Opening a gym in your hotel or day spa

The cost of setting up a hotel gym typically ranges from €15,000 for a basic fitness area (a few cardio machines and a free weights corner) to over €150,000 for a premium space integrated into a spa, with a coaching area, high-end equipment and a carefully considered design. A complete mid-range space (cardio, strength machines and a stretching area) will usually cost between €50,000 and €100,000. This budget includes equipment, flooring and ventilation, lighting, and sometimes partitioning or soundproofing work. These figures are indicative only and can vary considerably depending on the country, the intended level of service and whether you choose new or refurbished equipment.

Creating a hotel gym involves five key steps: analyzing your clientele to identify the needs of future users (business travelers, wellness guests, regular gym-goers, etc.); designing the space to optimize flow and comfort; selecting equipment based on actual usage rather than generic standards; developing your service offering to stand out and generate additional revenue; and finally, promoting the new space to existing guests and attracting new bookings. Each step informs the next: without first analyzing your clientele, you risk choosing unsuitable equipment, whatever your budget.

In France, a gym within a hotel is subject to ERP regulations (Establishments Open to the Public), most often classified as type X (sports facilities) or included in the hotel’s own category, depending on its configuration. Requirements cover fire safety, accessibility for people with reduced mobility (PRM), ventilation and flooring suitable for sports activities. The category (from 1st to 5th, according to occupancy) determines the level of requirements, including alarm systems, emergency exits, smoke extraction and approval from the relevant safety commission before opening to the public. Internationally, equivalent requirements apply under different names (building codes and life safety codes in the United States, ADA accessibility standards, and local regulations in each country).

Yes, a gym can become profitable quickly, provided it isn’t limited to complimentary access for resident guests alone. Three strategies can significantly speed up the return on your investment: if you run a hotel, open your gym to non-residents through monthly or annual memberships; position it as an exclusive private club with a limited number of external members paying a premium fee; or include gym access in wellness stays, generating revenue per program rather than from access alone. A gym designed solely for resident guests depends on the property’s occupancy rate. One that also welcomes external users generates recurring revenue that is largely independent of booking cycles. You can also generate additional income through personal training, group classes (yoga, Pilates, HIIT), wellness programs (weight loss, fitness, recovery), retail (sports nutrition, accessories) and high-value spa + fitness packages. *

For a hotel, we generally recommend a minimum of 30–40 m² for a functional fitness area in a mid-sized property, with an indicative ratio of around 0.5 to 1 m² per room, depending on the intended positioning. For a business, residential property or independent club, the benchmark is different and is based on the number of users expected to exercise at the same time (around 3 to 5 m² per occupied workout station), rather than a room-based ratio. There is no single standard; the right benchmark depends primarily on the type of project.

Yes. Whenever a qualified instructor supervises or coaches clients in a gym, regulations require them to hold a recognised qualification demonstrating their competence to lead paid physical activities. In France, this is usually a BPJEPS Activités de la forme, a CQP or a DEJEPS, along with mandatory registration with the Register of Sports Instructors (RES); equivalent requirements apply internationally under other certifications (REPs in the UK, NASM or ACE in the US, for example). This qualification is not required for an unsupervised, open-access space with no group classes, but safety requirements still apply (displayed instructions, well-maintained equipment, the establishment’s public liability insurance).

A gym is no longer just an added amenity: in a hotel, villa or residence, it directly influences booking decisions, contributes to the overall guest experience and sets your property apart from competitors that offer only basic services. In the workplace, it supports quality of working life: it contributes to employees’ wellbeing and health, reduces absenteeism and helps attract and retain talent. The same applies to any residence, independent fitness club or other public venue looking to add a fitness space: when open to external users (memberships, private club), the gym becomes a fully fledged business with its own business model, rather than simply an added amenity.