July 2021
A well-maintained exercise space remains one of the most sought after and heavily used amenities.
Condo developers have recognized the attraction of exercise space as an important part of condo life. This wasn’t the case 15 years ago when exercise space was a secondary consideration. Developers didn’t feel the need to include it during original construction. Today, developers ensure condo buildings are equipped with quality fitness facilities.
Building residents desire an exercise space in their building. As the most heavily used of all building amenities it promotes socialization, a healthy lifestyle and saves the expense of paying to join a club.
Poorly managed exercise space is among the most common complaints of building residents.
Some facilities have limited access incompatible with working hours. Peak periods are 6 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 9 pm. This leaves a small window between 11 am and 4 pm, working hours for most people, to access equipment without having to wait.
There is a shortage of equipment in many exercise facilities. Three elliptical machines, three treadmills and additional equipment may appear adequate and more than what can be found in many exercise facilities. In a building of 400+ residents and with each user requiring about 30 minutes for a cardio workout, this is inadequate to ensure access during peak periods. Looking at the math, many communities fail to provide enough equipment to support resident demand.
Public exercise facilities are typically open from 6 am to 11 pm and busy most times of the day. Condo communities may restrict access when they could be available 24 hours a day. This requires no supervision or support staff. Longer hours would accommodate all resident schedules and reduce demand during peak hours. Where noise is a concern, spaces can be made sound-proof.
High quality equipment, able to withstand frequent use by many people, is essential. Equipment should be regularly maintained and periodically replaced. The space does need to be kept clean and sanitary to avoid bad odours. Provide good lighting and ventilation, cleaning supplies for residents to apply after each use, and daily cleaning.
Residents desire a healthy environment combined with convenience and socialization. A well-equipped and well-maintained exercise facility fulfills these requirements.
