24 Hour Fitness gets high tech on access

Did I make a wrong turn? In my very early morning daze, I was a little confused. The entrance to my local gym suddenly resembled some sort of security checkpoint. What was this the Pentagon?

Okay slight exaggeration, BUT, entering in my 10 digit phone number and using my index fingerprint to get through the turnstile is pretty high tech for a quick sweat. And this is just a regular 24 Hour Fitness Center-not ultra, not even sport.

I overheard an employee telling another customer that this system means members don't need to worry about having their membership cards and IDs with them. Hmm, that's true. I also wonder if clubs will use this system in place of employees manning the front desk in the wee hours?

I did a quick internet search to see if there was a corporate press release or some other write-up on the change, but found nothing; except some other posts with complaints of waiting times! It does take longer to enter 10 numbers and wait for your print to register than to simply have the desk person swipe your card.