2023 Fitness Industry Design Trends
Key Points
Fitness business trends in 2023 include spacious, flexible club layouts that support strength and functional training, with more room for free weights, power racks, platforms, and cable units as cardio usage declines.
Dedicated recovery spaces add value by giving members access to stretching, hydro massage, cold therapy, red light therapy, relaxation pods, and other services that support physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Businesses can create more efficient, memorable experiences with unisex locker areas, dramatic LED lighting, and branded selfie walls
Businesses can prioritize controlling construction costs through detailed planning, competitive bids, and fewer custom elements.
7 Fitness Business Industry Design Trends of 2023
Social distancing designs fall off
In 2023, the industry will continue to recover and grow. And continue to move beyond COVID.
During COVID, many designers in a variety of industries, like hospitality, retail, and restaurants, were predicting that new permanent design parameters, such as layouts that allow for social distancing, would be here to stay.
Fortunately, that fever has waned, so health clubs in 2023 will not have to think about keeping all equipment and furniture 6 feet apart.
Cramming as much as possible into a space is now a thing of the past.
Also, for all new builds or renovations, it would be wise to incorporate new mechanical systems that provide for safer/cleaner air, so that if a COVID-like situation ever happened again, a club could quickly communicate that it already has air filtration systems in place.
construction costs rise
In 2022, construction costs were up 20% to 30% due to inflation and material shortages from COVID-related issues.
Costs likely will not decrease in 2023, and may even increase.
It takes a collaborative effort from owners, architects/designers and contractors to get more for fewer dollars.
Solutions include prioritizing what expenditures are more needed than others, especially those that will have a direct impact on sales and retention.
One suggestion is to minimize custom items in your design.
Also, it’s more important than ever to get competitive bids from contractors with a track record of building projects that come in on budget.
Detailed plans make for a better bidding process and will minimize change orders.
Owners need to stress to contractors to have a solid lead time awareness on construction materials, lighting and finishes.
Recovery offerings grow
Recovery options will continue to grow in 2023, focusing on physical, mental and spiritual health.
Space for stretching and cooling down is a must, but other options, such as hydro massage, cold therapy (in the form of pools, chairs, or cryotherapy units), relaxation pods, red light therapy, IV therapy, compression sleeves, and even massage guns, will increasingly find their way into clubs.
More club operators will add separate income-producing recovery areas.
In adding a recovery space, it is best to make a focused design commitment (400 square feet or more) that has a beautiful and soothing “spa-like” environment.
Specialty lighting, sound-insulated walls and semi-privacy between units, such as panels or sheer curtains, are recommended.
strength training takes off
2023 will see a continued rebirth of strength training and functional training.
Cardio is strong, but usage is down. Machines are and will always be popular, but free weights, multipurpose power racks, platforms and multi-purpose cable units are growing in popularity, especially among Generation Z and Millennials.
And within this 18- to 40-year-old group, women will be using free weights and racks more than ever.
So this continued trend offers an opportunity for new club design and renovations.
More space for these areas is a good idea, even if it may mean less space for cardio and machines.
Free weight and functional training areas should no longer be just a space in the back of the club but should be “wow” spaces.
Combining spaciousness, dynamic lighting, accented flooring, eye-catching branding, large graphics and specialized finishes will make your facility more competitive and in demand in your marketplace. This applies to larger clubs and smaller studios.
Unisex lockers/bathrooms catch on
Unisex locker/bathroom areas have been gaining popularity in smaller studios and will find their way into larger clubs in 2023.
A common locker area combined with private bathrooms, showers and changing rooms saves space, rent costs and construction dollars.
It also provides even more privacy with private bathrooms and changing rooms.
The key is to make the area attractive and easily visible.
Dramatic lighting Takes center stage
More focus on LED lighting will be a growing trend for clubs.
Lighting is the single biggest design change in club environments and can add drama, excitement and even relaxation.
Popular options include cove, colored, theatrical, pendants, sconces and LED strip lighting.
Always install them with a dimmer, so the light levels can be controlled as desired.
Instagrammable “selfie” walls go viral
One thing that Gen Z and Millennials love is social media posting.
Make sure to have your brand and name as a key part of a very visible Instagrammable wall — maybe a neon club name.
If you do this, it will get used, and add to your marketing.
For deeper context, American Spa’s report on health and wellness trends highlights the industry’s evolving priorities. Click the button below to access it.
We Can Help With Your Gym or Club
Want to discuss your project with experienced health club designers? As of 2026, the ODSI team has successfully completed over 1,000 projects.
Our services include both renovation and new builds, while our specializations include country club design and exercise facility design, among others.
To get in touch with us, call 954.888.5960 or click here to schedule a free consultation.
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