In part one of this series, we outlined the process of building a new facility from scratch. It entailed four distinct phases: Predesign, Design, Contruction, and Preoperation phases. More detailed recap can be found here.
For part two we will deep dive an existing facility and how per the text (Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning) the equipment should be laid out. Structuring equipment in an efficient way creates a flow to the workout and the participants can maximize their opportunities in the gym. Nothing and I mean nothing messes with your workout more than having to find equipment or search for equipment. Creates a painful experience working out. Ideally, you want to have the majority of your equipment on the ground floor with the manager's office centrally located to ensure complete supervision of the facility. In the event the facility is not on the ground floor then the load bearing capacity of the floor should be 100 pounds per square inch.
Entering the facility should be accommodating for everyone. For every 12 inches of ramp then 1 inch rise are the recommended outlines. Facilities should have double doors or at least garage access to ensure large enough equipment can fit through the doors. Lights within the facility should be between 50-100 lumens to ensure enough lighting for participants to see, but not overwhelming to deter from the workout. Windows and mirrors can alter the amount of light emitted into the facility.
Ceiling heights should be able to accommodate plyometric exercises that utilize box jumps and tolerate vertical jump testing. 10-14 feet is the recommended height for the ceiling to allow athletes to comfortably use jumping plyometrics. In terms of flooring, it depends on what type of programs the gym is going to be centered around. For a gym that is going to incorporate plyometrics, sled pulls, agility and change of direction then turf is to be placed in the gym (and a large enough surface area to accommodate more than one athlete). If the gym is to be centered around Olympic lifts, then platforms are necessary. Platforms have a wooden square surrounded by rubber sections. The wood portion is to ensure athletes do not slip and rubber is to protect the flooring from bouncing weights.
Ideally, the temperature in the gym should be between 68 degrees F and 78 degrees F. Temperatures too hot or too cold affect training. Too warm of a facility and heart rate could be increased while running on the treadmill meaning that the athlete may not hit true heart rate for a particular exercise. Humidity should be kept at 60% or lower. Anyone in the south knows that humidity is the archenemies of the summer, or in dad joke form, "It's not the heat.... it's the humidity that gets you" HVAC system should be set to cycle out air 8-12 times per hour to prevent stagnant air from creating a foul smell. If fans are to be used, then two to four fans are recommended every 1200 square feet. Music is a tool that gyms utilize to decrease RPE, however it is recommended to keep the volume to 90 decibels to ensure athletes can hear cues and instructions. If the gym were to have yoga or pilaties classes, then sound absorbing material can be strategically placed to ensure a low volume.
Mirrors in a facility can be used to check form (or to check out the gains!) and make the room more aesthetically pleasing. Mirrors can create the illusion that the room is bigger, and when natural light reflects off the mirrors can create a nice visual look. Placement of the mirrors should be at least 6 inches away from any equipment and at least 20 inches off the floor. A typical weight plate is 18 inches so additional height for the mirrors is needed to ensure clearance. Mirrors being at least 6 inches away from the equipment is so that plates or dumbbells don't roll away and crash into the mirrors causing them to break. For anyone who is superstitious then we know that broken mirrors cause no gains for 7 years.
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