Answer these 3 questions to design the best multifamily fitness center. Plus, take a sneak peek at 3 apartment gyms who did it right!
Luxury apartments with amenities for fitness used to be the exception but now they’re the rule. If you are building an apartment complex and starting to design your fitness center, our best advice is to begin working with one of our consultants as early in the process as you possibly can. That way, you can tap their expertise for design suggestions, power requirements, lighting, airflow, mirrors and flooring, not just purchasing equipment.
(1) What gym amenities do your residents want?
Right now, we’re seeing a dramatic swing toward functional accessories and frames. Those pieces give you extra flexibility to offer something besides the standard cardio and strength equipment. Assault Fitness AirRunner treadmills are especially popular. Because they’re lightweight, easy to store and don’t require electricity, they’re highly mobile and easy to maintain. They’re also well suited for high intensity interval training (HIIT). Corebags, sandbags and Bulgarian bags are also in high demand this year. These functional fitness accessories provide interesting, flexible and intuitive ways to move your home workout routine into the gym.
(2) How can I encourage participation and keep residents engaged?
This is our favorite problem to solve! The challenge is creating a space and product mix that encourages participation and engages people but also fits the personality of your apartment community. The good news is, residents are eager to abandon their home gyms and get back to fitness centers. Lately, we’ve seen a huge rise in the social aspect of exercise, as residents experience networked fitness and integrated touchscreens like those on the Precor 800 series, Expresso bikes and Aviron rowers.
(3) In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, are gyms safe? Are apartment buildings safe?
According to WebMD, with proper precautions like social distancing and wearing a mask, apartment buildings can be perfectly safe! We recommend following CDC guidelines and encouraging residents to participate in cleaning with gym hygiene kits.
Now, take a peek at 3 multifamily fitness centers who did it right!
Atlantic Apartments in Philadelphia, PA
The Atlantic Apartments accounted for every detail when designing their black and white luxury fitness center. There’s a window-lined wall draped with sheer curtains, marble columns, crystal chandeliers, and a living green wall. Stationed beautifully among those luxe surrounding, residents enjoy 17 cardio stations, 25 Precor Discovery Series selectorized and plate-loaded stations, and a free weight area with custom branded UMAX dumbbells and plates.
A functional training area on a black turf floor is outfitted with boxing equipment, TRX suspension trainers and Escape Fitness accessories. On the opposite end of the room, a glassed-in studio space offers private, on-demand access to a full suite of fitness classes with a Wellbeats video fitness system, Precor Spinner® bikes and accessories .
The Villages at Westford in Apex, NC
This multifamily housing complex wanted to offer as many options as possible without overcrowding their space. In search of safety and accessibility, they called on ASF’s Teresa Boland, Territory Sales Manager, who worked in collaboration with project managers to adjust the layout to suit their needs while the building was still a rough-framed construction site.
Now, the 1,676 square foot facility features 9 cardio stations, including Assault treadmills, Precor ellipticals, recumbent bikes with 10” touchscreen networked consoles, and Concept II rowers. An adjoining studio features Escape Fitness functional accessories and Wellbeats self-guided on-demand fitness classes.
The Greene Apartments in Greenville, SC
The space-efficient multifamily fitness center at The Greene apartments features multiple 10” network touchscreen consoles with custom MyUI graphics on a mix of Precor treadmills, ellipticals, AMTs, and recumbent bikes; a Queenax corner unit for functional training; and a Nexersys Power Trainer. ASF’s Justin Webb, Territory Sales Manager, led the collaborative project. “Woodfield wanted a top-of-the-line user experience in regards to technology. That is why we incorporated Precor P62 touch screens with PREVA and a Nexersys Power Trainer. Being in the very popular West End of downtown Greenville, they were looking for a wow factor from their fitness center,” says Webb.
Want expert help designing the best apartment gym for your multifamily complex?