An office gym succeeds or fails on whether people actually use it. Most sit empty because the equipment suits enthusiasts rather than the sixty per cent of staff who are not confident in a gym. We specify for participation: approachable machines, short sessions, no queue at 6pm.
Design for the people who are not already training
01Approachable, not intimidating
Guided machines with clear instructions beat barbells for a mixed-ability workforce. Nobody skips a session because they are unsure how to load a plate.
02Built for peak windows
Corporate gyms fill at lunch and immediately after work. Duplicate the two or three most-used stations rather than adding variety nobody touches.
03Quick to use
People train in a 30-minute gap. Selectorised machines and adjustable dumbbells keep changeovers fast; complex setups get skipped.
Sizing against headcount
A planning guide, not a rule. Actual demand depends on whether you promote the facility and whether showers are available.
| Headcount |
Expected peak users |
Indicative room |
| Up to 100 |
4–8 at once |
25–40 m² — 2–3 cardio, one multi-station, dumbbells, bench, mats |
| 100–300 |
8–15 at once |
50–90 m² — 4–6 cardio, 3–5 machines, functional trainer, stretch zone |
| 300+ |
15–30 at once |
100 m²+ — zoned cardio and resistance, duplicated popular stations, class floor |
Typical participation in an unmanaged corporate gym is 10–20% of headcount. Size for peak concurrency, not total staff — building for everyone at once wastes budget on machines that stand idle.
Equipment ranges
Related pages
Practical matters in an office building
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Floor loading and accessUpper-floor gyms need the structural position checked, and lift capacity decides what can be delivered in one piece.
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Neighbours belowAcoustic flooring matters if there are meeting rooms or offices underneath. See Gym Flooring.
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Out-of-hours installationFit-out scheduled outside working hours where the building requires it. See Equipment Installation.
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Layout sign-offA 3D visual for facilities, HR and finance to approve together. See 3D Gym Layout.
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Servicing during working hoursScheduled maintenance so faults do not sit for weeks. See Annual Maintenance Contracts.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do we need for a staff gym?
25–40 m² supports a useful facility for up to about 100 staff: two or three cardio machines, one multi-station, a dumbbell set and a bench. Below 20 m² you can still do something worthwhile, but keep it deliberately simple rather than crowding the room.
What if nobody uses it?
The usual causes are equipment that assumes existing gym experience, no shower access, and no internal communication. Guided machines, clear on-machine instructions and duplicating the two or three popular stations do more for participation than adding variety. We will tell you honestly if a proposed spec looks likely to sit idle.
Can we install on an upper floor?
Usually, with two checks: the structural loading for the intended position, and lift dimensions for delivery. Heavy plate-loaded machines and rubber flooring concentrate weight, so this is worth confirming with the building's engineer before the layout is fixed rather than after.
Do you handle installation outside office hours?
Yes. Most corporate fit-outs are done evenings or weekends to avoid disrupting the floor and to satisfy building management access rules. Tell us the constraints and we will build the schedule around them.
Can this be phased across a budget cycle?
Yes, and it is common. We plan the full room, then supply in stages — cardio and one resistance station first, additions in the next cycle — so the layout still works at every phase rather than being rearranged each time.
Related reading
Plan a corporate facility
Send your headcount, the room area and the floor it sits on. We will return a layout, an equipment list and a phased budget if you need one.
