Boutique gyms are generally characterized as smaller gyms that are niched to a certain segment. Gyms have been trending in the fitness industry in recent years, but where do you start if you want to open your own boutique gym? We give you our top tips on how to succeed in the start-up process. For each tip, you get concrete examples from our reference gyms of how it can look.
Decide on the theme of your gym
Boutique gyms often have a theme. It could be about offering a certain type of training, for example boxing or personal training, but it could also be about the fact that there are beauty treatments that can be booked on site or that the gym has a specific interior design. Find the theme that you want or that suits your premises. You may already know what it is you want to offer. If not, take inspiration from your surroundings, the venue, what is in demand in the area or what you are passionate about.
Fightbox is a boutique gym that combines functional training with martial arts. The premises at Slussen and at Stureplan have rooms for classes in martial arts and functional fitness and a separate gym fully equipped with Gymleco. Fightbox opened its first training facility in 2015 with the goal of looking beyond the classic gym and offering an alternative atmosphere and feel.
Find the common thread of the design of the gym
In order to have a uniform expression in your gym, it is important that you find a common thread in the design. Design is important in a boutique gym so make sure you have a plan for your interior before you start building the gym. It can be as simple as investing in a dark gym with colorful lighting, having a color that permeates the entire gym, or having a material such as wood that is repeated throughout the interior. The important thing is to convey a feeling and invest wholeheartedly in that feeling in the design.
Grand Mosebacke SMART Club is a gym located in a historic building with a lot of history. Today, the house has been converted into a complex with exclusive apartments. To convey the luxury in the interior, the owners have chosen to paint all details in gold, such as pillars and wall decals. Together with the subdued lighting and stylish gym equipment, the owners clearly convey the feeling.
The gym equipment must work for your gym
Most often, boutique gyms are built in smaller premises to keep the membership down and keep it exclusive. On a compact surface, smart planning of gym equipment is required to make the space feel larger than it is. Invest in stylish and compact gym equipment to accommodate a good selection for your members while creating an airy gym.
Moumo is a climbing center in Stockholm without a separate room but the gym is in one of the large rooms with climbing walls. The gym area is about 100 square meters and with our compact gym equipment, they have room for both a wall-mounted rig, a cross pull, a dumbbell station and several gym machines.
Offer that little something extra in your boutique gym
In a boutique gym, it is common for members to receive extra benefits with the membership. The member price can average a little higher and then as a member you get e.g. beauty products, gym clothes, pt passes, spa access, unique group classes, etc. This means that the gym becomes a holistic experience and that you don't just go there for the training itself. Think about what fits in your boutique gym so that it is still relevant to the theme and common thread.
Roberg Training Club in Tändstickspalatset is not only a gym in a central, historic building, but they also offer personal training, corporate training, loan of clothes, towels and hygiene items. As the gym is located in an office and conference room, they also have a solid collaboration with the conference company. So that you as a member are offered exclusive offers at conferences and events.
If you are planning to start a boutique gym or want to discuss your current boutique gym, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at Gymleco. We have extensive experience in the industry and offer free 3D layouts. See our entire range of gym equipment on our website.
