L
Latch

Guide

How to run a 24/7 gym without staff on site

Your options for automated gym door access in New Zealand — what they cost, how they work, and what suits a small gym owner who wants to step back from daily operations.

The problem with "24/7 gym" without automation

Most small gym owners start with a simple approach: hand out a key, or give members the door code. It works until it doesn't. A member stops paying, and you still can't get the key back. You change the code, and now every other member needs it too. A stranger walks in behind a paying member. Someone loses their fob.

Real 24/7 access automation solves three things: only paid members can get in, access revokes automatically when they stop paying, and you have a log of who entered and when. None of these happen with keys or door codes.

Your options

Three ways to automate gym door access in NZ

Key fob / RFID card system

$1,500–$3,500 upfront + ongoing

  • Works offline
  • Familiar to members
  • Widely supported by NZ security companies
  • ✕Installer required — days, not hours
  • ✕Fobs to hand out, lose, and replace
  • ✕No link to payment status — manual reconciliation
  • ✕No audit trail per member without expensive setup

Enterprise access control (Kisi, Salto, Paxton)

$2,000–$8,000+ upfront + $250–$600/month

  • Feature-rich for complex facilities
  • Good audit logs
  • Multi-door capable
  • ✕Priced for commercial offices, not small gyms
  • ✕Hardware installation required
  • ✕USD pricing for most providers
  • ✕No built-in payment integration

Latchrecommended

$200/month NZD, hardware included

  • Hardware included — no installer needed
  • Members unlock via phone browser, no app
  • Access tied directly to payment status
  • Auto-revoke when payment fails
  • ✕No offline unlock (internet required)
  • ✕No class scheduling or booking
  • ✕One door per system (multi-door support coming)

How it works

Setting up 24/7 access with Latch

From signup to a fully automated door — typically done in an afternoon.

Step 01

Set up your membership payment

Configure your monthly membership price. Members pay via Stripe — card or bank transfer. Payment is collected automatically each month.

Step 02

Install the hardware

Mount the Raspberry Pi controller near your door and wire it to your existing door strike or magnetic lock. Takes about 2 hours. No electrician or security installer needed.

Step 03

Invite members

Send each member an invite link. They create an account, pay their first month, and immediately get access. No app download, no fob to collect.

Step 04

Walk away

Latch handles everything from here. Payment fails → access revoked automatically. Payment succeeds → access restored. You check the dashboard when you want to.

Common questions about 24/7 gym access

What happens if the internet goes down?+
The door stays locked. Latch requires an internet connection to verify membership status before unlocking. We recommend a backup 4G dongle if your gym is in an area with unreliable broadband — cheap insurance for a 24/7 facility.
What happens when a member's payment fails?+
Access is automatically revoked. Stripe retries the payment over several days. If it succeeds, access is automatically restored — no manual intervention. If the member cancels or the card is never updated, they remain locked out until they resolve it.
Do I need an electrician to install?+
Not typically. If your existing door lock runs off low-voltage (most door strikes and magnetic locks are 12V), you can wire the relay yourself. If you're running a new cable from a power point, or your setup is complex, a local sparky can help — usually a 1-hour job.
Can members unlock at any hour?+
Yes, 24/7/365. Latch has no time restrictions by default. If you want to restrict hours (e.g. 5am–11pm only), that's a feature on the roadmap.
What if a member is on-site when their payment fails?+
They can finish their current session. Access revocation applies on the next unlock attempt, not mid-session. They'll receive an email prompt to update their payment details.

Ready to run your gym on autopilot?

First month free. Hardware ships to you. Set up in an afternoon with no installer needed.

Get started freeSee how it works