The white paper on a NEW LIFE survey of operators of sports and fitness centres shows: Sustainability has become a key competitive issue. 82.4 % of respondents rate climate and environmental protection as "important" or "very important". Around two thirds have already implemented specific sustainability measures - from LED lighting and waste avoidance to the use of sustainable recycled products for floors, equipment, etc. Products made from recycled tyre rubber granulate are familiar to 46% of respondents.
Only 20% of respondents use high-quality flooring systems, edging and sound insulation solutions made of tyre rubber granulate for the sustainable climate-friendly equipping of sports and fitness facilities. The white paper on the survey will be presented on 28 October 2025 at the NEW LIFE Climate School Day at FSB 2025 in Cologne. The Climate School Day starts at 10:30 a.m. in the Europasaal of the Congress Centre at the Cologne Trade Fair Centre. Vocational colleges can Free tickets to visit the Climate School Day and the NEW LIFE stand in Hall 10/D084.
For many fitness centres, sustainability is no longer a nice extra - it is part of their strategic orientation. According to the survey, 82.41 % of gym managers consider sustainability to be "important" or "very important", while only 7.41 % do not currently attach any great importance to the topic. Around 65 % report that sustainability has become more relevant in their business in recent years. The survey makes it clear that operators have clear expectations of sustainable studio equipment. Longevity (rated as "very important" by over 80 %), climate protection and resource conservation (approx. 75 %) as well as recyclability are high on the agenda. Economic aspects such as energy efficiency and reducing operating costs also play a key role.
Over 60 % of the studios have already implemented specific sustainability measures, while a further 23 % are at least planning to do so. Only around 15 %s have not yet developed any activities. This shows that Sustainability is not only being considered, but is increasingly being put into practice. The following measures have been implemented particularly frequently:
- Conversion to LED lighting and photovoltaics
- Avoiding disposable products, e.g. paper towels, plastic cups
- Waste separation, resource conservation
- Use of green electricity, intelligent ventilation systems
- Use of appliances made from recycled materials or powered by muscle power
Products made from recycled tyre rubber granulate have enormous potential for the sports and fitness industry: they are durable, weatherproof, easy on the joints, elastic and climate-friendly. As many as 46 % of those surveyed were already familiar with such products. 19 % have even already used them - a considerable proportion for a product segment that has so far received little publicity. Sports and fitness floors made of rubber granules (69 %) and elastic impact protection floors (23 %) are currently being used in particular, as well as impact sound and noise insulation solutions and special floors for weights areas or changing areas.