CREJ - Property Management Quarterly - May 2015
People in Colorado like to exercise. Across all age ranges, Coloradoans consistently rank high in the nation for physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2014 report on physical activity, 61.8 percent of adults in the state met the recommended 2.5-hour weekly exercise guidelines, which puts us firmly in the No. 1 spot. Seniors in Colorado like to stay active too. America’s Health Rankings lists the state as third best, less than a percentage point behind Oregon and California. It is clear that in Colorado exercise amenities are important to employees, guests and customers. To keep customers happy, smart property managers are designing and renovating quality workout environments as a key part of their corporate, hospitality, housing and apartment facilities. Workout and fitness environments ideally are designed to accommodate the needs of the guest or workforce. You must know who your users are and what kind of workout they are looking for – cardio, weights, classes or all of the above. The important balance and blend of strength and cardiovascular equipment should be paired with the right accessories, such as floor matting and specific training needs. Quality equipment must be durable, quiet and smooth in function, provide motivating and informative feedback, and be visually pleasing as well as maintenance free. The local club or community fitness center is a great fitness and exercise option, yet, with today’s lifestyles and time constraints, the allinclusive, in-house facility is a viable option and consideration for customers and workforce alike. To develop the most inviting, balanced, comfortable and functional environment for your workout facility, there are a number of things an innovative company should consider. Room dimensions. Before purchasing any equipment, you need to know your space. Start by measuring the dimensions (length, width and height) of the area where the equipment will be used. Make sure to determine the “active area” of the piece of equipment, not just the actual size, so that someone will have room to use the equipment freely within the space you have designated. There has to be enough room for a user to comfortably and safely get on and off the machine and move between equipment and other users. With today’s fitness technology, there are many quality strength and cardiovascular exercise equipment options to consider as well as foldup or stand-up versions that are designed to accommodate the limited-space facility. If space is an issue, there are plenty of multitasking equipment options that may help. The best place to start is to create a computerized floor plan to pinpoint the specific features of the area or room and then plan for the specific pieces of equipment and workout areas. Power supply outlets. Some types of cardiovascular exercise equipment require power outlets. Some do not. Be sure that you have enough outlets and determine if any of the equipment requires a dedicated circuit when planning your workout area. Room temperature and ventilation. A comfortable temperature and low humidity will make a fitness room a much more enjoyable and inviting place to exercise. Room temperature and adequate air flow is critical. Exercise equipment, as well as physical activity, produce heat, therefore, the temperature and air flow need to be adjusted for maximum comfort. Also, ceiling fans, portable fans and window shades when direct sunlight is present can help keep a room comfortable. Lighting. Be sure to use adequate lighting in your workout area. Windows that allow for natural light and outside viewing are ideal and can enhance the workout experience. Generally, the more hand-eye coordination an activity demands, the more illumination is required. Group exercise areas should have flexible lighting. Floor coverings, aesthetics and comfort. It is important for the materials used within the workout and activity room to absorb sound. The multiuser commercial floor coverings should consist of durable, yet warm and comfortable products. The overall area needs to be warm and inviting to keep users coming back. Many commercial fitness and exercise facilities have migrated from out-of-theway places to welcoming showcases within the entrance of the business. Motivation and diversion. Visual and auditory stimulation can be motivating to many exercisers. Wall-mounted TVs or individual screens within the pieces of equipment are options. In addition, individual iPod and iPad docking stations often help keep the exerciser motivated and energized. The addition of plants, artwork or photos also can go a long way to add interest and motivation to the room. Be sure to consider other uses and activities that may complement your client’s workout experience, including stretching, TRX suspension training, small-group training areas, and relaxation and treatment facilities. Equipment maintenance and cleanliness. Maintenance and cleanliness of equipment is important to protect the investment and maintain a high level of safety. Today, strength and cardiovascular equipment is much less maintenance intensive than it used to be, yet a quarterly or semiannual checkup by a qualified individual or company is always recommended. To keep equipment clean, provide disinfecting wipes or spray and encourage users to wipe down machines between uses; assign daily and weekly cleaning tasks to staff. Funding and financing options. There are numerous equipment and facility upgrade financing options. The new or established business usually will have access to competitive leasing or bank loan options. In addition, there are commercial fitness equipment dealers that will consider a trade-in value on present equipment within the facility. A word on costs – while it is tempting to spend less money on lighterduty fitness machines, you will save money in the long run by purchasing higher-quality equipment with a longer lifespan and less down time due to repairs. Take warranties into consideration. A good warranty can lower the cost of ownership. Good planning also can save you money so that you buy the right equipment for the space and buy what users want and need. These inclusions and enhancements to a workout area can help an organization’s perceived benefit value and can be viewed as a significant benefit to employees, guests and clients, as well as a great selling point. Most importantly, the company and facility will be viewed as a state-of the-art business that is in tune with today’s needs and requirements. If you decide that your facility would benefit from an upgraded or new fitness center, where do you begin? If this type of expertise is outside of your company’s comfort zone, there are resources to help you avoid expensive, time-consuming mistakes. Commercial fitness dealers are a great place to start. These experienced specialists can help plan the space and provide direction on the best exercise equipment to suit your needs as well as provide equipment service, and maintenance and tradein programs. In addition to design and sales, fitness center management companies can provide on-site management, fitness programs and more. If do-it-yourself is more your speed, there are free online planning tools like Matrix Fitness’ Room Planner tool available at www.matrixfitness.com.