Discover the Top North American Gym Brands for Sustainability and Diversity in Fitness
Equinox yoga studio
Introduction to gym sustainability and social equity
In the long-term, the integration of sustainability and social equity into the fitness industry is essential for promoting a healthier, more inclusive, and environmentally responsible society.
While it may not be a top priority compared to say, office buildings or residential developments, by embracing these values, even vaguely eco friendly gyms and a new generation of green fitness studio can demonstrate their commitment to the greater good, while simultaneously enhancing their appeal to a growing demographic of socially and environmentally conscious consumers.
So, in this article we will look at Equinox, Goodlife, Lifetime and Orangetheory to see how far they have gone in this process.
In summary, here are the key gym sustainability initiatives we are looking for:
energy efficiency
carbon emissions reduction
water efficiency
waste management
sustainable construction and fit-out materials in gym design
indoor air quality
eco friendly exercise equipment
eco friendly products and amenities
gym operations procedures
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policy
Community outreach
The importance of sustainability and social equity in the fitness industry
As public awareness of environmental and social issues continues to grow, the fitness industry must adapt to meet evolving consumer demands and expectations.
Key concepts for sustainable gyms
One of the key aspects of gym sustainability is the adoption of eco-friendly practices, such as using energy-efficient equipment, reducing water waste, and incorporating renewable energy sources.
Are these businesses looking to reduce plastic waste, implement smart water programs and recycling bins, introduce eco friendly gym supplies (sustainable fitness equipment, yoga mats, bathroom amenities, etc.), reduce their carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality with non-toxic low VOC interior fit-out materials, use energy efficient lighting (LEDs) and generally support sustainable companies in their locality?
goodlife fitness packs them in tight!
The impact of sustainable and socially equitable practices on gym members
The adoption of sustainable and socially equitable practices in gyms has a significant impact on gym members, contributing to a more inclusive and environmentally conscious fitness environment.
By incorporating gym sustainability measures such as energy-efficient equipment, water conservation, and waste reduction, gyms demonstrate their commitment to minimizing their ecological footprint.
This, in turn, attracts environmentally conscious members who value organizations that prioritize sustainability initiatives.
Social equity - DEI
Moreover, by embracing social equity, gyms ensure that all members, regardless of their background or socio-economic status, have equal access to quality fitness resources and opportunities.
This fosters a diverse and supportive community within the gym, promoting an inclusive atmosphere where members can thrive together.
industry leading design at EQUinox
Equinox: Sustainability and social equity initiatives
The Equinox gym brand has established itself as one of the leading players in the luxury fitness sector, showcasing a commitment to not only improving its members' well-being, but also doing their part to preserve the environment and promoting sustainability.
With a rapidly expanding network of luxury gyms, Equinox has recognized the importance of integrating sustainability into its core operations and long-term strategy.
Sustainable gym design practices
One of the key aspects of Equinox's sustainability strategy is gym design and construction, which now prioritize energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource conservation.
The gym brand has adopted green building practices, incorporating sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood, low VOC paint, and energy-efficient lighting systems in their facilities.
Moreover, Equinox gyms are equipped with high-performance HVAC systems to keep temperature control optimize energy consumption, and the brand continually seeks to improve the environmental performance of their facilities through regular audits and upgrades.
Water conservation
Water conservation is another area where Equinox demonstrates its commitment to sustainability, their team implemented water-saving technologies such as low-flow plumbing fixtures and water-efficient landscaping, significantly reducing water use in their facilities.
Eco friendly amenities
Additionally, Equinox gyms offer members eco-friendly amenities, including refillable water stations that encourage the use of reusable bottles, ultimately reducing the gym group reliance on single-use plastic bottles and lowering the gyms' overall environmental footprint.
Strategic partnerships
Equinox also supports various environmental initiatives and partners with organizations that share its values, fostering a sense of community and collective responsibility for the well-being of the planet.
Social Equity
To this end, the brand has implemented various initiatives to ensure that its gyms are safe spaces for people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and orientations.
One such initiative is the development of targeted programs and events that cater to specific groups within the community. These events not only offer specialized workouts and classes but also foster a sense of belonging among participants.
Moreover, Equinox gyms have taken steps to ensure that their staff is representative of their diverse clientele. This involves hiring employees from various backgrounds, providing them with equal opportunities for growth and development, as well as offering diversity and inclusion training to promote a culture of acceptance and understanding.
Our sustainability recommendations FOR A WORLD-CLASS GYM BRAND
We would like to see Equinox go further, rolling out these initiatives across their entire portfolio of both existing and forthcoming fitness facilities.
They could also look at sustainable gym equipment options, healthy building or green building certification in some cases, an committing to an annual sustainability report showing how they intend to go further than any other gym owner or fitness business in writing their own 'eco luxury gym' rulebook.
orangetheory fitness studios
Orangetheory Studios: Sustainability and social equity initiatives
Orangetheory Fitness Studio is a leading fitness center brand that has garnered significant attention and praise for their commitment to sustainability.
This has not only helped them differentiate themselves from other gym brands but also allowed them to make a positive impact on the environment and the communities they serve.
Gym design strategies
One of the primary areas where the Orangetheory gym brand has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability is in its gym design. From the initial planning stages to the construction and operation of their HIIT fitness studios, Orangetheory incorporates sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices.
The use of energy-efficient LED lighting, low VOC paints, and recycled rubber flooring are low hanging fruit for any fitness studio, green microgym or fitness business with a physical location, it really isn't that hard.
These measures not only reduce the environmental impact of their facilities but also create a healthier and more comfortable environment for their members.
Water conservation
In addition to these modest inroads into sustainable gym design, the Orangetheory fitness studio brand has also made strides in reducing water consumption with low-flow fixtures and water-saving technologies in eco gyms that help conserve water while still providing an exceptional experience for their members.
Waste management
Another noteworthy aspect of Orangetheory's sustainability initiatives is their dedication to reducing waste and promoting recycling. The gym brand encourages its members to bring reusable water bottles and provides convenient recycling stations throughout their facilities.
Again, this is a no brainer frankly, it costs them nothing and places more responsibility on the shoulders of the gym clients to consider their own water usage, just by offering filtered water and branded water bottles for sale at reception alongside all that workout gear!
They also make a conscious effort to reduce plastic waste and use recycled materials in their marketing materials and merchandise, further minimizing their ecological footprint.
Community outreach
As part of their ongoing efforts to support sustainability, the Orangetheory fitness studio brand actively engages in community initiatives that promote environmental conservation.
They frequently participate in local clean-up events, tree planting activities, and other initiatives that foster a greener community.
By involving their members in these activities, they not only contribute to a better environment but also inspire their members to adopt more sustainable practices in their own lives.
Diversity
The Orangetheory fitness studio brand has established a Diversity Council, a dedicated body responsible for creating, implementing, and monitoring various diversity initiatives across its gyms.
These initiatives include conducting regular diversity training programs for staff members, ensuring equitable hiring practices, and designing inclusive marketing campaigns that reflect the broad spectrum of members within the Orangetheory community.
Additionally, the Diversity Council works closely with gym owners and operators to create a culture of inclusion and understanding, which extends beyond the gym walls and into the larger community.
Goodlife Fitness: Sustainability and social equity initiatives
The GoodLife Fitness gym brand, a leading health and wellness company in Canada, has committed to promoting sustainable practices and reducing its environmental impact.
As a socially responsible and environmentally friendly gym business, GoodLife Fitness understands the importance of integrating sustainability initiatives into its operations to ensure long-term benefits not only for its members but also for the environment and the communities it serves.
Sustainability initiatives
One of the key sustainability initiatives is its focus on energy efficiency. The gym brand has invested in state-of-the-art equipment and facility upgrades that minimize energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For instance, GoodLife Fitness gyms feature LED lighting and energy-efficient HVAC systems, which significantly reduce the energy demands of their facilities.
Green transport
Additionally, the company encourages the use of eco-friendly transportation options among its members and employees by providing bike racks and promoting carpooling initiatives - a no-brainer that can be communicated through the lens of sustainability!
Waste management
In the waste management space, Orangetheory implemented comprehensive recycling programs across all its gyms, ensuring that waste materials such as paper, other plastic waste, and glass are properly disposed of and recycled.
This effort not only helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills but also contributes to the conservation of valuable natural resources.
Sustainable materials
GoodLife Fitness also prioritizes the use of sustainable materials in its facilities. The gym brand actively seeks out suppliers and contractors who share their commitment to sustainability, ensuring that materials used in the construction and maintenance of their gyms are environmentally friendly and responsibly sourced.
This includes the use of low-VOC paints, recycled flooring materials, and energy-efficient windows.
Events & PR
They host various environmental campaigns, workshops, and events to educate and inspire its community to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives.
LIFETIME fitness gyms
Lifetime Fitness: Sustainability and social equity initiatives
The Lifetime Fitness gym brand, a leading health and wellness company in the United States, has made a strong commitment to their internal sustainability efforts in recent years making them a worthy addition to this list.
The company has made significant investments in energy-efficient building materials, systems, and technologies to reduce its carbon footprint.
For example, many of the gyms in their network are equipped with energy-efficient LED lighting, solar panels, air conditioning, and advanced HVAC systems that minimize energy consumption.
In addition, the brand has also focused on water conservation by installing low-flow fixtures and utilizing rainwater harvesting techniques.
Sustainable gym operations
Another aspect of Lifetime Fitness's commitment to sustainability is the adoption of green practices in day-to-day operations with efforts to minimize the use of paper by switching to digital communication and record-keeping, thereby reducing waste and deforestation.
Moreover, the company provides recycling facilities in all its gyms, encouraging members and staff to recycle plastic, paper, and other materials. Lifetime Fitness also prioritizes the use of eco-friendly cleaning products, which reduces the release of harmful chemicals into the environment.
Green healthy lifestyle promotions
The company offers group classes and workshops on topics such as nutrition, waste reduction, and environmental conservation, empowering individuals to make informed choices that contribute to a healthier planet.
Community events
Furthermore, the brand organizes and participates in community events that promote environmental awareness, such as tree planting, park cleanups, and conservation fundraisers.
Conclusion and future outlook for sustainability in the fitness industry
The key focus areas for any gym brand looking to establish a seat at the eco gym table of the future to gain a competitive edge over other gyms are:
energy efficiency, solar panels, LED lights, reducing energy in operations policies
carbon emissions reduction to fight climate change head on, purchase clean energy from the grid (generated by wind turbines, etc.)
water efficiency, implementing smart water programs, reduced water consumption gyms
waste management, recycling program, no single use plastic policy
sustainable construction and fit-out materials (eco rubber gym flooring, etc.)
indoor air quality (HVAC filters, low VOCs, non-toxic paints, high ventilation rates)
eco friendly exercise equipment (spin bikes, cardio machines, etc)
eco friendly products and amenities
Social equity, diversity policy
local community outreach