October 29, 2024Gym Design

Stronger Wellness showcases expert insights on Gym Design in HCM Magazine feature

HCM Fitness Magazine, also known as Health Club Management (HCM) Magazine, is a leading publication focused on the global fitness, health club, and wellness industries. This magazine provides in-depth industry news, emerging trends, expert analysis, and features on innovations within the fitness sector. It caters primarily to senior professionals in the health and wellness field, including gym operators, health club owners, and fitness industry suppliers.

In this month’s edition, the magazine interviewed some of the UK’s top fitness suppliers about their approach to gym design and the best ways to future-proof the gym floor. As one of the leaders in gym design and commercial gym flooring, we at Stronger Wellness also participated in this series of interviews for HCM, featuring our brilliant CEO, Elena Lapetra.

The case study used for this interview was Jesse’s House by Little Houses Group, a community-led, members-only property in central London. Our role was to challenge the client’s vision, balance the influence of trends, and respect their ownership of the project.

Below, we present some of the key points discussed with Julie Cramer from HCM, regarding future-proofing the gym floor in the gym design process.

What are the top three strategies you use to future-proof health club layouts to ensure spaces and equipment can adapt to evolving consumer demand?

Gradual Equipment Investment: It's not necessary to purchase all equipment on day one. Gym design should evolve with user feedback. We recommend starting with 70-80% of the planned equipment, then waiting 3-6 months to gather user feedback before investing in additional items. This approach allows for flexibility and responsiveness to actual needs, often revealing items that weren’t initially considered.
Balancing Customer Preferences with Brand Identity is crucial: Balancing customer requests while preserving the gym's unique identity is essential. Trying to please everyone can dilute the brand, so it’s important to align customer preferences with the club's identity to attract both loyal members and new clients. For instance, avoid adopting new technologies too quickly if customers prefer familiar setups.
Smart Infrastructure Planning: Plan infrastructure changes, such as wiring, connectivity, and partition walls, with long-term adaptability in mind. We guide our clients to make decisions that will serve them for 3-10 years, optimizing both time and budget and preventing the need for repeated adjustments.

Tell us about a recent health club installation you're particularly proud of. How did you optimize the space, meet the client's brief, and address any design challenges?

Little Houses Group, known for creating community-led, family-focused clubs, recently opened Jesse’s House — its second members-only property in central London. Preserving the building’s character was a top priority throughout the design process. Although the space is relatively compact, it has an abundance of personality that we sought to highlight in every detail.
Early in the project, creative shifts were made to clarify the user profile and determine optimal use of the space. Our role involved challenging the client’s vision and balancing trending elements with the client’s unique ownership of the project, ensuring that design choices aligned with both aesthetics and functionality.
To accommodate a diverse user base, primarily focused on personal and small-group training, our goal was to create a welcoming, functional environment without overloading it with equipment. This approach allowed us to maintain open areas for movement and avoid duplicating the functions of existing fitness studios on-site.

Gym Interior Design for Jesse’s House London

Describe your creative process when it comes to designing an optimal gym floor. If you use advanced digital tools (such as VR), please tell us about this?

Our design process starts by asking clients a fundamental question: How do you want your members to feel and think when they enter this space? This question becomes the cornerstone of every project, sparking a conversation that helps us understand the desired experience from the inside out. We love exploring these ideas with our clients, as it allows us to align every design element with an emotional impact that makes the space feel personal and intentional.

While we utilize advanced technology—such as 3D imagery, and AI-driven drafting tools—to bring these visions to life, the technology serves as a tool rather than the driving force. VR and 3D models allow clients to immerse themselves in the proposed layout, evaluating flow, spacing, and aesthetics before any physical work begins. This technological aid can be invaluable for refining the details, yet we keep it in the background, focusing foremost on designing spaces that truly resonate with users and create meaningful, lasting experiences.

Ultimately, our goal is to create gym environments that balance innovative design with a sense of connection and purpose. By prioritizing how spaces feel and impact users, we create gyms that are more than functional—they become places that inspire and support each member’s journey.

For more information on this interview:

Read the Digital Article
Website Link

About Stronger Wellness

Benefitting from 25 years of experience within the Fitness Industry, Stronger Wellness specializes in crafting premium and highly functional Training Spaces throughout the UK. Our comprehensive services encompass Consultancy, Gym Design, Commercial Gym Flooring, and premium Gym Equipment. Partnering with leading global brands, we offer the most cutting-edge, award-winning products to create innovative and exceptional fitness environments.