4 Essential Components of Medical Fitness Center Design

Posted by Mike Rucker on Oct 19, 2015 1:00:00 PM

Updated Nov 11, 2021.

There are certain features and requirements to keep in mind when it comes to medical fitness center design. Health and fitness have become important concerns during the pandemic, so it is important that medical centers have a well-designed medical fitness center suited to the needs of their target consumers.

cardio and strength equipment with high-end flooring highlighting medical fitness center design
High-quality medical fitness center design has become a competitive distinction among medical wellness centers.

For many planners and developers, utilizing the expertise of a fitness management company such as Active Wellness is the best way to ensure that your new medical fitness center fulfills the needs of members and patients and satisfies budget requirements, and meets all codes and regulations.

So, what constitutes a well-designed medical fitness center? What criteria should you be considering as you work with Active Wellness to design your space? What are the essential components of medical fitness center design?

Making the Most of Medical Fitness Center Design

There are certain spatial requirements when handling medical fitness center design, considerations such as proper equipment, and desired interventions and exercise activities. In order to accommodate the function of exercise equipment, particularly the height clearances of upright equipment, the ceilings of the space need to be at least 12 feet high. There are also ADA considerations to take into account. Special surfaces may be required, including cushioned surfaces for training, impact-resistant walls, and mirrored walls.

white male lifting weights, highlighting a good medical fitness center design
Specialty spaces, such as weight rooms, should be designed with the correct height clearances for the equipment.

Durability All-Around

trainer and member talking inside a medical fitness center management facility
Surfaces, including the floors, should be durable and attractive throughout the fitness center.

Fitness centers are meant to be used and, to some extent, abused, and that should be taken into account when architecting the design. Vibration from the use of exercise and weight equipment is a concern, and the use of more structural steel in the initial construction will help reduce the transmission of these vibrations.

The interior durability of the space includes the finishes on the floors, walls, and other surfaces. These should all be durable and easy to maintain as well.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Let's face it, fitness centers are noisy, and controlling that noise begins in the initial design stages. Acoustical control in the form of sound baffles is the most common choice for reducing the impact of noise around weight rooms and certain exercise rooms.

Ventilation Issues During Medical Fitness Center Design

Perhaps the important element of medical fitness center design, with the exception of equipment choices, is the design of the ventilation system. Not only does it need to ensure proper air circulation and ventilation throughout the fitness center, but it also needs to control humidity and prevent the migration of odors to other parts of the space. In addition, fitness centers will usually have negative air pressure, making proper ventilation even more important.

As a fitness center developer, there are many issues you have to handle when constructing a new fitness center. From mapping out the interior space to handle the equipment and activities desired to handle sound and lighting issues to making sure that the entire space is ventilated.

By utilizing a fitness management company such as Active Wellness, you can ensure that all the important construction and medical fitness center design elements are handled with care and accuracy. 

Get Started With Active Wellness