Looking to expand your training footprint outdoors but not sure where to start?
Creating an outdoor training space is an exciting way to increase offerings while introducing the benefits of fresh air and sunlight. But creating the best experience for your members doesn’t mean simply taking an indoor rig, moving it outdoors and expecting people to carry equipment in and out of the facility — causing inconvenience, inventory nightmares and decreased longevity of your equipment. There is a strategy to a well-developed outdoor training space, and we’re here to offer four basic tips to get started.
1. Define your outcome
Looking to increase throughput? Add new class offerings? Determining your goals is the first step of designing your outdoor training space.
When it comes to designing an outdoor fitness space, lean into providing more of what your members are already using inside. If your strength room is constantly overcrowded, create a strength training space outdoors with weatherproof equipment and storage. If your functional training space is in high-demand, consider outside stations with outdoor-rated accessories for maximum training capabilities.
Examples: Outdoor workout space at Club Northwest featuring a SunPro shelter, Shred Shed, 30′ rig, racks, turf and more; and outdoor workout space at Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation featuring a Shred Shed and 24′ rig.
2. Identify your location
Where do you have underutilised space? Where you may see a parking lot or tennis court, we see a blank canvas.
The parking lot
If you have ample parking for members and redesignating some spaces would not pose an inconvenience, an outdoor training space can be created in your very own parking lot. With the addition of rubber or turf flooring along with custom colors and branding, you can turn a parking lot training space into a true extension of your facility.
Old basketball or tennis courts
If the basketball or tennis courts at your facility are no longer being used, or are underutilised, consider turning that space into a dedicated outdoor training zone. With custom flooring, outdoor-rated strength equipment and accessories, and lockable storage customised to reflect your colors and branding, your members will never realize that your high-quality outdoor training zone was once an old sports court.
The roof
If the structure of your facility allows for it, a rooftop training space creates an exciting new experience for members without extra real estate. Structural considerations will be important here, and you may find that the best solutions are freestanding training stations that do not require anchoring.
Example: Rooftop workout space at Bay Club San Francisco featuring two freestanding Shred Sheds.
3. Select your equipment
You can’t just take any piece of training equipment and place it outdoors. Most equipment is meant solely for indoor-use. In order for a product to be fully weatherproof, the steel should go through a superior weatherproofing process involving hot-dip galvanization and powder coating. Anything less is a recipe for rust, corrosion or other damage.
You should also consider custom branding so the space looks like an extension of your indoor facility.
Luckily, we do both.
Examples: PGA West Golf Resort and Club featuring a BeaverFit Shred Shed, double Bay Unit and Gym Box.
4. Don’t forget storage
Weatherproof, integrated storage solutions keep members from dragging equipment in and out of spaces, and increase longevity of your accessories.
The equipment you select should include dedicated, lockable storage for all integrated accessories and components. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of your training gear growing legs and finding a new home.
Examples: Plano Athletic Club and YMCA Middle Tennessee Performance Lockers.
