Gym
fit out
&
design
Nationwide gym fit out & leisure design specialists
Over 150 large-scale gym and leisure projects completed across the UK. From budget gyms to premium health clubs — full Cat B turnkey delivery, designed and built by our own in-house team.
Who we are
One of the UK's most experienced gym fit out contractors
Design Business Interiors is a specialist gym fit out contractor with over three decades of experience delivering commercial leisure environments across the UK. Based in Wigan and part of the Philbin Office Group — established in 1966 — we bring deep industry knowledge, strong manufacturer relationships and an unbroken on-time delivery record to every gym project we take on.
We have designed and built over 150 large-scale gym and leisure projects for some of the biggest names in the UK fitness industry, including JD Gyms, NRG Gyms, Lifestyle Fitness and Simply Gym. We work with national chains rolling out standardised gym formats across multiple sites, and with independent operators opening their first or fifth location. The brief is always different. The delivery standard is always the same.
Every project is designed, managed and built by our own in-house team — giving you a single point of accountability from the first sketch to the day your members walk through the door. No subcontracted design. No third-party project management. Just one team, fully responsible, from start to finish.
What we specialise in
A gym fit out is not like any other commercial space. It demands specialist knowledge of flooring systems, acoustic requirements, equipment loading and member experience design — all areas our team has deep, proven expertise in.
Gym floor design & layout
Space planning that maximises usable floor area, defines functional zones — free weights, cardio, functional training, stretching — and creates clear member circulation routes from the moment they enter.
Specialist flooring systems
Rubber flooring, performance tiles, sprung timber, turf tracks and impact-rated platforms — specified and installed to handle the demands of commercial gym use, with the right solution for each zone.
Feature lighting & acoustics
Lighting schemes designed to energise members and define zone character, combined with acoustic treatment to manage the noise levels inherent in a busy commercial gym environment.
Changing rooms & welfare
Full changing room design and fit out — including lockers, showers, WCs, vanity areas and member ancillary facilities — designed to the standard your members expect and built to last.
Reception & member journey
The arrival experience sets the tone for your entire brand. We design and build reception desks, entrance lobbies, retail points and member services areas that make the right first impression.
Equipment coordination
We work alongside your equipment suppliers to coordinate delivery, positioning and installation — ensuring the layout you designed is the layout that gets built, with no clashes on site.
Who we work with
Every type of gym operator
Our experience spans the full spectrum of commercial gym and leisure formats — from high-volume budget gyms to boutique studios and premium health clubs. The scale changes. The standards do not.
Budget & value gyms
High-volume, high-footfall environments where durability, efficiency and cost-per-square-foot are paramount. We understand how to deliver maximum impact within tight specifications.
Premium health clubs
Member-focused environments where every surface, every transition and every detail contributes to a premium experience. Bespoke joinery, high-spec finishes and precision lighting design.
Boutique studios
Cycle studios, HIIT boxes, Pilates spaces and PT studios — each requiring specific acoustic, flooring and atmospheric design to suit the activity and the brand.
Corporate wellness
On-site gym facilities within office developments, integrated into the wider workplace fit out — an increasingly valued staff benefit that we deliver as part of a complete commercial package.
Leisure & sports centres
Multi-use leisure facilities combining gym floors, group exercise studios, swimming pool ancillaries and multi-sport spaces — delivered to public sector and private operator standards.
Gym refurbishments
Bringing an existing gym up to a modern standard — new flooring systems, refreshed changing rooms, updated reception areas — without closing the facility for longer than necessary.
Multi-site delivery
The partner for national rollout programmes
For gym operators expanding rapidly across multiple locations, the biggest challenge is not finding a fit out contractor who can build one gym well — it is finding one who can deliver the same standard, to the same specification, across ten or twenty sites simultaneously. That is where Design Business Interiors has built its reputation.
One dedicated programme manager across all sites. No briefing multiple project managers for multiple locations. One point of contact, one programme, one version of events.
We develop and document your brand standard fit out specification once, then replicate it accurately across every site — regardless of building shape, size or condition.
With nearly 60 years of supplier relationships, we procure materials and equipment at competitive bulk prices across the programme — savings that go directly back to you.
Sites are opened in a sequence that suits your operational programme. We manage the full pipeline — from planning permission coordination to phased handover dates — so your expansion stays on track.
How we work
Our gym fit out process
Consultation
We visit your site, understand your brand brief and talk through budget, timeline and specification. Free, no obligation.
Design & layout
In-house designers produce floor plans, zone layouts, 3D visuals and full construction packages — all presented before any costs are committed.
Cost & programme
A fixed-price cost plan and detailed build programme. You know exactly what you will pay and when your gym will open.
Build & fit out
Our construction team delivers the fit out to programme, coordinating equipment suppliers and specialist sub-trades throughout.
Handover
Snagging, sign-off, full compliance documentation. Your gym opens on time. Every time.
Common questions
Gym fit out FAQs
Gym fit out costs vary significantly based on the size of the space, the specification of finishes, the type of flooring systems required and whether changing rooms and welfare facilities are included. As a broad guide, a full commercial gym fit out in the UK typically ranges from £35 to £80 per square foot for a Cat B turnkey delivery. Budget gyms with a straightforward specification will sit at the lower end; premium health clubs with bespoke joinery, high-spec changing rooms and feature lighting will sit higher. We provide a fixed-price cost plan after visiting your site and understanding the brief — so you know exactly what you are committing to before work begins.
A typical commercial gym fit out of 5,000–15,000 sq ft takes between 8 and 14 weeks on site, depending on the complexity of the specification and the condition of the base-build space. Smaller studio formats can be faster; larger multi-floor leisure facilities or projects requiring significant structural works will take longer. We produce a detailed programme at the outset and commit to it — we have never missed a handover date on any project we have delivered.
Yes — equipment coordination is a standard part of our gym fit out service. We work alongside your equipment suppliers to ensure delivery and installation is sequenced correctly within the build programme. We verify that floor loadings and fixing points are designed and built to match the equipment specification, and we manage the site logistics so that equipment arrives at the right time without disrupting the fit out. This prevents the common and costly problem of equipment arriving before the flooring is down or after the access window has closed.
Yes — we deliver gym fit outs nationwide. While we are based in Wigan in the Northwest, we have completed gym projects across the UK including London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, Watford and beyond. National delivery is a core part of our offer — particularly for multi-site operators who need a single contractor to manage a consistent programme across geographically spread locations.
The right flooring depends on the zone. Rubber flooring — typically 15–20mm thick — is the standard for free weights and heavy lifting areas, providing impact absorption and durability. Cardio zones often use a thinner rubber or vinyl for easier cleaning. Performance turf tracks are popular for functional training areas. Group exercise studios typically use sprung timber or high-density foam-backed vinyl for comfort and joint protection. We specify flooring systems based on your brief, your budget and the activities each zone will support — then install them as part of the complete fit out.
Ready to start your gym fit out?
Whether you are opening your first gym or rolling out your twentieth, Design Business Interiors will design and build it on time, on budget and to the standard your members expect. The consultation is always free.