How Much Space Do I Need to Open a Gym?

Opening a gym is an exciting proposition, but one of the first and most critical decisions you’ll face once you decide on the model you will open is how much space you need. This along with additional services and facilities you want to operate can take a small club to large requirements quite quickly. Lets take a look at size ranges of various models and sqm requirements for different services.

Factors That Influence Gym Size Requirements

1. Gym Type and Target Market

• Traditional Fitness Gym: Traditional gyms typically include free weights, cardio equipment, strength machines, and group exercise class areas full facility change rooms, saunas. A mid-sized traditional gym size can range from 500sqm to 1500sqm.

• 24/7 Gym: While many traditional gyms now operate 24/7, there is also a number of brands across the world targeting smaller, convenient, community 24/7 models with limited weights, cardio, and maybe a small group space. These facilities can range from 250sqm to 800sqm.

• Boutique or Specialized Studios: Studios focusing on specific disciplines like Yoga, Pilates, or functional classes, similar to a cycle franchise, F45 typically ranging from 100 to 300 square meters.

• Luxury Fitness Centres: If you wish to target is high-end clientele, the amenities could be endless including locker rooms, saunas, lounges, and spa areas, recovery spaces, multiple class studios, and spacious gym spaces. This may push your space requirements anywhere from 1000 square meters to over 3000sqm.

• Community Multi sport Gyms: These often require space for multipurpose activities including pools, tennis, squash, kid zones, or large group classes, requiring a more versatile layout of 1000 to 3000 square meters.

2. Equipment and Club facilities

In addition to the model, the club facilities and equipment you would like to offer will impact the size of the club required. Although many formulae consider members per piece of equipment or station, one of the current trends in the fitness industry is simply open space. Space for members to do their own personalised workout with bands, kettle bells or body weight, stretching, these need to be factored in.

• Cardio Zone: Each treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike requires approx. 2sqm per machine plus spacing needs for usage and safety.

• Weight Training Area: Free weights and benches require approx. 2 square meters per free bench, while larger free weight machines can require up to 6 – 7 square meters including machine and usage area for safety.

• Functional Training Space: For activities like functional or circuit training, allocate open areas of at least 40 to 100 square meters.

• Group Fitness Rooms: Depending on classes being offered, a single group exercise room can range from as small as 50 sqm for a spin studio to 200sqm for a large open class space in anticipating 20/40 plus participants per class.

3. Amenities and Additional Services

• Locker Rooms and Restrooms: Depending on the quality or feel of locker rooms, changing areas, and restrooms you may require 25 sqm for basic facilities seen in some 24/7 clubs up to 100sqm for full unisex toilet/shower and change rooms. High-end gyms may require more space for luxury amenities.

• Reception and Lounge Areas: Plan for 5-10% of your total space for reception, entrance and circulation space. Members will require space to meet, join, and chat.

• Storage: Don’t overlook storage for cleaning supplies, extra equipment, and member and staff belongings. This could include a kitchenette, office and consult space.

• Specialized Zones: If you’re offering services like childcare, juice bars, or saunas, these will require additional dedicated space.