This is an excerpt from Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning by NSCA, G. Gregory Haff, and N. Travis Triplett.

Organising the construction and design of a strength and conditioning facility requires a well-thought-out plan created by a committee of experienced professionals.

Building a new facility takes significant time and planning. One of the first things to do is assemble a committee of professionals. The committee should consist of a builder, architect, designers, lawyers, financial departments, and people who will be involved in using the facility. At least one strength and conditioning professional, or other expert who will be working in the facility, should be included in the committee to provide a perspective that will help maximise the utility and safety of the space. 

This committee will assist with the facility design as well as consider economic factors of opening a new facility. One of the main challenges in designing a strength and conditioning facility is tailoring the facility to the intended audience. Figure 1 outlines the four phases of designing a new facility, along with the main objectives for each phase.

Predesign Phase

The predesign phase is the first step in building a new facility. This phase should consist of a needs analysis, a feasibility study, and master plan formation. At the end of the predesign phase, a reputable architect should be hired—likely through a bid process—and begin developing a blueprint for the facility.

The needs analysis is the step when the designers and experts collaborate to determine the needs of the strength and conditioning program. Examples of questions are “How much open space do you need?” and “What equipment needs to fit into the allotted space?” The needs analysis should be consistent with the specific programming needs of the strength and conditioning and athletic departments.

The second part of the predesign phase is called a feasibility study. This process should analyse strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (known as a SWOT analysis). The goal of the feasibility study is to ensure that the financial investment will yield a viable and sustainable return.

The master plan is the general plan for all phases of the new facility. The master plan should include the building and construction plan, facility design, budget information, and an operational plan to act on once the facility is completed.

Design Phase

The design phase is the second phase in the process of building a new facility. In the design phase, ideas from the committee come together with regard to the structure and design elements of the facility. It is extremely important to plan around the flow of the facility while adhering to all relevant regulations and codes.

Construction Phase

The construction phase is the period of time from the beginning of building the facility until completion. This is usually the longest phase of the process. During construction, the committee needs to continually refer to the master plan to ensure that the project is on track with regard to the established goals and design. Keeping the project on track in relation to the deadline must also become a priority. Delays in construction can add significant financial strain. Having access to legal counsel is beneficial to making sure that construction deadlines are met and extra expenses and legal action are avoided.

Pre-operation Phase

The pre-operation phase consists of the final steps before the facility can open. These steps include finishing the interior decor (note that appearance can greatly enhance the experience of users), aesthetic considerations to support athlete recruiting or membership enrolment, and hiring a staff of qualified professionals. The staff should have at least the minimum required certifications and education.

Existing Strength and Conditioning Facilities

Modifying an existing strength and conditioning facility is similar to designing a new facility, without the process of building from the ground up. A design committee can also be formed for renovating an existing facility, but members such as a builder and architect may not be necessary. An existing facility may also use different hiring processes. Sometimes strength and conditioning professionals continue to work in the same facility regardless of a change of ownership or management. However, there should still be a focus on standards, education, professionalism, and staff development. Figure 2 outlines the main steps in modifying an existing facility.

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