The camping and open-air hotel industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Faced with rising expectations on the part of holidaymakers, who are increasingly demanding in terms of services offered, and with growing competition between establishments, campsite managers are looking for sustainable differentiation levers. An outdoor fitness area is one of the most effective ways of enhancing a campsite’s offering, attracting new vacationer profiles and building loyalty among active customers who don’t want to interrupt their sporting activities during the vacations. This guide presents the challenges, the most suitable equipment and the optimum configurations for your type and classification of establishment.
Why is a fitness area essential in the modern campsite?
Changing camper profile
Today’s camper is not the same as twenty years ago. Data from the Fédération Nationale de l’Hôtellerie de Plein Air (FNHPA) show that campsite clientele has become much younger and more diversified. Active families with children, sporty couples in their thirties and forties, and physically fit senior citizens now form the core clientele of mid-range and top-range establishments. These profiles share a common characteristic: they engage in regular physical activity in their daily lives, and wish to maintain this practice during their vacations.
For these campers, the absence of sports facilities is perceived as a lack, in the same way as the absence of Wifi or a heated swimming pool. Conversely, the presence of a well-designed fitness area becomes an active booking argument, mentioned in online reviews and relayed on social networks, valuable visibility for the manager.
| 📊 Key figureAccording toa study conducted by Atout France on outdoor tourism trends, 67% of 4- and 5-star campers say that the availability ofoutdoor sports facilities influences their choice of establishment. Reviews positively mentioning a fitness area generate on average 12% more clicks on booking platforms. |
An investment with a high return on image
The outdoor fitness area is one of the few campsite facilities that simultaneously produces a functional benefit (holidaymakers actually use it), an image benefit (it conveys an image of an active, modern campsite that is attentive to well-being) and a commercial benefit (it justifies a higher price positioning and improves ratings on booking platforms). Its operating costs are virtually nil – no dedicated staff, no energy consumption, minimal maintenance – making it one of the best value-for-money facilities in the outdoor hospitality sector.
Constraints specific to the camping environment
Before selecting equipment, it’s essential to understand the specific constraints of the campsite context, which differ significantly from those of a municipal park or company sports facility.
An extremely heterogeneous audience
A campsite welcomes children as young as 4, teenagers, active adults, senior citizens aged 75 and people with reduced mobility all at the same time. The equipment must be accessible and safe for all of these groups, which means excluding equipment that is too technical, too physical or presents a high risk of injury to uninitiated users. Educational signage on each piece of equipment is even more important here than elsewhere, as users are on vacation and therefore less attentive to instructions, and are generally unfamiliar with the equipment.
Intense seasonal use
Unlike a municipal park, which is used on a regular basis all year round, a campsite can experience extremely intense peaks of use in the high season (July-August), with hundreds of potential users per day, followed by long periods of low use out of season. Equipment must be designed to withstand this intensive use without maintenance between each holidaymaker’s stay. The robustness of assemblies, the quality of surface coatings and resistance to humidity are absolute priorities.
The natural environment: a constraint and an asset
Campsites are often located in natural environments that can be aggressive for metal equipment: proximity to the sea (salty air), high humidity in forested areas, significant temperature variations between summer and winter. Depending on whether the campsite is by the sea, in the mountains or in the forest, material requirements vary significantly. Coastal campsites require equipment in 316 L stainless steel or with reinforced anti-corrosion treatments. A mountain campsite needs equipment that can withstand intense freeze-thaw cycles.
| ⚠️ Camping by the seaForany campsite located less than 3 km from the coast, standard powder-coated galvanized steel is insufficient. Choose equipment incorporating 316 L stainless steel for assembly parts, axles and fasteners. The initial extra cost will be largely offset by the absence of premature replacement due to marine corrosion. |
Regulatory and maintenance constraints
Fitness equipment installed in a campsite is subject to the same regulatory obligations as in any public space: compliance with standard EN 16630, documented maintenance plan with periodic inspections, follow-up register. The campsite manager is liable in the event of an accident involving defective or inadequately maintained equipment. In the specific context of camping, where thousands of different holidaymakers use the equipment over the course of the season, a weekly visual inspection in high season and an annual main inspection before the season opens are imperative minimums.
Must-have equipment for a campsite fitness area
Here are the devices best suited to the camping context, selected according to their accessibility to all audiences, their robustness, their ease of use without prior initiation, and their perceived value to holidaymakers.
| 1. The outdoor elliptical | |
| Why include it | Complete exercise, accessible to all without any prior physical condition. Popular with active adults and seniors alike. No risk of falling. |
| Target audience | Adults aged 15 to 80. Compatible with all fitness levels. |
| Typical session duration | 15 to 30 minutes: perfectly suited to vacation rhythms |
| Point of vigilance | Choose a model with a comfortable seat or support for longer sessions. Check UV resistance for campsites in strong sunlight. |
| Recommended ranking | From 2 stars |
| 2. The outdoor rower | |
| Why include it | Complete body workout (back, arms, legs) without impact. Highly visually appealing on a campsite near a lake or river. High rate of spontaneous use. |
| Target audience | Adults and teenagers. Not recommended for children under 12 without supervision. |
| Typical session duration | 10 to 20 minutes: adjustable intensity |
| Point of vigilance | Choose models with a simple mechanism that can be explained by signage. Check the quality of axles and cables (the first elements to wear out). |
| Recommended ranking | From 2 stars |
| 3. Stretching and joint mobility bars | |
| Why include it | The most inclusive equipment available: accessible to children and seniors alike, in swimwear and sportswear. Very useful for back pain after long car journeys. No risk of injury if used correctly. |
| Target audience | All publics without exception. Strong appeal to seniors and family campers. |
| Typical session duration | 5 to 15 minutes: spontaneous use repeated throughout the day |
| Point of vigilance | Ensure that bar heights cover several levels to suit adults and children (low, medium and high bars). |
| Recommended ranking | Recommended for ALL ratings: 1 to 5 stars |
| 4. The external lumbar bench | |
| Why include it | Campers often arrive after long car journeys with significant back strain. The lumbar bench meets an immediate, practical need. Very popular with seniors and adults over 40. |
| Target audience | Adults, especially those aged 40 and over and active seniors. |
| Typical session duration | 10 to 15 minutes: therapeutic and preventive use |
| Point of vigilance | Provide clear signage illustrating the exercises. The lumbar bench is often misused by the uninitiated (dangerous hyperextension). |
| Recommended ranking | From 3 stars |
| 5. Outdoor table tennis table | |
| Why include it | The ping-pong table is the equipment with the best cost/use ratio on a campsite. It attracts all age groups, creating spontaneous entertainment and conviviality between campers. Its success is immediate and visible. |
| Target audience | All audiences. Especially families with children and teenagers. |
| Typical session duration | 20 to 60 minutes: high potential for team play and tournament play |
| Point of vigilance | Choose a concrete or HDPE model specifically designed for outdoor use. Standard garden tables deteriorate rapidly with intensive camping use. |
| Recommended ranking | Recommended for ALL ratings: 1 to 5 stars |
| 6. Guided weight machines (press, pull) | |
| Why include it | Meets the needs of regular sports holidaymakers (gym-goers) who want to keep up their training. Strong differentiator for 4 and 5-star campsites. High potential for positive mentions in online reviews. |
| Target audience | Adults aged 15 to 60 with a regular sporting activity. |
| Typical session duration | 20 to 45 minutes: effectively replaces a room session |
| Point of vigilance | Detailed signage mandatory. Choose models with mechanical strength (no free weights) to limit the risk of injury in the event of misuse. |
| Recommended ranking | 4 and 5 stars: premium vacation villages |
| 7. Fitness trail / fitness circuit | |
| Why include it | Turns a walk into a complete sporting activity. Integrates perfectly into a natural environment (forest, riverside). Create shared use between joggers, walkers and families. Excellent for the campsite’s image. |
| Target audience | Suitable for all. Ideal for families and seniors. |
| Typical session duration | 20 to 45 minutes for a complete lap of the course |
| Point of vigilance | Integrate the course into the existing environment (trees, relief). Provide clear signposting and a map displayed at the entrance to the course. |
| Recommended ranking | From 3 stars: particularly suitable for campsites in natural surroundings |
Equipment to be avoided or approached with caution
Some equipment, popular in other contexts, is less suited to the camping context for reasons of safety, maintenance or suitability for the public.
– High pull-up bars (over 2 m): the risk of falling is high for untrained users. Prefer models with multiple gripping heights, so that they can be used safely by as many people as possible.
– High-intensity cross-training equipment (rings, climbing ropes): these require a high level of physical fitness and mastery of technique. Unsuitable for unprepared holidaymakers, they present a significant risk of injury.
– Free weights and dumbbells: although fitness areas with free weights exist in some large vacation villages, they require supervision or secure storage that goes beyond the management capabilities of a standard campsite.
– Individual or collective trampolines: highly attractive to children, but accident-prone, they require constant supervision that is incompatible with the free-access operation of a fitness area.
Recommended configurations according to classification
| Campsite classification | Min. surface area | Recommended equipment | Indicative budget |
| 1 and 2 stars | 30 to 60 m2 | Table tennis + stretching bars + elliptical or rowing machine. Basic signage. | 5,000 to 15,000 euros |
| 3 stars | 60 to 120 m2 | Ensemble precedent + lumbar bench + 1 or 2 guided strengthening devices + fitness trail. Complete signage. | 15,000 to 35,000 euros |
| 4 stars | 120 to 250 m2 | 6 to 10 machines covering cardio, strengthening, stretching. Shaded area, lighting, rubber flooring. Multilingual signage. | 35,000 to 70,000 euros |
| 5 stars / Holiday village | 250 m2+ | 10 to 15 units, separate zones for each use, pergola, furniture, high-quality surfacing, scheduled sports events. Premium multilingual signage. | 70,000 to 150,000 euros |
| 💡 Tip for 1 and 2 star campsitesDon‘t underestimate the impact of a minimalist but well thought-out fitness area. A concrete ping-pong table, a couple of stretching bars and a well-maintained, well-signed elliptical bike will produce a better image return than more ambitious equipment that’s poorly installed or maintained. The quality of visible maintenance takes precedence over the number of pieces of equipment. |
Location and layout of fitness area
Choosing the right campsite pitch
The location of the fitness area determines its level of use. It should be positioned in a spot that is visible from high-traffic areas (main walkway, near the swimming pool or toilet blocks) to create a spontaneous invitation to use it. It should not, however, be too close to campsites to avoid disturbing campers with noise or traffic. A space between the communal facilities and the pitch area, preferably with some natural shade, is ideal.
Landscape integration: enhancing the natural environment
On a campsite, the fitness area should blend harmoniously into the natural environment rather than creating a visual break. Choose equipment colors in keeping with the site’s color palette (wood tones, greens, terracotta, depending on the environment). Incorporate hedges or perimeter planting to create a green space. Use a floor covering reminiscent of the natural environment (stabilized in forest areas, synthetic turf in lawn areas). A fitness area that is well integrated into the landscape is automatically perceived as a sign of care for the holidaymaker’s surroundings.
Signage: even more important than elsewhere
In a campsite, users come from all over the world. Signage must be multilingual – at least French, English, Dutch and German for French campsites with an international clientele. It must clearly illustrate each exercise with pictograms that are easy to understand without text, indicate essential contraindications and remind users of safety instructions. Careful signage conveys an image of professionalism that contributes directly to the perception of the establishment’s overall quality.
Seasonal maintenance: organizing controls
The maintenance of a fitness area on a campsite must be organized according to a schedule adapted to the seasonal rhythm of the establishment.
| Period | Operation | Manager |
| Pre-season opening (March-April) | Main inspection completed by qualified expert. Verification of anchors, moving parts, cladding and signage. Written report. | Certified external service provider |
| Early season (May-June) | Training reception staff in safety procedures and equipment use. | Campsite manager |
| High season (July-August) | Weekly visual inspection by staff. Immediate notification of any damage. Twice-weekly cleaning. | In-house technical team |
| End of season (September) | Complete review of the season. Identification of repairs and replacements to be carried out before the next opening. | Technical Manager |
| Off-season (Oct. to March) | Protect sensitive equipment where necessary (frost zones, windy areas). Follow-up of planned repairs. | Technical team or service provider |
| 📌 Maintenance registerKeepa maintenance register documenting every inspection, reported incident and corrective action. This register is your legal protection in the event of an accident and your long-term sustainability management tool. In the event of an inspection by the DREETS or a dispute with a holidaymaker, a well-kept register demonstrates your diligence and significantly reduces your exposure. |
The fitness area as a ranking argument
The classification of campsites in France is governed by the Atout France standards, which define the criteria to be met for each star level. Although the fitness area is not a mandatory criterion for a specific classification, it does contribute to several items in the standards: services and entertainment, sports and leisure facilities, quality of the landscaped environment and communal areas.
For campsites aiming to upgrade their rating (from 3 to 4 stars, for example), the installation of a well-designed fitness area can make a significant contribution to the overall evaluation score. It demonstrates the establishment’s commitment to improving its offering, and meets the growing expectations of holidaymakers for sports and wellness services.
In addition, many tourism labels and certifications (Bienvenue à la ferme, Clef Verte, Qualité Tourisme) now include criteria relating to wellness facilities and physical activity. An outdoor fitness area designed in compliance with environmental standards (recycled materials, no energy-consuming lighting, landscape integration) can contribute to obtaining or renewing these labels.
Herkules Fitness: a partner for campsites and open-air hotels
For many years, Herkules Fitness has been assisting managers of campsites, vacation villages and residential leisure parks in the design and installation of their outdoor fitness areas. Our experience in this specific sector enables us to offer solutions adapted to the constraints of the outdoor hotel industry: seasonal use, diversity of the public, sometimes aggressive natural environments, and the importance of landscape integration.
We offer a range of EN 16630-certified equipment, available in a wide range of colors and customizable to match your establishment’s corporate identity. Our teams provide free 3D visualizations of your project, enabling you to validate the integration of the space into your campsite before making any investment decision. We also design multilingual signage adapted to international campsite audiences.
Contact our team for a personalized project study, a complete costing according to your campsite’s classification and capacity, and advice on the equipment best suited to your campsite’s location and clientele.
The outdoor fitness area has become a strategic piece of equipment for modern campsites. Well-designed and well-maintained, it enhances holidaymaker satisfaction, reinforces the establishment’s image, contributes to its ranking and generates positive reviews that fuel future bookings. The choice of equipment must be based on a precise analysis of the clientele, the site’s environmental constraints and the establishment’s positioning. From stretching bars and a ping-pong table for a 2-star family campsite to a complete fitness area with 10 to 15 machines for a 5-star vacation village, each configuration has its own logic and return on investment. The key is to start with the most inclusive equipment, best suited to your actual clientele, then gradually enrich the offering according to holidaymaker feedback.
