The way your facility looks and makes people feel when they
walk inside can be instrumental in converting visitors to members and in
keeping the members you have. You typically don’t have an opportunity
to make a second impression, so architects will tell you to make the
most of your first visual impression.
But in a recession, getting capital to make renovations to your facility
can be difficult. The money you do possess needs to be spent wisely. The
following stories can help you make wise decisions in how to make
renovations without spending more than you need to.
|
|
Sometimes, you have to spend some money to bring in more
money. That’s certainly the case with health club design, according to
industry architects who recommend that club operators renovate their
facilities every three years. Renovations may seem impossible as the
economy continues to struggle and as capital continues to be difficult
to secure, but renovations can help a club compete with the new club
down the street, keep members from jumping clubs and bring in a whole
new group of members.
|
|
Imagine a club where members can watch a Major League
Baseball game from their group cycling class or enjoy a spectacular
downtown view during yoga class. These possibilities are reality at Fit
Athletic Club-San Diego, a high-end club that is specially tailored to
its professional, urban clientele.
|
|
Interior design trends may be less fluid than fashion trends,
which change with each season, but that doesn't mean club owners can
stick with a 20-year-old design in their facilities.
|
|
Club colors have evolved from dark, drab blacks and grays to
more sophisticated colors, such as whites and earth tones.
|
|
Business owners are now looking for ways to cut costs and
conserve resources. By following an up-and-coming trend called adaptive
reuse, owners can breathe new life into an existing building and
circumvent much of the expense and the challenges of new
construction.
|
|
Remodeling is usually a time when club owners think about
spending money, but for some fitness facility operators, renovations are
a time to consider long-term savings.
|
|
Pilates moves into more fitness facilities as its popularity
grows.
|
|
There's no doubt that the world has changed since the health
club industry began. Although group changing areas and gang showers were
the locker room norm for many years, member demand, cell phone
technology and an aging population are making privacy a bigger priority
for club design. Indeed, locker rooms are one of the most widely updated
areas in a fitness facility.
|
|
Choosing the right flooring can be a tricky decision for
fitness facility owners and managers. From the locker room to the cardio
floor to the smoothie bar, flooring must meet a multitude of needs. And,
at most health clubs, flooring is more than simply functional. A floor's
texture, color and overall look can add an essential element to any
club's décor.
|
|
Although environmental awareness is rising among fitness
facility operators, many of them remain unaware that flooring choices
can affect indoor air quality and have the potential to negatively
affect members' health.
|
|
Locker room designs are changing to fit member demographics
and needs, including more family locker rooms and tiered locker
rooms.
|
| WHAT
OUR ADVERTISERS HAVE TO SAY | |
|
In these challenging economic times, many club owners are
changing their minds about expanding or are deferring planned
expansions. Instead, they are upgrading their existing facilities.
That’s a smart idea, since renovations cost considerably less and can
improve a club’s appearance with less costly downtime.
|
|
The locker room used to be a place where patrons changed
clothes before exercising. However, just as overall design of fitness
clubs has evolved over the years, the locker room itself has become an
integral part of the overall fitness club experience.
|
|
|
This Issue Brought to you By
|
| SUBSCRIBE |
|
| DIGITAL EDITION |
Preview a sample of the digital edition of
our magazine and get a copy delivered to your inbox each month.
|
| E NEWSLETTER |
|
Delivered three times per month, Newsbeat
is a timely e-newsletter featuring breaking news, people on the move,
mergers and acquisitions, supplier news, industry trends and more.
|
CLUB INDUSTRY
SHOWS |
|
Club Industry trade shows are the most
comprehensive events in the fitness industry. Learn more about these
exciting conferences and expositions.
|
|
|
