Do you want to open your own gym or do you feel that your current fitness facility needs to expand after moving to a new location? Think about how much space you need for the basic gym equipment and for the comfort of your gym members. Check out the ideas and suggestions we collect in this article.
Key takeaways
- There are no official space requirements for fitness studios or gyms, yet the proper size of a fitness facility guarantees safety and comfort for the members.
- The target market of a fitness studio and thus the offer, also influence the amount of space needed for training. Fans of stationary exercises will work on machines, but dancers need a large dance floor.
- Several formulas have been developed over the years to help companies calculate space allocation. However, they vary according to the fitness equipment, number of members, gym layout and additional amenities of the gym.
- You can reduce the amount of space needed at the reception desk by introducing a gym pos system, or a gym check-in system. How come? Read on!
According to the Association of Fitness Studios, the average size for a fitness studio is 3,813 square feet.
How Big Should a Successful Gym Be?
A successful gym size should balance between member needs, operational efficiency, and potential for growth, ensuring a positive and safe fitness experience. Here is how much space you would probably need:
Small Personal Training Studio or Boutique Gym | General Fitness Gym | Large Commercial Gym | |
Size | 1,000 to 1,500 square feet | 3,000 to 5,000 square feet | 10,000 square feet or more |
Features | Focused range of fitness equipment, small group exercise classes | Mix of fitness equipment and classes, including cardio and strength training areas | Comprehensive range of fitness equipment, multiple class studios, additional amenities like locker rooms and saunas |
Considerations
- Member Comfort: Ensure adequate space for a comfortable workout environment.
- Variety of Services: Larger spaces can offer more fitness equipment and diverse classes.
- Future Expansion: Adequate space allows for growth and adaptation to new fitness trends.
Why Is Gym Size So Important?
The size of a gym plays a vital role in ensuring a positive member experience, maintaining operational efficiency, supporting business growth, and offering flexibility in services. It is a key factor in the success and sustainability of a fitness facility.
1. Member Experience
- Comfort and Space: Adequate space ensures members can work out comfortably without feeling crowded.
- Variety of Equipment: Larger gyms can house more equipment, catering to diverse fitness needs.
- Class Participation: Sufficient space allows for group fitness classes without overcrowding, enhancing the workout experience.
2. Operational Efficiency
- Safety: Proper spacing between equipment helps prevent accidents and injuries.
- Flow and Accessibility: A well-sized gym with a thoughtful layout ensures smooth member movement and accessibility.
3. Business Success
- Capacity and Revenue: Larger gyms can accommodate more members, increasing potential revenue.
- Expansion Potential: Adequate space allows for future expansion and the addition of new equipment or services.
- Member Retention: A spacious, well-equipped gym is more likely to retain members, providing a comfortable and comprehensive workout environment.
4. Flexibility and Versatility
- Range of Services: Larger gyms can offer a wider range of services, such as personal training, group classes, and specialized fitness programs.
- Adaptability: Adequate space allows gyms to adapt to changing fitness trends and member demands, adding new types of equipment or classes without overcrowding.
Space for Gym Equipment
When calculating the appropriate space for your gym, take into account all your specialized equipment and check how much gym space you ultimately need.
Add all the suggested amounts of space for your devices. Don’t forget about the space between them so that customers can pass comfortably. We’ll talk about that in a moment.
To avoid misunderstanding, below we also present a broader table with both square feet and square meters:
Type of Equipment | Space Required (Square Feet) | Space Required (Square Meters) |
Treadmill | 30 – 50 | 2.8 – 4.6 |
Elliptical Trainer | 20 – 30 | 1.9 – 2.8 |
Weight Bench | 20 – 30 | 1.9 – 2.8 |
Multi-Station Machine | 50 – 100 | 4.6 – 9.3 |
Free Weights Area | 50 – 100 | 4.6 – 9.3 |
Cardio Equipment | 10 – 20 | 0.93 – 1.86 |
Functional Training Equipment | 25 – 50 | 2.32 – 4.65 |
How does the offer influence the space required?
- Gyms that emphasize weight-lifting need more space to place the free weights and give each member ample space to work out.
- Careful consideration is also needed for gym members with disabilities, including access for wheelchair users, which may impact upon space allocation and layout.
Space for Your Members’ Comfort
Ok, so we know how much space is required for the machinery. But what about your members’ well being in the fitness industry?
Remember about additional space for convenient passages between gym equipment. But don’t forget either about:
- a comfortable corridor,
- a place to change clothes, leave your members’ luggage and clothes in the lockers,
- passages to the toilets and the toilets themselves,
- a lounge area or a waiting room,
- storage space,
- and a place in front of the reception desk.
If you are not sure how comfortable your spaces are for your customers, you can conduct a short survey among them. Learn how to ask good survey questions by reading our article about questions to ask gym members.
You can also count the area of gym floor per person:
Additional Gym Amenities
If you plan to manage a high-end gym with multiple amenities, count again, how much space is required. Any additional space must also be factored into your calculations.
Some of the additional amenities in a gym together with their minimum square feet surface are:
- Spa Area – 500 square feet
- Mini Yoga Studio – 400 square feet
- Mini Pilates Studio – 400 square feet
- Dance Classes Space – 800 square feet
- Healthy Snack Bar – 200 square feet
- Outdoor Training Area – 1,000 square feet
- Childcare Service – 300 square feet
- Massage Therapy Room – 150 square feet
- Dedicated Stretching Area – 200 square feet
- Personal Trainer Room – 100 square feet
- Recovery Zone – 300 square feet
- Sauna and Steam Rooms – 400 square feet
- Parking – 200 square feet per vehicle
- Green Spaces – 500 square feet
If you are interested in this subject, read more about 50+ Best Gym Amenities and Features in 2024 (To Get More Clients)
Tip for Worried Gym Owners
You can reduce the amount of space needed at the reception desk by introducing a gym point of sale , or a gym check-in system. How come? Your customers will only have to stand in a fast-moving queue to check in using their gym card without contacting customer service.
You will manage all your memberships remotely thanks to your gym membership software, even if you are not at the gym at that time.
Try for free:
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FAQ
According to the Association of Fitness Studios, the average fitness studio size is 3,813 square feet. Remember, however, that each gym is different and many factors need to be taken into account: the amount of fitness equipment, additional amenities, the number of clients in the place at one time, the special requirements of disabled clients, etc.
Although there are no official space requirements for gyms, the general industry rule is at a minimum of 5 sq/m for each piece of exercise equipment. Effective space utilization in a commercial gym ensures that every square foot is maximized to accommodate various fitness activities, enhancing both functionality and member experience. Too small space may cause injuries and lack of comfort.
From a small boutique studio to a large commercial gym, the size of your fitness facility should be about 10-20 square feet per member. If you offer stationary machines, e.g. cardio equipment, and not dance lessons, assume the space of 30-50 square feet per machine. Remember about additional space for comfortable walking, gym check in system and locker rooms.
