The last few years have brought about a sea change to the fitness industry, moving away from cookie-cutter gyms as the new focus becomes total health. That has created a wellness niche that is more than just a boutique fitness experience, and as commercial mixed-use properties struggle with attracting and retaining high-quality tenants, developers are realizing that health is an attractive—and expected—high-end amenity.

From fitness to total health

The most recent fitness industry survey reveals that boutique fitness centers occupy a growing niche market. While these centers rely heavily on social trends, their appeal to customized total health solutions has staying power. Fitness centers now must offer services that address healthy lifestyle changes tailored to the individual. Corporate wellness programs have done the same to upgrade the ineffectual wellness programs of the past and move into 2020 and beyond.

It’s no longer enough for a fitness center—serving any client base—to have the latest equipment if doesn’t also offer personal attention and lifestyle guidance for its members. They old key-card access basement fitness center is obsolete and doesn’t serve the needs of a discriminating audience that expects total health services in one convenient location. Trend-setting health centers offer nutrition and behavioral counseling, mental health services, spa and aesthetics services, and even DNA-based fitness solutions, taking customized solutions to the next level.

Healthy buildings need health solutions

All these upgraded offerings align with building trends designed with human health in mind. People want to spend time in spaces that provide light and air quality that supports their health, and recent building industry reports reveal that healthy building standards are no longer just trendy options. They have become the yardstick by which all new building projects are measured. The International WELL Building Institute reported in April that almost 2,600 building projects worldwide were certified or registered as WELL Standard or Fitwel properties. Nearly 9,400 building industry professionals are seeking or have earned WELL Accredited Professional ratings or act as Fitwel Ambassadors, indicating that building healthy spaces is the wave of the future. All those healthy spaces are incomplete without fitness and health solutions that support a commitment to total health, and that’s where the future of custom fitness solutions can be found.

Mixed-use embraces total health

Class A property managers know that high rents demand first-class amenities. The growing expectation among tenants is that mixed-use properties, especially, offer unique and attractive features that support the burgeoning movement toward total health. As a new urban boom gains momentum, convenient and custom fitness and health solutions are the amenity that adds incredible value for both residential and corporate tenants. Adding a health and wellness lease enhancement can give commercial properties an edge in a competitive market with occupancy challenges, and the higher the rent, the more exclusivity tenants expect from a building’s amenities.

What’s next for your building?

Building management in the next decade will require some out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to attractive health and fitness amenities. The pursuit of personal health is so highly individualized that stock fitness centers and group exercise no longer add much value to help substantiate premium rents. It takes a more personal approach to provide the unique experience your tenants expect.

Differentiate your property with unique, customized fitness solutions that are unmatched among the competition. An award-winning health and fitness consultancy, for the last 25 years Aquila has been creating, managing, designing and implementing innovative health and fitness solutions for private and public organizations. Learn more about Aquila’s custom solutions for your property by contacting us at info@aquilaltd.com.