Case Study: First Watch HQ - Heartline Fitness

The Sky’s the Limit! Expand Your Fitness Amenities Outdoors

Yesterday, March 21^st marked the first day of meteorological Spring. And for those of us in the Northeast and Midwest, we are happy to be rid of Winter. With the coming of spring, more and more people want to get outside and move! That means that right now, no matter what part of the country you’re in, now is the time to get started adding outdoor fitness equipment to your community. Whether it’s two non-motorized ellipticals and a chin up bar just outside your fitness center, a large set up over by the pool, or an exciting walking trail with clusters of machines at strategic spots along it. There’s so much more you can do.

During the height of the pandemic many properties pushed residents outside – and many report great resident / member satisfaction. There are still a number of people who don’t like the idea of working out in an enclosed space with other people. But even if that weren’t in the back of people’s mind, everyone likes the outdoors, right? Think about it; read on for some things you may not know about just what is needed to add this feature to your fitness amenities. And what it will add to your property’s profile once you do.

A few things to think about:

Especially if you have a small fitness center which only allows for a few pieces of equipment, outdoor is the way to go. Expand the space by taking it outside.
Think of it as an extra fitness amenity you offer your residents. Take a look around your area and see who else offers that.
Diversify with what may not work in your fitness center might not fit; the great outdoors has an unlimited ceiling – there are some great pieces of cardio and strength machines that will not fit in your 8-foot- or even 10-foot-high room.
All; kinds of under utilized spaces can be converted – tennis courts, playgrounds, outdoor cooking stations, extra parking lot sections, green areas anywhere on the property.

So Many Ideas, So Many Options

Installation of outdoor equipment is not as difficult as you might think. The lead time for most outdoor installations is 20-30 days (customer colors and configurations can add a few weeks to that). And yes, if you’re not familiar with what’s available in outdoor fitness equipment, there are the equivalent of elliptical machines, rowers, all sorts of your strength machines and it’s all completely weatherproof and virtually maintenance free.

Here’s a great feature about most outdoor equipment brands – they’re designed for two people. You’ll see 2 ellipticals set up so the two people face each other; and two sit up ab benches are connected and facing each other. So nice when you have a partner. They’re designed this was to promote social interaction – your active aging population doesn’t have to separate when they exercise. It can be a great motivator too.

A great way to maximize the impact of a new outdoor fitness space is to cluster the machines and put them all under a sunshade – everyone is protected from the sun/heat (there’s an SPF factor in the cloth), rain, even a light snow.

The Biggest Bang for Your Buck

One of the most impactful ways to incorporate outdoor equipment is to place it along an existing or new walking/jogging trail.

*Just one kind of trail course you can set up; you’ll get what’s best for your property’s residents.*

What makes a good exercise trail? In a word, variety. You want the different stops along the trail to have at least 2-3 pieces of equipment – there’s less waiting, and if it’s two people walking, you don’t have to take turns or one doesn’t just walk ahead to the next stop. There is equipment to work all the major muscle groups, just spread it out over the number of stops you’re creating.

Even the simple, old-fashioned pull-up bar transforms into an outdoor tension trainer with the addition of some simple functional training accessories. The don’t take up a lot of space; they slide out of the way. But on the other side, there are outdoor heavy bags – polyester hydro bags filled with water; rain doesn’t absorb into the leather used for indoor bags (usually full of dry sand).

A sales consultant will walk you through what is needed – a concrete slab, or drop-in footer, rubber mulches vs. turf for safety – outdoor turf has foam backing to absorb impact. They can also come to measure can propose the best location for a path and the stops along it. There are even advantages to how to place the pieces at the right angle to enhance functionality and aesthetics.

“Don’t let your indoor spaces limit you to what you can offer your residents/members – move them outside. Plus, you boost interaction among your residents.” And don’t think you are limited by your demographic; there is an outdoor product for every age group, every level of fitness.
Crystal Capone, Heartline Fitness Amenity Specialist, North & South Carolina