A guide to UK purpose-built student accommodation gym design to help students level up their fitness
biofit student accommodation gym concept design
Introduction to purpose-built student accommodation gyms
In recent years, purpose-built student accommodation has become increasingly popular in the UK as a way to disrupt a market that had previously been dominated by sub-par student halls of residence, leaving many students with disposable budget at a loss of how to improve their living situation in the first few years at university.
As a result, today there is a growing demand for high-quality, premium student accommodation facilities in the UK, many of them targeting international students from China, India and the US, amongst other source markets.
Each new build construction project typically includes several hundred bedrooms, many of the Fusion Students projects (Biofit's client) target around 500 units for example. As a result, there is a requirement for a range of on-site leisure spaces and leisure spaces, from yoga rooms, meditation or prayer spaces, e-gaming, indoor basketball courts, outdoor gyms and yes, indoor fitness facilities as well.
Purpose-built student accommodation gym designs provide students with a convenient and accessible way to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle without having to leave the comfort of their building. These gyms are typically located within the accommodation complex, making it easy for students to access them at any time, which in turn increases the chance of students maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular workout sessions.
So if you are looking for university student apartments with a gym and wonder what student life looks like when you have 24/7 access to workout spaces designed by professional gym designers, read on!
The importance of gym design in student accommodation
Gym design is an essential aspect of purpose-built student accommodation but it does not operate in a bubble, it is most effective when it forms part of a wider, mental and physical health strategy focused on student wellbeing.
The design of a gym can have a significant impact on the overall student experience if it encourages more frequent exercise or longer workouts, or simply gets a student through the door of the gym for the first time to try it out and perhaps develop a new healthy habit.
A well-designed gym can encourage students to engage in physical activity regularly, which can have a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
As specialist gym designers with experience in this student accommodation sector, we consider the essentials here to be a magic combination of the layout and zoning, equipment selection, suitable lighting overhead, gym flooring selection, attractive yet functional decor and of course suitable levels of ventilation and airflow to ensure user comfort even at the busiest times of day.
We would also throw in a discussion around smart gym equipment and virtual trainer software, both of which are aimed at younger gym-goers, such as students, and engage them in a way most familiar to them, via technology.
Trends in gym design for student accommodation in the UK
The design of purpose-built student accommodation gyms has, thankfully, evolved significantly over the years as brands compete with each other for marketable, student-friendly fitness spaces that will attract the attention of potential overseas residents.
As we see it, there is now a growing trend towards creating wellness spaces that promote holistic wellbeing rather than focusing exclusively on a room to train cardio or strength machines.
Student accommodation 'gyms' are no longer just a place to work out in; in this extended interpretation of the concept, they become a place to relax and unwind, to stretch and do yoga, and of course for movement-based functional training rather than using machinery.
Many of the more premium student gym facilities are now incorporating additional wellness amenities such as saunas, steam rooms, and meditation rooms. The use of natural materials and greenery is also becoming increasingly popular in gym design, a trend that we support as experts in sustainable gym design.
We expect to see more sustainable gym equipment and smart gym equipment in this sector in future.
Top purpose-built student accommodation gym designs in the UK
Several UK purpose-built student accommodation brands stand out for their exceptional gym interior design, for example the Nido brand is doing great things in our view, as are Novel and Vita.
Kudos to the gym designers responsible there and to the student accommodation brands that commission them.
Watch out for some of our own designs coming soon for the Fusion Student buildings in Nottingham, Manchester and Brent Cross Town London!
Clearly this is a very different way of approaching the typical university student house with a gym scenario, a.k.k halls of residence, which frankly can be an exciting but scary experience for many, with a less than adequate student room on offer. Going for a PBSA solution is a game-changer for many students today!
Key features of purpose-built student accommodation gyms
There are several key features to highlight in a successful purpose-built student accommodation gym based on our experience working with the Fusion Students group in 2023.
Firstly, the gym should be easily accessible for students, with convenient opening hours and a central location within the accommodation complex, if possible with an outdoor area on offer as well for the warmer months.
The gym should also be well-equipped, with a range of high-tech cardio and robust strength training equipment to cover the lower body, upper body and core, as well as space for functional training.
The topic of how to manage group exercise classes is up for debate but there is a clear case for arguing that wellness software platforms are now at a point of sophistication that in real-life classes are no longer strictly necessary, especially given the operational burden they represent.
So having a dedicated space for yoga classes and group fitness combined with a subscription to a virtual fitness class platform is a viable option.
Lighting and ventilation are also crucial aspects of gym design. The gym should be well-lit, with natural light where possible, and adequate ventilation to ensure a comfortable workout environment.
Benefits of having a purpose-built gym in student accommodation
Clearly investing in 100m2-300m2 of fitness spaces, leisure spaces and gym facility needs to come with a string of benefits, not just to the residential experience but the property developer's bottom line, so how does that work you may well ask?
Firstly, it provides students with a convenient and accessible way to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. This can have a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing, as well as their academic performance.
Having a gym within the accommodation complex also encourages a sense of community among students. It provides an opportunity for students to socialise and make new friends while staying active.
Best practices for designing a purpose-built gym for student accommodation
There are several best practices to keep in mind when designing a purpose-built gym for student accommodation. Firstly, it is essential to consider the needs and preferences of your target audience. This includes factors such as age, fitness level, and fitness goals.
In this case, the audience is conveniently specific, so we might well expect there to be gym users who want to 'get their pump' on in front of the mirror with freeweights, another sub-group who enjoy calisthenics and bodyweight training, yet another who expect the latest cardio machines with entertainment screens or virtual fitness classes on offer, and finally those who want to lift heavy and require a squat rack plus up to 150kg of weight plates with adequate drop protection on the floor, etc.
Then there are the mostly female users who need some empty floor space, lightweight dumbbells (1kg-3kg), resistance bands, exercise mats and somewhere to position their smartphone to watch their own preferred workout videos in front of a large mirror. Getting to this level of granularity is, in our opinion as UK gym designers, what the task is all about!
Wherever possible, we believe a student gym should also be designed with sustainability in mind, using eco-friendly materials on the floor and non-toxic paint on the walls, as well as natural materials for workout accessories such as yoga mats and blocks, medicine balls, and so on.
Common mistakes to avoid in gym design for student accommodation
When designing a purpose-built gym for student accommodation, there are several common mistakes to avoid. Firstly, it is important not to overlook the importance of lighting and ventilation. A poorly-lit and poorly-ventilated gym can be uncomfortable and uninviting for students, and we will refrain from making any comments about youngsters not having learnt the importance of a morning and evening shower!
It is also important not to cram the space so full of equipment that there is nowhere to move, merely to stand or sit on a machine. This is how gyms used to be designed, largely driven by equipment brand sales reps and their ingenious ability to squeeze in as many of their expensive machines as possible, killing the opportunity to move around as part of a workout.
We take a very different view, prioritizing a percentage of empty floor space alongside the key pieces of machinery and complimenting that with comfortable gym flooring that encourages crawls, jumps and other functional movement patterns. That's what Gen-A and Gen-Z are looking for in their residential gym, in our opinion.
Future of purpose-built student accommodation gyms in the UK
The future of purpose-built student accommodation gyms in the UK looks promising, not least because we have several of our own gym and leisure facility projects forthcoming in 2024-2025 at Fusion Student locations around the UK!
There is a growing demand for high-quality fitness spaces in these types of accommodations, and gym design is becoming increasingly important in the overall student experience, the boom in PBSA development projects shows no sign of slowing any time soon.
As wellness and holistic wellbeing become ever more important to new generations of students, such 360 degree mental and physical health facilities are likely to become even more central to the core proposition of a PBSA building.
Conclusion
In conclusion, purpose-built student accommodation gyms are an essential aspect of premium student living. The design of these gyms can have a significant impact on the overall student experience, and it is essential to consider factors such as layout, equipment, lighting, sustainability and ventilation when designing a gym for student accommodation.
With the right design and amenities, purpose-built student accommodation gyms can provide students with a convenient and accessible way to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, promoting their mental health and wellbeing, and ultimately improving their academic performance.