WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE FENG SHUI THIS GYM?

Touring a wonderful new spa, I was marveling over the artful mix of contemporary lighting and Old World architecture, the water features in the entry, the Native American art in the reception area, and the gorgeous, glass tiles with a hint of sparkle in the wet area. And then we turned the corner to view the gym and fitness area.

Ugh.

I was shocked. Here was the same unattractive setup I've seen for more than twenty years in spas and health clubs all over the world. Dark, utilitarian carpet on the floor, bulky masses of black-and-steel-framed equipment, racks of chrome dumbbells, acres of mirrored walls and banks of TVs, all of it lit from above by harsh fluorescent lighting, and in the corner a water cooler crowned with paper cups.

Of the many gyms and fitness studios I have visited, only a few stand out for their creative design. For example:

• Clay in Manhattan, where the white-framed exercise equipment is poshly upholstered with camel-colored leather.
• The movement studio at Lake Austin Spa Resort, which has panoramic views of the lake.
• Kuchumaa Gym at Rancho la Puerta in Mexico with stone fireplaces.
• The New Age Health Spa in upstate New York, whose meditation gym has a life-sized Buddha.
• The gym at Amandari in Bali, which seems to be floating on a lily pond where every wall is glass, and there are purple lilies, tall grasses, and small living creatures to watch while working out.
• The extraordinary new Mediterranean style fitness center at Cal-a-Vie with chandeliers and elegant French provincial accents.
• One of my very favorite places: the open-air yoga studio at Maya Ubud in Bali, where you feel you are in a tree house overlooking a misty, magical, tropical forest.

But theseare the exceptions. Talented architects and designers are creating extraordinary spas everywhere, but the gym design always seems to have been left to some male body builder friend-of-the-owner or to the fitness staff, who inevitably come up with the same tired solution.

Is it that architects and spa designers don't go to gyms (I hope not!), or are their talents just not utilized for this arena? Or is the real problem that gyms and fitness rooms are given less creative attention because they don't produce revenue like the treatment rooms and retail space?

But then, maybe that's exactly the point. More interesting environments might create more usage and increase income. It could even garner some media attention! I think it's time for some "out of the box" (in this case the gym box) thinking. Here are a few suggestions.

Help us feel less like hamsters in a cage. Instead of the typical rectangular room, think about creating different levels and areas, using a variety of materials to lend a distinct feel to each. Alcoves for privacy would be welcome.

Make the area more spa-like. Waterfalls, fountains, and rivulets don't have to be confined to the spa entry; the gentle sound of running water is a soothing accompaniment to a workout.

How about filling the area with green plants to boost the oxygen supply? Might give new meaning to the term "jungle gym"!

Maybe something to look at instead of CNN. How about a wall of aquariums? And if golfing centers can give us a virtual course, why can't we take a virtual bike ride through Tuscany, stroll through the museums of Paris, jog along the Great Wall of China, or do some elliptical trotting through the Alps? Maybe we can Google Earth on a large computer screen while working out?

Vary the lighting. Instead of fluorescent lights, how about more flattering sconces and indirect lights and incandescent bulbs? How about candles or candle-like flickering bulbs for the evening? Or lanterns? Or install a light show. In general, more natural light is a good thing, whether it's pure or filtered. Consider using some beautiful leaded or stained glass windows.

Make the mirrors look less institutional. Maybe we don't need quite so many of them. Group some together in a variety of styles and sizes; use etched glass, framed mirrors, or sandblasted designs. Try hanging some from wires to divide the space.

Treat our other senses. Waft some aromatherapy into the room or add some creative color therapy to a workout. Try using music in new ways—or consider no sound at all.

Try an entirely new approach. How about developing a playground setting, where the emphasis is on fun and having playful, joyous experiences? Or how about a room full of Pilates equipment where you don't have to make an appointment with a personal trainer? In some settings an MTV dance party atmosphere might be fun—or use it as a special theme night. Or maybe a workout & gaming combo?

If we can conceive of mud grottos (Glen Ivy Hot Springs), massage rooms with glass floors to watch fish swim (Soneva Gili), an underwater spa treatment room (Huvafen Fushi), guest rooms in tree houses (Post Ranch Inn), and relaxation rooms with walls of water and candles (Bellagio), then surely we can create magical spaces where people will enjoy exercising.

I would love to know of any fabulous gyms or fitness rooms you have experienced and any unique ideas you may have. I will be happy to compile a list to share with anyone who sends me a suggestion or simply wants to know what we come up with. Contact me by email.

Here's the goal: To hear more people say, "I can't wait to go to the gym!"

Till the next Insider...



Susie