Thinking about creating an outdoor training space?
Whether you own a gym, run a college recreation program, manage a YMCA, or develop multifamily housing properties, creating outdoor training space might be your smartest move yet.
Here are five reasons why.
1. Expand access to strength and functional training
Strength and functional training have exploded in popularity over the past decade – and with that growth often comes overcrowded indoor training zones.
An outdoor space gives you breathing room to accommodate more members during peak hours, offer additional class formats, and reduce wait times on high-use equipment. With weatherproof training and storage solutions, you can confidently expand your most in-demand offerings to the outdoors.
2. Meet member demand for open-air wellness
The benefits of outdoor training can’t be denied. Exercising in fresh air boosts vitamin D, increases serotonin, and helps reduce stress – all motivators for a wellness-minded member.
Creating an outdoor training space shows your community that you’re listening to their preferences and evolving to meet their needs.
3. Grow without costly indoor expansion
Expanding your indoor footprint can mean big dollars and even bigger headaches when it comes to permits, construction and temporary closures.
Outdoor space is often just sitting there, waiting to be activated. A well-designed outdoor training environment expands your offerings without adding square footage or taking on a massive renovation.
4. Maximize underutilized outdoor areas
Where do you have underutilized space? Where you may see an extra parking lot or tennis court, we see a blank canvas.
If your lot has ample parking, redesignating a few spots can easily accommodate an outdoor training zone. Sports courts that aren’t getting the same play they used to can be converted into custom fitness environments.
If neither of these are options, don’t forget to look up. Rooftops are often the most scenic, motivating places to train – proven by forward-thinking facilities like Bay Club San Francisco, 300 Main in San Antonio, Fit Athletic in San Diego, and University of Wisconsin.
5. Create a standout, branded fitness space
Your outdoor space is an extension of your brand. With custom colors, logos and layout options, your training environment is a powerful representation of your facility.
Even if someone never walks through your front doors during their workout, they’ll still connect your brand with their fitness experience – and that positive association is worth its weight in bumper plates.
It might be time to think outside the building – and train outside of it, too. Eager to grow, differentiate and give your members more of what they want? We’re ready when you are.
