Often, the key to staying ahead of the competition when building a residents' gym, is making sure that you have the right equipment on-hand. The more impressive your setup is, the more likely you are to attract would-be property owners of all ages to your door.
The question is, how do you decide which equipment you should be investing in? Now that the technology available for health and fitness is evolving at a rapid pace, many of your decisions may be based on the trends of the current marketplace. The good news is that by hiring or leasing your equipment instead of buying it, you can adapt your gym design to suit the ever-changing needs and expectations of your residents.
Let's take a look at some of the things you can consider when deciding on gym equipment.
Know Your Residents
Exercise needs in a residential gym will vary depending on the age and background of your target market. For instance, if you're trying to appeal to young professional millennials, then you might need equipment that keeps you up to date with the latest trends like HIIT and body weight training. On the other hand, if you're appealing to a generation of retirees, then it may be a good idea to look at machinery that's low-impact, and better for the joints. For instance, exercise bikes and rowing machines can be more appealing to older fitness enthusiasts.
A lot of companies assume that the only people they need to worry about with on-site gyms are the younger demographic. However, the truth is that 50 to 70-year-olds are also heavy users of exercise equipment. These people want to make sure that they're maintaining their independence and health during retirement. Use your knowledge of your residents to help guide your equipment choices.
Cover All Your Bases
If you have more than one target demographic, or you're trying to appeal to as many local homeowners as possible, then you might need to stick with a gym that encompasses as many needs as possible. For instance, some of the most common equipment to look into includes:
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Fitness accessories and mats: You can use these with value-added gym services like personal trainers and classes to bring a greater sense of community to your residential facilities. Accessories are also a great way to give people control over their bodyweight workouts.
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Cardio equipment: Almost all fitness enthusiasts appreciate the opportunity to work on their cardio. Cross-trainers, treadmills, and exercise bikes are all excellent for getting the heart pumping.
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Strength and endurance equipment: If you're looking to support residents that want to work on their muscle-mass and endurance, then weights and benches are an obvious choice. You can even offer heart monitors to help people monitor their performance.
As your residents begin to use your gym equipment more regularly, you can keep an eye on the machines that get the most attention and demand. This will help you to figure out which tools you should switch out. If you're hiring or leasing your equipment from a company like Hire Fitness, you'll be able to update your residential gym plan instantly, for an immediate upgrade whenever your residents make a request.
Nicky Terrett, Marketing Manager at Hire Fitness Limited
