Gym lighting overview
Gym lighting is designed based on the intended use of the space and its users. Lighting requirements can vary between weight training areas, yoga studios, and home gyms. Lighting for a home gym can be chosen more freely than lighting for public gyms. The size of the space and the color of the surfaces affect the required lighting levels.
We recommend using both general lighting and LED strip lighting to create a more atmospheric environment. LED panels are most commonly used for general lighting, as they provide efficient, even, and glare-free illumination. In home gyms, spotlights are also popular and work well in rooms with standard ceiling heights.
We do not recommend suspended light fixtures for gym lighting, except in spaces with ceiling heights over 5 meters. Wall-mounted lighting can also present challenges if installed at the same height as gym equipment. However, in high-ceiling spaces, wall lighting can be used effectively, as the fixtures can be installed sufficiently high.
Gym lighting with led strip
LED strip lighting is often used alongside general lighting in gyms. LED strips make it easy to add both accent and atmospheric lighting. LED strip lighting works well in low-ceiling spaces, as the strips and profiles are slim. With a variety of mounting profiles, LED strips can also be installed in spaces where suspended ceilings are not possible.
A suspended ceiling allows for greater flexibility in lighting placement. In a perimeter drop-down ceiling design, LED strips are directed toward the center of the ceiling, creating pleasant indirect lighting. Alongside indirect lighting, direct lighting should also be used to ensure the space does not become too dim.
The LED strip illuminates the walls and the mirror on the wall from the bottom downwards, providing the room with reflected light. The darkness and glossiness of the walls affect the amount of reflected light and the light needs of the room. If your space is mostly dark, you will need more lights.
The LED strip installed in the recess of the ceiling furdown is hidden from view, giving the installation a finished look. The size of the recess is usually about 6cm deep and about 5cm wide. The recess should be wide enough to allow easy installation of the profile at the bottom of the recess.
General lighting in the gym
The general lighting in a gym should be designed to be efficient, so that it is safe to exercise and easy to keep the space tidy. Lighting should be evenly distributed throughout the space. If you only light the equipment, the light will no longer be in the right place if the equipment is moved.
Panel luminaires are ideal for lighting both home gyms and larger gyms. The wide beam angle of a panel light means that the panels do not cause glare and illuminate a more flat space.
Spotlights are also popular in home interiors and work well in normal-height spaces. The spot has a narrower beam compared to a panel and good lighting with spots requires denser spacing.
Lighting needs in the gym
The lighting in a gym should be designed to be efficient, as it can be dimmed, but it is difficult to add lights to a finished space.
The lighting needs of a gym depend on its purpose, for example, a yoga room can be dimmer than a weightlifting room. When lifting weights, it is important to be able to see properly to avoid injury. Black plate weights on black carpet are more likely to be tripped over in low light.
In home gyms, we recommend investing in good general lighting and more atmospheric supplementary lighting, making it easy to change the mood of the gym.
The average light requirement in a gym is around 150-200 lux. For example: a 4m*4m home hall with a normal room height (approx. 2.5m) and a light colouring can be illuminated with 4 LedStore PANEELI 200x200 lights and a LED strip on one side.
A rough calculation can be made by sizing a room for general lighting at 450 lumens/m². If the room is 12 m² and you want to illuminate it with four general lights, calculate.
Adjustable gym lighting
Adjustable lighting adapts to different types of workouts, from energizing training sessions to calming relaxation. The color temperature of LedStore’s panels and spotlights can be adjusted from warm to cool, and the brightness can also be controlled. LED strip options include single-color, tunable white, as well as RGB+W and RGB+CCT LED strips.
In public gyms, lighting control is often focused on dimming general lighting and adjusting any accent lighting. In the Ole.Fit gym in the examples, in addition to good general lighting, there is an RGB+W led strip to add a little colour to the gym. In public venues, the adjustment is usually done by the gym staff.
In the home gym, the possibility of adjusting the lighting increases the comfort of use. We recommend placing general lighting and mood lighting in different groups so that they can be used at different times. Light colour temperature control and dimming start with basic features.
Choosing a lighting control method
CCT and RGB lights always require a different controller to the traditional on/off switch and the type of controller is chosen to suit the desired system. Even if your site currently has only traditional on/off buttons, CCT and RGB lights can still be used. In this case, control is achieved by wireless buttons or remote controls, for example.
When planning lighting, the first step is to determine the preferred control method for the project. Many public spaces use the DALI system for lighting control. In residential settings, popular control platforms include Tuya, Philips Hue, and Home Assistant. Choose gym lighting fixtures and control solutions that are compatible with the selected system.
We'll be happy to help you choose the right products for your project, whether it's a small home gym or a larger sports centre!
The video shows the LedStore gym, where FOKUS 3-phase track lights and SPEKTRI RGB+CCT led strip were used for lighting. The lighting is controlled by a Tuya control panel, which can also be controlled by mobile devices.
More LedStore videos can be found on our YouTube channel!
