Marking #BEACTIVEDAY

As Gym Portfolio Manager, my role is to identify and develop opportunities within the fitness sector while ensuring that ongoing projects move forward smoothly. No two days are ever the same.

A typical day involves a combination of business development activities, customer meetings and close collaboration with Product Development Managers and other internal teams. I spend a significant amount of time following up with clients and partners, while coordinating with departments such as production and purchasing to ensure that projects progress efficiently.

What I enjoy most is the variety. One moment, I might be discussing an opportunity for a new fitness facility, and the next, I am working with colleagues to identify the best solution for an ongoing project. It is a dynamic role that combines relationship building, strategic thinking and day-to-day operational coordination.

Motivation has to start with the individual, of course, but gym operators and facility managers play a key role in helping people remain engaged over the long term.

Creating a welcoming environment and delivering a positive member experience are essential. People are more likely to return when they feel comfortable, supported and part of a community.

Technology can also make a real difference. Many gyms now use apps, wearable devices and activity-tracking platforms to help members monitor their progress, set goals and stay motivated. These tools provide valuable feedback and encourage people to maintain an active lifestyle beyond their gym sessions.

Ultimately, turning motivation into a habit requires the right environment, the right support and the right tools to help members remain committed to their fitness journey.

Member expectations have evolved significantly in recent years. Today, people are looking for more than access to equipment. They want support throughout their entire fitness journey.

Members increasingly expect personalised advice, professional guidance and ongoing follow-up to help them train effectively and achieve their goals. As a result, gyms are becoming more focused on delivering a complete and personalised experience.

One of the biggest trends we are seeing is the continued growth of mixed-use developments.

Fitness facilities are increasingly being integrated into buildings that accommodate a variety of activities and businesses. A gym may share a building with healthcare providers, retail spaces, offices, cafés or residential units, all with different expectations regarding comfort and building performance.

This creates new challenges for developers and operators. Fitness activities can generate impact noise and vibration that must be carefully managed, particularly when a gym is located next to, above or below noise-sensitive spaces.

As a result, gym design is no longer only about creating an attractive training environment. It must also ensure that the facility can coexist with neighbouring occupants and operate successfully within an increasingly complex building environment. This is driving a greater focus on building acoustics, vibration control and purpose-designed solutions from the earliest stages of project development.

Gym operators face a wide range of challenges when opening a new facility, and finding the right location is often one of the biggest.

Competition for attractive real estate is high, particularly in urban areas where fitness facilities increasingly need to coexist with other businesses and services. Accessibility, available parking and the overall suitability of the building all play an important role in the success of a new club.

Another key challenge is designing the facility in a way that supports both the member experience and the building’s performance. Careful planning of the different activity zones is essential. For example, areas with free weights or high-impact activities should be strategically located to minimise the transmission of noise and vibration to neighbouring spaces.

Successful gym development requires operators to balance operational needs, member expectations and building constraints from the very beginning. The earlier these considerations are addressed, the more likely operators are to avoid future issues and costly corrective work.

Flooring is often overlooked because members rarely think about what is beneath their feet, but it plays a much bigger role than many people realise.

From a user perspective, flooring helps define different areas within a gym, creating clear transitions between training zones, circulation areas and relaxation spaces. The right design and finish can also contribute to the overall atmosphere and identity of the facility, creating a more welcoming and enjoyable experience.

From a technical perspective, flooring is even more important. The flooring system, particularly in free-weight and functional training areas, must be capable of managing impact forces and limiting the transmission of noise and vibration into the building structure.

If these aspects are not considered from the outset, operators may face complaints from neighbouring occupants, operational restrictions or costly corrective measures.

Flooring should therefore not be seen exclusively as a design choice. It is a critical element that influences both the member experience and the facility’s long-term performance.

Different activities generate different levels of impact, vibration and noise. For this reason, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to gym flooring.

Ideally, acoustics should be considered a standard part of the building design process from the very beginning. Whenever a new fitness facility is being planned, one important question should always be asked: Could the activities taking place here disturb neighbouring occupants?

A location may be ideal from a business perspective, but if the impact generated by dropped weights, functional training or high-intensity workouts is transmitted into the building structure, it can create issues for neighbouring spaces and ultimately affect the facility’s long-term viability.

Operators should evaluate each activity zone individually and ensure that the flooring and isolation solution is appropriate for the expected loads and impacts. A free-weight area, for example, will typically require a different level of protection from a cardio area or studio.

Where there is a potential acoustic risk, acoustic assessments and in-situ testing should be considered part of the development process. Identifying and addressing these challenges early helps operators avoid complaints, operational restrictions and costly corrective measures, allowing the facility to operate successfully in the long term.

To me, a future-proof fitness facility is about much more than equipment and workout spaces. It is about creating a destination where people genuinely want to spend time.

Fitness is increasingly becoming a social activity. People do not only come to train. They also come to connect, relax and feel part of a community. This is why we are seeing more facilities invest in welcoming social spaces, cafés, lounges and wellness areas that encourage members to stay longer and engage beyond their workouts.

At the same time, future-proof facilities must be adaptable. Member expectations, fitness trends and building requirements continue to evolve, so operators need spaces that can accommodate change while continuing to deliver a positive experience.

My advice would be simple: make acoustics a standard consideration in every new gym project.

That does not mean every facility will require extensive acoustic treatments or specialised solutions. However, one question should always be asked from the outset: Could the activities in this facility disturb neighbouring occupants?

Too often, acoustics are only considered after a problem arises. By that stage, operators may already be facing complaints, restrictions or disruptions.

Taking acoustics into account early allows operators to make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary challenges and ensure that the facility can operate successfully in the long term, without disrupting the business or its neighbours.

My message would be simple: do not overthink it. Just get started.

It is easy to find reasons to postpone becoming more active. We all have busy schedules, responsibilities and excuses that can get in the way, but taking the first step is often the hardest part.

Regular physical activity offers benefits that go far beyond fitness. It can improve physical and mental wellbeing, boost energy levels and help people feel more positive in their daily lives.

Being active can also have a positive impact on productivity, focus and overall quality of life. You do not need to begin with ambitious goals. Find an activity you enjoy and gradually make it part of your routine.

I like to spend my free time doing the things that matter most to me: being with family and friends and staying active.

Whether it is travelling, sharing a good meal, spending time with loved ones or simply enjoying being together, I try to make the most of my free time.

I also enjoy working in my vegetable garden and greenhouse. It is a great way to switch off, spend time outdoors and do something completely different from my day-to-day work.

Sport also remains an important part of my life. Whether it is an early morning run or a workout session, staying active helps me maintain a healthy balance, both physically and mentally.