If you’re striving to increase usage of your fitness center, it might be time to clear out some equipment.

Sound counterintuitive? It’s really not. Because with exercise looking different for many gym goers these days, fitness facilities now find that they can better meet the needs of existing and potential customers with more openness on their floors.

A popular concept in homebuilding, open floor plans have made their way into the fitness arena too. But rather than removing walls, gym owners are reducing the amount of cumbersome cardio equipment like treadmills, ellipticals and bikes taking up valuable floorspace.

Why the change?

The pursuit of more open space goes hand-in-hand with changes in how people exercise today. Rows and rows of cardio equipment just aren’t getting used like they used to. Some in the industry say 25 to 30% of these machines go unused. Today, a larger proportion of fitness-goers engage in functional fitness (where one trains through movements and muscles used to improve strength, coordination and other capacities that apply to real-life scenarios and activities) and strength training in place of cardio workouts.

ClassPass, in fact, reports that Pilates, yoga, strength-training and Barre classes ranked among the Top 5 workouts booked through their services in 2023.

The growing popularity of these activities is likely due in large part to recent studies touting their effectiveness and health benefits.

Among other positive health outcomes, strength training:

• increases bone density;
• promotes stability;
• reduces anxiety and depression;
• improves cardiovascular function;
• reduces resting blood pressure and cholesterol levels;
• stabilizes joints;
• improves posture and balance;
• boosts metabolism; and
• improves sleep quality.

The CDC recommends adults fit at least two days of muscle-strengthening activity into their week (in addition to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly). For all Americans to follow this guidance, it’s imperative they have ample space for these endeavors.

Making space for community-building

But in addition to health benefits, an open floor design also lends itself to more interactions between gym goers. No longer considered a strictly physical pursuit, exercise is now viewed by many as an opportunity to connect with others and build community – something many crave following the isolated workouts of COVID-19.

Open space lends itself to more social encounters, group-exercise classes and cooperative experiences that don’t often present themselves when exercising on a treadmill or bike. And the more human connections made on a gym floor, the greater the sense of belonging and socialization within a health and wellness setting, which plays an important role in customer engagement and retention.

Ready to open up?

If you’re interested in devoting more square footage to functional fitness and reducing your supply of cardio equipment, it’s prudent to consult with an expert. Aquila has decades of experience designing health and wellness facilities for clients of all sizes and industries. Contact us now to explore the most feasible and cost-effective options for your center.