New Concepts in Gym Design: More Than Just Fitness

#Industry Insights

The importance of fitness for personal health is self-evident, but how to further maximize the benefits of exercise through thoughtful fitness space design has become a topic worth exploring.

By incorporating diverse types of exercise, social concepts, and mind-body restoration principles, the designs of these four gyms not only fully consider users’ actual needs but also pursue perfection in every detail, significantly enhancing users’ exercise experience.

#01 Community-focused Gyms Promote Wellbeing and Togetherness

Be Infinity © Dirk Weiblen

Be Infinity LeapXing Extreme Society is a social club that combines professional sports, fitness training, and leisure gatherings, dedicated to fostering connections between people through physical activity. The fitness facility is located on the top floor of a shopping mall in Wuhan, China, spanning an area of 3,500 square meters, with an additional mezzanine level added to the original 2,400 square meters.

LKSTUDIO drew inspiration from the classic “Tetris” game and color psychology, using vibrant hues and geometric shapes to create a dynamic and creative activity space. Each training zone is designed as a “dopamine block” to stimulate and engage members’ diverse emotions.

Be Infinity © Dirk Weiblen

In the luxury goods industry, the trend of repositioning gyms as social clubs is becoming increasingly evident. This transformation is not merely an expansion of spatial functionality but also a profound reimagining of the user experience. Be Infinity has successfully transformed gyms into social clubs, enabling people to pursue health while also enjoying the joys of social interaction. Its playful yet sophisticated design and deep understanding of color psychology further enhance users’ experience, offering dual health benefits through both exercise and socializing.

Be Infinity © Dirk Weiblen

This community-centric gym design concept not only promotes physical health but also strengthens social interaction and communication within the community. Through professional exercise training, people can find common interests and topics of conversation, thereby bringing them closer together. The leisure and social area provides a platform for relaxation and interaction, allowing people to find a sense of belonging in their busy lives.

#02 Fitness Centres Can Use Space as a Tool for Motivation

S10 Gym & Recovery Spa © Adam Goldberg

Büro Koray Duman has skillfully transformed a 725-square-meter manufacturing plant in New York City’s West Village into a comprehensive fitness center that seamlessly blends modern fitness elements with industrial style, offering members an environment that is both energizing and serene.

The spatial layout is thoughtfully designed, with the ground floor featuring a café and smoothie shop, providing members with convenient dining options before and after workouts. Beyond the café area, the lower space is divided into a fitness zone and a recovery spa area. The final design seamlessly integrates the industrial-style fitness zone with the serene and soothing recovery spa zone.

S10 Gym & Recovery Spa © Adam Goldberg

In the design of the gym, the designers deliberately used black flooring and equipment, which complemented the industrial characteristics of the space and highlighted the essence of exercise. The soft atmosphere of the recovery area formed a striking contrast, with light colors, soft materials, and shapes creating a peaceful healing space that guided users into a relaxed state.

S10 Gym & Recovery Spa © Adam Goldberg

The core philosophy of S10 Gym & Recovery Spa lies in balancing the importance of high-intensity training with relaxation and mental well-being. Fitness and recovery are interdependent, but each requires a different mindset. At S10 Gym & Recovery Spa, every detail of the space design is carefully crafted to evoke specific feelings in members. This meticulous design not only enhances members’ fitness experience but also subtly promotes their overall physical and mental health.

S10 Gym & Recovery Spa © Adam Goldberg

This space design is a successful example of its kind. It cleverly utilizes space as an incentive tool, creating a vibrant and relaxing fitness environment for users through the contrasting division of functional zones and the careful selection of materials and colors. This design philosophy is worth emulating and adopting by more fitness centers to create more unique and efficient fitness spaces.

#03 Escapist Interiors Help to Breed Mindfulness

The T.T. Pilates Studio, designed by Wood Workshop, cleverly utilizes interior design to provide guests with a sanctuary to escape reality. Upon entering the building from the street, guests are immediately enveloped in its tranquil atmosphere. Upon arriving at the studio via elevator, guests are greeted by a clever blend of warm tones and natural textures that appeal to the senses and invite guests to enter a focused state of mind before their class begins.

Natural themes and materials are often used to create a sense of spiritual refuge. Soft wooden chairs and faux stone microcement continue the natural inspiration of the materials chosen, adding a touch of tranquility and harmony to the space. The bar area is located next to the outdoor terrace, with a tree in the center and a pool below, offering guests another way to get close to nature and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

In a healthy space, cultivating the mind and nurturing the spirit is the central focus of activities, and creating such an environment enhances the functionality of the space. More and more people are seeking opportunities to escape reality in fitness spaces, meaning that customers no longer need to go outside the city to find solace but can instead integrate this solace into their daily activities.

#04 Users can Find Respite in Sensory Calm Fitness Spaces

Abandoning the cheerful, energetic designs commonly used in traditional fitness spaces, Gonzalez Haase AAS Studio designed a unique, relaxed, and subtle atmosphere for the Hagius fitness space. This space, converted from a former post office in Berlin dating back to 1902, focuses on providing members with an immersive sensory experience.

The neutral-toned interior features biophilia lighting, ambient sound equipment, and custom incense burners. The design reflects the studio’s goal of helping people “return to their natural state” around the clock.

The materials used in the interior design include aluminum, maple wood, granite, and uncoated linen and hemp fabrics, which fully showcase the original texture of the materials. The materials and lighting also change with the transition between different functional areas, ensuring that each space has its own unique atmosphere and focal point.

From the elegant lighting design to the soothing ambient sound system, and the subtle fragrance, every carefully selected sensory element comes together to create a space that allows you to completely unwind. For those seeking a moment of peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle, this is undoubtedly the perfect solution.