Beyond the Workout: Strategic Design for Luxury Health Clubs with Krista Rochat Boeser
Introduction
In Episode 092 of Green Healthy Places, host Matt Morley explores the "hardware and software" of premium fitness spaces with health club designer Krista Rochat-Boeser.
With 14 years of experience at Lifetime Fitness, Krista shares insights on moving beyond simple aesthetics to create "athletic health clubs" that function as high-performing business assets and community hubs.
Key Takeaways
• The Lifestyle Destination: A premier club should act as a "second home" or a lifestyle destination rather than just a place for a routine workout.+1
• Path of Progression: Designing a "layered" entry helps members ground themselves and reduces the intimidation factor of walking directly onto a crowded fitness floor.+1
• Operational Excellence: Visibility of maintenance staff and intentional storage for cleaning equipment are critical for building member trust and preserving the facility's value.+3
• Timelessness Over Trends: To ensure a long project lifecycle, designers should prioritize timeless layouts and materials over fleeting "cool" factors.+1
Designing the "Second Home"
Modern health clubs are evolving into social wellness clubs that encapsulate every aspect of a user's life. Krista highlights that expansive spaces like those at Lifetime allow members to work out, visit the spa, dine, and even hold business meetings in one location. From a business perspective, increasing the time a member spends in the club—the "dwell time"—often leads to additional revenue through cafes, smoothies, or spa services.
The Psychological Journey: "Grounding" the Member
For many, entering a massive gym can be a barrier. Krista advocates for a "layered approach" where members are greeted at a concierge and given space to "take a deep breath" before progressing to the locker rooms or fitness floor. Providing options, such as stretching floors or breakaway studios, allows less-experienced users to carve out a comfortable space without feeling overwhelmed by the free-weight area.
Acoustics: The "Yin and Yang" Conflict
A major challenge in modern design is balancing high-intensity "yang" areas with quiet "yin" recovery zones. Impact noise from dropped weights is "enemy number one" in these facilities. While structural solutions like isolation slabs and acoustic panels are used, Krista notes that sound often transfers through building columns, meaning staff must also manage member expectations with "grace and care".
The Unseen Design: Operations and Trust
Operational design is often a "daily headache" for designers. Krista emphasizes that designers must plan for "back of house" needs, such as dedicated storage for floor scrubbers and vacuums, to prevent asset depreciation. Furthermore, visible cleaning—such as a locker room attendant fine-tuning towels—helps earn member trust and proves that membership fees are being well-spent.
Future-Proofing and Timelessness
As health clubs integrate medical services, longevity clinics, and "peptide waves," the temptation to chase trends is high. However, Krista warns that "cool doesn't always last". The goal should be to create timeless designs that allow for adaptability, using semi-private spaces that can be repurposed as industry trends shift from one medical or performance focus to the next.