The Rise of Outdoor Fitness: How Gyms and Resorts Can Elevate Guest Experience With Nature-Led Design

The next big competitive advantage for gyms and resorts is outside.

Across markets, people are choosing fresh air, green views, and real human connection. Outdoor recreation participation climbed to a record 175.8 million people in 2023, which is 57.3% of Americans age six and older. That signals a durable shift in how people want to move, recover, and spend leisure time.

Community is a major driver. Strava’s Year in Sport shows a sharp rise in social training, including a 59% increase in running-club participation in 2024. Run clubs and group sessions are thriving because they blend fitness with belonging, and that energy spills into travel and hospitality experiences.

There is also a strong wellbeing case. Meta-analyses find that physical activity in natural environments boosts positive affect and vigor while reducing fatigue and anxiety. Put simply, green exercise leaves people feeling better during and after the session, which is exactly what guests remember and share.

For owners and operators, the opportunity is strategic. The global wellness economy reached 6.3 trillion dollars in 2023 and is projected to approach nine trillion by 2028. Wellness is no longer a niche amenity. It is a growth engine that touches design, programming, and brand positioning.

Wellness travel strengthens the business case. International wellness travelers spend about 41% more per trip than the typical international tourist, while domestic wellness travelers spend roughly 175% more than the average domestic tourist. When properties curate outdoor movement and recovery experiences that guests value, that premium helps lift overall spend and package yield.

Why outdoor fitness works now

Outdoor training meets a cluster of modern preferences: it feels natural, photogenic, and social. It creates flexible space that transitions from morning mobility to midday strength to sunset breathwork. It encourages shareable moments that extend your reach. And it aligns with broader wellness and sustainability narratives that guests already care about.

How to activate your grounds without overbuilding

Start with a clear, guest-centric use case. If your audience skews toward group formats, design a shaded open-air deck that can host sunrise circuits, yoga, and mobility classes. If your base leans into strength, add durable, weather-rated rigs, calisthenics frames, turf for sled work, and smart storage to keep the space tidy between sessions. A simple audio solution and ambient lighting can create a premium feel for evening classes.

Layer in recovery. A small contrast-therapy zone with an outdoor sauna and cold plunge, or quiet nooks for breathwork and reflection, encourages longer dwell time and positive word of mouth. Recovery is often where guests feel the most memorable shift. It also gives day visitors and members a reason to return.

Design for climate and maintenance from day one. Choose non-slip, UV-stable flooring that drains well, weather-resistant finishes, and corrosion-resistant hardware. Provide shade and wind management so classes can run year-round. Consider acoustics and neighbor impact to keep programming friendly to the environment and the community.

Program like you market. Name signature classes after your place and landscape. Partner with local run clubs and coaches to anchor weekly sessions that bring in residents as well as guests. Use booking data to shape the timetable, then introduce seasonal pop-ups such as mountain-view mobility, beach strength, or star-light breathwork.

Measure what matters. Track class fill rates, retail and F&B add-ons tied to sessions, guest-satisfaction comments, and photo shares. When the space is thoughtfully planned, these numbers tend to climb together. Outdoor zones also expand capacity without heavy structural work, which can improve return on invested capital compared with full indoor builds.

At Luxe Wellness Spaces, we specialise in outdoor movement and recovery environments for hotels, resorts, and forward-thinking gyms. Our work spans concept development, space planning, mood boards, equipment and materials, and turnkey delivery with trusted partners.

Further reading on our blog: 'How Luxury Wellness Spaces Drive Revenue Through Experience Architecture.'

Do you want a numbers-first concept for your property or estate? Book a feasibility session with Luxe Wellness Spaces. We will provide a concept, budget ranges, and an activation plan aligned to your goals.

References

• Outdoor Foundation. “2024 Outdoor Participation Trends Report: Executive Summary.” (Record 175.8M participants in 2023). PDF.

• Strava. “Year in Sport Trend Report 2024.” (Rise of social training and run clubs). PDF

• Wicks C. et al. “Psychological benefits of outdoor physical activity in natural environments.” Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports (2022). PubMed

• Global Wellness Institute. “Global Wellness Economy reaches $6.3 trillion; forecast nearly $9 trillion by 2028.” Press release.