Designing a small fitness center

rookie · 06-10-2007, 06:28 AM

I was approached at work last week to help desing a neighborhood fitness center. We are building a clubhouse and amenity center for a neighborood of about 700 homes. It will include a seperate fitness facility. It will be small, only to serve the neighborhood. It will be cardio based, to target the neighborhood stay at home parents. So what ratios of equiment should it have. If we put in 4 treadmills shold we have 2 elipticals and two bikes or what?
You guys all have been to gyms and many of you own/work in gyms. What is goign to get the most use? What are must haves for this type thing?
I have also desinged a small core area with a few mats,, jump ropes, medicine balls and swiss balls to be tied into it.

Esteban · 06-10-2007, 09:38 AM

Maybe these will help:

ACSM's "Designing Health/Fitness Facilities Standards and Guidelines":

http://www.amazon.com/Health-Fitness.../dp/0736051538

Mike Boyle's "Designing Strength Training Programs and Facilities":

http://www.michaelboyle.biz/joomla/c...art/Itemid,26/

The NSCA's "Essentials of Personal Training" has a chapter devoted to facility design, too. Perhaps you can check out this book at your local library:

http://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Per.../dp/0736000151

Jean-Paul · 06-10-2007, 05:45 PM

I have designed dozens of these type of facilities for similar situations (churches, large companies, and my own).

I need to know how many square feet it will have first.

If you can get a copy of the layout (with square footage, room shapes, etc) and email them to me I will be happy to assist however I can.

kmfisher · 06-11-2007, 02:07 PM

Ellipticals are more popular these days than treadmills. I'd suggest 4 ellipticals, 2 treadmills, and 2 recumbant bikes.

Also, I'd suggest a weight area, even if its not free weights.

rookie · 06-11-2007, 06:49 PM

Thanks for the help. And JP I am working on getting the layout for the rooms. Thanks

Blackjack · 06-13-2007, 11:09 AM

Make it into a Power Lifting gym - no a/c, sawdust on the floor, rusty barbells, chains, boards, benches, power rack, tons of plates, etc. Tell them you thought they meant a gym for you...not some cardio bunny ranch! Oh, don't forget the heavy metal music blaring...sweet!