Light Up Your Gymnasium Without Casting A Shadow On Your Finances

As places of health and well-being, a gym lighting plan should be designed with the comfort of members in mind. A spacious, hygienic and visually appealing environment will promote a positive experience that entices new people and at the same time encourages member retention. Gyms have unique lighting needs and require adequate lighting to keep participants focused and safe. Lights that are more difficult to reach, such as those placed in areas with higher ceilings or above a swimming pool, can be difficult to maintain.

These spaces have many different ceiling heights and host a variety of events and activities. They pose a unique set of challenges, but LEDs provide an ideal solution. When planning lighting for a gym setting, there are a lot of options in terms of function and style. In addition to all the choices available on the market, a gym also has several different areas and the lighting needs vary based on the area.

When it comes to choosing lighting for these areas, we have a few suggestions to keep in mind.

School Gymnasiums        

School gymnasiums present some definite lighting challenges. Obvious ones include high ceilings and high-impact uses. But gyms are often used for much more than athletic activities and sports events. Due to ceiling height, lighting maintenance in a traditional gymnasium can be taxing. A typical gymnasium has an average ceiling height of about 25 feet. Required light levels for gymnasiums can range from 60FC up to 125FC depending on the classification of the facility.

That’s why it’s so important to reduce the need for lighting fixture replacement or repair. The lifespan of LEDs generally exceeds 50,000 hours compared to a traditional metal halide lifespan of 18,000 hours.  

Group fitness rooms

Group exercise rooms that house classes should be versatile enough to accommodate different activities such as cycling, body pump, yoga and cardio dance classes.

Dimmers are an effective tool to create the right mood.

In an aerobics boot camp or other high-intensity class, use yellows and oranges to energise a room. Bright lights are also important to help participants see others and avoid injury. Activities with more intensity and movement need brighter light for participant safety. Conversely, soft light can create a calming mood and a relaxed environment for a yoga or Pilates class. With a subtle lighting scheme, participants can concentrate on their breathing and rhythm and focus their mind on the series at hand.

In a stationary cycling class, darker, club-like lighting schemes are becoming more and more popular. Since participants remain on their bikes, dimmer conditions are not as big of a safety concern. Creative lighting design can also turn a stationary bike group class into a more interactive experience. Using lighting controls to connect music, lighting and dimming can have a great effect on a cycling class experience.

Weight rooms

The main floor where the free weights and equipment reside usually have mirrors where members can view their own form while performing exercises. When creating a lighting plan care and placement should minimise excessive reflection off surfaces. Weight training requires motivation, attention to detail and persistence. A frequent user of a weight room needs a lighting design tailored their intense workouts. If people will be hoisting medicine balls, kettle bells and even sand bags in a space, it’s important to consider ceiling height and light fixtures.

Cardio rooms

The cardio room is a space where marathon runners and power walkers alike can power through a cardio workout together. Whether participants use elliptical machines, treadmills or stair climbers, lighting can help create the focus needed to push through a tough cardio circuit. Recessed LED lighting can provide high uniformity and low glare, perfect for a cardio workout. Cross-trainers, treadmills and other equipment often have sloping control panels. By accounting for reflection, glare and brightness, you can create the perfect environment for a cardio workout.

Problems with Traditional Lighting

The most common gym lighting systems we find that people have consist of either metal halide or high pressure sodium technology. The issues with these lights are extensive, and there is little to no upside with these technologies. Both fluorescent and metal halide lights are susceptible to buzzing and flickering after extended use. Fluorescent lights infamously produce harsh, bright light. Athletes spend a great deal of time looking at the ceiling during workouts and sports events. Athletes often complain about the unpleasant distraction from fluorescent lights.

Metal halide lights need to be warmed-up before reaching optimal lighting which results in inconvenient issues for athletes, gym owners, and managers. Metal halide lights prove to be inopportune for early gym-goers. These lights are especially inconvenient for gym managers, as they need to take an extra step and go out of their busy schedules to warm-up the lights. All lights, including LED, experience a depreciation of lumens over time. High-pressure sodium and metal halide light use more energy and depreciate faster than the rest. Under-lit gyms are aesthetically displeasing and unsafe.

The bottom line when considering lighting for a gym is to keep the comfort of your clients in mind. You want to create an atmosphere that is safe, inviting, and enjoyable. With the right lighting, you can easily accomplish this goal.

A gymnasium lighting system is key to creating a friendly environment that appeals to those who use the facility. If your system lacks quality lighting, it may turn people away from enjoying their time and even worse; turn them away from coming back. With our LED gym lights, we are improving the gymnasium experience while reducing energy consumption.

Give us a call today at 256-801-9825  or contact us online and we will provide you a free consultation on LED lighting solutions for your court, field, gym or sports venue.