OUTDOOR GYM DESIGN for hotels, resorts, offices & residential developments
Hotel, resort and health club outdoor gym design
An outdoor gym can be an extremely efficient way of converting under-utilized outdoor space into a valuable amenity for members, guests or residents as it requires relatively little maintenance or upkeep, does not involve any of the more expensive high-tech cardio machines or isolation strength machines, and can add to overall gym capacity at peak hours of the morning and evening, weather permitting of course! For the design of other wellness spaces such as indoor basketball courts and yoga studios see here.
porto montenegro beach gym outdoor, montenegro by biofit
Benefits of an outdoor gym in nature
An outdoor gym design is as close as we can get to working out in nature. It comes with its own challenges too of course but post-COVID the world has woken up to the health benefits of training in the fresh air.
We work with gyms, hotels, resorts to create innovative outdoor fitness facilities such as calisthenics gyms, obstacle courses, fitness trails and jungle gyms, even beach gyms.
Connecting with nature (biophilia) is known to have mental and physical health benefits, so combining physical exercise and a natural setting is a win-win!
Ikos Andalusia Hotel outdoor gym, spain by biofit
Outdoor gym design experts
We help define an initial concept to secure buy-in from key project stakeholders then zone the equipment, consider flooring options, lighting, speaker installation, perimeter fencing, equipment storage solutions, shading in warmer climates and suitable weather-resistant finishes for the equipment as well as OSE (towels, water, waste bin, etc).
HOTEL RESORT OUTDOOR GYM designer
Sani resort beach hotel gym, greece by biofit
Summer 2022 saw the launch of six new outdoor gyms we had designed in Greece and around the Mediterranean for various luxury resorts.
Each one has its own personality, from a beach gym, to a sparta gym, functional training gym and forest gym.
No matter what the type of outdoor gym however, certain precepts remain the same - as gym designers we want to understand who the gym users will be, health & safety considerations, shade structures, outdoor gym flooring options, the need for concrete slabs underfoot, gym equipment such as rigs and storage sheds that has been pre-treated for outdoor use, and coordination with the client’s maintenance, sports activity and marketing / branding teams.
sani resort outdoor gym, greece by biofit
outdoor gym design and storage considerations
Designing an outdoor gym, that may be disconnected from the rest of the operations presents its own challenges, not least in terms of how to store the equipment when it is not in use, and especially during the off-season.
Providing weather-proof outdoor gym storage solutions is therefore a fundamental part of our design task, on the basis that the easier we make it for a gym user to replace the equipment that have used when finished, the less operational load there will be for staff.
ikos olivia outdoor beach gym, greece by biofit
outdoor gym design case study
We designed a beach gym for an under-utilized corner of the IKOS Olivia resort in Greece.
This required consideration for a new shade structure, concrete slabs in the sand to provide a stable base for heavy equipment, operational planning, equipment selection, careful negotiation with the equipment manufacturers on one side and the hotel’s technical team on the other.
We also integrated an example of sustainable gym equipment with the WaterRower.
sani resort outdoor sparta gym, greece by biofit
Outdoor obstacle trails in nature
When space allows, we can create outdoor trails with obstacle or workout stations scattered along the path to provide a range of physical challenges.
As this tends to be immersed in nature, we work with natural materials in these contexts, creating an outdoor gym using sustainably sourced wood.
In the past we have experimented with making this type of equipment ourselves as early prototypes but now prefer to bring in the experts in eco gym playground equipment and Obstacle Course Race training!
sani sports club outdoor gym, greece by biofit
custom outdoor gym equipment design
Customizing standard equipment designs for an outdoor gym can involve matching colours with the brand’s guidelines, incorporating branding, adjusting the height of vertical pillars when height is limited due to an overhead shade structure, adding certain training extras such as wall ball targets to accommodate a specific type of group fitness class, and so on.
Inevitably there are multiple gym equipment brands involved rather than just one, so seeking some synergy between colours and materials ensures a cohesive aesthetic.
porto montenegro outdoor gym design by biofit
designing a weather-resistant outdoor gym
It can be hard to under-estimate the impact of exposure to the elements on outdoor gym equipment, especially anything made from natural materials such as wood, jute fibre, rubber or cork.
In an outdoor gym environment with limited storage options and no overhead shade structure to shield from the sun, wind and rain, we opt for oxidized, weather-resistant steel equipment and iron wherever possible.
These are specialized treatments that help protect the metal from the relentless onslaught of temperature changes, salty sea air and so on. Cork yoga mats will be consumed in a matter of days if left out in the mid-summer sun for example!
IKOS aria outdoor gym, greece by biofit
CHOOSING OUTDOOR GYM FLOORING
Depending on whether the outdoor gym area is at least partially covered or completely exposed to the elements, we select suitable gym flooring solutions, factoring in delivery and install costs, as well as ongoing maintenance, user comfort, sun exposure and the aesthetic context of the hotel, resort, health club or residential development.
outdoor gym design consultant topics
outdoor gym designs by biofit - beach gyms, hotel gyms, garden gyms
SANI BEACH HOTEl, GREECE
Outdoor gym design, equipment selection
SPARTA GYM, SANI RESORT
Outdoor gym design, equipment selection
IKOS OLIVIA RESORT, GREECE
Outdoor gym design, equipment selection
sani resort sports centre, greece
Outdoor gym design, equipment selection
SANI CLUB, SANI RESORT, GREECE
Outdoor gym design, equipment selection
IKOS ARIA RESORT, GREECE
Outdoor gym design, equipment selection
PORTO MONTENEGRO BEACH CLUB, MONTENEGRO
Outdoor gym design, equipment selection
IKOS Andalucia RESORT, spain
Outdoor gym design, equipment selection
biofit outdoor gym design glossary:
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Often the easiest but not necessarily the best option for an outdoor gym flooring solution as 99% of such turfs are made of plastic and are non-recyclable, making them an issue for gym designers with an interest in sustainability. On occasion, there may be external constraints that prevent new flooring being installed, in which case we can focus on the benefits of this type of flooring, which include a relatively soft feel under-foot, it is also suitable for training with sleds. Negatives are that it can retain heat in the mid-summer sun and scorch hands and feet with blisters (we have the scars to prove it!).
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Cardio machines for an outdoor gym ideally need to be electricity-free, so the options immediately reduce to a rower, spin bike, or a curved manual treadmill. Less options can make life simpler for the gym designer and for gym users in fact so focus on these items and buy from a quality brand if you want them to to last more than a couple of seasons.
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A CrossFit or calisthenics style training rig for small groups. Made of steel, these need to be carefully treated for outdoor use and it always pays to opt for a quality manufacturer, if budget allows. Expect pull-up bars, dip bars, squat racks, monkey bars, and a range of other details. Nowadays, we look to integrate a storage component into our rigs as well.
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outdoor gyms need just as much storage as indoors, in fact we’d argue it is even more critical in an outdoor context as there is the added challenge of protecting the equipment when not in use, during bad weather, or if we are in the South African bush designing a safari lodge gym facility, making sure it isn’t eaten by passing leopards!
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Health and safety always needs to be top of mind for nay gym designer or operator and outdoor gyms are no exception to that rule. Operating outdoors often means an unsupervised gym experience, with ‘cleaning’ happening at the end of each day to tidy up the equipment that will inevitably have been left strewn across the gym floor, in itself creating trip hazards. More maintenance checks and gentle nudges in the form of signage reminding clients to replace the equipment on the racks can be especially useful in such circumstances. Primarily though, it’s about getting the gym equipment storage right upfront so that everything has a place.
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Similar to the Sparta Gym example above we created for Sani Resort in Greece, an obstacle course is both a fun alternative to an outdoor workout and a challenge that goes beyond the classic gym moves of squats, hinges, presses, pulls and core work. An obstacle course will require climbing, balancing, carrying, throwing, and yes perhaps a few burpees too.
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Any combination of hard-wearing kettlebells and dumbbells, exercise benches, barbells, weight plates and functional training accessories such as rubber slam balls, battle ropes, skipping ropes and sandbags. Equipment made of wood will only work in certain climates / locations. When in doubt, go with oxidized stainless steel for rigs and racks. Optional upgrade to an all-wood solution similar to the Tulum Jungle gym set-up!
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Options include rubber tiles (typically 50cm2 or 100cm2), wood decking, hard-packed gravel, artificial grass or sand. Each of these has its own pros and contras, not to mention sustainability credentials, but whatever option is chosen any fixed equipment or indeed cardio machines will need either installing with a 50cm3 concrete block for support (think vertical posts of a functional rig) or a solid concrete slab underneath them of 3-5cm width.
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Any outdoor gym in a warm climate is going to need to consider the impact of the mid-summer sun. A shade structure can extend the (comfortable) operating hours of such a facility, whilst also protecting the equipment below to some extent. Options include canvas awnings or army camo nets, either way you’ll need to install some vertical posts firmly into the ground to serve as supports too.
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Already the archetypal jungle gym concept - this is a true labour of love by an ex- Scottish military man who was determined to create a fun, social media friendly version of outdoor gyms. The only way to achieve what he has done is considerable investment in time, resource and money in order to perfect the bespoke equipment made of local hardwood or stone.
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Even when all precautions have been taken, from safety flooring to the avoidance of heavy iron weights in favour of sandbags and so on, there will inevitably be accidents at some point so a customer waiver form for all gym users that is completed on their first visit helps to cover a business from any claims of damages if a gym client injures themselves while exercising. A preventive maintenance schedule focused on ensuring the equipment is all in regular working order, catching any weak spots before they turn into a hazard, is another useful strategy for a safety-conscious outdoor gym owner.
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A Turkish equipment manufacturer with a growing profile in the Middle-East thanks to their all-wood constructions. Their range covers everything from entrance signage to dumbbells, squat racks and benches - all in hard wood. A realistic option for warm, dry climate locations such as the Middle-East or Southern Europe.