We have a meeting each month where we take a break from our work and practice brainstorming about ways to improve everyday items. We thought an appropriate name for this meeting was "Build a better mousetrap," but as it invariably happens to long titles, we shortened it to "Mousetrap."

This Month's Challenging Topic: Build a Better Gym

Tribester Responses

A better gym would be one that is designed to really aid someone in getting an ultimate work out for that person's health needs.

It would be awesome if I could be scanned and have my BMI and muscle tone elevated and then an unique exercise regime is created that would have a full impact on the body parts and muscles that need attention and work. It was also be cool if the scan could recommend what nutrients and supplements I am need of.
-- Tony Passero

How about providing a real time display of progress on what workout or activity an individual are participating in. This could be displayed on large heads display screens for all to view for benchmarking or motivation purposes. For instance displaying all current treadmill users and their calorie burn rate or distance could inspire others to reach or beat that target if they so desired. It would create a bit of completion and interactivity to keep users engaged. Keeping it by member number would allow for anonymity of all involved.
-- Joe Kaput

I don't go to the gym looking for that hardcore, in-my-basement or out-in-the-shed atmosphere. I think there's a place for that kind of gym, but they're not for me. Of the several gyms I belonged to, I've always found them to be on the dark, dingy and stuffy side, so I would suggest more natural light and fresher air quality. I think doing so would result in a gym experience that seems more spa-like: clean, pure and focused on health and exercise.
-- Andy Owens

I think building a better gym is akin to building a better helicopter ejection seat. It is difficult to improve upon an inherently flawed idea. Just my perspective.

I understand that keeping physically active is important. Keeping fit and healthy is a good thing. However, paying often extortionist prices to perform the same activities I could do on my own in a better environment seems a despondent lost cause. I can run through a park or my neighborhood... I don't need to pay a machine to do it. Seems to me if I am running for a half hour, I should be somewhere else when I am done. Otherwise, it seems like it has not fully lived up to its primary function. Call me crazy.
-- Charles Koers

How about a gym that pays you back for frequent visits? Take your membership fee and reduce it by half. That is the total amount you can get refunded per month for daily visits. Of course, members visits would have to meet a minimum duration. Other incentives that promote local businesses could be offered for multiple visits per day, extended visits, etc.
-- Mike Chorvat

I think gyms would be a lot better if they were more customized to the user. Instead of cramming all kinds of equipment and class schedules into one place, each location would cater to a specific need. There would be a cardio gym for the days you want to run, a weight lifting/machine location for days you do weight training, and a another location would be used for yoga and other classes typically offered at gyms. This would spread out the crowds and allow more room for more machines.
-- Carrie Pendergast