Boutique Gym: What Are They? — Wellness Designers + Gym Consultants

If you are a gym enthusiast, chances are pretty high that you came across the term boutique gym. This immensely popular trend has taken the fitness scene by storm and it continues to grow rapidly.

So, what makes them so special and why are people all around the world willing to pay much more in order to work out in one of the boutique fitness studios.

Let us explain what’s the fuss all about and you can decide whether it’s the right option for you. If you decide it’s just what you’ve been looking for, it shouldn’t be too much trouble finding one - boutique fitness clubs are up and coming.

Boutique gyms in brief

Boutique studios and gyms are smaller in size (usually somewhere between 80 and 300 square meters) and they offer their members a truly unique workout experience. Many people have started to call working out in boutique gyms a lifestyle, and rightfully so. Compared to traditional fitness chains, the boutique studio experience is much more intimate and goes much deeper.

The main difference compared to traditional gyms is that the boutique gyms usually focus on one specific area of fitness and they tend to be more exclusive and community-oriented. For instance, some boutique gyms specialize in spinning sessions, high-intensity interval training, yoga, dance classes mixed with fitness routines or even cheerleading-based fitness.

The rapidly-growing boutique gym concept

Boutique fitness has been booming in the last couple of years, mostly thanks to different innovations in both fitness and more importantly business. For aspiring studio gym owners, boutique fitness studios present unique opportunities and challenges. The trademark of the boutique gyms is combining different types of exercise into a vibrant routine.

There’s a number of reasons why the boutique gyms are slowly emerging as one of the leading trends in today’s wellness and fitness industry.  They are connected to economic changes over the years which forced businesses across a range of industries to adapt.

But, there is even more.

Sometimes you will find additional services like psychologists or nutritionists to be part of the boutique gyms too. This way, people get a complete personalized and enriching fitness experience that will keep them highly motivated.

It creates a very healthy environment where you get an opportunity to do the things you enjoy, surrounded by like-minded people in a very dynamic friendly atmosphere. This way, exercising is made fun and you will probably find yourself looking forward to your gym day - the day you dreaded until recently.

Unique ambient and trendy design with modern amenities

Boutique gyms are stylish by nature. A prime example is a cycling studio, which offers high-intensity cardio workouts, motivational instructors, and advanced features like performance metrics or immersive virtual rides. Walking into one, you will notice that even the smallest detail is carefully designed to be aesthetically appealing and functional. Space itself usually features modern amenities and normally has an upscale trendy vibe. Thoughtful design makes the overall experience even more attractive because the interior design also has a big role in encouraging customers through the door and keeping them coming back.

Biophilic design in gyms

Biophilic design is a concept based on harmony between the indoor environment and mother nature. This idea is thought to have many physical and mental health benefits and therefore makes a perfect solution for the boutique gym design. 

Boutique clubs around the world primarily focus on improving the well-being of their members and this is achieved by keeping an eye on delicate details such as air quality, lighting, scents, decor and use of the right materials. 

We help our clients through all the stages of making boutique gyms, fitness studios and wellness spaces. We prioritize sustainable, non-toxic and organic materials which could be the right choice for a boutique-style gym where you want your visitors to feel safe and comfortable. 

Boutique gyms are highly personalized with personal training

Regular gyms usually have hundreds, potentially thousands of members and lower membership fees. But these big chains of gyms work in a completely different way. Unlike boutique gyms, they actually prefer you not to show up. Big chains rely on ghost members - people who sign up for memberships but end up not actually going to the gym.

It has been proven that gyms count on ⅔ of their visitors to become ghost members at some point. Does this sound like an environment where you are expected to grow and develop healthy habits while working on your body and mind? Not quite.

On the contrary, boutique gyms focus on each individual and make sure they actually help you towards your goal - whatever it was. Coaches and instructors, including expert personal trainers, are usually highly qualified with experience in the health and fitness industry who really make a big difference. Smaller groups will allow gym stuff to really get to know each exerciser and adjust and create new workouts and routines that will be the most beneficial for each individual.

Another important aspect of boutique gyms is the sense of community which drives loyalty. Instructors, coaches, nutritionists and fellow gym members will make sure every person feels welcome and appreciated, removing the general feel of anonymity which is very present in the modern-day large fitness chains.

A concept that's varied and dynamic

Boutique fitness clubs are offering a wide variety of activities so if you are new to the concept, make sure you spend enough time exploring your options. Many of these clubs also offer classes dedicated to martial arts as part of their fitness programs. There are boutique gyms specialized in kickboxing or cycling, but also the ones that can be considered the fusions of multiple activities and styles.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is any workout that alternates between intense bursts of activity and fixed periods of less-intense activity or even complete rest. It is another common practice that can be found in boutique workout studios around the world. The nature of these gyms which is community-driven will surely offer a much nicer setting where all exercises are encouraged to help each other and develop a genuine friendly connection.

The revolutionary change in the fitness industry

A number of researches conducted in this decade have proved that customers are now looking for a more customized experience in every aspect of their lives and working out is no exception. Many fitness enthusiasts now have multiple gym memberships, particularly at boutique gyms, highlighting their commitment and value-driven approach. Boutique gyms are designed to precisely meet this need and therefore it’s not surprising to see them becoming more and more popular.

Boutique fitness is here to stay. With all its proven benefits, it truly is a revolutionary change in the fitness world. It offers people a well balanced, healthy lifestyle with a lot of personality, which is exactly what Biofit can help you achieve.