An interior created with biophilic design elements will not only benefit from the uplifting aesthetics these features bring, users may also experience a tangible boost to their personal wellbeing, similar to the benefits of green exercise. The concept can be applied to a home, gym or office. Here is the first half of our 10-point guide on integrating biophilic design strategies into your own lives:

What is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design is an innovative approach to interior design that incorporates natural elements and patterns into indoor spaces to foster a connection with the natural world. This design philosophy is based on the idea that humans have an innate instinct to connect with nature, known as biophilia. By incorporating natural elements, such as natural light, indoor plants, and sustainable materials, biophilic design aims to create a harmonious relationship between humans and the built environment. This approach has been shown to have numerous benefits for human well-being, including improved mental health, increased productivity, and enhanced physical health.

Benefits of Biophilic Design in Gyms

Biophilic design can have a significant impact on the gym-going experience, promoting a sense of well-being and connection to nature. Some of the benefits of biophilic design in gyms include:

Improved Mental Health: Exposure to natural elements has been shown to reduce stress levels and promote mental focus, making it an ideal design approach for gyms.
Increased Motivation: Biophilic design can create a sense of calm and tranquility, encouraging gym-goers to push themselves harder and achieve their fitness goals.
Enhanced Physical Health: Incorporating natural elements, such as natural light and air-purifying plants, can improve indoor air quality and promote physical health.
Increased Member Satisfaction: Biophilic design can create a unique and welcoming atmosphere, increasing member satisfaction and retention.
Improved Yoga and Personal Training Experiences: Biophilic design can create a peaceful and calming environment, ideal for yoga classes and personal training sessions.

By incorporating biophilic design elements, gyms can create a unique and welcoming atmosphere that promotes a sense of well-being and connection to nature. This approach can be particularly beneficial for home gyms, where the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces are often blurred.

Let there be Indoor Plants!

We’ll start with an obvious one; plants are a quick way to incorporate direct biophilia into any interior, including gyms to enhance the environment for gym members. This can be as simple as a few potted plants or as expansive as a vertical garden wall. To reap the most benefits from this easy addition, aim for plants that will clean the air, as well as please the eye.

Why stop there though when there are terrariums, aquascapes, domestic animals and countless other ways to bring nature into the built environment.

Use Indirect Biophilia

When plants and other direct biophilic elements aren’t available, look to what is termed indirect biophilia. Photos, murals, and illustrations of nature, animals, and plants are a great way to ground your space in nature, plus these strategies have stress-reducing properties.

Studies have shown that even indirect biophilia—using elements that are merely representational—still holds an arsenal of benefits similar to direct biophilia. Incorporating indoor green exercise, which integrates natural surroundings into exercise environments, can further enhance overall wellness by reducing stress levels and improving mood.

Use Natural Materials

The materials you choose for an interior space will not only influence the final ambiance but also impact the users’ health and wellness. Opting for materials that are natural and sustainable will help ensure that both a room’s users and the planet stay healthy. Good materials to consider include FSC wood, bamboo, linen, cork, and ceramic. Do away with plastic completely, fostering a greater sense of environmental responsibility and connection to nature.

Light It Up with Natural Light

Implementing a circadian lighting system that follows the body's natural rhythm can help improve both productivity by day and sleep by night.

Fill your space with natural light whenever possible but when the sun's rays aren't available, find a lighting system that uses blue-white tones in the middle of the day, and amber tones early and late. The Philips HUE system does a decent job of this.

Mimic Nature's Voice

Serious biophilic design appeals to all the senses, including sound. Possibly one of the most soothing things about being immersed in the great outdoors is the soft sound of birds, running water and the rustling of trees.

The great news is that you can easily recreate this sensation by playing nature sounds, which are widely available and come in an array of themes and compositions.

These are just a few of the simple biophilic design strategies that you can start implementing today, and by using just a few of the elements mentioned above you can be on your way to a healthier and happier interior.

Need more advice? Check out more biophilic design strategies (coming soon) or contact the experts at Biofilico today.

Biophilic Gym: Ways to Add Biophilic Design to Home, Office, or Gym — Gym Designers + Fitness Consultants