7 Inspiring Commercial Gym & Fitness Studio Fitout Ideas

Looking for great commercial gym fitout design ideas or fitness centre design ideas? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve pulled together some of our favourite gym fit out design elements to bring you 7 inspiring fitness studio fitout ideas. 

1. Community areas

It’s a well-known fact that people don’t just come to the gym to work out – a good fitness studio design makes way for socialisation, connection and community. A strong sense of community will get people to sign up and create happy customers that want to stick with you.

It’s easy to see that some commercial gym designs have a much stronger community spirit than others, but it’s not just by chance, Peter Zafis from Total Fitouts Surry Hills explains.

“The community aspect gets overlooked by big format gyms. Big training facility and commercial gyms charge $11 a week and that gets people a nice hairdryer.

Whereas if you go to a studio, they can charge anywhere from $50 a week to sometimes $500 a week, because it’s about the community they’ve created. And for those executive-only fitness studios – it’s all about being part of the gym for networking.”

Pete explains just how much a good gym fitout or pilates studio design can do more than support your business and create more cash flow.

“Ultimately, develop a community and you’ll have happy customers that are happy to pay more. That’s more a business model than a fitout thing but a fitout can support that.”

A community area doesn’t always have to come in the form of a gym coffee shop or smoothie bar, it can be made simple and work within any budget. 

 “For example, the first thing you do at a pilates studio is you go to the pigeon holes, you sit at the bench, you take your shoes off, put your things away – during this time there’s a really good community piece because everyone’s catching up before class and after class.

So placing, say, a rendered feature wall here with hanging plants and your brand popping with lights makes a great ‘photo wall’ – and it’s free marketing for you.”

2. Brand your studio with custom LED lettering and strip lights

A ‘brand’ is not merely a logo –  it’s an entire ‘Corporate Image’ that is painstakingly developed by you, for the purpose of launching your products and services into the marketplace. A brand encapsulates everything from how you use colour in your studio to the culture of your staff. 

LED lettering or neon lights are a great opportunity to express your new gym brand beyond simply displaying your logo. Use lights and lettering to carry the essence and sentiment of your brand and attract like-minded customers. Neon lighting and lettering done well can also give the added benefit of making your fitness studio “gramable” (Instagram-able). This is a great marketing tool – it’s set-and-forget and cost-effective.

For some fitness studios, of course, it will be less about the “inspo words” and more about creating shapes or even subtly incorporating elements of your logo throughout to make your brand more recognised.

FS8 pilates studio by Total Fitouts Sunshine Coast North

3. Potted house plants and wall plants

Who said a fitness studio gym fitout can’t feel like being at home? Grab the house plants and let the sunlight in to lift the energy in your yoga, pilates or stretch rooms. We all know the impact the natural world has on human beings, it’s a beautiful way to let the psyche relax and begin to unwind.

In fact, the proven benefits of houseplants are numerous. Here are some of the most valuable ways houseplants in your fitness studio can benefit customers: 

• Improve mood
• Reduce fatigue
• Lower stress and anxiety
• Improve performance and focus
• Boost healing and pain tolerance 

Apart from being good for us and promoting a healthy mind and body – houseplants are everyone’s favourite artworks and many varieties are easy to maintain. Plants also provide a great contrast to commercial fitness equipment and gym equipment in your studio to create a relaxing and well-balanced gym interior.

Endota wellness college by Total Fitouts

4. Exposed ceilings or beams 

If you’re lucky enough to have interesting and usable exposed ceilings or beams in your commercial gym space – show them off! Fitness studios are often places either jam-packed with visual interest or, if you’re working on a yoga or pilates studio design, a simple, natural elegance.

You’ve probably heard some people say they prefer to work out outside – visuals and sunlight are why. So it’s important to bring engaging visuals and light in and offer customers an enticing and elevated workout experience far more than just a space with high quality equipment and an engaging team.

Exposed ceilings with pipes and services can add great dynamics to a fitness or boxing gym design and can really work towards your overall brand aesthetic. If there seems to be a bit too much going on, exposed ceilings/ services can be painted to blend in with the rest of your fitness studio fitout. 

Wooden beams are an absolute win for any yoga or pilates studio design. They add a hominess and insert warm natural tones and textures to your fitness studio fitout. If your fitness studio or pilates studio brand is more geared towards strength and power than relaxation and mindfulness, exposed ceilings can work really well – just check out KX pilates studio design in Adelaide.

KX Pilates by Total Fitouts Adelaide Central

5. Textures, Shapes & Colour

Customers of fitness studios are after much more than just a room with several pieces of gym equipment to exercise. Today, members are demanding an entire experience that starts from the moment you enter the space. From the aesthetic of the gym fitouts to the staff, community atmosphere and quality service offering – all aspects must be considered.

Good use of textures, shapes and lines in your fitness centre makes the space dynamic and engaging. Mirrors are a popular way to open up a space and make it feel bigger. Here are some other options for creating interesting dynamics in your space: 

• Circular mirrors with backlight
• Exposed brick
• Shaped or textured drop ceilings
• Neon lettering or lighting

6. Grassy flooring/ agility turf for a dedicated group workout area

We’re used to seeing a single strip of fake lawn in some fitness studio gym fit outs, but have you thought about creating an entire area for group workouts and shining some natural-feel light on it?

Including an artificial “outdoor space” is a good way to get your customers energised and smiling. Getting the light right and feeling natural in your gym or fitness studio is something our shopfitters can certainly assist with.

“Lighting is a sweet science – with the right electrical engineering, you can make it feel as though there is natural light.” – Peter Zafis, Total Fitouts Surry Hills

7. Roman-inspired salt bathing pool 

While most day-to-day fitness studios won’t be installing this number, we couldn’t resist – this roman bath is truly inspiring. This gorgeously designed salt bathing pool is a part of the new WeWork gym fit outs in New York.

An absolutely pristine design complete with wall plants and beautiful soft lighting tones, this bathing area creates a truly immersive experience for patrons of this fitness studio.

WeWork gym, New York

We encourage you to contact your local Total Fitouts team for a no-obligation chat today. Our gym fit-out specialists design team has overseen the design, build and installation of exciting fitness studios, high-performance centres and commercial gyms for clients all around Australia and New Zealand. Is yours next?

Let’s talk – give us a call at 1300 654 634 or email us at [email protected], or fill in our handy form.