Considering Outdoor Fitness for Your Facility? What You Need to Know

AUTHOR:
Bo Barber, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Humans have always had a relationship with fitness. What started as survival of the fittest evolved, as civilized groups of people began to value the outcomes of bodies in motion. From the obvious health and wellness results to the intrigue of physical competition, humans continue to worship physical fitness.

Records of athletic competitions exist from ancient Egypt, and, of course, ancient Greece created the first Olympic games. All these activities, for the most part, took place outdoors. And although outdoor fitness has gained popularity in recent years, it is now at the forefront of fitness in the new age of social distancing and in the wake of the pandemic. 


Owners and operators should look at the outdoors as an opportunity, instead of an obstacle. Being as creative as possible and not being afraid to try new things will help fitness facility owners be successful. To help club owners acclimate to this new way of thinking, I’ll share suggestions on where to set up an outdoor fitness space, what activities can be performed outside, things to consider, and outdoor fitness trends.

The Where
With the evolution to outdoor fitness, what exterior resources can clubs tap into? The good news is that achieving outdoor fitness is probably less costly than you think.

• PARKING LOTS – Since many gyms are experiencing a decline in club attendance, it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of unused parking spaces. All that’s required is the addition of an outdoor tent, which can be rented, to designate the space and protect equipment. According to Club Solutions magazine, a typical Group Fitness Pavilion is about 3,500-square feet with 1,500-square-feet designated for group fitness, 800-square-feet dedicated for strength training and about 500-square-feet reserved for cardio equipment.


• PAVILIONS – Fitness facilities or YMCA’s with pavilions, such as those used by day camps during the summer months, are an excellent outdoor fitness space option. 

The What
When it comes to determining what kinds of classes and activities to hold outside the following activities tend to be the most popular.

• FITNESS CLASSES – Many traditional group fitness classes held indoors can be performed outside, weather and climate-permitting. Ideal classes outdoors include fitness, yoga, bootcamp, strength and CrossFit. Fitness studios offering outdoor fitness classes can also cater to those working out at home by recording the sessions and offering a virtual option.


• WEIGHTLIFTING & CARDIO – Weightlifting machines and weights, although heavy and cumbersome to move outside, can do well in an outdoor environment, so long as they are under roof and the area is not prone to excessive humidity. Cardio machines can also be moved outside; but, if electricity is required, you need to ensure a power source is nearby.


• PERSONAL TRAINING – Personal training can be achieved outside just as easily as inside, so long as you have the right surfacing and basic gym equipment. Semi-private personal training can include an individualized experience with up to three people. 

The How

Once your outdoor fitness space has been established, and you have determined what types of activities and classes you will host, there are some other things that should be considered.

• PUBLIC AREAS– If you don’t have a parking area or a grassy spot on your property, you can try to hold a class at a nearby park. Any green space, including unused stadiums, could also be considered a possibility, so long as you have permission from the owner. Anyone wishing to set up an outdoor fitness space should check with their local government for their recommendations, permitting restrictions, and class size restrictions.


• SURFACES – Workout flooring is one of the most important pieces of equipment in an outdoor fitness space. As such, fitness facility owners should consider 3 things, when it comes to fitness flooring:   

1. Lead Time: It’s important to work with a flooring manufacturer that can provide you with fitness room flooring quickly. For example, Ecore’s Quick Ship Program offers 3 rubber workout floors and the accessories required for installation and can typically be shipped in 3 business days.   


2. Portability: If you’re setting up a temporary outdoor fitness space, it’s crucial to select gym flooring solutions that are modular, non-adhered and easy to install, such as SmashMat or Roll out Runway.


3. Permanent Surfacing: If you plan to build permanent outdoor fitness space, you will want to select an exercise flooring, such as a surface from Ecore’s Outdoor Spaces Collection that is designed to be outside.


4. Social Distancing – As with indoor workouts, social distancing must be implemented outdoors as well. This includes limiting class sizes, maintaining 6-feet of social distance while exercising, and cleaning equipment after use. 


5. Cleaning & Sanitizing Floors & Equipment - Equipment and athletic flooring should be disinfected with a product, such as Enviro Care, every time a space is used. All surfaces and equipment should also be cleaned at a minimum of once per day with a product such as Green Seal™ certified E-Cleaner.

Outdoor Fitness Trends

The following outdoor fitness trends are gaining popularity and can be offered as a class or performed by individuals on their own.

• TRADITIONAL SPORTS & ACTIVITIES – Running, biking, and swimming are all regaining popularity. As a result, the line between sports and fitness is becoming blurred. 


• STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING (SUP) – SUP is an outdoor water activity in which a rider stands on a large board and uses a paddle to move through the water. SUP is a subclass of paddle boarding. SUPing can be enjoyed in a calm body of water, such as a pond, lake, bay, or pool.


• SUP YOGA – SUP yoga is the practice of performing yoga on a standup paddle board in the middle of a calm body of water, such as a pond, lake, bay, or pool. SUP yoga incorporates hatha and vinyasa flows and requires intense strength, balance and focus. Depending on where you live and the season, you can find SUP Yoga classes that run weekly.


• SLACKLINING – The practice of slacklining looks very similar to tightrope walking off the ground. It is accomplished by stretching and tensioning a one to two-inch wide length of nylon/polyester webbing between two anchor points, most often trees. This exercise encourages maintaining concentration, fitness, core strength and balance skills. There are 5 different types of slacklining: waterline, highline, trickline, yogaline, and rodeoline.

As fitness facility owners wrestle with the idea of implementing outdoor fitness, it will help to consider the outdoor fitness space, what activities will be performed, and outdoor fitness trends. By being creative and innovative, facilities will remain relevant and attractive in the ever-evolving fitness landscape.