How to create a healthy, eco-friendly gym

In this video we cover the role of biophilic design, air quality, ventilation, flooring choices and other healthy design strategies to help you create a gym that is good for people and planet.

What is an eco gym?

We use biophilic design in our green eco-friendly gyms, a concept dedicated to natural, sustainable and healthy interiors. What does that mean in practice?

We use a lot of air-purifying plants, non-toxic materials, circadian lighting systems, air purifiers and humidifiers, natural aromatherapy and avoiding plastic wherever possible.

If you are interested in sustainable gym flooring, see our dedicated article here.

planet-friendly

Biophilic design gives you an indoor environment that is inherently in tune with the outside world in other words. It is about bringing the outside world in whilst respecting and protecting nature.

Those two things have to go together otherwise there is a conflict in our approach - we’re trying to promote natural indoor environments and do our bit not to harm nature in the process.

Gym equipment for an eco gym

There is a small but growing market out there for gym equipment with a natural aesthetic, particularly from the US and Europe, so we aim to support those brands wherever possible.

We prefer to avoid strength machines that restrict movement, there are other ways of doing things. We prioritise space for movement, not just reps and sets on a machine.

Manual treadmills, water rowing machines are regulars in our equipment list. There is a long way to go in this sense however, the options are generally limited in this sector so we are constantly pushing for more innovation from our suppliers.

Eco cardio machines will pump some electricity back onto the grid, the energy production may be minimal but it sets a precedent that other brands can follow and hopefully improve on in the future.

natural light

In some instances, we are asked to design an eco gym in a space with no natural light, for example in Sweden at the Karolinska Institutet Medical University where we created a small training facility for students to use during the day.

When faced with this challenge, we work with smart lighting or circadian lighting systems that follow the body’s natural flow during a 24hr cycle to deliver blue-white light that energises by day and softer, amber coloured light after dark in order not to disrupt sleeping patterns at night.

Natural indoor air

Certain plant species can do a lot of work purifying indoor air, removing pollutants and off-gases but you do need them in large quantities. A single plant in the corner of your gym is not going to deliver any functional benefit in this sense, but a mini indoor forest of 6-10 of them will. Basically, go big on plants and supplement that with air purifiers.

natural gym flooring

Eco rubber gym tiles are a solid option, as are linoleum tiles and cork or wood floor solutions. Think about the type of training that will take place in each zone of the gym and match the flooring to that - for example, a movement and mobility zone might benefit from softer flooring such as MMA mats, whilst a strength area needs something far more resistant and hard-wearing.

cleaning protocols for a green gym

Eco-friendly cleaning liquids are a simple upgrade within reach of any gym, as is a regular cleaning schedule that differentiates between high-touch and low-touch surfaces. Gyms can become dirty, unhygienic places so in a post-COVID19 world there are no excuses for not ensuring a high standard of cleanliness.

To discuss our eco gym design services, please contact us via info @ biofit.io