A new era of fitness

Southwark Council is soon to begin a major transformation of their gyms within Southwark leisure centres. As the trends change in the fitness world, so too must the designs and layouts of gyms. So how does today’s gym landscape compare to twenty years ago and what do current members want out of a fitness space?

The current gym design heavily prioritises cardiovascular equipment, occupying the largest area of the gym floor. This design choice was in line with the fitness preferences of the time when rows and rows of treadmills and stationary bikes and steppers, dominated the fitness landscape. Whilst treadmills still topped the most popular cardio workout in a recent survey with Southwark Leisure members, 75% of members asked for more functional fitness space. This feedback has been instrumental in shaping the new gym layouts, which will now feature expansive areas for functional workouts, equipped with the latest tools and apparatus to facilitate this trend that looks like it’s here to stay.

The shift in trend to functional fitness staple for many gym-goers. Treadmills, for instance, continue to be the most popular piece of cardio equipment among Southwark Leisure members.

In recent years, there has been a marked shift from C.V. dominated workouts towards strength training and functional fitness. Recognising this trend, Southwark Leisure's refurbishment plans will pivot to accommodate the evolving trends and fitness needs of its members to ensure the right customer experience is created. This significantly impacts the whole design of the gym space including layout, zone planning, equipment choice, mirror placement, lighting and flooring, décor and more.

Benefits of cardio

Cardio workouts such as running, cycling, and rowing, are essential for maintaining cardiovascular health which has many benefits:

• improves heart and lung function

• increases stamina

• reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity

• effective for burning calories

• aids in weight loss

Benefits of functional fitness

Members of Southwark Leisure voiced a strong desire in the recent survey for increased support and guidance from fitness professionals. In response, each refurbished gym will include a dedicated Member Area designed for fitness reviews, programming and advice bringing rise to the importance of a fitness trainer again. This area will be equipped with a Tanita body composition analysis scale, allowing members to measure key body metrics such as metabolic age, BMI, weight, muscle mass, blood pressure, and fat percentage. Tracking these metrics over time provides invaluable insights into your fitness progress and overall health.

What is functional fitness?

Functional fitness focuses on exercises that mimic everyday movements, enhancing strength, flexibility, and balance to improve overall physical performance in daily activities. Unlike traditional cardio workouts that primarily target cardiovascular endurance, functional fitness exercises involve multiple muscle groups and emphasise core stability. Movements such as squats, lunges, and kettlebell swings are staples in functional training routines, providing a more holistic

Functional vs cardio

Despite the growing popularity of functional fitness, cardiovascular workouts remain a

By focusing on movements that replicate reallife activities functional fitness offers its own unique set of benefits:

• muscle coordination and balance

• improves agility

• improves posture and preventing injuries

• strengthens the body's core muscle.

Functional fitness is also highly adaptable, making it suitable for people of all fitness levels. Whether you're an athlete looking to enhance performance or someone seeking to improve daily movement efficiency, functional fitness can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

The rise of the trainer

The emergence of budget gyms chains that lack fitness instructor support, customer know-how attitudes, fitness apps and improvement in equipment useability has meant that gyms have not invested as much in supporting customers on the gym floor.

To further support members on their fitness journeys, the new facilities will include access to a dedicated app where individuals can log in to monitor changes in their body composition and follow customised fitness programmes. This digital integration and heightened support from instructors will offer a seamless and personalised fitness experience, empowering members to set goals, track progress, and stay motivated.

Southwark Council’s investment in modernising its gyms underscores a broader commitment to fostering a healthier, more active community for all. By updating the facilities to reflect current fitness trends, giving members more support and incorporating advanced technology for personalised fitness tracking, Southwark Leisure is poised to become a leading example of how public leisure centres can evolve to meet the needs of their members. The gym refurbishments are set to commence at the end of the year.

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