Question: Health clubs are broadening their remit into wellness, recovery and social spaces. What advice do you have for them when it comes to specifying flooring for the various areas that’s fit for purpose, sets them apart, looks great and is long-lasting?
Answer: We have seen a shift in expectations from members of health clubs and gyms in recent years. Individuals are taking more of a holistic approach to their fitness routine, not only prioritising intensity but also wellness, relaxation, recovery, and social interaction. To accommodate these changes, start from the ground up.
Entrust a specialist, not a generalist. Not all gym flooring is the same; what is required in a heavy footfall gym will be completely different from a calming yoga studio. Make sure your flooring is fit for purpose, whether that’s durability, shock absorption, slip resistance or cleanability. Utilise your flooring to create clear zones for warm-ups, cool-downs, rest and recovery, to create smooth transitions throughout your space.
Think about the atmosphere you want to create. Acoustic flooring reduces noise, creates less disruption and a calmer environment. Custom branding enhances the aesthetic of your space, creating continuity and a premium finish.
Question: Can you highlight a recent flooring installation that has transformed a fitness space, in terms of both function and aesthetics/branding. Describe the installation, the design brief, the budget and how you met the brief. We ideally need extensive professional photography of this installation.
Answer: We recently transformed our most unique location to date, a Grade II listed former church in Bolton. The client had a vision to create a meaningful gym space whilst keeping many of its impressive original features, including stained glass windows. They wanted to accommodate a wide range of activities in a memorable space that would keep clients coming back. By adhering to the budget, we helped maximise the value for money.
We maintain that flooring is the most important aspect of any installation. With this project, it was essential to get it right. In order to preserve the integrity of the building, we specified 40mm heavyweight flooring throughout to minimise impact and noise. The pilates reformer studio retained its original wood floor for a calming atmosphere, whereas a custom-branded turf and platform inserts embedded the Church PT brand throughout the space for a premium, professional finish.
