Starting your own commercial gym can be a fun, exciting way to create a revenue stream, especially if you have clientele who are looking for a place to get fit. However, there are a lot of important aspects to remember when you break ground on a new gym. Here are a few tips for starting the new construction project. 

Advice for Opening Your Own Gym

1. Choose Your Location Carefully

The first consideration you should make when embarking on a new construction project is the location, especially if the building will be a commercial property. Think carefully about high-density parts of town, where people would be looking for a gym they could use.

Terrific examples could be busy, metropolitan areas with apartment buildings that don’t offer an in-house gym, or areas near large office complexes where workers may be looking to work out after their shifts or during lunch breaks. Be mindful of traffic patterns so you can make sure clients can access the gym easily whenever they need to. 

2. Consider Amenities

Think about what kinds of amenities you want to offer to your clients and how much space you need to accomplish those goals. Keep in mind that most people expect basic amenities, such as a convenient locker room and showers. 

If you are interested in making your gym truly special, think about incorporating other amenities into your new construction plan. For instance, a cardio cinema could create a comfortable place for people to work out, and an indoor pool could give you the chance to offer aqua cardio classes. A juice bar could add an additional revenue stream, especially if you offer protein-packed, post-workout shakes. 

Think about what you want to offer and talk with your contractors to incorporate those ideas into the construction plan. Larger amenities, such as in-ground pools, can dramatically increase your costs and extend your project timeline, but they could help you attract more patrons. 

3. Use the Rule of Quarters 

When planning the gym equipment placement, consider using the rule of quarters. Commercial gyms are typically split into four areas to accommodate cardio, selectorized weight machines, big weights, and a sub-functional area with mats, yoga balls, and other pieces of equipment that people may use to stretch or do calisthenics. 

During the construction process, think about where you will be placing each of these areas, and how much space people would likely need to complete these tasks. Measure weight racks, selectorized weight systems, and cardio equipment to see how much space you need for the items you have now. Before you design the scale of the space, have your numbers ready, and think about whether you plan to add additional pieces of equipment.  

When you are ready to break ground on a gorgeous new gym, turn to Aspire Construction Services in St. Louis, MO. From the initial planning and new construction services to interior design, their firm can make every step of a new construction project fast and easy. To learn more about how they can help, visit their website or give their office a call at (636) 485-0373.