Fusion Students Leeds, Arena Point
Designing fitness and wellness spaces for a next-generation PBSA scheme in central Leeds
Fusion Students Leeds render
Biofit was appointed to design the fitness, wellness and leisure spaces for Fusion Students Arena Point, Leeds, creating a more differentiated wellbeing offer within a major PBSA development in the city.
The project brought together a functional strength gym, a cardio gym and a holistic studio, each with its own identity but all designed to work as part of a coherent student wellness proposition.
As with Biofit’s other work in student living, the aim was not simply to provide a standard amenity gym. The ambition was to create spaces that would feel marketable, design-led and relevant to contemporary student expectations, while also working operationally within the realities of PBSA.
The result is a more layered fitness offer that balances strength training, cardio, recovery and softer studio use within a compact footprint.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Client: Fusion Students
Development partner: Olympian Homes
Project: Arena Point, Leeds
Location: Leeds, UK
Sector: PBSA / Student Living
Project type: Gym, cardio gym, holistic studio and leisure spaces
Scope: Concept design, equipment layout, interior design direction, finishes, lighting, wall elevations and technical design integration
Key areas: Functional strength gym, cardio gym, holistic studio
Brief and objectives
Fusion Students wanted the leisure spaces at Arena Point to feel more distinctive than a typical student gym.
The brief called for a scheme that would combine fitness, wellness and visual identity in a way that strengthened the wider residential offer. That meant designing spaces that were immediately legible, easy to market and more emotionally engaging than a single generic workout room.
Biofit’s response was to create three clearly defined zones:
a functional strength gym
a cardio gym
a holistic studio
This structure allowed the project to support different workout styles and different states of mind, from heavier strength work to cardio training to stretching, yoga and softer recovery-led activity.
Design response
Biofit approached Arena Point as a student wellness environment, not just a gym fit-out.
The design strategy was based on three principles:
1. Separate the training modes
The project was organised so that strength, cardio and studio-based activity each had their own zone and atmosphere, rather than being forced into one blended room.
2. Create a strong interior identity
Each area was given a distinct visual language through finishes, lighting, signage and feature details, helping the spaces feel more premium and more memorable.
3. Align fitness with the wider amenity experience
The leisure spaces were designed to sit comfortably within a broader student-living environment, using materials and details that feel more hospitality-led than purely commercial.
for fusion leeds we were aiming for a deliberately contemporary edge, with metal design detailing and a minimalist colour palette– Matt Aspiotis Morley
Functional strength gym
Rather than relying on a standard commercial-gym look, Biofit developed a stronger architectural identity for this zone through shadow-gap timber wall cladding; wooden decorative beams; black ceilings; custom aluminium mirror frames with mesh and integrated LED strips and integrated motivational signage such as “One Step At A Time”. This gives the room a more distinctive and brandable feel while still supporting serious training.
Image credit: Fusion official render
The functional strength gym was planned as the more performance-led part of the scheme.
The equipment mix includes:
two Smith machines
a 45-degree plate-loaded leg press
a low row / lat pulldown
dumbbells
competition kettlebells
slam balls
step-up boxes
custom adjustable benches
weight plate storage
a modified kettlebell and ball storage rack
Cardio gym
The cardio gym was designed as a separate, lighter and more linear training environment.
The interior design of this space combines large-format mirror walls in black aluminium frames; vertical wall rhythms and timber accents; black ceiling with open services; integrated LED lines and feature lighting; branded neon details including “RUN RUN RUN” and a sports figure motif and a built-in water dispenser and technical filter space.
This results in a cardio area that feels more dynamic and visually charged than a typical row of machines in a generic room.
Image credit: Fusion official render
The cardio offer includes:
treadmills
manual treadmills
ellipticals
rowing machines
spin bikes
step machines
HIIT air bike
HIIT ski machine
Holistic studio
This space was designed to support yoga, stretching, lighter movement sessions and more recovery-oriented uses. The studio interior was developed with a more atmospheric and calming language, including arched mirrors; timber wall elements; curtain screening; wall lighting; a Samsung Frame screen for streaming wellness content; pendant paper lantern lighting in multiple sizes; soft decorative styling and storage joinery.
Render credit: Fusion Students
The equipment and accessories include:
yoga mats
mobility rollers
yoga blocks
hand weights
medicine balls
Material palette & interior language
Considerable attention went into creating a material palette that feels robust and youthful, but also warm, motivating and more visually curated than many student fitness amenities.
natural clay plaster
timber cladding
black painted ceilings
rubber and vinyl performance flooring
aluminium skirtings and trims
custom aluminium mesh frames with integrated LED lighting
decorative timber beams
soft lighting and screen-based element
Why this project matters
Arena Point, Leeds is a strong example of where the PBSA market is heading.
Students increasingly expect more from leisure amenities than a basic gym room with a few machines. They respond to spaces that are:
more specialised
visually stronger
better zoned
aligned with broader wellness culture
more flexible in how they can be used
This project answers that shift directly by combining strength, cardio and holistic wellness within one joined-up design approach.
For Biofit, it is also an important case study because it shows how gym planning, interior design and market positioning can come together in student living to create more commercial value.
Render credit: Fusion Students
Outcome
Fusion Students Leeds demonstrates Biofit’s ability to design student wellness amenities as a complete experience, not just as equipment packages.
Through the creation of a functional strength gym, cardio gym and holistic studio, the project delivers a more rounded and more marketable leisure offer for PBSA.
It balances operational clarity with stronger design identity, helping the fitness and wellness spaces contribute meaningfully to the overall appeal of the development.
Services delivered for this project
Biofit supports projects at different stages—engaged either for full scope (including interior design) or as a specialist advisor alongside an appointed design team.
Pre-Design Planning
Concept Development
Equipment & Technical Specification
Interior Design
Frequently Asked Questions
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Biofit designed a functional strength gym, a cardio gym and a holistic studio as part of the wider leisure offer.
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In our opinion, no. The project was designed as a broader wellness offer, separating strength, cardio and studio-based activity into distinct spaces with different identities.
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The project includes Smith machines, leg press, low row / lat pulldown, dumbbells, kettlebells, slam balls, treadmills, manual treadmills, ellipticals, rowers, spin bikes, step machines, HIIT air bike, HIIT ski and yoga / recovery accessories.
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It shows how student fitness amenities can be used to create a stronger and more differentiated proposition, rather than simply ticking an amenity box.
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