Home gym design became an art during the pandemic. As this BHG.com article demonstrates, modern home gym design ideas incorporate many of the WELL v2 design elements Aquila design consultants have used for years.

Here are 10 home gym design ideas we regularly use in commercial gym designs.

1. Create a feeling of spaciousness. Home gym designs are all about maximizing the use of space in multi-purpose areas. People are more motivated to work out when they don’t feel crowded, so make smaller spaces feel bigger with smart organization options that utilize vertical space and leave the floor open.
2. Allow for plenty of natural light. WELL v2 design elements include natural light because healthy spaces and healthy people need daylight to perform optimally. Bring in natural light through windows and skylights, and use well-placed mirrors to reflect that light into corners that might otherwise be dark and unwelcoming.
3. Provide closed equipment storage in multi-purpose spaces. Flexible gym designs utilize studios that can accommodate step classes, yoga, HIIT, and more. Dedicate closed storage spaces such as wall-mounted cabinets for bulky equipment that could create a cluttered feeling if left out in the open. In a commercial gym, closed storage should be easily and quickly accessible to minimize crowded lines and wait times that could affect class schedules.
4. Provide open organization options for high-use equipment. Open racks and shelving are a convenient storage option for circuit workout areas and weights. They also provide easy access for end-of-day sanitization.
5. Include spaces for recovery. Recovery is an essential part of a healthy fitness center. Design recovery spaces that incorporate soothing colors, minimal design, and a spa-like feel.
6. Design your facility to minimize wasted space. Large corporate gyms and workout centers require a lot of bulky equipment, but smart traffic flow plans can minimize wasted space behind large stations like Queenax and weight machines. Most flexible gym designs keep large equipment centered for easy traffic flow, organization solutions on the perimeter, and plenty of space for workouts and traffic flow between and around all equipment.
7. Include natural elements. Natural-looking surfaces in modern gym design are often non-porous materials created to mimic nature, like wood-grain vinyl. The same way mirrors reflect light, natural surfaces can serve as a reflection of the outdoors and promote health and positive mindset. Include real plants throughout workout spaces, as well, to bring more of nature indoors.
8. Use color strategically. Vibrant pops of color or prints on focal walls can help energize spaces where members actively work out, while more soothing tones are appropriate for locker rooms, meditation, and recovery areas.
9. Keep it simple. Over-designed spaces can be overwhelming, so keep the design of each space simple and focus on context and purpose.
10. Keep it clean. Even the greatest gym design will leave members feeling less than impressed if it isn’t clean. Consider that members may spend a lot of time looking at walls, wall bases, floors, and ceilings while concentrating on their workouts. Keep things tidy and spotless to create a high-quality feel, even in a space that could use some design help. Make it easy for members and staff to locate cleaning supplies, and post signage to encourage everyone to keep their gym clean.

Design your gym for success and flexibility 

At Aquila, we’re staying ahead of industry trends to better serve our clients in the corporate wellness space. Make sure you offer the best solutions for your gym members with intuitive and flexible fitness center spaces built to change as your member needs change. 

Trust Aquila’s more than 25 years of experience providing fitness center consulting, design, and management. Contact us today to learn how Aquila can help your fitness center remain valuable so you can retain and attract members for years to come.