GYM
GYM FIT-OUT & FITNESS CENTRE DESIGN DUBAI 2026
Dubai's fitness industry is booming. With wellness tourism growing, boutique fitness concepts expanding, and residential communities demanding premium amenity facilities, the demand for professional gym fit-out in Dubai has surged — and so has the complexity. A gym is one of the most technically demanding fit-out types: heavy structural loads, high-capacity HVAC, specialised flooring, wet areas, and equipment that draws significant electrical power all need to be coordinated within a single space.
Whether you are opening a commercial gym, building a boutique fitness studio, fitting out a building amenity gym, or creating a luxury home gym in your villa, this guide covers the real costs, technical requirements, and practical considerations you need to plan your project.
GYM FIT-OUT COST RANGES (2026)
■ BOUTIQUE FITNESS STUDIO (Yoga, Pilates, CrossFit): AED 250–500 / SQ FT — Open-plan training space, basic changing facilities, reception area, specialised flooring, sound system, and standard HVAC. Minimal wet areas. Typical total: AED 250,000–750,000 for a 1,000–1,500 sq ft studio.
■ MID-RANGE COMMERCIAL GYM: AED 500–900 / SQ FT — Multiple training zones (cardio, free weights, machines, functional), full changing rooms with showers, reception and retail area, heavy-duty HVAC, reinforced flooring for free weights, and comprehensive MEP. Typical total: AED 1,500,000–2,700,000 for a 3,000 sq ft gym.
■ PREMIUM HEALTH CLUB / LUXURY FITNESS: AED 900–1,500+ / SQ FT — Spa facilities (steam, sauna, jacuzzi), premium changing rooms with individual vanities, juice bar, lounge area, PT studios, premium interior finishes (natural stone, custom joinery, feature lighting), and advanced environmental controls. Typical total: AED 4,500,000–10,000,000+ for a 5,000–8,000 sq ft facility.
■ RESIDENTIAL / VILLA HOME GYM: AED 400–800 / SQ FT — Dedicated room or garage conversion with rubber flooring, mirrors, ventilation upgrade, electrical capacity for equipment, and optional bathroom/shower addition. Typical total: AED 80,000–300,000 for a 200–400 sq ft space.
■ BUILDING AMENITY GYM: AED 350–700 / SQ FT — Developer-grade gym within a residential or commercial building. Durable finishes designed for high-traffic use, standard equipment zones, basic changing facilities. Typical total: AED 700,000–2,100,000 for a 2,000–3,000 sq ft facility.
These ranges cover interior construction, MEP, flooring, and finishing. They exclude gym equipment (treadmills, weights, machines), which is typically a separate procurement line.
CRITICAL MEP REQUIREMENTS FOR GYM FIT-OUTS
MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) is where gym fit-outs differ most from standard commercial spaces. Underspecifying MEP is the number one cause of gym fit-out failures and costly retrofits.
■ HVAC & VENTILATION: Gyms require 15–20 air changes per hour (vs 6–8 for a typical office). Group fitness studios with 20–30 people exercising simultaneously generate enormous heat loads. Undersized HVAC means overheating, condensation, and member complaints. Budget for high-capacity air handling units with independent zone control for cardio, weights, studios, and changing areas.
■ ELECTRICAL: Commercial gym equipment draws significant power — a single row of 10 treadmills requires a dedicated circuit. Power requirements for a mid-range gym typically range from 150–300 amps. Steam rooms and saunas require dedicated high-amperage circuits. Plan electrical distribution early based on your final equipment layout.
■ PLUMBING & DRAINAGE: Showers, toilets, steam rooms, and water fountains all require hot and cold water supply and drainage connections. Floor drainage in wet areas must comply with Dubai Municipality standards. Grease traps may be required if a juice bar or café is included.
■ FIRE SAFETY: Dubai Civil Defense approval is mandatory. Sprinkler systems, fire alarms, emergency lighting, and exit signage must comply with UAE fire code. Steam rooms and saunas require special fire safety consideration.
GYM FLOORING: TYPES AND COSTS
Flooring is a critical investment in any gym fit-out. The wrong flooring causes equipment damage, noise complaints (especially in multi-storey buildings), and safety hazards.
■ RUBBER FLOORING (Free weights & functional): AED 80–200/sqm installed. 15–25mm thickness for impact absorption. Essential under free weights, deadlift platforms, and sled tracks. Reduces noise transmission to floors below.
■ VINYL SPORTS FLOORING (Studios & cardio): AED 120–300/sqm installed. Resilient surface for group fitness, dance studios, and cardio zones. Easier to clean than rubber, available in various colours for zone delineation.
■ ARTIFICIAL TURF (Functional training): AED 100–250/sqm installed. Used for sled pushes, prowler tracks, and functional training zones. Typically installed in strips or defined areas within the gym.
■ PORCELAIN / STONE (Reception & wet areas): AED 150–400/sqm installed. Non-slip porcelain for changing rooms and showers. Natural stone or premium porcelain for reception and lounge areas to create a premium first impression.
STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
Gyms impose heavy point loads that standard commercial floors may not support. A fully loaded power rack with a barbell and plates can exceed 500 kg on four small contact points. Sled tracks, Olympic lifting platforms, and rows of weight machines all concentrate significant loads.
Before signing a lease or committing to a space, verify the floor load capacity with the building management. Ground-floor or basement locations are generally preferred for heavy gym installations. Upper-floor gyms may require structural reinforcement, which adds significant cost and requires engineering approval.
AUTHORITY APPROVALS FOR GYM FIT-OUTS IN DUBAI
■ Dubai Municipality: Fit-out permit for interior construction works
■ Civil Defense: Fire safety approval (sprinklers, alarms, exits)
■ DEWA: Electrical load approval for high-power equipment
■ Dubai Sports Council: Registration for commercial fitness facilities
■ Building Management: NOC for construction works, operating hours, noise levels
Working with a fit-out contractor experienced in gym projects — who understands these specific approval requirements — can save 2–4 weeks on the approval timeline. Read our complete guide to fit-out approvals in Dubai for a full breakdown of the process.
GYM FIT-OUT TIMELINE
■ Boutique studio (1,000–1,500 sq ft): 6–10 weeks
■ Commercial gym (2,000–4,000 sq ft): 10–16 weeks
■ Premium health club (5,000+ sq ft): 16–24 weeks
■ Villa home gym: 4–8 weeks
Add 3–5 weeks for authority approvals before construction begins. Equipment procurement and delivery should be coordinated to arrive during the final finishing phase so installation happens immediately after construction completion.
WHY DUFIT FOR YOUR GYM FIT-OUT
Dufit Interiors delivers turnkey gym fit-outs across Dubai — from boutique fitness studios to full-scale health club facilities. Our in-house capabilities cover every technical requirement: MEP engineering for high-capacity ventilation and electrical systems, custom joinery for reception desks and lockers, glass partitions for studio walls, civil works for structural modifications, and full authority approval management.
With 13+ years of experience and in-house divisions covering joinery, MEP, glass, marble, and civil works, we deliver gym projects as a single contractor — no subcontractor coordination required from your side.
Explore our commercial fit-out services, read about restaurant fit-out costs, or learn about our in-house joinery and MEP capabilities.