Holidaymakers’ expectations have evolved: today, they want to breathe, move and enjoy experiences that give meaning to their stay. Campers are comparing and reading reviews, and preferring establishments where well-being and activity are part of their daily routine, with no time or budget constraints. In this context, creating a fitness area becomes a simple and powerful lever for attracting more holidaymakers, enriching your offer and boosting customer satisfaction. Accessible, intergenerational and visually appealing, the fitness area ticks all the boxes of a sustainable investment: it enlivens the life of the campsite, increases the perceived value of your services and supports your image as a modern, responsible establishment.issement moderne et responsable.
Wellness and outdoor sports: the new expectation of holidaymakers
The rise of wellness tourism and the search for an authentic link with nature have transformed camping habits. Gone are the days of simple “accommodation + pool” logic: your customers want simple, regular, shared activities that fit in with their vacation rituals (morning stroll, swim, siesta, sunset). In this landscape, the fitness area is a cleverly versatile space: you can warm up before a hike, wake up at dawn or challenge the family in the late afternoon.
Managers who have taken the plunge see a double benefit. First, a better distribution of activity flows (less pressure on the pool at the same times, more options throughout the day). Secondly, a tangible improvement in word-of-mouth: the area becomes a friendly landmark, a backdrop for photos and stories, and a “plus” that customers spontaneously mention in their reviews.
Why a fitness area satisfies the desire for nature and freedom
Unlike an enclosed gym, an open-air fitness area enhances the value of the campsite environment. It blends into the landscape (pine forest, dune, meadow), invites you to breathe and encourages “Ã la carte” activity: no registration, no equipment to rent, no prior skills required. Everyone feels entitled to try – the motivated teenager as well as the less sporty parent, the senior citizen who wants to preserve his or her mobility as well as the experienced camper who maintains his or her routines.
This freedom of use creates a virtuous dynamic: the more visible and welcoming the area, the more it attracts; the more it attracts, the more it structures habits. People pass by, try it out “for five minutes”, then come back, alone or with others. The campsite quickly becomes a place for socializing, reflecting the spirit of the campsite.
The fitness area as a sign of attention and modernity
Beyond physical activity, creating a fitness area sends a strong message: “Here, we take care of you.” It’s a marker of attention that reassures and seduces. In a market where criteria are similar, this clear intention – to promote gentle health, movement and conviviality – immediately differentiates your establishment. It’s also a marketing signal: the term “fitness area” in your pages, listings and visuals captures searches from decision-makers and vacationers looking for active experiences.
Simple leverage to enrich the experience without complicating operations
One of the major advantages of a fitness area is its ease of operation. Modern outdoor equipment (galvanized steel structures or 316L stainless steel in coastal areas, guided mechanics, body-weight workouts) requires little maintenance and no permanent animation. They operate 24 hours a day, in all weathers, and are suitable for all levels. So you can add value to your site without multiplying hidden costs (energy, dedicated staff, consumables). The result: an enriched experience, controlled operating costs and an enhanced brand image with your customers and partners alike.
Why create a fitness area at your campsite?
A universal, free-access activity
A fitness area is for everyone. Families find it an ideal place to bond between two activities; senior citizens appreciate gentle movements to maintain mobility and balance; sports enthusiasts adopt it for a cardio warm-up, a quick circuit or daily pull-ups. With no need for a badge or schedule, access is immediate: use it, enjoy it, come back for more. This universality increases the rate of use and amplifies the perceived value of your offer – with no cost of entry for the holidaymaker.
A differentiating asset for your campsite
On Google and booking platforms, details make all the difference. The explicit mention of a “fitness area” in your descriptions, photos and keywords catches the attention of travelers who compare offers close in price and location. On site, the area generates natural content (photos, stories, tags), feeds your networks and fuels positive reviews. It embodies your positioning: a modern, active, caring campsite.
A sustainable, profitable investment
Designed for outdoor use, a fitness area relies on sturdy, low-energy equipment, often without a power supply. With low maintenance and a long service life, you’re perpetuating an asset that enriches the experience year after year. Profitability is measured less in terms of “direct income” than in terms of attractiveness, loyalty and recommendation rates: three factors which, taken together, increase occupancy and smooth out the season.
What equipment is needed to create a successful outdoor fitness area?
Creating a fitness area on a campsite involves much more than simply placing a few pieces of equipment on an open space. If you really want to attract your guests, you have to think in terms of
Fitness area essentials
A well-designed fitness area should offer a variety of exercises to challenge the whole body. This guarantees regular use, whatever the user’s profile.
- Cardio-training equipment Cardio-training equipment such as the bike, walker and surfer help to build endurance and mobility. They are particularly suited to families and senior citizens looking for a gentle form of activity.
- Muscle-strengthening modules such as pull-up bars, ab-boards and lumbar stations promote tone and stability. These stations appeal not only to more athletic holidaymakers, but also to those who simply want to keep fit while on vacation.
- Multi-activity stations Combining several pieces of equipment on a single structure, they optimize space and enrich training sessions without overloading the area.
A successful outdoor fitness area relies on a balance: enough equipment to create a real experience, but not so much as to clutter up the site. Three to six stations are often enough to cover the needs of a medium-sized campsite.
Adapt your fitness area to your clientele
Each campsite has its own identity and its own audience. The fitness area must fit into this logic.
- Family campsites: opt for simple, accessible and intuitive equipment. Holidaymakers need to be able to understand how it works without explanations.
- Seaside campsites: choose 316L stainless steel equipment, which resists corrosion from sea salt and guarantees the durability of your installation.
Adapting a fitness area to its surroundings is also a way of affirming the identity of the site. A well-designed, visible and aesthetically pleasing station becomes a campsite landmark, a place where holidaymakers like to gather.
Integrate the fitness area into your overall layout
Location plays an essential role in the success of a fitness area. It must be visible, pleasant and accessible.
Ideally, it should be located close to a high-traffic area (main road, multisport field, beach or pool access), while preserving a minimum of peace and quiet. The natural shade of trees or a light awning allow you to enjoy it even in the hottest hours.
Think about visual coherence too: colors, materials and signage must harmonize with the rest of the site. Beautiful integration reinforces the perceived value of the space and spontaneously invites people to try it out.
In addition, the addition of explanatory panels or QR codes enables holidaymakers to discover exercises adapted to their level. This autonomy encourages use of the area throughout the day.
Last but not least, you’ll need a stable, secure surface: concrete slab, stabilized soil or soft surfacing, depending on the configuration. Safety and comfort of use are decisive factors in holidaymaker satisfaction and equipment durability.
Key steps to creating a fitness area at your campsite
Creating a successful outdoor fitness area requires careful planning. As with any structuring project, it’s essential to define your project carefully, choose the right partners and think about how you’re going to add value to it once it’s installed. Here are the main steps to follow to transform your idea into an attractive, sustainable space.
1. Define your needs and target audience
First and foremost, you need to define the target audience for your fitness area. Are you aiming for family use, an athletic clientele, or more senior citizens in search of well-being?
This consideration directly influences the choice of equipment, the surface area to be provided and the location.
- Family audiences: focus on simplicity and user-friendliness. Devices must be accessible, secure and intuitive.
- Sporty public: offer more technical stations, with traction, dips or sheathing apparatus.
- Senior or wellness audiences: focus on mobility and coordination modules, with gentle, guided movements.
This first step helps to frame the project and ensure that the fitness area will really meet the needs of your holidaymakers.
2. Choose a partner with expertise in outdoor design
Installing a fitness area is more than just buying equipment. It’s a complete development project, requiring expertise in ergonomics, safety and landscape integration.
Calling on a specialist manufacturer like Herkules Fitness guarantees you comprehensive support, from design to maintenance.
An experienced partner will :
- Study your site to propose the ideal location.
- Adapt the selection of equipment to your audience and environment.
- Design a harmonious, functional and aesthetic space.
- Guarantee compliance with safety standards (EN 16630).
Working with an expert also saves time and avoids costly mistakes, particularly when it comes to foundations, fixing equipment or managing traffic flows around the area.
3. Design your custom project
Once your needs have been defined, it’s time for the design phase.
The manufacturer produces a layout plan and can offer you a 3D visualization of your future fitness area. This rendering allows you to imagine the final look and adjust colors, materials and equipment layout before launching.
This is also the time to :
- Choose colors: natural tones for soft integration, or dynamic hues to enhance visibility.
- Validate the type of floor: concrete slab, stabilized floor or shock-absorbing surface, depending on budget and use.
- Incorporate clear signage: signs for use, safety tips, pictograms or QR codes for exercise videos.
Customized design allows you to create a unique fitness area, in keeping with the spirit of your campsite.
4. Install and enhance your fitness area
Once the project has been validated, installation can be completed in just a few days. Structures are generally pre-assembled and fixed on studs or slabs, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The next step is essential: adding value to your new fitness area.
Here are a few best practices:
- Communicate on your website and social networks before the opening, with photos of the site or teasers.
- Update your Google listings and booking platforms to mention the presence of an outdoor fitness area.
- Organize a small inaugural event or discovery session, such as a “sunrise workout” or a free wellness activity.
- Encourage your guests to share their photos and videos using your campsite hashtag.
Good communication from the outset maximizes the impact of your investment. The area quickly becomes a selling point and strong visual content for your future visitors.
Customer testimonial: the success of Camping Bella Sardinia’s fitness area
Successfully integrated into the countryside
Located in the heart of a vast pine forest on the west coast of Sardinia, Camping Bella Sardinia is renowned for its exceptional natural setting and family atmosphere. Between sea and forest, the campsite team wanted to offer a simple, free activity accessible to all, which would perfectly complement its range of leisure activities.
The idea of installing an outdoor fitness area quickly became obvious: a space dedicated to relaxation, movement and well-being, in perfect harmony with the spirit of the place.
The installation, featuring Herkules Fitness equipment, includes five complementary pieces of equipment:
- An abdominal-lumbar bench, to strengthen the abdominal belt and back.
- An elliptical trainer for endurance and coordination.
- A stepper, ideal for exercising the legs and improving circulation.
- A complete outdoor rowing machine that mobilizes the upper and lower body.
- A push-pull, to alternate pushing and pulling movements.
Our equipment has been chosen for its sturdiness, ergonomics and ease of use. They can be adapted to all holidaymaker profiles, from the regular sportsman to the occasional camper who simply wants to exercise in the fresh air.
Manager’s testimonial
“We wanted to offer an original activity that was free and easy to access, with no organizational constraints. The Herkules fitness area fits in perfectly with our environment and is used every day. Holidaymakers come here to do some exercise before the beach or at the end of the day. It’s become a living space in its own right, promoting conviviality and perfectly reflecting the spirit of the campsite.”
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The manager stresses the versatility of the fitness area, which attracts families, couples and solo sports enthusiasts alike.
The facility has quickly become a natural focal point of the campsite, a place where holidaymakers can get moving, socialize and share a moment of relaxation.
Conclusion: create a unique outdoor wellness experience
Creating a fitness area at your campsite means responding to a profound trend in tourism: the need for freedom, movement and reconnection with oneself. It means offering your holidaymakers a space where they can start the day with a moment to themselves, gently push themselves to the limit, or simply share an activity with the family.
Beyond the equipment, it’s a state of mind: that of a modern campsite, active and attentive to the well-being of its customers.
A fitness area is a lasting investment, both for your image and for the satisfaction of your visitors. It contributes to making your establishment a place to return to – not just for the setting, but for the experience.
Would you like to create or develop your own fitness area?
Come and meet the Herkules Fitness team at the SETT trade show in Montpellieror contact us to design a customized project together.
