A Basic Introduction to Fitness Center Design
A Basic Introduction to Fitness Center Design
Opening a fitness center requires much forethought.
What type of clientele are you trying to attract? Which classes will you offer? How many of each piece of training equipment will your gym need to hold?
Even more critical to your fitness center’s success is its architectural design. This article will cover the key factors you should consider in your fitness center design.
Branding
When considering the design of your fitness center, you should always try to keep it on brand. Your company or personal brand makes you trustworthy and stand out from your competition.
Target Clients
Your brand has a target client base. Your fitness design should be tailored to their needs and desires. This will draw them to your center.
Do you want a large number of clients or a smaller crowd? This will significantly affect the area needed for your fitness center. It is advised that you provide at least 40-60 square feet per member.
You’ll also want to keep in mind the price point you will be aiming for with membership fees. More expensive memberships will require high-end design. More affordable memberships mean budgeting your design to make this cost-feasible.
Colors
Your brand colors should match your brand identity. You'll want muted colors if you are a more zen and chill fitness center. Vibrant and bold colors should be reserved for upbeat and intense fitness centers.
The colors you choose can have a psychological impact on those who visit your center. Bright colors promote energy. Blues and greens are calming.
For best results, use one primary color and one neutral with the optional accent color that will add a pop of interest here and there.
Aesthetics
You need the right combination of light, color, and music to create an aesthetic that matches your brand identity and the philosophy of your business. We’ve already discussed the color aspect, but it needs to blend with the chosen materials and design.
The aesthetics of the fitness space set the mood for the experience of each of your members.
Signage
The very first sign you should erect on your property is your company logo, but there are other signs that you can add to your fitness center.
Many gyms display motivational quotes on their walls or at the top of the entrance lobby.
Gym wall wraps and murals have become popular. They are a great way to make your fitness center stand out.
Lastly, you’ll want to tastefully display your gym rules so members can easily see them.
Theme
A certain design theme may best represent your brand.
The industrial theme is popular for fitness centers that want to mimic a garage gym. Here, you’ll typically have exposed structural material as well as copper accents and no-fuss materials.
LED lighting, backlit mirrors, and graphics can create a modern theme.
Natural-themed fitness centers will want to include as much natural light and biophilia as possible without overdoing it. An indoor water feature would be a nice addition.
For a more high-end aesthetic, you can create a center with extra luxuries an average fitness center may not offer, such as a spa or massage therapy.
Focus
Most fitness centers cover a broad range of exercise options. However, more focused fitness centers are becoming quite common. When using a specific style of physical training, the design of your building needs to support that.
Here are some ideas for fitness classes to focus on:
Boxing
Kickboxing
Crossfit
Pilates
Aerobics
Tabata
Step Aerobics
Water Aerobics
Yoga
Cycling
Dance
Zumba
Barre
Strength
Kettlebell
TRX
Obstacle Course
Ninja Warrior
Parkour
Martial arts
Karate
Taekwondo
Muay Thai
Jiu Jitsu
Krav Maga
Capoeira
Layout
The layout of your fitness center should be designed to maximize space without overcrowding your members. It should also be flexible for equipment changes or new programs.
There are two basic setups to choose from:
You can break up the fitness spaces according to activity or intensity.
One popular flow is to create a circuit map for your gym. Members can follow the layout of your fitness equipment to create a perfect total body circuit.
The other choice is an open concept. Simply group similar equipment together. This will allow members to focus on their own chosen exercise plan.
Don’t forget the importance of smart storage solutions when designing your layout.
Having your equipment readily available but out of the way may require some innovative storage. Consider one or more of the following:
Wall-mounted storage
Rolling carts
Pegboards
Overhead equipment racks
Bins
Equipment Selection
A big factor in the layout of your fitness center is the type and number of equipment devices you will be housing.
Of course, your members will be looking for state-of-the-art machines, free weights, and a variety of cardio equipment.
Determine the space required by each piece and calculate the minimum square footage needed. Also, make sure you will be able to secure all equipment safely.
This could include providing reinforced floor, wall backing, and ceiling structure for equipment mounts, which should be evaluated and provided for all heavy equipment.
Unique Equipment
If you include a unique equipment option, consider the design needs to set this up in your layout. Some options that will require extra space include:
Climbing wall
Suspension training
Rope climbing
Indoor courts
Traffic Flow
The layout of your fitness center floor plan should be designed to promote a good traffic flow.
The reception room design should force a stopping point for the check-in process, have adjacency to locker rooms to change before and after workouts, and provide easy access to the workout rooms.
Give your members and — potential members — enough space to feel comfortable when they walk in.
Multipurpose Rooms
A good dedication of space would be a couple of multipurpose rooms that can be used for a variety of things, such as group exercise, a dance studio, or personal training sessions.
Locker Rooms
Provide your members who don’t have time to go home after their workouts with everything they need to freshen up in the locker rooms. You’ll need restrooms, but it is best to include showers and private changing rooms, too. Benches in the locker room are a must.
Outdoor Space
Consider adding the option to exercise outside, whether this is simply a patio in the back or a whole rooftop experience. Be sure you choose appropriate equipment that can be safely used and won’t be damaged by the elements.
Electrical
Cord management is a common issue in gyms. That’s why designing your fitness facility with electrical solutions right away is essential.
Floor outlets around the perimeter of each room can help with this. You may also need a network of connections for many of your equipment.
However, you will always want to ensure you utilize cord protectors and keep cords out of traffic zones.
Safety
Keeping your members and employees safe should be a priority not only in your business activities but also in your facility design itself.
Cleanliness
Be sure to make room for sanitization stations throughout your fitness center. They don’t need to be large but should be able to hold wipes, hand sanitizer, and a trash can.
A robust ventilation system that dispenses clean air at a comfortable temperature can reduce the spread of illness and keep the air quality, including CO2 levels, in the gym acceptable.
Also, finish selections should be easily cleanable.
Emergency Exits
Always make sure your emergency exits are marked, not blocked by equipment, and available at opposite ends of the building.
First Aid Station
Every fitness center should have a well-stocked first aid station to provide its members with basic medical supplies should they sustain an injury.
Hydration
Keeping your members hydrated is an excellent way to reduce injuries, accidents, and medical emergencies. Include plenty of water fountains in your club design that are easily accessible by all.
Since most of your members will have their own water bottles, providing drinking fountains with bottle fillers is a must.
Security
Another way to keep your members safe is by keeping your gym secure. You should install exterior and interior cameras, and your check-in process should allow for good visuals and direct circulation from the entrance.
Make sure you’re ready for your inspection: Mastering Commercial Structural Inspections: A Comprehensive Guide
Materials
Choosing the right materials for your fitness center can improve its aesthetics, safety, and longevity.
Flooring
Your flooring should be durable, aesthetically pleasing, skid-resistant, and sound and shock-absorbent.
The best flooring options for a fitness center include rubber, vinyl, or hardwood. Each comes with unique benefits.
Walls
There are a lot of options for material when it comes to your walls. When making this choice, you’ll want to consider your budget, the overall look, durability, and safety.
Some options include:
Rubber mats
Vinyl murals
Drywall
Exposed brick
Concrete
Metal sheeting
Mirrors
Acoustics
One often overlooked aspect of fitness design is the acoustics.
Sound Control
Working out isn’t always pleasing to the ears. From clanking barbells, buzzing treadmills, and the exertion of some members, sound control can make the experience much less noisy.
Try installing sound-absorbing wall panels, soft flooring, and high ceilings.
Speaker System
Music can be a big motivator for physical activity. You’ll want to consider speaker type, size, positioning, subwoofers, amplifiers, and even a microphone for announcements.
Lighting
Lighting can either create the right atmosphere or ruin it.
Adjusting the lighting’s brightness, color, and direction can impact the energy levels of those inhabiting the space.
The best lighting options for a fitness center are fluorescent or LED. Of course, you can’t overemphasize the benefits of installing lots of windows to allow natural light into your center.
Next, you’ll need to choose your light fixtures. The design of fixtures should match your brand, chosen aesthetics, and desired theme.
Accessibility
When designing your fitness center, you’ll need your finished product to be ADA-compliant. This may require that you have wider doorways and ramps where there are inclines. In particular, you’ll need to pay close attention to your restrooms and shower design.
Technology
Old-school gyms may still exist, but if you want a new fitness center to succeed, aim to give your members as much innovative technology as possible:
Fitness tracking apps that link to your equipment can be customized and branded for a unique user experience, or your equipment can connect to the most popular fitness trackers on the market.
Interactive technology, such as screens with demos or follow-along classes, will attract more clientele.
Virtual reality and gamifying fitness have become very popular. This can transport them to another environment that doesn’t feel like a workout.
Virtual personal trainers are much more affordable than live ones. You can offer this with your membership.
Your gym walls can be full with LED screens that offer projection mapping with virtual scenery.
Of course, you’ll want to ensure you have TVs throughout.
Automation can not only make things more convenient for your customers, but it can also save you money. For example, using motion sensor lighting saves you money on electricity. Online booking for classes, sign-ups, or cancellations is a cost-effective way of taking care of these tasks.
Luxury Features
If your budget allows and if it would be in demand by your target clientele, you may want to include a few of the following luxury features in your fitness club:
Sauna/steam room
Lounge
Hang out spot for before or after workouts
Smoothie bar
Personal training pods
Private training areas for those who don’t like to exercise in front of others
Childcare
Recovery facility
Massage chairs or masseuses
Foam roller station
Cryotherapy
Meditation room
Pool or spa
Recap
The essential components of a successful gym design include proper branding, a good layout, safety features, technological updates, and carefully chosen materials and lighting.
ZP Architects & Engineers understands these concepts and how to leverage them to design a one-of-a-kind fitness center.
Contact us today to help design your next fitness center project!
