Campsites and hotels: why is investing in outdoor fitness increasingly attractive to holidaymakers?

Introduction

In recent years, well-being has become an essential criterion when choosing a vacation. Whether staying at a campsite, hotel or holiday home, holidaymakers are looking for places where they can both relax and stay active. In this context, outdoor fitness is the ideal solution to meet this growing demand.

Set up in the heart of nature, next to a green space, by the sea or near a swimming pool, outdoor fitness equipment is a real asset for tourist establishments. They offer a free sporting activity, accessible to all, without the need for supervision. Easy to use, resistant to climatic conditions and adapted to a wide variety of audiences, these facilities integrate perfectly into an outdoor environment.

For a campsite or hotel, investing in outdoor fitness means enriching the customer experience while enhancing the image of your establishment. It also means meeting new expectations in terms of health, physical activity and sustainable tourism, without disproportionate investment or heavy technical constraints.

In this article, we’ll look at why outdoor fitness is winning over more and more tourism professionals, what the practical benefits are, and how to design the right area for your holidaymakers.

Growing expectations from holidaymakers

Today, exercising on vacation has become a habit for many French people and international tourists alike. Far from the idea of “total rest”, many are looking to take advantage of their free time to get back into shape, discover new practices, or simply maintain a routine of physical activity. It’s against this backdrop that outdoor fitness is taking on its rightful place in tourist establishments.

Customers no longer want to choose between comfort and health. They now expect the place where they stay to offer them access to modern, varied and easily accessible facilities. And outdoor fitness is just the thing to meet these expectations, without overloading the existing infrastructure.

What holidaymakers are looking for:

• Exercise at their own pace, with no time or booking constraints.
• Easy-to-use equipment for adults and teenagers alike.
• Open-air spaces, for exercising while enjoying the natural environment.
• Free activities included in their stay.
• It’s an alternative to indoor sports, which are sometimes considered restrictive or unattractive during the summer months.

This trend affects all types of public: families, couples, regular sportsmen and women, beginners, but also senior citizens, who take advantage of their vacations to move around more. For a campsite or hotel, responding to this demand means offering a much-appreciated service that helps build customer loyalty.

Outdoor fitness, with its freedom of use and versatility, is perfectly in tune with these changing attitudes. It adds a real wellness dimension to a holiday, without the need for dedicated staff or heavy infrastructure.

The benefits of outdoor fitness for campsites and hotels

Installing an outdoor fitness area in a tourist establishment is more than just a fashion statement. It’s a strategic decision, with many short- and long-term benefits, both in terms of customer satisfaction and site enhancement.

Unlike a conventional gym, an outdoor fitness center requires no permanent supervision, no access system, and no major running costs. All you need is a well-designed space, a few well-chosen pieces of equipment and a good layout to offer customers a truly complementary service.

Benefits for campsites and hotels :

• A service appreciated by holidaymakers, at no extra cost.
• Free-access equipment for use at any time of day.
• Enhanced brand image: modern, dynamic, wellness-oriented.
• A differentiating advantage over the competition, especially during the summer months.
• A rapid return on investment, with little maintenance required.
• The natural liveliness of the space encourages conviviality between customers.

Outdoor fitness also has the advantage of being part of an eco-responsible approach. No electricity required, no emissions, no building to heat or air-condition. It’s a sustainable solution, consistent with the values of green tourism and slow tourism, very much in vogue with holidaymakers in search of meaning.

In terms of management, outdoor fitness equipment is built to last. Made from weather-resistant materials, treated against corrosion and easy to maintain, they can withstand intensive use, even by the sea or in the mountains.

Finally, some campsites and hotels use these facilities as a marketing tool. Integrated into communication media (website, brochures, social networks), photos of a fitness area in the heart of nature reinforce the appeal of the destination. They appeal to an increasingly health-conscious clientele, even during the vacations.

Why outdoor fitness is perfect for tourist resorts

Each tourist establishment has its own constraints: limited surface area, proximity to natural areas, the need to limit maintenance, or the desire to avoid noise pollution. Outdoor fitness is the answer to these challenges, with a solution that’s flexible, robust and scalable.

In a campsite, hotel or tourist residence, it’s essential to offer activities that suit the diversity of holidaymakers: families with children, active couples, occasional sports enthusiasts or senior citizens. Outdoor fitness, with its ease of use and modularity, can cater for all these profiles.

Why it’s an ideal solution:

• Quick installation, no major work or complex permits required.
• Intuitive operation, with no need for professional supervision.
• Silent structure, with no motor or noise, respecting the natural environment.
• Climate-resistant: equipment can be left outdoors all year round.
• Low maintenance, thanks to materials such as galvanized steel or 316L stainless steel.
• Customization options: choice of colors, modules, number of fixtures.

Herkules ‘ range of outdoor fitness equipment is designed to adapt to different contexts: compact stations for small spaces, stainless steel modules for coastal areas, equipment for the general public or mixed courses (mobility, cardio, strengthening). This makes it possible to equip a green space between two mobile homes, a terrace on the roof of a hotel, or even a wooded area on the edge of an estate.

Another advantage: the outdoor fitness area creates a natural dynamic on the site. During the day, it attracts holidaymakers looking for an active moment. In the evening, it becomes a place for children to pass through, chat and even play under parental supervision. These are multi-purpose spaces that complement swimming pools, multi-sports fields or walking paths.

Finally, in terms of image, outdoor fitness reflects modern, positive values: health, freedom, autonomy, pleasure, nature. These are increasingly important criteria when choosing a vacation destination.

Feedback and concrete examples from campsites and hotels

At Herkules Fitness, several campsites and hotels have already trusted us to install an outdoor fitness area on their site. These projects, often modest in size, have generated very positive feedback from customers and site managers alike.

At a 4-star lakeside campsite, the installation of six apparatus on a stabilized surface has revitalized an area that was little used before. As a result, holidaymakers now regularly drop in at the end of the morning or day to do a few moves, alone or with their families. Some even organize their own group sessions.

“We used to have an area between the swimming pool and the petanque courts that served no purpose. Since we installed the Herkules apparatus there, it’s become a real place for people to pass through and chat. Families love it, and that’s reflected in our customer feedback”
– Stéphane M., manager of Camping des Berges Bleues (Charente)

In a seaside hotel, the management chose 316L stainless steel equipment, resistant to salt air. Located at the rear of the building, in a wooded garden, the equipment attracts a varied clientele, from early-morning sports enthusiasts to senior citizens looking to keep fit. No supervision was required, and feedback has been excellent, particularly on the establishment’s social networks.

“The outdoor fitness area allows us to offer an additional activity, without encroaching on our other spaces. It’s a much-appreciated service, especially for guests who want to stay active during their stay. And it looks great in our photos.”
– Claire D., manager of Hôtel Les Sables d’Or (Vendée)

What these returns confirm:

• The space is quickly adopted, even without specific animation.
• Customers are free to use the equipment at their own pace.
• Installation becomes a marketing asset: photos, web communication, presentation sheets.
• Outdoor fitness doesn’t take up much space, but creates real use value.
• Maintenance is kept to a minimum, reducing the burden on staff.

Other establishments have used outdoor fitness as a tool to differentiate their positioning. One eco-campground, for example, has combined an exercise area with signs explaining the benefits of gentle physical activity. Another mountain hotel set up a small fitness trail with panoramic views, much appreciated by walkers.

These experiences confirm that, if well thought-out and well-placed, outdoor fitness can transform a simple green space into a genuine service asset. And all without disrupting internal organization or straining budgets.

How to equip your establishment with outdoor fitness equipment

Setting up an outdoor fitness area at a campsite or hotel doesn’t necessarily require a major investment or a large surface area. But for the project to be truly effective and appreciated by holidaymakers, it’s essential to think carefully beforehand. The choice of equipment, its layout, accessibility and integration into the site make all the difference.

Before ordering any equipment, it’s important to think about its intended use. Is it a space for a more athletic clientele? A place for gentle fitness training? These factors will help guide the choice of modules.

Criteria to consider:

• Available space: an area of 25 to 40 m² may be sufficient for 4 to 6 pieces of equipment.
• Target audience: families, seniors, teenagers, regular athletes, etc.
• The immediate environment: seaside, mountain, forest, urban area.
• Visual appearance: choose colors and shapes that blend into the landscape.
• Expected frequency of use: seasonal or year-round.

At Herkules Fitness, we support tourist establishments in the design of their area. Thanks to a wide range of equipment (cardio, muscle strengthening, mobility, balance), it’s possible to put together a made-to-measure circuit, adapted to the image of the establishment and the needs of its customers.

Three possible layout formats:

1. The central island: several pieces of equipment grouped together in an open space at the heart of the site. Ideal for creating a passageway or meeting point.
2. The course line: equipment arranged in a row along an alley, path or footpath. Combines physical activity and walking.
3. Discreet space: a small, shaded or quiet area in a corner of the estate, perfect for individual or gentle practice.

Tips for optimizing installation :

• Choose durable materials such as galvanized steel or 316L stainless steel for saline or humid areas.
• Provide a stabilized or non-slip floor (soft floor, flagstones, wood shavings).
• Add an explanatory panel with instructions for use, or embed a QR code for a demonstration video.
• Provide natural or artificial shade to encourage use in warm weather.
• Maintain the space as a showcase for the establishment (cleaning, mowing around, etc.).

Finally, think about communicating about this facility: a well-designed outdoor fitness area is an excellent content medium for social networks, brochures and the establishment’s website. It demonstrates attention to customer comfort, well-being and health.

Conclusion

Offering an outdoor fitness area at a campsite or hotel is no longer just a bonus, it’s a real differentiating factor. With customers increasingly concerned about their well-being, fitness and the quality of the services on offer, this solution combines simplicity, efficiency and attractiveness.

Easy to set up and low-maintenance, outdoor fitness equipment makes intelligent use of space that is often under-utilized. It can be adapted to suit all holidaymaker profiles, from regular sportsmen and women to senior citizens in search of mobility, and families wishing to stay active together.

Herkules Fitness offers a comprehensive, modular and sustainable range of products and services for tourist establishments wishing to add a real sporting dimension to their site. From design and choice of equipment, to installation and maintenance, we put our expertise at the service of projects that get holidaymakers moving, naturally.

Outdoor fitness isn’t just a summer trend: it’s a concrete, long-term response to the expectations of tomorrow’s tourism.