#Japan #Tokyo #Kaloko #Fitness Card #VB NEXT

Official Launch of Kaloko Fitness Card

Introduction of Kaloko
Caloco Inc., located in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has officially unveiled its cloud-based fitness card service, Kaloko. This innovative service is designed to enhance gym member retention and streamline operations. With approximately 30 gyms already on board, Kaloko has shown remarkable outcomes, including a 70% reduction in membership cancellations, increases in former member returns from 5% to 20%, and a significant cut in trainers' monthly working hours by 35.

Kaloko's Unique Approach

Many people believe that maintaining a fitness routine is challenging. The common reasons cited are often related to the inability to see progress or the effort that feels overwhelming. Kaloko addresses these challenges not just as a fitness recording system, but as an impactful tool that modifies human behavior through data. By graphically displaying body composition and training history data in real-time, Kaloko also integrates lifestyle logs such as steps taken and sleep patterns. It provides a comprehensive support system that extends beyond just gym visits.

Unlike traditional paper records or image file sharing, Kaloko acts as a common language between gym members and trainers, facilitating dialogue based on tangible data. Conversations like, "You've increased your lift by 5kg since last time!" or "Your sleep patterns have stabilized!" become commonplace, transforming the gym experience from a daunting challenge into a rewarding and sustainable habit.

Results and Achievements in Implementing Kaloko

Kaloko’s adoption across various gyms has yielded impressive results:

• - New Membership Rates: Improved from 40% to 80% during trial memberships.
• - Return Rates for Dormant Members: Rose from 5% to 20%.
• - Cancellation Rates (within 6 months): Decreased by roughly 70%.
• - Retention Rates (over 6 months): Maintains over 90%.
• - NPS/Satisfaction Levels: Feedback response rates average 90% within six months.

Analysis revealed that 85% of those who canceled within six months had no changes in body composition. This insight confirms that lack of perceived effectiveness is a core reason for cancellations. Therefore, Kaloko aims to be an essential infrastructure for gym management, addressing this inherent issue.

The service also contributes to improving trainers’ working conditions, evidenced by:

• - Reduction in Non-working Hours Interactions (via LINE): Decreased from 200 minutes to zero.
• - Monthly Working Hours for Trainers: Averaged a reduction of 35 hours.
• - Time for Paperwork: Trimmed down from 10 minutes to just 1 minute, while transition time decreased from 10 minutes to 3.
• - Increased Hiring Applications: Jumped to 1.5 times more, with employee attrition dropping to zero from three.

The visibility of ground-level operations, anchored by member feedback, bridges the gap between headquarters and front-line staff. By realizing accurate personnel evaluations and resource allocation, Kaloko significantly boosts employee retention and recruitment rates among trainers.

Insights from Ryo Hayashi, CEO of Caloco

Ryo Hayashi, CEO of Caloco, reflects on the challenges of fitness adherence:
"Fitness is not something to give up on; it must be designed for sustainability. After a decade in competitive athletics, I learned the importance of quantifying efforts to demonstrate visible outcomes. Fitness should become a maintainable habit through proper data usage, and Kaloko delivers that framework to the field.”

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Implementation Across All VB NEXT Locations

We interviewed VB NEXT, part of the LAVA Group operating popular studios like BREST PILATES & BODYMAKE, located just two minutes from Daikanyama Station.

The Decision to Adopt Kaloko

VB NEXT faced challenges of ensuring thorough information sharing and utilizing member feedback, particularly in scenarios where multiple trainers might work with one client. Previously using an iPad-based system for recording notes, the limitations included file size and poor searchability. These challenges prompted the decision to adopt Kaloko for centralized record management and quick feedback collection.

Enhanced Member Experience and Operational Quality

"In our industry, having multiple trainers for one client is common. Without shared backgrounds, it's like starting anew with every interaction," says Taiei Tsuchiya, CEO of VB NEXT. Kaloko allows for seamless information sharing about a client’s goals and history, significantly enhancing service consistency.

The core of the BREST brand is to be a space members want to return to, and while the value of human trainers remains critical, Kaloko reduces reliance on individual staff, enabling a more cohesive community experience.

Final Thoughts
With increasingly streamlined systems, Kaloko is positioned to not only enhance efficiency but also to elevate the quality of service provided to members, ensuring a more robust and engaging fitness environment.

For further insights on this transformative service, please refer to the full article on note, where Tsuchiya elaborates on his management philosophy and insights on fostering a healthier community through fitness.

Read the full interview here!

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About Kaloco

Kaloco Inc. aims to redefine health through its innovative cloud services tailored for fitness businesses. Their current focus is the fitness card service Kaloko, which improves gym member retention rates, enhances trainer operational efficiency, and strengthens data-driven management practices.

Leadership

Ryo Hayashi, CEO – A seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in promoting well-being through fitness, he aims to implement effective health solutions across Japan.

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Contact Information
Caloco Inc.
Public Relations
Email: [email protected]
Headquarters: 7F Gotanda Chuo Building, 2-3-5 Higashi Gotanda, Shinagawa, Tokyo
Website: kaloko.co.jp
Service Page: lp.kaloko.co.jp
Twitter: @ryo_hayashi

Photo by Yusuke Aoshima