Fitness Center Noise

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In recent years, BABICHacoustics has been asked by architects, developers, and business and/or building owners to address existing or expected noise concerns with fitness centers. These gyms are often located in multi-use building adjacent to quieter spaces such as retail, office, or residential units.

There are several reoccurring concerns in reviewing fitness spaces, especially those connected to quieter spaces. First and foremost is paring like spaces. It is important that spaces with similar noise levels stay above, below, and/or next to each other; spaces with strikingly dissimilar noise levels should be separated by a neutral space, like a corridor or storage space.

Noise from fitness centers can be structure-borne as well as airborne. For example, dropping a heavy weight on a rigid flooring system might trigger vibration through the shared structure to an adjacent space — even a tenant that is located above. Depending on the structural build-up of the building, the vibration is often felt and heard. Proper airborne sound and structural analyses are important throughout all of the design phases.

In summary, it is best for businesses to address these concerns before they move in or a new neighbor moves in next-door!

-Lauren Shapiro, Associate