Our design journey began back in 2018. Since then, we’ve created countless homes, but this project was different. It hit closer to home than ever. It was our first commercial interior design venture and a meaningful one, bringing together family, passion, and purpose to help our son open his dream boutique circuit training gym.
He has been personal training for a couple of years and working in the fitness industry, steadily building his knowledge of health and wellness. When the time came to launch a gym of his own, he had the vision and the expertise, but needed support with the business side, and of course, the design. Together, we’re creating a space that reflects his passion and our eye for thoughtful, functional interiors.
How It Started
This has been a true family collaboration. What started as our son’s personal interest in fitness has become a full-fledged professional pursuit. Over the years, he’s immersed himself in strength training, conditioning, and nutrition. After transforming his own health, training his brother, and working with clients, the dream began to take shape. He started to imagine what it would look like to build something of his own—and that’s when this gym became more than just an idea.
With his background in fitness and ours in design, it felt like the perfect partnership. He brought the passion and purpose. We brought the tools to bring it to life. From layout planning to branding by his sister at The B Creative, we worked together to create a space that feels elevated, welcoming, and completely different from the typical big-box gym experience.
What Is Circuit Training?
Circuit training is one of the most effective and time-efficient workout methods. It’s also the foundation of what this gym is built around.
In simple terms, circuit training combines strength and cardio exercises performed in a sequence with timed intervals. Members move through a series of stations, each targeting a specific muscle group or movement pattern, with minimal rest in between. It’s a form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that’s designed to:
- Build strength
- Burn calories
- Improve endurance
- Save time
For busy people, it’s a game-changer. In just 30 to 40 minutes, you get a full-body workout that includes lifting, sweating, and moving with purpose. That’s why circuit-based studios like this one are gaining popularity. It truly works when done right!
Designing the Space: Our Vision and Process
We approached this gym just like we would a home, starting with one key question: how should it feel the moment someone walks in?
Our answer was clear. It should feel energizing, approachable, and easy to navigate. We wanted the design to elevate the experience without ever overwhelming it.
Here’s how we brought that vision to life:
1. A Vibe You Can Feel
We wanted people to walk in and instantly feel like they belong. Warm tones, subtle industrial elements, and thoughtful lighting create a space that feels polished but not sterile—motivating, not intimidating.
2. Clear, Circular Layout
The gym is built around a circular flow. Stations and equipment line the perimeter, guiding members to move clockwise through the circuit. This layout keeps the experience smooth and intuitive, eliminating any guesswork about what comes next.
A large screen displays the workout of the day so members always know what to do and when. With everything clearly communicated, there’s no confusion—just the mental and physical focus to be fully present in the workout.
3. Turf That Adds Movement
At the center of the studio is a wide turf strip designed for dynamic movement. It’s used for warm-ups, cooldowns, and functional training exercises like walking lunges, sled pushes, and farmer carries. It also provides space for stretching, bodyweight work, and modifications, giving coaches the flexibility to meet members at any fitness level.
4. Design That Performs
We chose every surface, finish, and fixture with both form and function in mind. From high-impact flooring and low-glare lighting to durable, easy-to-clean finishes, the space supports movement without sacrificing aesthetics. Every detail was selected to make the space feel cohesive and high-end, while standing up to daily use.
The Name
We named the gym UN1FY Fitness because it captures everything this space stands for. The “1” represents personal growth and individual strength. The full name, UN1FY, reflects a deeper purpose—bringing people together through movement, mindset, and motivation.
It’s about more than workouts. It’s about community, energy, and the shared drive to become stronger together.
Final Thoughts
This gym isn’t just a space. It’s a dream built from the ground up through hard work, shared vision, and intentional design. Watching our son step into this new chapter and helping him build his first business has been one of the most rewarding projects we’ve ever taken on.
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