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Gold's Gym - A New Model for Sustainable Gym Development?

Matt Morley

Who is Golds Gym, and is it a sustainable gym brand in the fitness sector?

Who is Gold's Gym, and is it a Sustainable Gym Brand?

Gold’s gym berlin headquarters

Gold’s Gym is a well-known and traditional fitness company that has developed into a global brand with over 600 locations spanning six continents. The brand enjoys cult status and universal appeal in the fitness industry, with 96% aided brand awareness. Gold’s Gym is positioned as the most legendary gym in the world, focusing on honoring its iconic legacy and pioneering leadership.

Gold Gym has long held a reputation as one of the leaders in strength and bodybuilding gyms. Joe Gold founded the original Gold’s Gym in 1965 at Gold gym in Venice Beach, California.

Since its start, the iconic Gold’s Gym brand has expanded to approximately seven hundred locations with over three million members; they are masters in delivering a Gold’s gym family experience.

Throughout the gym are real green trees and plants - biophilia. According to Science Daily, “People in industrialized countries spend more than 80% of their lives indoors, increasingly in airtight buildings”.

Here the use of living plants helps absorb toxins from the gym’s indoor air (always an issue in our experience - many gyms have very poor indoor air quality) whilst providing a welcome dose of positive, uplifting biophilia. This aligns with the concept of eco gyms, which promote sustainability through energy efficiency, waste management, and the use of renewable resources, attracting environmentally conscious customers.

RSG Group Acquired Gold's Gym

RSG Group acquired Gold’s Gym through the Chapter 11 process, highlighting the investment made to honor the brand’s legacy and position it as a pioneering leader in the fitness industry. The acquisition is portrayed as a means to redefine the brand and product concept to usher in a new ‘golden era’ for Gold’s Gym.

When RSG Group acquired Gold’s Gym, it integrated the brand into its portfolio and solidified its position as a global leader in the fitness sector. Gold’s RSG Group, a global leader in fitness and lifestyle, owns Gold’s gym.

The RSG conglomerate of 18 brands also houses gym giants such as budget gym brand McFit and irreverent design-led John Reed gyms, equating to a total membership base of over 6.4 million members.

Who better to implement a market-leading gym sustainability plan in other words?

Will all future new-build Gold’s Gyms undergo this same gym sustainability consulting and LEED certification process? It is probably too early to tell, at least for those outside of the organization, but RSG Group has made a bold commitment to the cause of sustainability and is one of the few pushing the boundaries in the gym industry for sustainable excellence. Their strategies include setting targets for reducing carbon emissions through energy-efficient systems, utilizing sustainable gym equipment, and choosing eco-friendly supplies; that much is clear enough already.

What Makes Gold's Gym Equipment Exceptional?

eUSGBC LEED Platinum Certification for Gyms

RSG introduced Gold’s Gym into the German market in Berlin with the first commercial gym to receive a USGBC LEED Platinum certification for , in particular as a Commercial Interiors project, while Gold’s Gym Milano in Italy is currently awaiting confirmation of the same level of certification.

Various hyperbolic claims are out there, from ‘the gym of the future’ to ‘the greenest gym in the world,’ so we decided to take a look under the bonnet by analyzing both sites through the prism of the Biofit Sustainable Gym Model. The Berlin flagship campus is a model for future Gold’s Gym locations, focusing on creating sustainable gym developments for a post-COVID world. A key aspect of this sustainability is the selection of energy efficient gym equipment, which helps reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Sustainable Features of Gold's Gym Berlin Headquarters Interiors

The 55,000 square feet Berlin flagship of Gold’s Gym is a carbon and climate-neutral commercial gym that delivers a brand product concept to the highest degree. The Gold’s Gym Campus Europe is a sustainable and energy-efficient gym project that captures human power from bikes to generate electricity, uses innovative technology embedded in the ‘Boost Bikes,’ and incorporates various sustainable initiatives such as solar panels, a biogas cogeneration unit, recycled materials, and energy efficient lighting. By promoting the use of LED lights and other energy-saving technologies, the facility enhances environmental sustainability while maintaining quality lighting for its members.

indoor air quality in gold's gym

The Milan gym site boasts advanced indoor air purification (presumably via HVAC filters and a non-toxic interior fit-out materials policy) combined with air-purifying plants and energy-efficient air conditioning systems.

Gyms tend not to consider their Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) a priority. Still, once engaged with LEED certification, it becomes an essential building block in creating a healthy indoor environment for gym goers.

Insights gained from a partnership with fitness legend Lou Ferrigno informed the selection of bodybuilding equipment and the best fitness amenities, highlighting the state-of-the-art features and facilities of the Berlin flagship campus.

With an extensive sustainable construction material strategy, sustainability was a priority from the start. Certified non-toxic and recycled materials, including recycled computer monitors for displays, were used extensively. The extremely hard-wearing floors were designed for durability and low maintenance.

Renewable energy sources like solar panels were incorporated into the design, enhancing the gym’s sustainable credentials. The focus on sustainable materials, recycled resources, and energy efficiency aligns with Gold’s Gym’s commitment to delivering a premium brand product concept while minimizing environmental impact.

Biophilia in Gym Interiors

Throughout the gym are real green trees and plants - biophilia. Science Daily states, "People in industrialized countries spend more than 80% of their lives indoors, increasingly in airtight buildings". 

Here, using living plants helps absorb toxins from the gym's indoor air (always an issue in our experience - many gyms have inferior indoor air quality) while providing a welcome dose of positive, uplifting biophilia

Gold's Gym Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy, and Energy Efficient Lighting

A generally open floor plan includes a ‘Green Power’ area with 150 spin bikes that generate electricity through their use. While many fitness brands spent the past year pivoting away from brick-and-mortar gyms due to the pandemic, RSG Group spent time and resources designing the perfect gym for a post-COVID world. The issue is that the quantity of clean energy consistently pumped back into the grid from these spin bikes is minimal compared to the facility’s overall energy requirements and energy consumption.

In this instance, there are three times as many bikes as a regular spinning studio, which increases the potential energy generation clearly; it will be fascinating to see how much use they all receive and what role the bikes have in offsetting the gym’s energy consumption.

The Gold’s Gym Milano site meanwhile deploys photovoltaic panels on its rooftop and runs off green energy, according to its website.

Indoor air quality in Gold's gym

The Milan gym site boasts advanced indoor air purification (presumably via HVAC filters and a non-toxic interior fit-out materials policy) combined with air-purifying plants. 

Gyms tend not to consider their Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) a priority. Still, once engaged with LEED certification, it becomes an essential building block in creating a healthy indoor environment for gym goers.

Outdoor gym design

Outside Gold's gym, an outdoor gym design area called 'Muscle Park' includes space for natural movement, mobility training, and more strength machines! 

Post-Covid, an outdoor gym area has become an essential component in any premium gym's facility offer, especially those with a sustainability plan, as it allows for training in the fresh air, with views of nature, or at least the sky above!

Gyms' Sustainable Waste, Water Efficiency Policies, and Eco Friendly Gym Supplies

While the Gold’s Gym location in Berlin claims to be “the greenest gym in the world” due to its eco-gym design, publicly available data on waste reduction measures and water efficiency is lacking. However, given the LEED certification process, it is suspected that these aspects are being implemented, albeit not marketed prominently.

For sustainable waste management, gyms should monitor and control waste through on-site recycling, staff training, recycled and salvaged materials, and industry benchmarking. Adopting green cleaning practices, such as using biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning solutions, proper training for cleaning staff to follow eco-friendly protocols, and utilizing reusable cleaning tools, can significantly reduce environmental and health impacts. Water efficiency measures may include using recycled or harvested rainwater for greywater, low-flow fixtures, climate evaluations for rainwater runoff, and low-water or no-water irrigation systems for landscaping.

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Gold's Gym Leisure Spaces Designed for Relaxation and Rejuvenation

Leisure spaces at Gold's Gym are designed for relaxation and rejuvenation after a strenuous workout. These areas allow members to unwind without having to pay extra, providing a holistic fitness experience that balances intense exercise with well-deserved rest.

Gold's Gym Affordable Prices for Top-Quality Facilities

Gold's Gym offers affordable prices for top-quality facilities, setting it apart in the fitness industry. Unlike a traditional fitness company, this legendary gym combines cost-effective membership options with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities, making high-level fitness accessible to a broader audience.

Lack of Sustainability and Carbon Emissions in Gold's Gym Equipment: Who's Responsible After RSG Group Acquired Gold's?

Gold’s Gym’s strength training equipment comes from GYM80, a premium German new equipment brand renowned for customization, upscale pricing, and heavy weights. However, GYM80 lacks a publicly stated sustainability policy or environmental considerations.

Despite being a German brand for a German gym, sourcing from GYM80 within a LEED Platinum building raises questions about compromising sustainability for the Gold’s Gym bodybuilding concept, likely due to limited options for truly sustainable gym equipment brands. Incorporating eco friendly gym supplies, such as sustainably sourced yoga mats and partnering with environmentally conscious suppliers, could significantly enhance their commitment to sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

Further Reading