Acoustics and Noise Management for Commercial Gyms

Going to a gym is a sensory experience – and you need to provide your members with a pleasant one.

Acoustics generally don’t feature too highly on a gym owner’s list of priorities. But the soundscape you offer your members can have a significant impact on how they perceive both your gym and your brand.

At GymQuip we’ve spent over three decades helping commercial gyms to create premium, alluring and purposeful gym environments designed to attract and retain more members.

In this article we’ll reveal the importance of managing noise in gyms, the ins and outs of gym acoustics, and the gym noise control solutions at your disposal.

Why noise management matters in gyms

The clatter of dropped weights, the persistent thud of treadmills, the yells of encouragement from trainers: gyms are inherently noisy places. But as a gym owner, you can’t let that noise become overwhelming for your members.

A noisy space or bad gym acoustics can lead to an array of issues:

• Members finding it difficult to concentrate on their workouts, or feeling uncomfortable in your gym.
• Members leaving their workouts early or avoiding your gym at certain times of day.
• Annoyed members potentially leaving a bad review and hurting your gym’s reputation.
• Deteriorating relationships with your neighbours or the other tenants in a mixed-use building.
• Issues with local authorities due to non-compliance with noise laws.

All this means that the most successful fitness businesses take a proactive approach to managing noise in gyms – and enjoy a range of perks for doing so, including enhancing their reputation, and attracting and retaining more members.

Understanding the sources of gym noise

The first step to fixing gym noise issues is to understand exactly where that noise is coming from. Common contributors to gym noise include:

• Impact noises: Dropped weights, weighted ball bounces, members running and jumping.
• Structure-borne vibration: Vibrations from cardio and strength training equipment transmitting through the floors and walls of the building.
• Reverberation: The echoes from impacts and shouted instructions in large, open, hard-surfaced spaces.
• Sound systems: High audio system volume, whether music in shared zones or the instructor’s voice in a group fitness setting.

Once you identify the specific issues you face at your premises, you can start to shop gym noise control solutions.

Practical gym noise control solutions

 

Flooring solutions

Perhaps the most effective form of soundproofing for gyms is high-density rubber tiles with an acoustic underlay. These serve two functions: they dull impacts from jumping exercises and dropped weights, and they cover hard surfaces with a soft layer of rubber that dampens echoes and reverberations.

 

Inlaid vibration-dampening platforms

Strength training areas, particularly where Olympic lifts take place and barbells are regularly dropped, require maximum cushioning to reduce noise, enhance safety and extend the life of the equipment. Inlaid platforms are designed to provide exactly that.

 

Wall and ceiling treatments

If you have issues with echoes in your gym, you need to cover hard surfaces with soft materials that soak in sound, rather than reflect it. Purpose-built acoustic panels or baffles are made to absorb echoes, but simple foams and fabrics can work too.

 

Structural isolation

By separating your exercise equipment and members from the structure of the building, you can reduce vibration transmission within your gym. Consider adding floating floors to group workout areas, and shock mounts to the bottom of cardio and strength training equipment. Always leave a gap between equipment and shared walls too.

 

Sound zoning

Some sound can be tricky to minimise, in which case you should attempt to contain or isolate it. Install partitions or acoustic curtains that can be unfurled between noisy and quiet areas, and distribute trainers and instructors strategically to avoid them shouting over each other.

Designing for acoustics: new builds vs retrofits

How you design and install your gym noise control solutions will depend on whether you’re completing a new gym build or you’re retrofitting your systems to an existing building.

If you’re building from scratch:

• Plan your acoustic strategies early, as there will often be structural factors that need to be considered at the very beginning of the design stage.
• Integrate soundproofing into your slab, ceiling and HVAC systems.
• Position noise-heavy areas away from offices, meditation areas, therapy rooms and shared walls.

If you’re retrofitting an existing gym:

• Prioritise rubber flooring, floating platforms and acoustic panels and baffles.
• Invest in portable acoustic dividers that can be used to contain excessive noise anywhere in your gym.
• Establish and advertise noise rules and expectations, and conduct staff training on how to manage acoustics.

Gym acoustics: member experience and brand perception

Gym acoustics don’t just represent a risk – they also present an opportunity. If you are able to create a sonically pleasing environment, your current members will become more engaged and more loyal, and you’ll earn new business too, as word spreads about the joys of training at your gym.

The first step is to carefully control excess noise using the strategies listed above. You can then work to create your own sonic environment, through:

• A carefully curated playlist of tunes to match the mood of the room at any given moment.
• A multi-zoned sound system that can deliver different audio to different areas.
• A high quality microphone and speaker system for your instructors, allowing them to be heard clearly without needing to shout.

Premium gyms are able to offer their members a calm, well-managed environment, filled with inspiring sounds defined by balanced acoustics. Setting up such a space is an investment, but it can prove a real differentiator for your gym.

GymQuip: commercial gym fit-out specialists

The most successful gyms don’t just look and feel great – they sound great too. Investing in gym acoustics and gym noise control solutions can help you to meet your regulatory responsibilities, retain more members and staff, and win more business.

If you’re looking for expert advice on exactly how to fit out your new gym – not just in terms of the acoustics, but layout, equipment, ongoing maintenance and more – the GymQuip team is here to help.

At GymQuip we boast over three decades of experience in fitting out commercial gyms. Beginning with a consulting session, we’ll design your floor plan; identify, deliver and install equipment; then provide all the ongoing service and support you need to keep your gym running smoothly.

Do you like the sound of gym success? Get in touch with our friendly team today.