Derbyn
Rydym yn defnyddio cwcis ar ein gwefan i gynnig y profiad gorau posibl. Mae hyn yn cynnwys personoli cynnwys a dadansoddi traffig ar ein gwefan, a hysbysebu ar wefannau a chyfryngau cymdeithasol
I firmly believe that gym design is an ongoing, iterative process, a continuous quest to optimize the member experience. It's about more than just filling a room with equipment; it's about crafting a flow, dedicated zones and an atmosphere that motivates and inspires. Put simply, a gym needs to constantly evolve to avoid outdated layouts and stagnant equipment choices.
A phase of gym floor improvements has recently been completed at Parkwood Health & Fitness Salisbury, and it's been a powerful reminder of this principle. What might seem like a simple rearrangement of equipment can have a profound impact on our member’s workout success, their satisfaction and ultimately how long they remain a member with us.
Karen is a member at Parkwood Health & Fitness, Salisbury. She agrees: “I love the new kit, it’s made me feel more confident. Gym staff have been great at showing us the new pieces of kit” - March 2025.
Recent improvements are not the end, but a stepping stone, as learnings are taken into the planning stage for the next phase of improvements. By prioritising considered planning, data-driven decisions, and a commitment to continuous improvement, I aim to create a gym that truly empowers our members to achieve their fitness goals.
A well-designed gym should be welcoming, easy to navigate, and avoid overcrowding. I focus on various elements of the design:
Choosing the right equipment is crucial. My approach includes:
Members at the club seem really pleased with the equipment we’ve recently added, Sinead said “The new equipment has transformed my gym regime, it’s nice to have a wider variety of choice with the new pieces of kit” - March 2025. This was echoed by Simon, “The new kit was exactly what I had asked for, I especially like the new chest press” - March 2025.
For significant projects like Parkwood Health & Fitness Salisbury, we partner with Track My Gym who specialise in advising some of the world’s largest gym operators. They provide invaluable data through:
This data consistently shows a shift in exercise habits. Cardio equipment needs have decreased, now requiring only around 30% of the gym floor (down from over 50% just 10 years ago). Conversely, strength training's popularity has surged, requiring approximately 60% of the available space. This reflects the growing awareness of strength training's importance in overall health & wellbeing.
To highlight this specifically at Parkwood Health & Fitness Salisbury, at peak time the average availability of free weights and resistance equipment is only 35% and 50% respectively, whilst the average availability for cardio equipment at peak time is 69%.
Furthermore, the equipment with the highest average usage across the week was the squat racks (50+ hours), followed by the adjustable benches (39 hours) and cable stacks (38 hours). By comparison, the average treadmill was used for 27 hours during the week and the average cross-trainer just 14 hours.
Based on the data and feedback, a phased approach over the next 12-24 months is planned which will focus on:
Lee Gaskin
National Fitness & Retention Manager
Parkwood Leisure