CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Imagine if you went to the gym and all you had to do was get on a workout machine and it would automatically tell you how much weight you should use, how many reps, when to take a break, and when to stop.

That’s exactly what a new women’s fitness center in Uptown Charlotte called elements is promising.

“It’s like having a personal trainer in your pocket,” said Jeanne Higgins the center director.

Each client is given a “smart card.” They plug this card into the card reader on each of the workout machines in the center.

The card tells the machine the client’s name, sets the machine to the correct weight resistance settings, and then lets the client know when to start, take a break and stop.

The card then cues you to the next machine and the process is repeated until the workout is done.

“When they’re done and turn their card back into the staff, we can then assess their workout and make changes for their next visit,” said Higgins.

They also take long-term information from the card system to generate reports, letting clients track their progress over time.

The “smart card” system used at elements in Uptown is a first for the Charlotte area.

To watch a video of the system in action, see a slideshow and for a link to the gym, check the sidebar of this article.