Society gym or a gym in a residential building is a private workout facility restricted to only the society residents which they can access daily within a certain fixed hours. It consists of different equipment and is open for people of all age groups.
In this article we will walk you through the advantages of having a society gym, a short guide on how to set it up and all the major details involved in the process.
Advantages of a Society Gym
Extremely Convenient for the Residents
A society gym is usually a part of the building club house or recreation space and located inside the building compound making it extremely convenient for the building residents to access it and use it at their own convenient time. This saves a lot of traveling time from home to a commercial fitness facility (located outside the residential building) and people can easily use it anytime during the day as a short break from their work.
Restricted to Only Society Residents Making it a Safe and Hygienic Place to Workout
COVID-19 restrictions had led to closure of all the fitness facilities in 2020 and when the restrictions were lifted, there were many norms and regulations that were passed for fitness facilities to follow for safety and hygiene of the gym members working out. A lot of people restricted themselves from going to a commercial gym due to the fear of getting infected or being extremely conscious about hygiene in such a public workout space. Hence, a society gym in this case becomes a much safer and cleaner space to workout as it is restricted to only the residents and the society committee can take control of the hygiene maintained in the gym.
Increases the Value of the Real Estate
A fitness facility in the residential building is a great amenity to have and not all the societies have this facility. Now-a-days, builders are making sure to include a gym as the primary amenity in their new constructions (consciously since the pandemic) thus increasing the value and price of the real estate inturn benefiting people.
Good Recreational Option for People
A society gym is usually a part of other recreational amenities such as a swimming pool or a play area, or a multi-utility court etc. Having such a facility in your residential building is a refreshing break from the new ‘work-from-home’ monotony, and can be easily accessed as per your convenience. You can plan and workout together with other residents to enjoy company during your fitness routine.
Society Gym Space Planning with Equipment
Like any other fitness facility, even a society gym needs certain aspects to consider and planning to be done.
Types of Equipment that can be Included
There are various machines and fitness accessories available that can be used for society gym; however, equipment type and quantity depends upon two major factors:
- The size of the residential building: The number of flats, average size of the family residing in each flat are the numbers needed to decide the number and types of equipment that can be used to set up this fitness facility.
- Area allotted for the society gym- The gyms in the residential building vary in size, depending on the space allotted for it by the builder. Hence the space planning and the equipment should both be done considering the space available.
Once you’re through with the above considerations, you can go ahead and look at the various machine options available.
Strength Training: A multigym is an excellent option for a society gym as it is a combined unit offering multiple strength training exercise possibilities. FM 3002 and 3003 from Into Wellness/Realleader USA are 5-station and 3-station multigyms having multiple units combined in one equipment.
FM 3002 5-Station Multigym has a Pec Station, Lat Pulldown/High Pulley Station, Ab Crunch/Mid Pulley Station, Leg Extension/Leg Curl Station, and Seated Row/Low Pulley Station together in one unit.
Similarly, FM 3003 3-Station Multigym has a Leg Press/Calf Press Station, Pec Station and Lat Pulldown/High Pulley Station, together in this single unit.
Another convenient and suitable machine option for a society gym can be dual station machines. PF series from Into Wellness/Realleader USA offer various dual station strength training equipment offering different workout options in a compact floor area.
- Benches and racks are also a good option for a society gym as these are free weight equipment that can be paired with other equipment to perform various exercises.
- Cardio equipment is the most basic yet a primary equipment in any fitness facility. Cardio machines like Treadmill, Elliptical, Spinning Bike, etc. can be considered depending on the space available to accommodate these machines.
- Fitness accessories as we all know are most appropriate for gyms of any size and can be accommodated easily. Dumbbells, Plates, Yoga Mat, Kettle bell, Olympic Bar etc. can be incorporated in the equipment planning so that you have a designated space to store these accessories neatly in the society gym.
Gym Equipment Brands
Once you are with the above considerations, and shortlisted which machines you need to buy, it’s time for you to know the right brands for a particular segment of machines.
Strength Training: Into Wellness
Cardio Equipment: True Fitness, Precor and Spirit.
Fitness Accessories: American Barbell, Eleiko, Rogue Fitness.
Gym Layout as per Equipment
The space planning depends on the allocated area for a society gym and thus the different exercise zones can be planned accordingly.
Workout Zones
Functional fitness exercise and HIIT involve different types of movement, HIIT is more aerobic and thus the equipment needed for this workout needs to be set up in a different specified area.
Similarly, strength training or weight training (free weights) need to be in a separate area as they require a different kind of flooring to hold on to the weights without damaging the floor. There are many gym flooring options that are made specially for weight training areas, which absorb the impact of weights. This helps in avoiding the floor from getting damaged and even keeps the equipment maintained.
Locker Room
In a society gym, a changing room may not be specifically required, but if there is some additional space available it can be definitely incorporated in your space plan. However, a locker room or a designated space to keep the essentials of the people using the gym is a must to consider during planning. Whether it’s just a storage rack or a specific space for storage, it needs to be considered in the layout.
Entertainment System
A society gym, as mentioned earlier, is a part of recreational spaces for building residents, and thus having a good sound system with music playing or a big enough TV screen to unwind and get entertained while working out can be ideal.
Air-Conditioning System
Like every fitness facility, even a society gym needs a good air-conditioning system and temperature control planned. A lot of heat and sweat is generated due to exercising and hence air flow, ventilation, and accurate temperature is very essential for a perfect workout experience.
Walls and Aesthetics
Well, interior options for gym interiors are plenty and in today’s digital age, inspiration and ideas have become extremely accessible. Mirrors in a gym are always preferred mainly for two reasons- people can watch themselves while working out to maintain the right form; and they make the space look bigger. Adding fitness related slogans, posters, smart lighting etc. can all be worked out with an interior design as per your space and requirement.
Fitness and Wellness Programs by Society Gym
Society committee members can together plan various programs and group sessions for their residents. Various training programs such as personal training sessions, group training sessions, senior citizen training sessions etc. can be planned to motivate and encourage people to get into a fitness routine.
Secondly, there can also be a weekly session scheduled with a visiting nutritionist or dietitian who can guide people in their fitness journey.
Furthermore, zumba, aerobics, meditation, power yoga etc. can also be scheduled with trainers depending on the number of people who are interested to join respective sessions.
The society gym is also a space where residents can bond and build healthy relationships with their neighbors.
Society Gym Setup by Into Wellness
A sneak peek into some gym installations nationwide.
Conclusion
Most of us are tired of the mundane work-from-home culture that has been adapted since 2020. Hence having a residential gym is a boon for residents to take a quick break from work and even plan a good and convenient workout routine for themselves! We hope this article has been helpful to show major insight about advantages of a society gym and the process of setting it up. Feel free to reach us for any more concerns related to equipment and gym set.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a society gym?
A society gym or a gym in a residential building is a workout facility exclusively for the society residents (tenants and owners). Residents can access the society gym on any day within a certain fixed hours set by the society. This fitness facility consists of different equipment and is open for people of all age groups.
When can I use my society gym?
The society gym has certain timings or days of the week set by the society committee which is usually displayed outside the gym. You can also enquire about this with the society security, so that you can plan your fitness routine accordingly.
What machines does a society gym have?
The types of machines available in a society gym depends on factors such as size of the residential building and the space allotted for the fitness facility. However, machines like treadmill, cycling bike, lat pulldown, chest press, leg press, free weights, accessories are some of the primary machines which can be seen in most of the society gyms.
Can I take my friends to a society gym?
As the society gym is exclusive only for society residents, outsiders are generally not permitted. However, if you want to workout with your building friend, you would be most welcome in your society gym!
Is there a trainer at a society gym?
Having a trainer in a society gym completely depends on the society committee. They take a call whether to hire a trainer for the gym or not depending on the usage of the gym and the demand raised by the residents.
