Millennials are beginning to make up the largest population of travelers and therefore, hotel guests. According to hospitality.net, “the Marriot expects that Millennials could compromise up to 50% of its guests by 2020.” This generation Y has a focus on travel, health, and fitness and they like to combine all three as much as possible. As a consequence, a fitness conscious market has been expanding in the hospitality industry. These new-age travelers now look for hotels that can accommodate their fitness needs during their stay. Often times it can get expensive and inconvenient for a guest to go and find a gym pass for the few days of their stay. Offering occupants a fitness center that is only steps away from their hotel room is a great amenity your guesthouse can offer.

Unlike a gift shop or a kitchen, once supplies are bought for your fitness spot, there is no need to purchase equipment on a regular basis. Gyms are a onetime investment, particularly a small one which also requires light maintenance. Once equipment has been purchased, maintaining cleanliness should be the number one priority. The gym can be added in rotation to the rest of the cleaning staff’s schedule to avoid creating an additional staff just for the gym.

Hoteliers for upscale hotels have long had fitness centers comprised of spas, treadmills, stationary bikes and even personal trainers. With fitness being more than just a commodity the wealthy can afford, the hospitality industry is seeing an increase in fitness centers in lower priced hotels. To offset the cost of recreating a hotel room into a fitness center, hoteliers can add an additional cost to room and board marketing the expansion of the hotel as an added bonus.

Depending on insurance liability costs and flexibility of budget, your mini-gym can have the traditional stair master, treadmill and stationary bike. If funds and liability are less of a concern, you can purchase a more well-rounded set of equipment such as a power rack with plates, dumbbells, and free bar weights. 

The new cycling bike company, Peloton, has partnered with the hospitality sector in bringing these bikes to every major hotel chain. Hilton, the Marriot, Embassy Suites and so forth have capitalized on the fitness trend that seems to have sprouted overnight. However, on average millennials are less likely to book their travel at a big hotel chain and usually book at one when there are limited options of Airbnbs and inns at their destination. This generation of travelers often seek local bed and breakfasts, and for the rising solo travelers, hostels. If a hotelier of these business can offer the amenity that the big chain stays do, they will attract more of the influx from millennial tourists.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering an in hotel gym.

• Buy quality equipment
  • The price tag can be hefty at first, but investing in new, up to date equipment is the best way to ensure that the machines are safe for the user and to avoid constant repair costs. 

• Have adequate ventilation
  • This is common sense, but having a gym in a stuffy room with no fans or air conditioning will not attract guests. Be sure you have good air circulation throughout your modest gym to ensure guests are comfortable.
• Small amenities go a long way
  • Having water bottles/ water fountain, gym towels, hand sanitizer and the works adds great touches to a modest fitness center. Hotels4humanity has some gym linens, and towels for your gym hotel needs.
• Have good lighting
  • It’s always good to have a combination of large windows and motion sensor lights. Sun streaming in during the day can create a natural lighting and therefore eliminate the cost of having lights on during the day. If you are not able to construct your gym in a room with adequate windows than use motion-sensor lights to save electricity and cost.

Think of this fitness center as an extension of your hotel, keep to the theme and environment you have created. Do 

not feel pressured to have a state of the art, all encompassing gym, your guests are aware that this is a hotel and not an actual gym after all. It is worth having few, quality equipment rather than a large amount of used and dysfunctional machines. 

Adding a fitness center can spark a new clientele to increase revenue and your guests will appreciate the access to a gym within your quaint inn.