Ashbourne’s new Wallet Pass system makes gym entry faster, safer, and smarter. Here’s how it works, why it matters, and how to get it in your club.
If you’ve ever dealt with lost fobs, forgotten barcodes, or queues at the front desk, you know how frustrating gym entry systems can be—for both staff and members.
Today’s members expect faster, simpler, and more intuitive ways to access services. From contactless payments to digital boarding passes, tapping a phone or watch is second nature. That’s why Ashbourne is launching Apple—and Google-certified Digital Wallet Passes—a smarter, smoother way for your members to enter the gym.
This upgrade isn’t just about convenience. It’s about future-proofing your club, tightening security, and delivering the kind of experience your next generation of members already expects.
What will we cover in this article?
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What Are Digital Wallet Passes?
Ashbourne’s Wallet Passes are fully native Apple and Google Wallet integrations that let members tap their phone or smartwatch to gain entry to your gym. There’s no app to open, no QR code to scan, and no key fob to forget. It’s just tap and enter.
Here’s how it works:
- When a member joins your gym, they’re sent a personalised, branded Wallet Pass
- The pass is stored on their phone or smartwatch, just like a boarding pass or bank card
- Members can tap their device at the door to gain access instantly
- The system is fully integrated with Ashbourne’s access control hardware and software
And because the system uses the same technology that you already use on your phone to make mobile payments, it’s secure, fast, and frictionless – giving you full control with far less admin.
Why This Matters for Club Owners
Modern gyms need more than good equipment—they need strong systems. Wallet Passes solve real issues you’re likely facing right now:
- Lost or Forgotten Entry Tools
Plastic cards, wristbands, and printed QR codes are easy to misplace. Wallet Passes live on your member’s most-used device—their phone.
- Pass-Sharing Prevention
Biometrics help, but digital Wallet Passes add another layer of security. It’s much harder to share a pass tied to a specific device and member identity.
- Staff Time & Admin Reduction
With automated delivery, geolocation prompts, and seamless integration into your club management system, Wallet Passes reduce manual check-ins and support queries.
- Member Experience
Entry becomes instant and familiar for your members, just like tapping to pay. It’s faster, more professional, and completely aligned with how they use tech in the rest of their lives.
- Brand Alignment
Each pass is fully branded with your club’s identity, making even the access experience feel like part of your member journey.
Why Go Native (and Why Most Clubs Can’t)
A lot of clubs try to modernise access by using third-party apps or QR code workarounds. While these can seem like a quick fix, they usually create friction for members and extra admin for staff. They also come with serious limitations—especially when it comes to reliability, branding, and long-term scalability.
Ashbourne’s Digital Wallet Passes are different. This is a fully native solution, certified directly by Apple and Google, meaning your passes function exactly like those from global brands—right inside your member’s existing Wallet app. There’s no app to download, no QR code to fumble with, and no third-party platform sitting between you and your members.
With a native solution, you get:
- Instant access from the lock screen when a member is near your club (thanks to geolocation triggers)
- Better security and reliability by restricting membership pass sharing
- Faster entry with no scanning delays
- A seamless, familiar experience for any member who’s ever tapped to pay
- Full alignment with Apple and Google’s compliance standards, now and in the future
Why can’t most clubs offer this? Because going native requires:
- Approval and certification through Apple and Google developer ecosystems
- A direct relationship with certified pass issuers
- Secure backend infrastructure that integrates device authentication, access control, and CRM data – all in real time
- Additional development costs and a team that most gyms simply can’t afford to invest in personally.
Ashbourne handles all of this behind the scenes. We’ve done the heavy lifting on integration, legal compliance, and security architecture so your club can benefit from the most advanced access technology available, without needing an in-house tech team or outside vendor contracts.
You get best-in-class functionality, fully supported by a team that understands gym operations as well as they understand software.
What’s Next? A Smarter Access Point for More Than Just Entry
While the first step is seamless gym entry, Wallet Passes are being developed to do much more. Think of them not as digital keys, but as the foundation for a more innovative, more personalised fitness ecosystem that enhances the member journey from start to finish.
Coming soon, Ashbourne’s Wallet Passes will integrate with features that help you grow revenue, increase retention, and deliver a premium digital experience:
While the first step is seamless gym entry, Wallet Passes are being developed to do much more. Think of them not as digital keys, but as the foundation for a more innovative, more personalised fitness ecosystem that enhances the member journey from start to finish.
Coming soon, Ashbourne’s Wallet Passes will integrate with features that help you grow revenue, increase retention, and deliver a premium digital experience:
Stored Value for In-Club Purchases
Members can preload credit onto their Wallet Pass, allowing them to pay for smoothies, merchandise, or PT sessions with a quick tap—no cash, no cards, no checkout delays. This not only speeds up transactions but makes in-club spending feel effortless.
Loyalty Programs and Retention Tools
Wallet Passes will soon link directly to your club’s loyalty system, automatically tracking visits, purchases, and engagement. Members can unlock rewards, progress toward milestones, and receive personalised offers—all embedded in the same pass they use to enter the gym. It’s frictionless motivation that keeps them coming back.
Equipment Login and Personalised Workouts
With Wallet-based authentication, members will be able to log into enabled equipment with a tap, automatically loading their preferred settings, saved workouts, and performance history. This transforms gym equipment into personalised tools—and positions your club as tech-forward and member-focused.
It isn’t just about the format though, it is about what each audience is expecting to see. Put simply, Tiktok users don’t go on Tiktok to read think pieces. Most people on Twitter don’t go on there to see 5-second videos (though some do!)
There are myriad different audiences out there. Some will respond better to video, some will respond better to text. Many will enjoy both. By focusing purely on one or the other, an independent gym is denying their digital marketing campaign the depth and complexity it needs to be truly impactful.
Together, these features turn the Wallet Pass into more than just a tool for entry. It becomes a single, connected access point for everything your members do in the gym—tracking progress, making purchases, earning rewards, and personalising their experience with every visit. The same technology that simplifies entry today is laying the groundwork for a smarter, more valuable member journey tomorrow.
Getting Started: Simple Setup, Smart Results
We’ve built the rollout process to be as seamless as the product itself—whether you’re a single-site club or managing multiple locations. Our team handles the technical setup and design, so you can focus on delivering a better experience to your members.
Here’s what to expect when you get started:
- Custom-Branded Digital Pass
We’ll work with your team to design a clean, professional pass that reflects your club’s identity—so it feels like a natural extension of your brand.
- Smooth Technical Integration
Wallet Passes connect directly with your existing Ashbourne access control system. Our technical team handles the backend integration to ensure reliable, secure performance from day one.
- Launch Support & Marketing Materials
You’ll receive a full marketing pack to help communicate the upgrade to your members—posters, email copy, social graphics, and in-gym signage—plus a detailed launch guide to ensure high adoption.
- Ongoing In-House Support
From the first installation to ongoing updates, our support team is based in-house, with deep knowledge of your system. You’ll always speak to someone who knows your setup.
Ready to Modernise Your Member Experience?
We’re opening access to early adopters now. Demand is high, and we’re rolling out in batches to ensure the best experience for every club.
If you’re already an Ashbourne customer, you can join the waitlist here to secure your spot, receive your marketing pack, and begin the setup process. If you’re not with Ashbourne yet, you can request a demo to explore our Digital Wallet Pass—and see how the rest of Ashbourne’s software could benefit your club.
