How to Design a Commercial Gym That Attracts and Retains Members

Gym design matters.

Good gym design makes your members feel welcome and fosters a sense of community. It makes your space safe and easy to navigate. It ensures your gym caters to a variety of tastes. Ultimately it helps you attract more members and make more money.

Bad gym design has the opposite effect. It makes your gym feel unwelcoming and unenticing. It makes it difficult for members to hit their fitness and body goals. In the worst cases it can lead to safety issues.

At GymQuip we’ve spent three decades delivering commercial gym fitouts and gym design for Australian fitness businesses. Over that time we’ve learnt exactly how to design a gym that will boost both your member numbers and your bottom line.

In this guide we’ll share that knowledge, telling you all you need to know about designing a commercial gym that attracts and retains members.

Understanding your target audience & gym concept

Before you begin the design process, you first need to understand exactly who you’re creating your gym for. Define your target audience – general fitness enthusiasts, endurance athletes, corporate professionals – by looking at your current members, or by considering the type of member you naturally align with.

You can then use these insights to choose a gym concept – boutique studio, strength training facility, hybrid gym, hotel or residential gym – that will broadly guide the design process.

Consider how you’ll tailor the design of your gym to the preferences of your members – think functional spaces for sports centres, or luxury aesthetics for a gym in a high-end hotel.

 

Key considerations for an effective gym layout

Next comes gym layout planning. Zoning your gym is a great place to start. Grab a floorplan, then divide it any combination of the following:

• Cardio area: An area for treadmills, rowers, spin bikes, etc.
• Strength training zone: An area for free weights, plate-loaded equipment, racks and resistance machines.
• Functional training area: Space for kettlebells, sleds, battle ropes, potentially with artificial turf.
• Recovery and mobility zone: For stretching, foam rolling and recovery equipment.

Maximise the space for safety and usability. Don’t try to squeeze too many machines into a small space, as members may not be able to use them properly.

Design the floorplan in a way that improves accessibility, minimises congestion and creates a seamless flow. Make the space easy to navigate – consider using different colours for different zones.

 

Selecting the right commercial gym equipment

Gym equipment selection is a key moment in your gym design journey. Beyond the essential equipment every gym needs – cardio, strength, functional training gear – there are a few decisions to be made on more specialised or unique equipment.

The best gym equipment for commercial gyms will change from business to business. Consider your target audience. What are their training goals? What machines are they likely to use while working towards those goals? 

Choose equipment that caters to different levels of fitness. No matter which machines you choose, be sure to go for commercial-grade equipment, as it’s far more durable. Regular maintenance is also absolutely essential to extend the life of your machines and to ensure it is safe to use.

Integrating smart gym technology for better member engagement

The equipment you choose can also form a USP that differentiates you from your local competition.

Take smart gym equipment, like GymQuip’s exclusive DKN range, which uses AI as a sort of on-demand personal trainer that can guide members through a workout. These machines are capable of offering advice that helps users achieve their goals. Some can even tweak their resistance levels in real time to adapt to the needs of the user.

You should also choose gym equipment that can connect with fitness wearables, so your members can gain deeper insights into their workouts.

Finally, consider setting aside an open space where you can film and broadcast virtual workouts, which can expand your target audience far beyond your local area.

Designing for comfort, safety & aesthetics

What does a welcoming gym design look like? The following elements can help make your space safer, more comfortable and more beautiful.

• Flooring: Choose suitable flooring for each of your different training zones. Rubber mats are ideal in most places, but artificial turf could be best in open areas.
• Lighting & acoustics: The sights and sounds of your gym contribute to the welcoming, motivating environment you’re trying to create. Use natural or soft lighting, be liberal with mirrors, invest in a good speaker system, and install soundproofing where required.
• Ventilation & hygiene: Ensure a clean, fresh workout space. Let outside air in where possible. Invest in a good HVAC system so people don’t overheat.
• Safety considerations: Consider equipment spacing and accessibility, and keep thoroughfares free. Place safety signage around the space, including emergency procedures.

The role of branding in member retention

Strong branding creates a recognisable identity that fosters trust and loyalty, that enhances brand awareness, and that can increase the likelihood of referrals.

Gym design plays a crucial role in brand perception. A high-quality commercial gym fitout, decorated with your logo and colours, will see your members subconsciously connecting your brand to quality.

An industrial, luxury or eco-friendly design theme that matches your brand can enhance the distinctiveness of your gym, making it more memorable. When a member is asked for recommendations on a nice place to work out, they won’t have to think twice.

A strong, well-branded gym not only attracts members, but gets them invested in your fitness business. This keeps them engaged, makes them more loyal, and can help to ensure your long-term success.

GymQuip: commercial gym fit-out specialists

With so many factors to consider and decisions to make, designing a commercial gym can be an intimidating prospect. So why do it alone? Good news: you don’t have to.

If you’re looking for expert advice on exactly how to design and fit out your new gym – layout, equipment, aesthetics, maintenance and more – the expert GymQuip team is here to help.

At GymQuip we boast over three decades of experience providing gym fitout solutions to happy customers, from traditional gyms, to hotel gym fitouts, to sports clubs and residential complexes.

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.

Ready to design your commercial gym? Get in touch with our friendly team today.