The Top Five Hotel Gym Essentials

For those who are no strangers to travelling, either for work or pleasure, finding a hotel that offers its own onsite gym is important. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle when you spend a considerable time away from home can be difficult, but this means that for hotel owners and managers, there is a market for fitness-conscious guests – meaning that incorporating a quality gym is anything other than a waste of time and space.

It is really important to note that not all gyms are created equal. For example, we have all stayed in hotels that claim to offer state-of-the-art gym facilities only to find a single exercise bike and/or treadmill that has seen better days. That simply does not constitute a gym, that’s nothing more than a lazy afterthought so the hotel can tick another box.

For hotels that are serious about offering a gym that satisfy the needs of their guests, below are five essentials – not just limited to gym equipment – that all hotel gyms should include.

Heavy Weights (Barbells and Dumbbells)

Some people like to lift – and when we say lift, we mean that they like to push their body as far as it can reasonably go. This is how they choose to train and relieve stress which, if they are away for business, they may have a lot to relieve. Offering basic weights that can be found in most high street stores simply aren’t going to cut it for gym fanatics used to pumping weights that would make Arnold Schwarzenegger weak at the knees.

We are talking commercial-standard barbells and dumbbells, as well as squat racks and other accessories that can be used in conjunction with weight to aid the user’s workout. Free weights can be stored quite easily with the use of a rack, so there shouldn’t be any issues of not being able to safely store equipment as long as the gym space is of adequate size. Make it a rule that all gym users agree to put equipment back from where they found it before leaving the area, otherwise, they are banned from using the hotel’s gym facilities.

As well as heavy weights, make sure to offer a range of lighter weights, too, because not everyone will demand huge plates for their workouts. Make sure that you offer a good variety for the best gym experience.

Quality Cardio Equipment

As well as top of the range weights, also make sure to offer quality cardio equipment that can be used. Many hotels offer ragged old treadmills and bikes in their facilities that are simply not fit for purpose and should have been disposed of years ago. Don’t make the same mistake of thinking just because a machine ‘works’ that it offers any of the benefits of a well-maintained – it doesn’t and if your equipment shows any sign of a decline in performance, it needs either a refurbishment or replacement.

Commercial-standard cardio equipment, like treadmills, bikes and cross-trainers, need not cost the earth. The better the equipment offered in your hotel gym, the more likely you are to see repeat bookings by guests that are often in the area. Word of mouth travels fast, so any positive experience your hotel guests have will be shared with their friends and family. A well-equipped hotel gym makes for an appealing feature on booking sites, especially with an accompanying picture of the area. Additionally, cardio machines also mean that visitors won’t have to try to find a running or cycling route in potentially busy cities they are not familiar with.

Space

Having the correct equipment is always an advantage, but you can have all the top of the range equipment in the world and it won’t mean a thing if there is not ample space in which to use it. For any hotel serious about creating an onsite gym that guests will be eager to try out, space is a necessity. Gym areas that are too small and cramp in far too much equipment on top of each other aren’t aesthetically pleasing, nor do they allow for gym users to get in an adequate workout.

Carefully plan out your hotel’s gym, this is possible using UK Gym Equipment’s free 3D designer, and consider the equipment you wish to kit it out with and, crucially, where it will live. Allow enough space for users to be able to walk around without getting in other peoples’ way.

A View

If possible, make sure that your hotel gym comes equipped with a view. Working out inside four brick walls isn’t fun and it certainly isn’t inspiring – even the view of a car park is better than that. Not all hotels will be located in the most exotic of locations, and that’s fine, but if your building is situated next to a scenic city skyline, beautiful countryside or even the beach, why not incorporate this into your hotel?

A gym with a view is something that those utilising cardio equipment, such as treadmills and bikes, will appreciate – because staring at a brick wall for half an hour is more than a little bit boring. This will also serve as motivation for your guests to continue to make use of your gym facility during their stay and to think of your hotel if they are back in the area, whether that be for work or play.

Suitable Opening Times

Finally, suitable opening times for your onsite gym are a must. Some hotels only open the doors to their fitness centres for limited hours which means that, by the time guests come back to the hotel, they are disappointed to find the gym is closed. Not everyone likes or has the option to workout early in the morning, so having that option open to them in the evening could be a massive plus in favour of your hotel.

If you are looking to revamp your hotel gym with commercial-standard equipment, please take a look at the wide range of new and second-hand equipment on sale at UK Gym Equipment today. All products are tested before sale, ensuring our customers can buy from us with confidence.