Space allocation by zone

  • Cardio zone, 30 to 35% of total floor area. Treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes need at least 1.2m clearance behind each machine for safe dismount.
  • Strength zone, 35 to 40% of total floor area. Free weights, resistance machines and a squat rack require reinforced flooring and higher ceiling clearance for overhead lifts.
  • Functional and stretching zone, remaining 25 to 30%. Open mat space for mobility work, resistance bands and functional training equipment.

Flooring and infrastructure

Rubber flooring is non-negotiable in the strength zone: budget 300 to 600 rupees per square foot depending on thickness (8mm to 20mm), with thicker rubber required directly under free-weight drop zones. Mirrors along at least one full wall (essential for form correction) add 150 to 300 rupees per square foot. LED lighting rated for a gym environment, plus adequate ventilation or HVAC capacity for a room that will regularly hold 15 to 30 active users, are frequently underestimated in early budgets.

Equipment cost tiers

A basic setup (2 to 3 cardio machines, a multi-station strength trainer, free weights up to 20kg) runs 8 to 15 lakh rupees. A full-performance gym with dedicated cardio and strength zones, commercial-grade equipment and a squat rack typically runs 25 to 45 lakh rupees depending on brand tier and machine count.

What's commonly missed in gym budgets

Facility teams frequently underbudget for: equipment delivery and installation labour (5 to 8% of equipment cost), a dedicated water station, first-aid provisioning as required by workplace safety norms, and an annual maintenance contract covering machine servicing, belt replacement on treadmills, and calibration checks. Skipping AMC typically costs meaningfully more in reactive repairs over a three-year period.