WNiF Magazine - Autumn 2018 Edition | Page 33

Selecting equipment with wide appeal that can adapt well to your facility’s programmatic requirements from session to session is key.. The beauty of functional training, by definition, is its intended purpose of helping one’s physical performance in preparation for daily activities. To accomplish this, there are many great tools to incorporate into a functional frame so as never to illicit boredom. Intuitive attachment of accessories quickly and safely is critical. Don’t feel pressure to combine every facet of what’s in vogue into one structure (i.e. Olympic Movement, battle ropes, land mines). Higher intensity activities can be planned for closely adjacent areas with supplemental rigging and power racks. This can help limit the intimidation factor for new participants looking to acclimate into fun and newfound styles of training. Work closely with a functional design specialist to configure training spaces so that a high demand area will not be dominated by a single user for an extended period of time. Preserve space for clients not equipment Most of us have witnessed various rigs that provide fair exercise functionality, but their form factor and unintended consequences of space consumption quickly outweigh the intended benefit. Too many fitness frames are simply space occupiers and don’t sufficiently support storage, nor do they optimise effectively for simultaneous utilisation. Instead, they engulf the middle of the room and often severely limit open space required for human movement. WHAT’S NEW IN FITNESS - AUTUMN 2018 So much for a focus on functional. A dedicated space for functional training requires strong planning and a bit of discipline to thin out older, single purpose equipment that otherwise might be consuming space with marginal benefit. Preserve floor space and height wherever possible. When designing for a dynamic training space, the opportunity at hand is to demonstrate inclusiveness while driving new member engagement and retention. Well organised spaces demonstrate to your clients that you believe such is important, and your clients will participate in keeping order too. Author: Bryan Green is a wellness industry entrepreneur and fitness facility design expert. He has overseen the design and development of exercise facilities for Fortune 100 companies, global hospitality flags, health clubs, specialty studios, universities, and professional sports teams. Article originally published on LinkedIn: - www.linkedin.com/in/bryangreen/ 33