Mr. Broadhag

Spas, Health & Fitness

Hotel Fitness Center: How to Select the Right Equipment

By Kurt A. Broadhag, President, K Allan Consulting

Hotel fitness centers are no different than basic health clubs when it comes to decision making on equipping their facilities. Major prohibiting factors including space and budget limitations require management to make smart choices on equipment procurement. These choices are influential in determining equipment quantities and quality with defined specifications unique to each setting. Taking time to research proper selection early on in the design process will not only save money and reduce liability long-term but will allow hotel operators to develop their fitness center around the guests needs.

Initial fitness center design centers on space allocation. This defines the quantity of equipment your space can safely fit. For many hotels this space is already predetermined as existing retrofitted rooms in which case no additional area calculations are needed. For those more fortunate to develop the fitness center in the hotel design and construction phase general calculations can be used to determine approximate size of the facility needed based on occupancy load. For normal fitness centers this is based on projected membership. In the hotel setting this number is based upon room count although more advanced calculations can be integrated based on hotel demographics and peak usage figures. Generally there should be at least 350 square feet gym space allocated for every 200 rooms.

Once room dimensions have been defined the equipment selection phase of the design can begin. For the hotel setting there are three basic divisions of the fitness center depending on the size and emphasis - strength, cardio, and the stretching/ab area. While most health clubs dedicate anywhere from 50-60% floor space for the strength area, 40-50% for the cardiovascular area, and any remaining to stretching the hotel niche is somewhat different in that limited space dictates emphasis first on cardiovascular equipment. Typically the small 350 square foot hotel gyms dedicate most of the space to cardiovascular equipment and can accommodate 4-5 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, a dumbbell rack and a small multi-gym. Gyms double the size dedicate even more space to the selectorized equipment and can typically fit 7-8 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, small freeweight area, and a small circuit of selectorized equipment. As floor space increases, the ratio of strength equipment to cardiovascular equipment approaches typical fitness center percentages mentioned above. These calculations can then used to determine what categories of strength and cardiovascular equipment to choose.

Strength equipment selection is broken down into two categories - selectorized equipment, or equipment with a weight stack, and freeweight equipment. Although most freeweight equipment is standard for the majority of hotels - single dumbbell rack with one to two benches, the selectorized equipment selection requires more thought. Within selectorized equipment there are three types of design - multi-gyms, dual-function pieces, and single station. In general, multi-gyms have the smallest footprint while still offering exercises for the entire body and are used in smaller hotels. They can range from one to four stacks, sometimes more. The number of weight stacks correlates to how many guests can use the machine at one time. The downside to the multi-gym is that, 1) they limit the quantity of equipment for your guests since many of the exercises are done at the same station, 2) the limited number of stations requires the units to have a number of adjustments which may be too advanced for many of your unconditioned guests, and, 3) biomechanically, or how the machine functions in relation to the natural movement of the body, they are usually inferior to the single stations. Larger hotels should always first consider the single stations and, if limited floor space is an issue, the dual-stations second over the multi-gym.

Within each of the three categories of strength equipment there are a number of different equipment choices in terms of the targeted muscle group. Multi-gyms are fairly standard in targeted muscle groups and are chosen based upon their footprint and the number of weight stacks. Given space limitations pieces of selectorized equipment that work the major muscle groups should be chosen first and, if any room is available, the machines that target the smaller, more specific muscle groups. For example, initial major pieces include chest, back and leg machines and, if space is not an issue, arms, core, and specialty units.

There are a handful of reputable strength equipment manufacturers, all with similar pricing structures. Regardless of which company you decide to purchase through there are a number of general features to look for all of which will reduce your liability. Choose selectorized pieces with locking weight stack pins. Make sure each piece has a placard that shows proper usage and adjustment. Look for durable upholstery that is double stitched with covers in high use areas. Weight machine frames should be welded and painted with a powdercoating. Shrouds, although optional on some brands, should be included to encase the moving weight stacks. Finally, look for companies with warranties comparable to lifetime on the structural steel, five years on moving parts, and one year on the cables, bearings, and springs.

Proper cardiovascular equipment selection is important for a number of reasons. Since individual pieces can run up to $8000.00 this category can take up the majority of the hotel gym budget. In addition, this type of equipment can be costly in terms of maintenance and repair. Also, a greater emphasis is placed on these units in the hotel gym since the majority of guests use cardiovascular equipment with a lesser number using the weights. Considering workout times on the cardiovascular equipment run up to one hour verses a minute or so on the strength it seems logical that there should be enough pieces to handle demands at the peak hours. With this in mind it is important find the correct mix of equipment that has the ability to stand up to the usage demands.

Cardiovascular equipment is offered in three categories - residential, light commercial, and full commercial. The basic difference among these categories relates to the durability of the equipment. Full commercial equipment is made for heavy-duty use and has the ability to accommodate all body types. Another major difference among the categories deals with the manufacturers warranties. The light commercial equipment warranty is based on equipment usage. Most equipment manufacturers void these warranties if the equipment is used over a certain amount each day, usually four hours. To protect against ensuring your equipment carries the full warranty it often makes sense to buy the full commercial equipment.

Within cardiovascular equipment there are a number of different categories. In the hotel fitness center, the majority of cardiovascular equipment is a combination of treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes although some have more specialty units such as rowers, climbers, and stepmills. Some of these categories have variations such as lower, upper and total-body ellipticals and upright and recumbent bikes. The amount of each category varies around room size but a common formula used to determine the mix is 3:2:1 treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes respectively.

The biggest expense in terms of initial cost, maintenance, and repairs in cardiovascular equipment involves the treadmills due to the motor/deck/belt system. When shopping for treadmills it is important to look at these systems to compare models. Other features to compare include maximum speed, maximum elevation, number of programs, and warranty coverage. Although most warranties on cardiovascular equipment run one to three years there are companies that offer three years bumper-to-bumper warranties. This can save you a great deal of money especially considering a belt/deck replacement from wear and tear can easily run $500 per machine.

Final decision making involves choosing the brand of equipment which best fits your needs. In the fitness industry there are a handful of reputable companies with years of experience in R & D with a proven track record of reliability. Proper research through industry trade journals and trade shows or enlisting the aid of a private consultant will help in narrowing down equipment brands. Purchasing of the equipment takes place either directly through the manufacturer or through a network of dealers/distributors. When purchasing through a distributor check to see that they are an authorized dealer. Ask for a client list as well as history of delivery and service and make sure the company is financially stable. Finally, see that the company has a local presence and has the ability to handle warranty work and preventative maintenance issues.

Choosing the right equipment for your hotel fitness center requires careful planning and research. A concrete understanding of the role your fitness center will play in your overall business model will determine the time, effort, and budget dedicated to the design and equipment procurement. Taking time to choose the proper mix and brands of equipment specific to your guests needs equates to a sound investment in your fitness center.

Kurt Broadhag has over 16 years of experience in personal training and gym design. He is president of K Allan Consulting, a firm specializing in health club design and management. K Allan Consulting works in unison with property owners, architects, and interior designers to address fitness solutions and develop functional workout environments. The company specializes in two-dimensional and three-dimensional fitness facility renderings, consulting from conceptual design to final installation. Kurt obtained his LEED AP certification and has authored articles on green fitness center design. Mr. Broadhag can be contacted at 310-601-7768 or kbroadhag@kallanconsulting.com Extended Bio...

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