About Fitness Centers

Fitness centers are also known as athletic clubs, fitness clubs, gyms, health clubs, personal training studios, and workout centers. Following is information about fitness centers of all sizes and organizational structure.

Fitness centers range in size from as little as about 800 square feet to over 100,000 square feet.

Large fitness centers offer specific areas and features that include cardio training machines, free weight equipment, selectorized progressive resistance machines, group exercise studios, flexibility and stretching areas, fitness cages with TRX, Pilates, multi-use gym floors (basketball, volleyball, badminton, etc.), swimming pools (indoor and/or outdoor) and locker rooms.

Larger fitness centers often include additional features and amenities, such as a pro shop, a restaurant, lounge with television and public computers, Wi-Fi, amassage therapist, a physical therapy/sports medicine department, meeting rooms, a personal training studio within the fitness center, whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and family locker rooms and private locker rooms.

Larger fitness facilities are sometimes associated with fieldhouses that include tennis courts, indoor track & field facilities, baseball practice facilities, indoor soccer and other sports.

Smaller fitness centers are often personal training studios that focus on functional training or other specific group training, or specific athletic training.