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Hotel Fitness Club Q & A (part 2)
by John Sarver
· What can I provide in my fitness area to help accommodate elderly & disabled patrons?
Providing equipment that is easy to get in and out of is most important for the elderly & disabled. The products should not require any adjustments that require a lot of effort. For example, there is a cardio machine built specifically for wheelchair users. The product is called an upper body ergometer and is basically a cycle for the upper body whereas a wheelchair can wheel right up to the handles and start excercising. This upper body ergometer can also be useful for cardio rehab. Elderly users tend to like treadmills, ellipticals and cycles. Providing proper equipment for the elderly and disabled can certainly raise your fitness room to another level and is a great positive addition.
· How much cardio equipment should I have in my fitness room?
Since most statistics show the relationship between cardio and strength equipment is almost even, I would suggest having a well-balanced room. A well-balanced room might include 55-60% cardio equipment and 40-45% strength equipment options. For example, a room with 6 cardio products and 5 strength products would be a nice well rounded room and would be attractive to a broader range of potential users. I would suggest placing several various cardio products, such as treadmills, ellipticals or steppers and cycles for variation and then on the strength side, try to accommodate the major body parts, such as; legs, chest, abdominals, back, etc.
· How can I compare different quality levels of equipment and what is best for my facility?
The best way to evaluate the vast offering of product equipment is to compare the technical and mechanical specifications side by side. Look for new technology and advances in specifications. Also, progressive fitness companies and leaders tend to develop new products on a regular basis, and in doing so, usually introduce new technological advances as opposed to companies that do not develop new products. So a good rule of thumb is to ask the sales rep when the product was designed and developed. Also, there are certain brand names that are well known and are a good measuring stick to compare with other up and coming new brands, for comparison.
· What is an appropriate size for a fitness room?
Generally, proper room size is dictated by the size and type of the facility. In some cases, location or proximity to a nearby health club can also be a determining influence to size of on site room. We generally recommend a minimum of 800 square feet. Many hotels and resorts have rooms much smaller than 800 square feet, and in a room smaller than 800 square feet, it is hard to design a proper facility that can accommodate a complete cardio & strength workout. In rooms less than 800 square feet, sometimes you have to use multi-function strength stations or gyms in order to accommodate a complete body circuit. I recommend having a professional evaluate, design and specify the appropriate products for the room.