Fitness Center Design

Whether you are in the health and fitness field or not, we can help you design whatever kind of fitness center you are looking for. We offer several levels of assistance, from simply consulting on the layout of equipment all the way through construction and aesthetic design. You decide how much help you need and we'll tailor our plan to suit.

To complement a current project:

You already have your hands full running your core business but your boss, client or board members want a fitness facility or health club. You're a general contractor, builder, facilities planner, architect, real estate developer, non-profit corporation, hotel and you don't know much about health club space planning or the unique environmental requirements of a gym. Even if you have a general knowledge of some of these factors, fitness equipment and interior design certainly are not your strong suit. Where can you turn for health club design assistance?

Fitness Spaces can provide the consulting help you need to create the fitness club design that will perfectly complement your project and win accolades from the client and users.

As a new project:

You're in the health and fitness field and looking for ways to offer more to your existing clientele or expand your customer base. Perhaps you're an entrepreneur interested in opening a brand new health club or fitness center as your latest venture. While you tend to the myriad of other details involved in launching this new endeavor, we can be hard at work putting the plans together for your new exercise room, weight training equipment - even a mobile health club.

No project is too big or too small to benefit from the input that Fitness Spaces can provide. We can free up countless hours of your valuable time so you can tend to details no one else can handle.

Fitness Center Design Criteria

So you're ready to make that business investment in improved health and fitness. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to build a state of the art health club, a school or university, hotel or resort, YMCA, or a fire or police department, the same criteria must be weighed.

While you might be tempted to jump into the process of evaluating various types of exercise equipment first, it would be unwise to begin with this step. Rather, a planned approach is more likely to yield the most satisfactory results, but where to begin? Of course Fitness Spaces is available to guide you through the process but in the meantime, here is a general outline to help you get started:

Fitness Center Usage

Who will use the health club? - Adults? Young adults? Young children? Elderly? Persons with special needs? Etc. When multiple users are to be accommodated, flexibility and simplicity of equipment and design are important.

Health and Fitness Goals

What are the fitness goals of your target audience and what will be needed to accomplish them? Are you interested in providing resources for general fitness? Muscle toning? Weight loss? Muscle gain? Social contact?

Fitness Center Budget

Determining your budget early on in the process is an important step. It makes little sense to plan a fitness palace if your budget can't support the cost. Short and long term  expenditures should be factored into the equation to be sure to leave adequate capital for exercise equipment you plan to purchase down the road. If you're planning your major financial investment at the onset, so much the better.

Space Requirements

What is the size of the space you will be using? Will fitness be the only usage of this space or must it serve double duty with other uses? Do you need to plan space for aerobic or other kinds of classes for your users? How much of your total square footage will you need to allocate for locker rooms, administrative or sales staff, child care facilities, retail store, snack and beverage services? Will you be renting space for complementary service providers such as massage therapists or personal trainers?

How much floor space will be used to house exercise equipment? Individual pieces of exercise equipment will occupy much more floor space than multi-station gym units which can make sense if you're short on space.  If your fitness objectives call for overall fitness and toning you will need some cardiovascular workout equipment as well. Use these guidelines to determine approximately how much room you'll need:
· Treadmills - 30 square ft.
· Single-Station Gym - 35 square ft.
· Free Weights - 20-50 square ft.
· Bikes - 10 square ft.
· Rowing Machines - 20 square ft.
· Stair Climbers - 10-20 square ft.
· Ski Machines - 25 square ft.
· Multi-Station Gym - 50-200 square ft.

(courtesy of http://www.acefitness.org/)

Exercise Equipment Selection

It can be a real challenge to chose from the overwhelming number of options available on the market today. While there are clear leaders in equipment holding prominent positions in health clubs, a proliferation of domestic and foreign manufacturers are gaining ground in the fitness equipment field. Commercial grade exercise equipment is of higher quality and more space-efficient than ever before, but the old maxim holds true here, "You get what you pay for." High-quality equipment that is reliable and will work for years to come can't be made cheaply, however there are options for every budget.

Again be sure to keep in mind the fitness goals of your particular users. For overall fitness and toning, machines will provide a better and fuller set of exercises and workouts than free weights. However, many users, particularly serious body builders, often prefer the superior job free weights as do in gaining muscle mass. If possible, include a wide variety in exercise equipment if you are hoping to appeal to the broadest range of potential users. Variety helps reduce boredom and increase motivation.

Whatever the goals of your users, be sure to thoroughly inspect the equipment you are considering. Check it out for fit, comfort, ease of use and how easy is it to adjust.

Interior Design & Aesthetics

How users interact with the space around them will add to the success and enjoyment of their exercise program. Care needs to be taken in the development of the right aesthetics and decorations. Clean design lines and ease of maintenance don't have to mean your facility has to be drab and uninviting. An attractive space with smart layout, use of color, greenery and artwork can motivate users to maintain their exercise regime and be a real selling point in drawing in new clients.

Construction

Planning adequate time for construction is an extremely important consideration. Scheduling enough time to accommodate the inevitable delays makes for a much more pleasant experience, and reduces unnecessary stress for everyone involved.

We can work with you to determine a realistic timetable and help you stay on target every step of the way. Whether we consult with your contractor or you chose to work with one of ours you can rest assured that the project will be completed in a professional and timely manner. No project is too big or too small, from renovation to new construction, from planning and design to equipment purchase, we can help you see your ideas become reality.

Our services are available both in-person and/or over the telephone.  Telephone consultations are available at a rate of $50 per hour with a special three hour rate of $125.  You may go here to make your payment in advance for telephone consultations through paypal.

In-person consultations are available at a similar rate with an additional charge for travel time and expenses.  You may dial us directly  at  (631) 423-8570 to schedule your consultation or via email using our contact form.