A universally accessible fitness center is not just a place to exercise, but also a place where all users feel welcome and equal. Slovenian legislation does not yet define the main guidelines, recommendations, or conditions for accessible fitness centers, so we at the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia have reviewed foreign practices and set out some key recommendations for the appropriate regulation of fitness centers.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPACE
The fitness center should be arranged on one level or have the option of moving between levels, including for wheelchair users (ramps, lifts, lifting platforms). The space should be evenly lit (100-200 lux), without reflective or shiny surfaces, and with windows that allow for adequate shading. The fitness center should have good acoustics, without echoes. In very loud spaces, we recommend installing hearing loops. The floor surface should be solid and non-slip to ensure safety and stability for all users. The equipment should be arranged in such a way as to allow easy orientation in the space, and there should be sufficient maneuvering space between the devices (800 mm for passage; 1500 mm x 1500 mm for a 90° turn; 2150 mm x 1600 mm for a 180° turn) so that wheelchair users can pass between them.
ACCESSIBLE FITNESS EQUIPMENT
At least some of the equipment in the gym should be accessible to people with disabilities. For people with mobility impairments, it is important that such equipment is adjustable and adaptable to the user's abilities. If there is a seat, it should be removable and height-adjustable, and the handles on the equipment should be made of materials that allow for a firm grip. Controls should be positioned at a height of 400 to 1100 mm, and screens up to 1400 mm above the floor. Equipment accessible to wheelchair users should have empty space next to or in front of it, which can be used for maneuvering to the equipment and, if necessary, transferring to it.
TECHNICAL AIDS
If technical aids such as screens are available on fitness equipment, they should be non-reflective, installed at an appropriate height, and it is also highly recommended that information be provided in both visual and audio formats. This ensures uninterrupted use for blind and visually impaired persons as well as deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.
USER SUPPORT
All users should be provided with appropriate assistance in using the fitness equipment. This should be ensured primarily by qualified instructors and trainers who know how to advise and assist people with disabilities.
In addition to the equipment and training area, attention should also be paid to the accessibility of accompanying facilities and areas such as the reception desk, toilets, showers, changing rooms, sports halls, and catering facilities.