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Typical health and fitness club sizes
Type of clubDevelopment size (m2)
Hotel health and fitness centre450-800
Independent town centre health club500-1400
Town centre health and fitness club950-2500
Out-of-town health and fitness club3200-4200
Out-of-town health, fitness and racquet clubup to 9500
Indicative annual energy consumption
Building typeEnergy conumption (kWh/m2 per annum)
fgsaGoodAveragePoor
Air-conditionied office<225225-360>360
Dry sports hall<200200-340>340
Sports facility including pool<570570-840>840
Swimming pool<10501050-1390>1390
Source: Sports Council
Environmental services design criteria
Functional areaInternal design temperature (°C)Ventilation rate (air changes/hr)Lighting level (lux)
Gym2008-Dec300
Dance Studio2208-Dec300
Training pool2720200
Leisure pool3220200
Changing area2220150
WCs186150
Treatment rooms216300
Source : CIBSE
Indicative costs: equipment
EquipmentCost per item (£)
Gym equipment 
Resistance training (eg multigym, Nautilus) 1500-2500
Cardiovascular training 
Treadmills3000-6000
Rowing machines1000-3500
Step machines1500-4000
Bikes 2500-5500
Cardio theatre (TV monitor and multichannel sound) 15 000-20 000
Health and leisure equipment 
Steam rooms 
7-10 persons8000-12 000
15-20 persons13 000-20 000
Saunas2500-5000
Spa pool15 000-20 000
Sun beds8000-14 000
Gym equipment is typically replaced on a three- to five-year cycle. Equipment can also be leased. Estimates for equipment budgets should be prepared on the basis of an allowance of one machine per 8-10 m2 of gym floor area.
Indicative construction costs of health and fitness centres
Development typeIndicative area (m2)Cost (£/m2 gross)
Out-of-town health and fitness centre (including pool)3200-4200 
Shell 250-350
Fit-out 550-850
Town-centre health and fitness centre (excluding pool)950-2500 
Fit-out 800-1250
Leisure centre extension to existing hotel (including pool)450-8001250-1750
Conversion of office space into fitness centre (excluding pool)100-200 
Limited services modifications 1200-1500
Extensive services modifications 1400-1700
Costs are at August 1998 price levels based on a South-east location. Preliminaries are included but gymnasium equipment, contingencies and allowances for the cost of site abnormals are excluded. Costs also exclude car prking, external works and services, professional fees, development on-coss and VAT.
Cost breakdown
 Element cost (£)Cost /m2 gfa (£)% of total cost
Substructure312 60084.498.99
Foundations; isolated pad foundations 50 nr @£400
Ground slab; 150 mm thick reinforced insitu concrete bed, hardcore; damp-proof membrane; below slab drainage; includes thickening to perimeter 2665 m2 @£65
Extra for forming swimming-pool tank; excavation; retaining walls, ducts, drainage, etc 480 m2 @£250
Frame239 60064.766.89
Structural steel framing; portal frame; windbracing; allowance based on 35 kg/m2  130 t @£1,100
Allowance for trimming steelwork to mezzanine and upper floor plant room areas 25 t @£1,250
Cold-rolled galvanised steel roof purlins; 1.6 m centres; 4.5 kg/m average weight 1900 m @£6
Cold-rolled galvanised steel sheeting rails; 1.6 m centres; 5 kg/m average weight 650 m @£6
Intumescent paint finish; one-hour fire resistance; moisture-resistant finish to pool area 2000 m2 @£25
Upper floors54 80014.811.57
Insitu concrete composite floor slabs; power floating 990 m2 @£50
Extra for 7.5 kN/m2 floor loading to plant room areas 550 m2 @£5
Facia detail to exposed edge of mezzanine floor slab 50 m2 @£50
Roof221 10059.766.36
Roof cladding; colour-coated galvanised steel sandwich panels; 60 mm thick urethane insulation 2950 m2 @£50
Extra for 7.5 kN/m2 floor loading to plant room areas 550 m2 @£5
Facia detail to exposed edge of mezzanine floor slab 50 m @£50
Stairs35 3009.541.01
Steel feature stair and half landing; overall rise 3.50 m; polyester powder-coated mild steel balusters; stainless steel handrails; finishes 1 nr @£10 000
Insitu concrete stairs and half landing; overall rise 3.50 m; polyester-coated, mild steel handrails; finishes 2 nr @£4,500
Balustrade and handrail to mezzanine; polyester powder-coate mild steel balusters, stainless steel handrail 18 m @£350
Allowance for access platforms and stairs to plant rooms Item @£10 000
External walls95 50025.812.75
Wall cladding; colour-coated galvanised steel sandwich panels; 60 mm thick urethane insulation; flashings; accessories 295 m2 @£60
Cavity wall; fair-faced architectural blockwork; cavity; insulation; 140 mm blockwork inner leaf; windposts etc 740 m2 @£85
Louvre panels; powder-coated aluminium 30 m2 @£250
140 mm thick blockwork backing to wall cladding; windposts 295 m2 @£25
Windows and external doors89 70024.242.58
Aluminium-framed; thermally broken windows; sealed double-glazed units with body tinted outer pane; polyester powder coating 235 m2 @£300
Aluminium-framed shopfront; sealed double-glazed units with body-tinted outer pane; polyester powder coating; 2 nr entrance door sets; ironmongery 20 m2 @£600
Aluminium double doors and frames; powder-coated; vision panels; ironmongery 6 nr @£1,200
Internal walls and partitions151 10040.844.35
Blockwork partitions; 140 mm average thickness 1500 m2 @£22
Metal stud partitions; two layers wall board each side; insulation 720 m2 @£35
Aluminium framed glazed partition; single-glazed units with toughened safety glass; manifestation marking 265 m2 @£280
Extra for sealed double-glazed units to pool area 165 m2 @£50
Toilet cubicle partitions  13 nr @£650
Melamine-faced solid laminate access ducting 20 m @£100
Internal doors71 50019.322.06
Flush doors; fire-rated; solid core laminate/veneer-faced; hardwood frames; decorations; ironmongery; complete 60 nr @£750
Flush doors; non-fire-rated; solid-core laminate/veneer-faced; hardwood frames; decorations; irnomongery; complete 30 nr @£650
Extra over aluminium-framed glazed partitions for doors and frames; ironmongery; complete  7 nr @£1,000
Wall finishes68 30018.461.96
Ceramic tiles; to blockwork or plasterboard 700 m2 @£45
Extra for sand cement backing to ceramic tiles; to blockwork 535 m2 @£8
13 mm two-coat lightweight plaster; two coats emulsion paint; to blockwork 1960 m2 @£10
Two coats emulsion paint; to blockwork 1130 m2 @£3
Extra for water resistant paint finish to pool hall 250 m2 @£2
Skim coat and two coats emulsion paint to plasterboard 410 m2 @£5
Waterproof render and mosaic tiles to pool tank sides 100 m2 @£70
Floor finishes190 30051.435.47
Sand cement screed; average 50 mm thick 2700 m2 @£8
Heavy-duty carpet tiles 1900 m2 @£35
Painted hardwood skirting 700 m @£10
Timber strip flooring; to reception and bar etc; including skirtings 190 m2 @£55
Semi-sprung beech strip flooring to aerobics room; including skirtings 100 m2 @£65
Ceramic tiles to dry changing areas; including ceramic coved skirting 150 m2 @£50
Non-slip ceramic tiles to wet changing areas and pool surround; including ceramic coved skirting 320 m2 @£65
Extra for edge tile and grating to pool perimeter 75 m @£110
Allowance for drainage gullies and gratings to wet change areas Item @£2,000
Waterproof render and mosaic tiles to pool tank base; including lane markings etc 310 m2 @£75
Granolithic to plant rooms; skirting 510 m2 @£25
Mats and matwells  Item @£5,000
Ceiling finishes69 50018.782
Acoustic sof lining to pool and gym 1750 m2 @£20
Suspended ceilings; mineral-fibre tiles; lay in grid; generally 1270 m2 @£25
Extra over suspended ceilings for moisture-resistant tiles to changing areas 440 m2 @£5
Extra over suspended ceilings for acoustic tiles to aerobic room 100 m2 @£5
Furniture and fittings289 60078.278.33
(Excluding allowances for gymnasium equipment, loose furniture, catering equipment, loose office furniture, fittings and equipment, music and TV installations)   
Reception desk; turnstile entry control Item @£18 000
Bar counter and back bar units; roller grilles Item @£25 000
Vanitory units; mirrors; fittings etc to changing areas Item @£20 000
Benches to changing areas Item @£5,000
Lockers 400 nr @£200
Composite safety mirrors to exercise areas 150 m2 @£220
Ballet barre; to aerobics studio 12 m @£300
Allowance for signage, banners, graphics etc to exercise, pool and circulation areas Item @£50 000
Allowance for supervisor's workstations; noticboards etc, to exercise areas Item @£10 000
Allowance for fittings to creche Item @£10 000
Allowance for fixed furniture, noticeboards etc to office areas Item @£10 000
Allowance for fittings to pool; steps; pool cover; skimmers; pacer clocks etc  Item @£20 000
Allowance for internal planting Item @£5,000
Sanitary fittings36 4009.841.05
WCs, urinals, washhand basins; generally 32 nr @£300
Extra for fittings for disabled WCs 2 nr @£100
Showers; cabinets, trays, fittings 24 nr @£1,000
Cleaners sinks 3 nr @£350
Drinking water fountain 6 nr @£250
Disposal installations22 0005.950.63
Rainwater disposal; cast iron downpipes and fittings 3700 m2 @£2.50
Waste, soil and vent installation; uPVC pipework and fittings 73 nr @£175
Water installations34 8009.411
Hot and cold water service; calorifiers; hot and cold water storage; distribution to WCs, changing areas, water fountains etc 116 nr @£300
Space heating and air treatment435 200117.6212.52
Gas installation  Item @£10 000
Low-temperature hot-water heating; boiler plant serving swimming pool and space heating; flues; pumps and valves; distribution within plant rooms; insulation 3700 m2 @£20
Chilled water installation; chiller; pressurisation unit; pumps and valves; distribution within plant rooms; insulation and trace heating 3700 m2 @£10
Supply and extract ventilation to gym; air-handling unit with heating and cooling batteries; high-level, low-velocity ductwork; diffusers 1250 m2 @£65
Supply and extract ventilation to pool; air-handling unit with heating battery and heat recovery; high-level, low-velocity ductwork; diffusers 480 m2 @£90
Supply and extract ventilation; heating and comfort cooling to cellular spaces; air-handling units with heating and cooling batteries; ductwork; insulation; grilles and diffusers 1270 m2 @£110
Extra for changing room and toilet extract installation; allowance for steam room extract Item @£25 000
Allowance for kitchen extract installation Item @£15 000
Plant room ventilation; allowance for chemical extract Item @£10 000
Electrical installations245 80066.437.07
Mains and sub-mains installation  Item @£50 000
Small power distribution 3700 m2 @£15
Lighting and luminaires to fitness area 1250 m2 @£30
Lighting and moisture resistant luminaires to pool hall 480 m2 @£25
Lighting and luminaires to aerobics and ancillary spaces 1780 m2 @£35
Emergency lighting installation 3700 m2 @£5
Power to mechanical services Item @ £10 000
Lift installations18 0004.860.52
Five-person, 430 kg hydraulic lift serving 2 nr floors; 0.3 m/s Item @ £18 000
Protective installations9 3002.510.27
Lightning protection 3700 m2 @£1.50
Earthing and bonding 3700 m2 @£1
Communications installations127 00034.323.65
Fire and smoke detection and alarm system 3700 m2 @£15
Public address system  3700 m2 @£5
TV installation; central aerial, wireways, points and wall mounting brackets (monitors excluded) Item @£10 000
Intruder detection  3700 m2 @£1.50
Access control Item @£5,000
CCTV system; 10 nr cameras Item @£25 000
Wireways for telephones and data 3700 m2 @£2
Special installations152 50041.224.39
Building management system 3700 m2 @£15
Pool filtration system; chlorine based Item @£55 000
Steam rooms (2 nr) Item @£30 000
Saunas (2 nr) Item @£12 000
Builder's work in connection54 00014.591.55
Forming holes, chases etc: allow 5% Item @£54 000
Preliminaries and contingencies453 000122.4313.03
Contractor's overheads, site establishment and site supervision, excluding design fees; allow 10% Item @£302 000
Contingency sum: allow 5% Item @£151 000
Total construction cost - building only3 476 900939.69100
Regional variations
The cost breakdown is based on a project in the South-east and should be adjusted by the following location factors for schemes in other regions.
Inner London1.1
Outer London1.04
South-west 0.95
East Midlands0.93
West Midlands0.95
East Anglia0.95
Yorkshire and Humberside0.93
North-west 0.98
North0.93
Scotland0.96
Wales0.94
Northern Ireland0.82
Alternative element specifications
 Net extra cost/saving £/m2 gfa
Roof 
Roof cladding; colour-coated galvanised profile steel sheet; mineral fibre insulation; coted liner sheet; including allowances for ridge, verges, eaves and gutters - 2950 m2 : £48-14.5
Roof cladding; standing seam aluminium with nautral finish; insulatino; vapour barrier; colour-coated liner sheet; accessories - 2950 m2 @£7510.36
Additional cost of rooflights; polycarbonate; including forming and trimming opening; flashings etc - 150 m2 @ £25011.7
Additional cost of rooflights; aluminium framed double glazed units; including forming and trimming opening; flashings etc - 150 m2 @ £35016.39
External walls, windows and doors 
Wall cladding; colour coated galvanised profiled steel sheet; mineral fibre insulation; coated liner sheet; flashings - 295 m2 @ £35-2.3
Wall cladding; colour coated aluminium composite panel; flashings - 295 m2 @ £150+8.29q
Cavity walling; facing brickwork (PC sum = £300/£1000); cavity, insulation; 140 mm blockwork inner leaf; windposts etc - 740 m2 @ £80-1.16
Finishes 
Non-sprung timber strip flooring to gymnasia; concrete sealer to floor void - 1250 m2 @ £60 9.76
Mondoramaflex flooring to gymnasia - 1250 m2 @ £6812.88
Omission of acoustic soffit lining to pool and gym - 1750 m2 @ £25-13.66
Mechanical services installation 
Supply and extract ventilation, heating and comfort cooling to cellualr spaces; four-pipe fan-coil installation - 1270 m2 @ £18029.13