According to a recent YouGov survey, half of all current or potential gym members believe that sustainability is important when choosing a gym. This might surprise some people because when we think of people making sustainable buying decisions, we’re probably more likely to think about a physical product like clothing or a means of travel like taking the train, but it’s also influencing fitness decisions. And we wanted to share some ways gyms and studios are going green. The Gym Group The Gym Group is the ‘UK’s first carbon neutral gym chain’, aiming to be net-zero by 2045. It currently buys 100% renewable energy and has replaced all its lighting with LEDs. Interestingly, one of its gyms uses the condensation from the air conditioning to flush the toilets, suggesting there are often surprising ways to introduce innovation. In an article by Leisure Opportunities, The Gym Group was described as ‘sector leading in terms of ESG, particularly in relation to sustainability.’ 👊 100% renewable energy purchase 👊 Removing all gas for water heating 👊 Upgrading network building control systems 👊 Maintenance programme to ensure all equipment is working efficiently 👊 Aiming to recycle at least 50% of our waste 👊 Removing single-use plastic from vending machines 👊 Regular energy audits 👊 High-efficiency showers Rumble It isn’t just the big gyms that are making decisions about sustainability, either. Rumble is a boutique fitness studio in London where members actively ‘contribute to a healthier planet’. They’re so committed that they plant a tree every time someone books a class to offset their carbon footprint. Rumble also works with several companies that help protect and regenerate precious ecosystems. It’s a great example of how sustainability can be integrated into a gym to enhance the member experience. 👊 Plants a tree each time someone signs up for a class 👊 No single-use plastic 👊 Sustainability sourced products 👊 Partners with sustainable companies Storm Cycle Studio Storm Cycle Studio in Berlin offers indoor cycling classes with a nightclub vibe. The custom-fit studio boasts colourful lighting and a killer music system to create an energetic and engaging workout environment. The studio uses reclaimed wood, but crucially, it also uses electricity-generating bikes in its classes. The RE:GEN bikes capture the kinetic energy the riders generate, convert it, and store it in an energy storage system (ESS). This means the studio can use human power to offset its energy usage (and bills). 👊 Power-generating indoor cycling bikes 👊 Reclaimed wood David Lloyd David Lloyd has spent £20 million on installing energy-efficient technology, including upgrading heating and cooling systems and installing LEDs. David Lloyd’s website says that ‘solar panels will be installed in clubs’, generating 20 to 30% of each club’s electricity requirements. The clubs will also see a reduction in single-use plastic items and an increase in EV charging points. 👊 Energy efficient shows 👊 Solar panel rollout 👊 Heat pump installations 👊 EV charging stations 👊 Reduction in single-use plastic 👊 Water self-supply license 👊 Intent to become carbon net zero by 2030 Sustainability can often feel overwhelming, especially for operators concerned about disruption for members and cost. Of course, this isn’t something that has to be done overnight, nor is it only achievable by the biggest players in the industry. Sustainability is also often about achieving efficiency, which can save money. Looking at gyms like Rumble or studios like STORM, it’s also a great way to use sustainability to enhance member experience and engagement in a way that feels very slick and modern. Here are some quick tips to think about if you’d like to follow in the footsteps of the gyms named above. ✅Get an energy audit ✅ Recycling ✅ Reduce or eliminate single-use plastic ✅ Switch to LED lighting ✅ Maximise natural light ✅ Install electricity-generating bikes like the RE:GEN ✅ Install solar panels or other forms of microgeneration ✅ Regularly stay on top of maintenance: fix broken taps, leaking pipes, cracks in glass, etc. ✅ Use smart sensors to control light in low-traffic areas ✅ Programmable thermostats or energy management systems can help ✅ Install low-flow fixtures in changing rooms and showers ✅ Use sustainable building materials, including flooring. ✅ Use sustainable cleaning supplies to help keep the air clean 💪 Gym owners! You can generate clean energy from your members' workouts. Find out more about how human power can transform your gym or studio.