Fitness studios welcome people of all abilities, from those just getting started to advanced athletes seeking to improve their performance. Regardless of the clientele your studio tends to serve, considering their comfort and safety is one of your primary responsibilities. Did you know that installing acoustic panels for walls is one way you can do that?
The sounds of a fitness studio have a bigger role to play in your company’s success than you might think. From comfort and performance to safety and success, noise can quickly cause problems if it is not managed appropriately. Business owners have several options to mitigate these sounds, and the most effective approach typically involves a multifaceted strategy that combines multiple tools.
Here is what your fitness studio needs to know about dampening noise with wall treatments and more.
The Advantages of Sound Treatment in Fitness Studios
Why worry about sound in a fitness space? The most obvious answer is comfort. It is frustrating and distracting to work out in a place where it seems like you can barely hear your own thoughts. However, comfort is not just about ease and one’s sense of luxury; it has tangible consequences for businesses.
Studies show that customers are less likely to stay (or return) when a studio is too loud, and up to a quarter of all participants in studies report auditory symptoms (such as ringing ears) after leaving a gym they did not like. Your fitness studio will struggle to succeed financially if it drives away its client base with excessive noise.
Similarly, those who are visiting the studio for fitness classes report that problems such as an inability to hear their instructor over ambient noise are significant detractors from their satisfaction. About 20% found these noise levels (and the resulting struggle to follow along clearly during classes) directly stressful. This can lead to participants quitting or even injuring themselves if they cannot follow instructions properly because they mishear them.
The Most Effective Noise-Dampening Methods
Reducing noise in a fitness studio is a multi-stage process that varies by location. The best strategy is to focus on the causes of the noise and reduce their intensity one by one. This often means considering:
Gym flooring
Footsteps, dropped weights, and ambient echoes are all related to floor noise. You can directly decrease the sound that enters the room by choosing absorbent flooring materials, such as lifting mats that prevent dropped weights from clanging on the floor (or damaging it).
However, there is a secondary benefit to this strategy. Conversations and other sounds bounce less effectively if they cannot rebound off a smooth, glossy floor. The right flooring choices reduce echoes and the overall noise level in the space.
Acoustic panels
Acoustic panels are among the most effective methods for reducing noise in a fitness studio, and as an added benefit, they are highly customizable. Choose a photo, pattern, color, or design (such as a logo) to print on your panels, then install them directly on walls to stop sound waves from filling the space.
Panels can range in size and placement, allowing you to target specific problem areas or noise sources. Studies show that without such methods, many studios exceed safe noise levels and can cause hearing damage in participants.
Ceiling panels
The walls and floors are not the only places where sound can echo. Do not forget the ceiling. Acoustic panels can also be installed here and are specifically made for ceiling use, whether as part of a drop ceiling or using a different custom method. Such installations stop sound from becoming trapped above people’s heads, where it might otherwise cause a cacophony with nothing to interrupt it.
Mats
Not every square inch of the floor has to be covered with weight-safe flooring. Areas near workout machines or the front entrance can benefit from mats or rugs to reduce the amount of glossy floor that is exposed. This simple and affordable method can reduce the noise level by a few decibels, complementing your other efforts to create a comfortable workout environment.
Rules
A studio can invest in some or all of these methods, but they will work better if visitors do their part. Consider implementing basic rules, such as no shouting or no dropping weights, to reduce the intensity of the noise that must be mitigated using these devices.
Elevate Your Fitness Studio
A fitness studio is never going to be a silent place, but owners have a responsibility to keep their visitors safe from hearing damage. Creating a comfortable space improves the experience, encourages participants to return, and benefits everyone involved.
Contact Tree Towns to share your challenges with your space and get started on custom acoustic wall panels customized to your specific needs, aesthetic, and budget.