Designing a multifamily fitness space isn’t as simple as selecting equipment and filling a room. For RREAF Holdings, getting it right has come down to one thing: working with the right partner early and designing with real-world constraints in mind.
RREAF Holdings has developed and repositioned multifamily properties across a range of markets, each with its own set of challenges. But when it comes to fitness spaces, one reality consistently shows up.
“The two greatest constraints we face are budget and available space and rarely do both align perfectly,” said Taylor Kolle, Multifamily Asset Manager at RREAF Holdings. “Sometimes we have the square footage but not the budget to fully utilize it; other times the budget is there, but the space is limited in layout, functionality, or size.”
That tension has shaped how RREAF approaches fitness design across multiple recent projects.
Designing within real constraints
Rather than treating fitness as an afterthought, Kolle and his team bring it into the process earlier when decisions around layout, infrastructure and flow can still be influenced.
“You can often tell when owners or property managers treat amenity spaces and fitness centers as an afterthought, but that’s not how we operate,” said Kolle. “Understanding that the resident experience isn’t solely based on the apartment unit itself, but also from the amenities and services offered throughout the community, is vital to delivering a truly exceptional experience.”
Inst
ead of trying to fit equipment into whatever space remains, the team starts with a clearer understanding of how the space should function and what it needs to support.
Across RREAF’s projects, layout planning, electrical requirements, spacing and user flow all play a role in determining whether a space will actually work once completed.
That includes everything from where cardio equipment is placed to how strength equipment is arranged to create a natural workout flow. Even smaller considerations, like connectivity options or accessory placement, can have an outsized impact.
The value of a dedicated partner
To navigate those decisions, RREAF worked closely with Johnson Commercial Fitness National Account Manager Lorne LaPorte, who supported the team across multiple properties.
“At the end of the day nobody on our own team is an expert in the gym/fitness space, so without Johnson we wouldn’t be able to fill the space adequately or in the same manner that they are able to.”
And for LaPorte, that kind of partnership is critical.
“Every project has constraints—it’s just a matter of understanding them when designing a space,” he said. “When you can align layout, equipment and infrastructure from the start, you avoid a lot of the compromises that happen later.”
That process often begins with 2D and 3D layouts, helping teams visualize how the space will come together before construction is complete and before costly changes are required
Building for long-term use
With those plans in place, RREAF was then able to make more intentional decisions about how to allocate budget and space when choosing equipment.
This meant focusing on versatile equipment that could support a wide range of users, while also prioritizing durability and ease of maintenance.
“Vision Fitness equipment was a strong fit for these projects because it delivers both versatility and durability in a compact footprint,” LaPorte said. “That allowed the team to maximize what they could do within the space they had without overcomplicating the design.”
From concept to completion
Today, the finished spaces reflect that level of planning.
Early renderings helped guide the design, but the final result is shaped by how well those decisions translated into real-world use.
“One of the best parts of every project is hearing how much residents enjoy the new space and on our most recent project, the feedback has been nothing but very positive,” Kolle said.
The most satisfying part of completing these projects is how much they help other business operations at the property. High-quality amenity spaces and gyms have a meaningful impact on both current resident satisfaction and the community’s marketability to prospective future residents.”
Where Vision Fitness fits
At Vision Fitness, this is exactly what we’re built for. Our purpose is to craft simplicity that endures.
We help operators solve for the realities of multifamily development: limited space, fixed budgets and the need to deliver a high-quality experience that holds up over time.
With intuitive design anyone can use and durability you can trust, you can focus on running your property with confidence.
