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While cost was had little limitation in the design of the Apple visitor center the design elements added to open the doors to everyone can easily be implemented in everyday design.  
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2018 is introducing some interesting and exciting interior design trends.  Very excited to use these in future projects.  

Great link below to INTERIOR DESIGN magazine article 

Getting your membership to the locker room starts at your clubs lobby.  First impressions are the difference between membership retention and attrition.

Having a top of the line fitness floor, or the best programmed studios with elite instructors or a locker room with designer amenities is only as good as your first impression. 

​Your clubs lobby is a reflection of the rest of the club and members will generally come to the conclusion that if the lobby is dull and dingy, they can expect the same of the rest of the facility.

If you want to improve your memberships experience and expectation, paying attention to the offerings and design of your lobby will lead the way for telling your brand story and help retain members by emphasizing up front  who you are and what you have to offer.  

Hospitality and Wellness go hand in hand, today.  Creating energy, interactions and longer time spent on property has many looking at what the hotel industry is doing to shake up their current offerings. 

The hotel industry is looking at the thoughts of Malcom Gladwell.  He has written a book titled, “Blink: the power of thinking without thinking”.   In the book he examines the power behind “thin-slicing”. Thin-slicing is when you or your user makes a judgement about something in as little as five seconds. It is your initial impressions of a new acquaintance, a product or a place.  Looking at your facility with this philosophy in mind will help you look at your offering in a new light. 

When you walk into a health club, sport resort or fitness center, interior design can affect the way you feel.  Whenever you have walked into a dark, dingy cluttered lobby or one with lots of natural light, good air quality and a happy energy; chances are you are making a judgement on your first impression about the rest of the club.
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Below are some thoughts and ideas to help you look at your first impression.

CREATE AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION
A “home away from home” concept is one way of providing that connection.   
Designing lobbies with variations in layout and adding unique elements throughout the space—such as handmade goods, unexpected textures, mix-and-match furniture or diverse wall treatments; you can offer your members a more personalized and fresh experience that they will enjoy and seek to relive. 
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These types of ideas will set the expectation and can also move membership to remain on property which in turn means additional revenue. 
Engaging the members senses at the moment they pass through your front door, continue on to the locker room and into their workout with a consistent and thoughtful design will encourage members to seek other areas in the facility including social zones, business centers and food and beverage.  All of which can offer their own dynamic sense of emotion and ownership. 

The GREENER the better
The use of sustainable and eco-friendly practices will connect membership to your facility. People are gravitating toward more socially conscious spaces especially at places away from their homes.

Millennials are shown to favor eco-friendly properties.  Studies show they will actually spend more to be part of “green” properties.

According to a study conducted by Nielsen, 66% of global respondents say they’re willing to pay more for products and services that come from companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact.  This is up from 55% in 2014, and 50% in 2013.

Among the design elements to consider is the introduction of natural materials .
 
There is a practice / a study that uses Biophilic design.  The benefits of biophilic design can enhance the members overall experience by tapping into the wellness and well-being properties associated with this design trend.  Biophilic design is the theory that we have an innate tendency to seek out nature, natural elements, and natural forms. It can be characterized by:

• Exposure to natural light
• Views to nature / natural vistas
• Natural architectural patterns
• Use of sustainably sourced materials
• Living green walls / Vertical gardens

Biophilically designed spaces continue to gain momentum.  As such, operators are seeing the benefits associated with the trend including lower energy costs, better indoor air quality, and more positive user reviews. 
A report from Terrapin Bright Green suggests that guests will spend on average 36% more time on properties that incorporate biophilic elements. This intern means added use and revenue.

Examples of design elements that membership would expect to find in their health clubs are:

• Salvaged or reclaimed woods of all types
• Reclaimed metals
• Sustainably sourced stone
• Exposure to picturesque landscapes or the incorporation of plants and greenery 

Design Elements   
​Patterns are expected to shift from high-contrast graphics to more visually soothing elements.  Textures will include soft and rich woven fabrics and expect to see more natural materials used. 
 
A mash-up of styles will produce whimsical environments, driven by storytelling that is integrated throughout the design helping to create a genuine and engaging experiences that membership will seek.  This will stand especially true for the millennial market.
 
Moving beyond strictly visual elements and focusing on having a space that is more about feeling good, will continue to provide a sense connection.   ​
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Small touches
Looking to what you already have or investing in small touches now (when budgets are critical) can immediately improve the membership experience. 

• Knowledgeable Staff – Make sure staff is aware of what your brand and club have to offer.  Having unhelpful and unknowledgeable staff will quickly give a member a reason leave.
• Available staff – Having staff available and willing to help is critical.  Members feel less important when they can not find staff.  
• Inconvenient operating hours - Make sure your members are given options when they can use the club.
• Furniture – Provide or rearrange existing furniture such that you create natural social zones.  Members will gravitate to more socially conscious zones.  If they feel safe and have a place to visit they will engage more with the property. 

Keep it CLEAN
If you are unable to implement some of these thoughts in to your current facility at least keep it clean.  
 
Nothing can cause a negative first impression more than a dingy and cluttered lobby or reception.  If it does not look clean it most likely is not.  Members will take their money elsewhere

For additional ways to keep your facility clean read, Member retention worries? A Spring cleaning may help, from the NNL- Architecture blog.  Below is a link to that article.
 
(http://www.nnlarch.com/blog/member-retention-worries-a-spring-cleaning-may-help)
  
First impressions are everything.  Having the best locker room or the best fitness floor is only as good as getting the member past the receptions desk.  If you want to improve your memberships experience paying attention to the design of your lobby will lead the way to an excellent member experience, positive club reviews, increased membership retention and additional revenue.  

Spring is just around the corner.  Soon the club will be a buzz with March Madness and Spring break resolutions.  This in one of your busiest quarters with high membership usage.  This high usage makes it hard to provide a clean and healthy facility for members.   Now is the time to take a step back and look at creating a plan for a spring clean, making sure to retain the new members, as well as keeping your dedicated high use membership.

A club’s cleanliness is a vital part of its operation…..its social and financial success.  For members, the perception of a clean and healthy facility is a matter of staying or leaving. 

Industry studies conducted by IHRSA show that operators spend between 1.5% and 4.0% of total revenues on housekeeping.  Further studies indicate a correlation between this spend and the increase of revenue and maintained member retention.   Insuring that every interaction the membership base has with the facility is a positive one should be your goal.  From the parking lot to the locker rooms, having a healthy and clean club will maintain retention and increase revenue.

Preparing now will allow you to continue to offer the highest level of brand service to your membership.  Here are a few thoughts and ideas to help you get ahead of the curve and continue your growth into the remainder of the year.

Housekeeping – The unsung heros of the health club :: 
Within this team lies your key to success.  Giving them the tools to perform their jobs, walking with them daily and holding them accountable provides a level of respect, dedication and success. 
 
Have the lead housekeeper walk and inspect the club daily, inside and out.  Walk with them.  Make sure they have a clear understanding of your expectations.  Provide them with a check list that clearly spells out the daily, weekly, quarterly and annual cleaning expectations. 
 
Time for a refresh ::
During the high usage of the new year’s resolution months (January, February, March and now more often into April) the facility is exposed to a lot of wear and tear.  Now is the time to refresh all surfaces making them new again.     
 
Performing a manufacturer recommended deep clean on ceramic tile, rubber and wood flooring, as well as carpets, will bring back their crisp/ fresh appearance.  Members interact with these surfaces daily.  Assuring they are clean and healthy will have member’s thanking you.
 
Take this one step further; time to declutter.  Remove expired marketing campaign flyers and posters.  Reorganize high interaction areas like reception / check in, concierge, retail, trainer’s desks or any point of contact or sale area.
 
For a minimal expense, with high return, repaint high use walls.  Address key areas in the common corridors, restrooms, locker rooms, studios, cafes and kids club.
 
Take a moment and go out side ::
A member’s first impression is your storefront and parking lot. 

1. Make sure the parking lot is clean.  Repaint any curbs and stall markers.  
2. Power wash all walk ways leading to the buildings entry.
3. Make sure lot signage is presentable and clear.  
4. Be sure to visit the lot during the day and at night, checking to make sure all building signage and lot lighting are operational.
5. Clean up any landscaping that needs attention.

  
Kids area ::
Don’t forget your child-aged members.  Make sure that you perform a safety walk of their area.  Remove all broken and unsafe toys and furniture.  Perform a deep clean on all toys and furniture. 
 
This is a high exposure area for parents and new members.  Make sure you keep this area clean, healthy and safe.
 
Other upgrades ::
Still feeling in the groove and want some ideas for inexpensive updates?  Here are a few items to consider. 

1. Art ::  Update the art in the facility.  Starting in your high use areas, such as,  public corridors, sales offices, locker rooms or cafes - replacing the art with a well thought out campaign is an inexpensive way to add an update.  This can also be combine this with a marketing campaign.  
2. Furniture ::  If you don’t have a budget to replace worn or damaged furniture consider reupholstering existing furniture. 
3. Lighting :: Spring clean is a great time to walk the club and make sure all your lighting is operational.  Assuring they are the same output and color temperature will give the impression of an update. 
4. Walk off mats :: Replace damaged and discolored walk off mats in the locker room wet areas, pool decks or steam rooms. 
5. Renovations :: If budgets allows, late quarter one and into quarter 2,  is a great time to start thinking about possible renovations to program areas.  Preparing now will allow you to attack with minimal disruption during the slower months.  Setting into motion marketing campaigns related to upcoming improvements and renovations keeps membership involved, engaged and excited about their club.  Renovating studios, spas, cafes or social areas can allow for a much-needed update to program and offering.  Reorganizing the fitness or cardio floor equipment is a quick way to bring life back in to the club.

Performing a spring clean now is a key to member retention, increased revenue and an increased member experience.   Members of a health club who see their club to be healthy and clean are more likely to visit the club more often.  An empowered member that communicates with you will open up lines of conversation that will prove to be positive for the membership and the brand’s offering.