The Ultimate Gym Fitout Guide (2024 Edition)

Maintaining one's physical and mental health has increasingly become a regular part of our daily routines. Modern fitness centres around Melbourne are only becoming more innovative and bespoke to their member's needs – where mobile app integration, "grammability", and high-tech machines are the standard. And for those looking to open (or upgrade) their next fitness studio, figuring out how to integrate these elements can seem complex and costly too.

In this guide, we'll fill you in on the design and construction considerations you need to know when fitting out a fitness and wellness centre in Melbourne. We'll shed light on things like permits & approvals, hidden costs, and best practices in designing gym fitouts.

Knowing what permits and approvals you'll need is crucial in ensuring the build goes as smooth as possible. When first searching for your new space, always check its NCC building classification – this will determine which building code your fitout will need to fall under. Most fitness and wellness centres fall under building class 9b. So, if you are looking at building a gym in a space with a building code other than 9b (for example, warehouses typically fall under class 8), you will need to obtain council approval and make sure this space is up to 9b building standards.

Apart from that, applying for a building permit is almost always necessary when fitting out commercial spaces. These can take 7-10 days to get approved and ensure your new fitness space is built to plan safely and up to current standards.

Customer experience is paramount in fitness and wellness centres, and designing for this is crucial in any successful gym. The mood of a space is heavily influenced by how your body can feel and behave during a workout – you could be hot and sweaty in one space, then tranquil and relaxed in the next. So how can you design your gym to elevate the customer experience and match the mood of the activities performed there?

In designing spaces meant for high-energy activities, such as circuit training, for example, you would expect an aesthetic that would encourage movement and empower its members – with elements associated with high-energy spaces such as a boxing stadium or nightclub. Consider bright or neon lighting, industrial materials or a more masculine colour palette for your next fitness and wellness centre fitout.

On the other end, if you are looking to open a studio targeted towards slower, low-energy movement, lean into an aesthetic that evokes feelings of tranquillity and relaxation. Look towards natural elements like timbers, curves, a lighter colour palette and greenery.

Finally, building a space that is 'fit-for-purpose' is equally important to its overall look and feel - especially for fitness and wellness centres. Fit for purpose means that a fitout is well equipped for its designated role or purpose. Spaces like gyms and yoga studios require adequate power, plumbing, internet connectivity, temperature control and safety measures. When fitting out your fitness and wellness centre, consider the costs of these elements and get the right contractors in. Plumbers, power & data contractors, and mechanical service operators are all vital to ensuring your space is functional.

At Canopy Fitouts we believe in transparency at every stage of the fitout process, which is why we put together this guide to help you decide. With experience across various industries, we understand that every fitness and wellness centre in Melbourne is unique, and will work with you to bring your vision to life and within budget. If you have any specific questions or are ready to get started on your fitout, speak with our knowledgeable team today.