiosk Mode in WellnessLiving. Clients can fill out waivers, surveys, or intake forms on-site – no staff needed. Kiosk Mode locks the screen to one form, resets after submission, and protects client privacy between users.

Additionally, staff can search for a client and launch the form using the Elevate Staff App before handing the tablet to the client to continue.

🖊️ Signature Pad (Optional)

Need clean, legible signatures? A signature pad gives you precision where tablets fall short – no stylus required. This tool is particularly advantageous for businesses that need to obtain risk and liability waivers or parental consent for minors.


Sales Transactions and Retail

A smooth and reliable sales experience is essential faster service, fewer mistakes, and more revenue. WellnessLiving supports a range of retail and payment tools so you can customize your setup to fit your business size and retail needs.

Accepting Payment and Completing Sales

💵 Cash Drawer

Keeping cash secure is imperative to protecting revenue. A controlled cash drawer helps staff give accurate change and manage a balanced till. Simplify end-of-day reconciliation by keeping all cash activity confined to a single, controlled access point.

Staff Tip: The cash drawer can be programmed to open after a receipt has been printed to ensure fewer errors and a stronger paper trail for visibility.

💳 Card Readers and Verifone Terminals

The modern day calls for modern payment methods – debit and credit cards. Choose the terminal that fits your checkout flow and transaction volume your business processes.

Note: The following card readers and payment terminals are available for US customers only. For businesses located outside the US, please contact [email protected].

Hardware

Overview

Restrictions

Best For

MiniMag II

Magnetic stripe reader with USB connection for quick swipe card transactions

Requires Nuvei, PayArc or Paragon integration

Businesses with a low volume of card payments

MagTek eDynamo

Magnetic stripe and EMV chip reader with USB or Bluetooth connection

Requires Paragon integration

Compatible with Android and iOS devices only

Businesses with a low volume of card payments

On-the-go service providers

Verifone V200C

Countertop payment terminal with pin pad to support swipe, EMV chip, or NFC (tap) payments. Includes an integrated printer for immediate payment receipts.

Requires Verifone gateway

Restricted to registered physical retail locations

Businesses with mid-high volume of card payments

Businesses accepting tips – clients can be prompted to select a tip option directly on the terminal

Verifone V400C

Countertop payment terminal with pin pad to support swipe, EMV chip, or NFC (tap) payments. Includes integrated printer and large touchscreen.

Same as V200C

Same as V200C

Info: A payment gateway is a software that connects your hardware to the banking system. Don’t worry, we’ll help with that.

⚙️ Recommended Accessories

No, not the belt-and-shoes kind – there are a number of optional accessories available through third-party retailers designed to support your payment station.

  • Tilt and swivel stands let you change the angle and orientation of the terminal, enhancing usability.

  • Privacy shields protect client PINs during checkout.

  • Docking station for MagTek eDynamo fixes the card reader to your front desk for a cleaner setup and is available for purchase directly from their website.


Selling Retail Products

Your storefront operates best when its setup is intuitive and effective. Whether you're moving merch, supplements, or small accessories, having the right tools helps you serve clients quickly and keep inventory on track.

🛍️ Barcode Label Printer

When managing a sizeable inventory or custom products, a barcode label printer is a smart investment. Generate clean, scannable labels for easy product tracking and swift checkout. The built-in software makes it easy to design labels and integrate them into your business operations.

📖 Help Article: Print a barcode label

🔎 Barcode Scanner

A barcode label printer relies on its trustee sidekick – the barcode scanner. Scanning a product’s barcode will automatically add the item to cart, allowing for a quick checkout and simplifying inventory management.


Providing Proof of Purchase

🖨️ Receipt Printer

A thermal receipt printer is a valuable addition to deliver fast, ink-free receipts at the front desk. They easily connect to your desktop via USB for convenient, direct printing from the Staff Back Office. Add your logo or promos using the complimentary software included with your printer to make each receipt feel polished and on-brand.

📩 Digital Receipts

If you’re looking to reduce paper use or front desk clutter, email receipts directly to clients for faster service and easy record keeping. Clients stay organized – and so do you.

📖 Help Article: Email receipts to clients


FitBUILDER, FitLIVE, and FitVID

Level up your in-studio classes and at-home sessions using powerful WellnessLiving tools. From displaying workouts to recording sessions to gamifying performance – here’s how to build a powerful, immersive fitness setup.

Displaying the Whiteboard in FitBUILDER

Your FitBUILDER whiteboard is where clients can view workout details and timers. Make your Workout of the Day (WOD) visible and easy to follow with a clean whiteboard display. There are a variety of devices you can use to display your FitBUILDER whiteboard.

🖥️ Smart TV

If your studio or gym is equipped with a smart TV with internet access, simply load the whiteboard URL into the browser to showcase your Workout of the Day (WOD) and timer.

📺 Standard TV with Fire Stick

Alternatively, if your studio features only has a standard TV, consider using a Fire Stick or similar device to enable web access and stream your whiteboard just like a smart screen.

🔌 Computer Monitor

Another setup option involves displaying the whiteboard on a computer monitor. This setup allows the whiteboard to be projected to clients via a TV or projector using an HDMI connection or screen casting.


Capturing Athlete Metrics During Workouts

Gamify the experience and reward clients for their progress. Live stats such as heart rate and calories burned can be tracked and reported through wearable devices, including clients' personal smart watches.

WellnessLiving integrates with Spivi and AccuroFit to display these metrics in real time. It's high-impact, high-engagement training that motivates clients to push harder and stay consistent.


Recording Sessions Using FitLIVE or FitVID

Want to expand beyond your four walls? WellnessLiving's FitLIVE and FitVID on Demand plans allow you to conduct real-time Zoom sessions and upload videos for clients to train from home. Both FitLIVE and FitVID provide excellent opportunities to enhance your curriculum and expand your client reach.

📱 Mobile Device

No fancy gear? No problem! A cellphone can serve as an excellent camera to capture sessions. You can host a live virtual session directly from the Elevate Staff App or upload the recording to FitVID for on-demand streaming.

📹 Video Camera

Filming often and looking to upgrade? There’s a wide range of options available today, including camcorders, 'vlogging' cameras, and webcams. The most suitable camera for your setup will depend on the type of content you intend to record and your budget.

🛠️ Tripod

No matter which camera device you choose, a tripod is an essential and budget-friendly accessory that guarantees stable, high-quality video.

🔉 Clip-on Microphone

A lightweight, clip-on microphone can transform your recorded session, especially if it features a class or otherwise requires audio from an instructor. Lavalier microphones are clip-on devices that guarantee reliable audio recording.

Staff Tip: To achieve clear audio from an instructor while minimizing background noise, opt for a unidirectional or cardioid microphone. These mics are designed to cut out echo and ambient noise.


Final Thoughts

Aligning your hardware choices with the specific needs of your business ensures your operations run smoothly and your clients receive the best possible experience. We hope this guide simplifies the decision-making process and helps you invest confidently in devices that are compatible, efficient, and scalable. As your business evolves, so can your hardware strategy.

The team at WellnessLiving is here to help answer questions and support your business goals.

Let your technology work for you, so you can focus on what matters most -- growing your business and supporting your clients. 🛠️💪

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