Fitness Facilities Go Green

There are many ways your fitness center can make environmentally sound choices, and set a good example for members, staff and competition alike.

How big is your fitness center's carbon footprint? How many thousands of gallons of chemicals do you send into the water system each year? Everyone is talking about going green, and many of us are making big strides at home with energy-efficient light bulbs, natural cleaners and organic food products. But, how much do you think about going green in the workplace? Those energy-efficient light bulbs are probably used, where possible, and your members likely recycle. But then what? How can you make more of a difference? And, is it important to your members, in addition to being important to the environment?

Buildings across the United States account for one-third of energy, water and materials consumption, and pollution, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. Buildings also affect our health. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency states that indoor air pollution is in the top-five for environmental health risks.

So, do your members care about going green? The answer is a big "yes," according to Advantage Fitness Products (AFP), Los Angeles, Calif. "Green is the ultimate in customer service," says Betsy Jasny, regional manager of AFP for Northern California. Plus, there are many things you can do to make your facility more environmentally friendly that aren't terribly costly.

 
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Water and air

The air we breathe inside can be far more dangerous to our health than the air outside due to poor ventilation, mold, allergens, etc. Fortunately, many of the green design initiatives today include those that protect our air and water. One big thing AFP does to promote indoor air quality is "green clean" product maintenance in all of its service calls. "We use eco- and guest-friendly, biodegradable and no-odor products," says Jasny. AFP realized that when its technicians were servicing equipment, members didn't want to be in the vicinity of the products they were using. So, it made the switch. AFP now finds that this small change is one thing that sets the company apart in attractiveness to potential customers.

Kara Burdick, director of operations at L&T Health and Fitness, Falls Church, Va., also suggests natural cleaning products to clients. "It's not only better for our clients' members, but it is better for our staff, as well," says Burdick. The immense amount of cleaning required in a fitness environment demands gentler products for those who use them daily.

AFP also works to keep the outside air clean, and to reduce gasoline dependency, with the use of fuel-efficient vehicles. "We use some hybrids and some more efficient, smaller delivery vehicles instead of big box trucks," says Jasny. "It's made a tremendous difference." It also purchases primarily from companies whose products are made in the U.S. to reduce transportation pollution and, eventually, cost to the consumer. When it does buy products manufactured overseas, it buys in bulk, and requests that no excess packaging be used.

Ken Endelman, CEO of Balanced Body, Sacramento, Calif., is also leading the charge of going green by converting an old warehouse into a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture Pilates equipment. To save on heating water in the locker rooms, hot water tanks were installed right above the showers.

What other ways can your fitness center make a difference?

Green.

• Install low-flow toilets and low-flow faucets (or aerators) in sinks and showers to save as much as 2.5 gallons of water per minute.
• Choose landscaping that does not require significant watering.
• Insulate all water pipes and heaters.
• When you repaint, use Green Seal paints.
• For renovations, choose products with minimal chemical emissions.

Really green.

• Use "greywater," or recycled and collected water, for your laundry and bathroom facilities. You could save 35 gallons per capita per day, or 12,775 gallons per capita per year (source: www.H2ouse.org).
• Collect rain water for use in exterior watering.

Equipment and flooring

If you are looking to save money on the electric bill, one way is to switch your equipment to the non-electric kind. Precor and Life Fitness are just two companies that design and produce climbers, cycles and ellipticals that require only your client's energy to power them (as well as treadmills that use less power than traditional models). And, some companies are beginning to develop cardio equipment that requires less energy to power it. For instance, SportsArt Fitness has developed a treadmill with an Eco-Powr motor that uses 32 percent less energy than traditional treadmill motors. You may also want to look for entertainment systems that allow the TVs to turn on only when the machine attached to it is in use. An added benefit to this is reduced wear and tear on the equipment, and a prolonged life - when they are not in use, nothing is expended from a maintenance perspective.

Ken Greenberg with Commercial Fitness Solutions, Highlands Ranch, Colo., tells his environmentally conscious customers to consider their flooring options carefully. For instance, even recycled rubber flooring has a high carbon footprint. "Floors like cork and bamboo are very sustainable and great choices," he says. Bamboo, especially, is beautiful and durable in group exercise rooms and as countertops, and is becoming a popular choice. Also up and coming is a newer product: hemp carpeting. Ask for products that have zero emissions or are non-toxic.

Lighting and temperature control

Indoor lighting costs for fitness centers can be huge. Why not install skylights or products like a Solatube? Not only will you save on energy costs, but you will have a much more inviting environment.

One of Endleman's favorite things in his renovation was the installation of 6-by-6-foot skylights so his workers have lots of natural light. Their space is lighter, brighter, happier - and they save a ton on electrical bills.

Burdick says clients of L&T Health and Fitness are beginning to request more natural light when designing and redesigning fitness centers. "Natural light is so much better," she says. "The impact it has on the feel and look of a fitness center is huge."

A newer product on the market, called Solatube, captures the outdoor light in a dome installed on your roof, then projects sunlight into your rooms with UV-protection, the ability to diffuse the light on really bright days with the flip of a switch and an added feature of installing a light bulb for light projection at night. Even better, Solatube uses recycled components in its construction.

Don't forget your HVAC systems and electrical equipment. Keep them well-maintained and, when you upgrade, choose Energy Star products. According to the U.S. Government's Energy Star program, replacing old heating and cooling equipment with Energy Star equipment can cut energy bills by 10 to 20 percent.

If you are installing a new HVAC system or are renovating, Greenberg designs buildings with an HVAC system that projects heating and cooling from the floor instead of the ceiling. "It is less in construction costs and more efficient because you have more controls for each area - not just one mainframe - that controls the temperature," he says.

What other things can you do to save energy?

Green.

• Change all of your light bulbs to the energy-efficient kind.
• Install motion sensors in areas such as storage rooms, stairways and hallways - even the group fitness room.
• Program your thermostat.
• Keep fans going in busy rooms to help with air circulation and a feeling of coolness.
• Keep HVAC maintenance up to date.

Really green.

• Make your own energy with solar power.
• Check the "wind power" box on your electric bill to begin powering your fitness center using alternative power.

Choose wisely

"The customer has such power," says Endelman. "We ask our suppliers to maximize the amount of recycled materials they use and to make things more durable." Balanced Body went so far as developing recycled cardboard pallets to send its equipment to customers. Ask your suppliers and equipment reps how products are made, where they are made, how they are delivered, etc. The bottom line is important, of course, but so are our natural resources and our ability to protect them. Ask about company mission statements.

In subtle ways, you can make changes to not only your fitness environment, but to your members' fitness experiences. In new constructions or renovations, you can make huge differences with just your choice of materials. As the saying goes, think globally and act locally, and set a good example.