Did you realise that the overall look and feel of your club can have a massive impact on your success? In recent years, the fitness industry has undergone a dramatic evolution, with more emphasis on the overall user experience, wellness, and inclusivity. Sydney based interior designer, Kerena Berry from Design BX has over 20 years experience in transforming both residential and commercial spaces and shares some insights:
Designing a gym is more than just making it pleasing to the eye because effective gym design directly influences your members’ motivation, satisfaction levels, and of course, their long-term retention. To stay ahead of the competition you must be able to adapt to trends and optimise the layout of your gym to improve your gym member’s experience.
The health industry is every bit as competitive as the serious athletes you find stacking weights on barbells, but as fitness becomes an important element of most people’s daily schedule, the design of your gym becomes an increasingly critical factor. With such a diverse customer base, here are a few tips to help boost your appeal to your members…
So, what makes for effective gym design in 2024?
The Layout and Flow of Your Fitness Facility
One of the first and most important aspects of effective gym design is the layout and flow of the facility. Your design needs to accommodate the diversity of your clientele. To do this you will need to create distinct zones for different activities including cardio, weightlifting, and group classes. Gym-goers seek spaces that minimise intimidation and make them feel more comfortable. As such, a well-designed gym will provide them with a flow, that makes them feel safe and comfortable.
Dedicated Zones
When we talk about dedicated zones, we are talking about keeping your heavy weights away from the yoga studio, or stretching zones. Many gym members, especially those who are just beginning, may feel uncomfortable having to navigate through rows of free weights just to get to their cardio machines or their yoga class. And, while you’re at it, why not consider including a beginner-friendly weights section, to provide new gym members with lighter equipment in a less intimidating environment.
While solid sets of squats get heart rates as high as cardio classes, there’s generally more downtime for users in the main weights area, so experiment and adjust temperature in each area as necessary to make sure everyone is comfortable.
Natural Flow
As for the natural flow, it’s important to make sure that your members can easily move from one area to the next without having to deal with congestion. You’ll want to place group classrooms as far away from the main training floor as possible, to reduce the amount of noise and traffic created during and between classes. Having larger, open walkways will also help to improve accessibility and make the gym feel less crowded during peak hours.
Flexibility
Remember, fitness trends change constantly, and making use of multifunctional areas with moveable walls can help your gym to adapt to these changes. They make it easier to accommodate pop-up classes and special events, without having to worry whether you have enough space, which can improve your gym’s reputation.
Lighting and Ambience in Gyms
Having the right lighting and ambience can enhance your gym members’ performance, and create a mood that is more productive in each individual space. Lighting is also important for safety. Use floor lighting wherever necessary to highlight paths and safety hazards like stairs or ramps.
Natural Light
You will want to maximise the use of natural light in cardio areas, as this can help to improve one’s mood and boost energy levels. This is especially important when dealing with repetitive exercises and long-duration exercises such as those sweat sessions that use ellipticals, treadmills, or rowing machines.
Layered Lighting
In areas that are devoted to yoga, you will want more layered lighting that provides a softer tone. This will help people relax more during the class. While having brighter lights is great for areas where high-intensity workouts take place, you don’t want too much light in areas where your clientele wants to relax. And, above all, avoid using any harsh or direct lighting that may result in glares, especially in areas with mirrored walls.
Colour Psychology
Let’s not forget the importance of colours in a gym environment. You will want to use warmer tones like red and orange, in areas where you need more energy. These warmer tones are great for high-intensity workouts and cardio zones. But in recovery areas and places where people want to feel calmer and more relaxed, use more blues and greens instead.
Image Source: Fitness Audio lighting installation
Fitness Centre Acoustics and Sound Management
Soundproofing Solutions
Without question, acoustic panels will play an important role in any effective gym design. Not only should you have sound-dampening floor material, but you will also need to include acoustic panels on the ceiling and barriers in key areas around the gym. This is especially important in gyms that offer group fitness, as the loud music and instructors’ voices can easily disrupt other gymgoers.Tailored Music
Take the time to consider using different types of music and levels for the various sections of your gym. Although loud, high-energy music may help to motivate those who are participating in spin classes, it can be a disruption for those trying to meditate. Tailoring the music to the various sections of the gym will help to ensure that everyone has a fun and memorable experience.Equipment Placement
Now let’s take a closer look at equipment placement throughout the gym.
Cardio Near Windows
As previously discussed, you will want to put cardio equipment near the windows. People who are using bikes, treadmills, and elliptical machines will benefit from the natural lighting, especially during those long-extended sessions. The large windows and view will help to improve their mood and overall performance levels.
Privacy for Functional Training
Certain pieces of gym equipment will also require unique or unconventional movements. To help your gym members feel safer, place your TRX, kettlebells, and bodyweight equipment in a more private area of the facility. People often feel self-conscious when they are learning new movements, and placing functional training equipment in more secluded areas can help them feel more comfortable.
Mirrors and Ceiling Height
Floor-to-ceiling mirrors are great in certain areas of the gym, but they should not be placed in all areas. You will want to make sure that mirrors are placed high enough that they don’t get damaged from the occasional rolling weight.
At the same time, ceiling height also plays a pivotal role in gym design. Make sure that the ceiling is high enough in areas where members will be performing exercises that require more overhead space. After all, you don’t want your clientele to accidentally hit the ceiling when swinging a kettlebell.
Locker Rooms and Amenities in Gym Design
Location
In an ideal setting, the locker room should be near the entrance of the gym. This will reduce the need for members to walk through the gym in their street clothes. Not only does this improve safety, but also minimises the chances of distractions during workouts.Hygiene and Ventilation
Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent locker rooms from becoming too hot or humid. Not only will this provide a continuous circulation of fresh air into the room, but it will help to reduce the presence of lingering body odours. It may even be helpful to provide other personal hygiene amenities like shower gels, shampoos, and hairdryers, to further enhance the members’ overall experience.Gender-Neutral Options
Inclusivity is the key in today’s gyms, so it’s important to also offer a gender-neutral option. Some gym members may not feel comfortable using a traditionally male or female locker room. Offering a gender-neutral option will help to boost inclusivity in the gym and improve your reputation as a gender-neutral facility.Fitness Centre Sanitation and Cleanliness
Sanitation and cleanliness have always played an important role in any gym. However, after the pandemic, the need to ensure that your gym is clean is even more important. After all, a clean gym will help to foster trust and lead to an increase in member retention.
It’s great if you can provide plenty of automatic air fresheners around the club, but make sure they’re not overpowering, especially in the cardio and weights areas. Opt for more natural, cleansing smells like eucalyptus and tea tree rather than artificial smells.
Hand Sanitisers and Wipes
Make sure that you strategically place hand sanitiser and disinfecting wipes throughout the gym. This will help to encourage members to wipe down equipment after each use. And, it will also help to maintain a higher level of hygiene standards throughout your gym.
Touch-Free Water Dispensers
If possible, install touch-free water dispensers to limit contact between gym members. This will help to control and prevent the spread of germs throughout the gym. At the same time, you will also want multiple dispensers located throughout the gym to reduce the potential for crowding.
Technological Integration:
Today’s gym-goers aren’t just looking for a high-intensity workout machine, they want something that is integrated with technology, to improve their individual experience. If you can’t post your workout on your socials, did it even happen?
Wearables and Apps
Most modern gym-goers have smart watches that monitor their health throughout the day. And, they want to go to gyms that offer equipment that integrates with this technology. Members want to be able to track their progress and follow their customised workout plans. Sometimes, they may even want to compete with their friends in another city. By ensuring that your equipment is compatible with both Bluetooth and other wireless technologies, you can create a more welcoming experience for the tech-savvy gym-goers of today.
Smart Equipment
When choosing cardio machines, make sure to select smart equipment that will allow members to track their workouts. Today’s younger generation wants to be able to sync their workout data with their smart apps, in order to have better control over their fitness regimens. By adding a layer of personalisation and progress tracking, you can improve their overall experience.
Digital Classes
And, while you are at it, why not consider virtual classes? Digital classes have become all of the rage these days, as they allow gym members to join a class even on the road. In dedicated spaces with large screens and good sound systems, on-demand classes can also be beneficial for many gym goers, especially those who work odd hours.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices
More and more gym members today are also very conscious of the environment, so it’s important to adopt sustainable practices that appeal to them.
Eco-Friendly Materials
When deciding how to layout and design the interior of your gym, make use of sustainable materials. Rather than buying brand-new rubber mats, try bamboo flooring or recycled rubber mats instead. Not only do these materials look great in the gym, but they also align with the eco-conscious values of many gym-goers around the country.
Energy Efficiency
Don’t forget to also invest in energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and water-saving devices. Many energy-efficient devices cost about the same as traditional equipment, but last longer and cost less to operate daily. When coupled with solar panels or other renewable energy sources, a gym can easily reduce its overall carbon footprint, which can improve it’s appeal to eco-conscious members.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Making your gym accessible to all members including those with disabilities should be a priority when considering effective gym design. Don’t be afraid to put equipment guides up! Some people are naturally timid, while others are too proud to ask. Ensuring guides are available to help members use the equipment correctly will not only help your members, but they’ll also increase the longevity of your equipment.
DDA Compliance
You’ll want to make sure that your facility is fully compliant with the local accessibility regulations. Ensure that you have the necessary ramps, wider doorways, and other mandated DDA-compliant equipment installed in your facility. This includes accessible showers, lockers, toilets, and more.
Diverse Equipment
You will also want to offer equipment that can accommodate to varying levels of ability. For example, hydraulic resistance machines are easier to use by individuals with disabilities. This fosters an inclusive environment where everyone can participate. By focusing on diversity and inclusion, you can improve the members’ overall experience, and your gym’s reputation.
In the end, effective gym design should revolve around the concept of creating a welcoming, functional, and inclusive environment for all gym members. When you take the time to focus on smart layout decisions, integrate the latest in technology, prioritise cleanliness, and consider sustainable options, you can build a fitness centre that fosters long-term loyalty.
This article was first written by Kerena Berry for the What’s New in Fitness magazine. Overseeing the Designbx interior designers, Kerena Berry brings over 20 years experience in the fields of art directing, interior design, product development, buying, and styling for international and national brands.
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