For the last 18 years I have worked consistently on projects for the fitness industry, working with Precor, Inspirit, Powerhouse, Stages Cycling, Schwinn and now Life Fitness. This service offers support to fitness equipment suppliers and independent gym owners, assisting with equipment layouts, M&E service drawings, design concepts, presentation drawings and full interior design proposals.
Clients range from council facilities, to hotels, to universities, to large branded chains and independent clubs. My services enable suppliers to provide well considered technical layouts, strong pitches and tender submissions through design and presentation work, to go after design and build/ turnkey projects where the equipment and interiors are completed as part of a package, and to provide concepts where their equipment only proposals are situated in concept spaces which show how interiors could look in a contemporary and brand aligned style.
I’m now hugely experienced in this sector, and love how the industry constantly evolves as fitness approaches change. In the early days spaces would be filled with CV, weight and resistance kit, maximising volume and creating layouts in creative ways. Materials and budgets were often limited and simple and my time was spent convincing people that hard alternatives to basic carpet tiles were better, and pushing them beyond basic paint finishes, mirrors and a few posters. The fitness industry is an entirely different beast now.
On equipment, whilst CV, free-weights and strength machines still feature heavily, these are generally supplemented by flexible floor space for functional training involving rigs, battle ropes and kettlebells to name but a few. Group training and small circuits classes often take place within main gyms, clusters of studio cycles appear, stretch areas are larger and better equipped. PT sessions are the norm. This isn't exclusive to branded, high end facilities. It’s across the board from the most budget gyms to the top private clubs.
Flexible studio spaces, studio cycle rooms, GP referral rooms, reception & cafe areas, changing rooms, and sometimes a health suite or pool usually sit alongside the gyms themselves. My role can include space planning and designing these entire facilities, alongside the greater design team.
Every client has different intended outcomes for their facility. When working with Councils their criteria typically requires spaces which appeal to a vast user group, often 13-90yrs with carrying levels of ability. Spaces and layouts need to be accessible, inspiring and appealing to all. Universities can have a more focused primary user group, but still the need for the same accessible services and technology. Both often have specific criteria around quality and cost. Private clubs can be far more specific in terms of target users, their equipment offering and their style. Increasingly however a distinct brand which can be marketed easily is a core element for all, no matter whom the client.
Traditionally, on these projects, I have worked largely in Autocad and Photoshop but within the industry new software has become available enabling the creation of simple 3d modelling for stills and flythroughs. With most of the suppliers signing up to have their fitness equipment made available within the package I have made the move and have been loving testing it’s capabilities. Although simply designed to enable suppliers to produce their own layouts and visuals in-house, the benefit of working with me is that they get the use of the software but with the interior design flare and expertise to make the spaces in the flythroughs look phenomenal, in a fast turnaround for a relatively low cost, whilst their sales team focus on getting the projects. I’m pushing the capabilities of the package as I become increasingly familiar with it and getting some really impressive outcomes.
In this fast moving and competitive industry fitness clubs are becoming increasingly lifestyle focused. Only a core of enthusiastic members have an interest in only the equipment on offer. For most the environment and facilities on offer are a key feature in their decision making when signing up. Over the last 18 years, creating spaces which are appealing and non-intimidating is a primary factor when bringing in new members. Jool Design is hugely experienced in doing just this.
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