Crunch Fitness adds Amazon One palm scanners

ConsumerAffairs

Crunch is the first fitness chain to adopt the technology

Amazon One technology has been implemented in places like Panera Bread, Whole Foods, and even baseball games

Now, consumers will be able to scan their palm print to get into the gym. Crunch Fitness announced it will implement Amazon One in select locations, allowing members to ditch any kind of physical ID card or mobile app pass, and instead scan their palms to gain access to the gym. 

“We are thrilled to be the first fitness brand and gym to offer Amazon One as an entry option,” said Molly Long, chief experience officer at Crunch Fitness. “Implementing Amazon One at Crunch gyms has been a win-win for our members and for our Crunch team. The feedback from our members has been positive – they appreciate the ability to enter the gym swiftly and efficiently without the need to remember to bring their membership key tag or open the mobile app.” 

Improving access to the gym

Currently, nine Crunch Fitness locations have installed palm readers for the Amazon One technology – five in San Francisco, three in New York City, and one in Los Angeles. 

Over the last four months that the palm-entry system has been in place, these locations have recorded 80% of members opting for entering with their handprint as opposed to a membership ID or mobile app pass. This success has led to plans for more Crunch locations to implement this technology in the coming months.

“The fast-growing adoption of Amazon One at Crunch Fitness center showcases the versatility of our palm recognition service, and how it can be used as a quick and convenient entry option in gyms and fitness centers across the country,” said Sanjay Dash, vice president of identity and checkout technologies, AWS Applications. “With Amazon One, Crunch members have a fast and innovative way to validate their membership, and get to their workout with the hassle of carrying membership tags or using their mobile app.” 

How it works

To start using your palm to enter the gym or checkout at Whole Foods, the first step is enrolling in Amazon One by linking your Amazon account with the Amazon One technology. Then, you need to register your unique handprint to your account at an Amazon One scanner near you, and you can start scanning with your palm. 

Each person’s handprint is unique to them, and Amazon One creates a palm signature that can’t be replicated or stolen. You have complete control over your palm signature and how it’s used, and Amazon says that your personal data surrounding your palm signature is never shared with third-party advertisers or government agencies. 

“Amazon One was designed to protect consumer privacy – the system operates beyond the normal light spectrum and cannot accurately perceive gender or skin tone,” wrote Gerard Medioni, vice president and distinguished scientist, AWS Applications. “Amazon One also does not use palm information to identify a person, only to match a unique identity with a payment instrument.” 

More information on Amazon One, including how to get started, is available here.

Take a Home Warranty Quiz. Get matched with an Authorized Partner.