5 benefits of evaporative cooling for gyms and leisure centres

Summer is usually the peak period in leisure facilities, gyms and fitness centres. As outdoor temperatures rise and footfall increases, temperature control becomes a big issue.

Without capable gym cooling systems, your buildings become uncomfortable and potentially unsafe for your customers and staff. But with running costs a concern, how can you affordably maintain a cool environment?

Below, we’ll show you why evaporative cooling is the solution for energy-efficient gym cooling, and the benefits it offers over traditional air-conditioning and HVAC systems.

The need for consistent cooling in leisure centres and gyms

The International Fitness Association suggests that areas designated for aerobics, cardio and weight-training should be kept between 18ºC to 20ºC. Similarly, Sport England in the UK recommends that safe workout temperatures in the summer are between 16ºC and 18ºC.

However, hot weather, high occupancy and physical activity make it difficult to maintain safe temperatures in leisure facilities, which can cause several problems:

Reduced comfort and welfare

Above all else, high temperatures in gyms and fitness centres make workouts uncomfortable for customers and life harder for employees.

Discomfort can turn into danger during physical exercises, causing people to suffer exhaustion, dehydration, heatstroke and similar illnesses.

Less productive exercises

According to research, workouts can be up to 50% less productive in an overly hot gym. If your gym members don’t feel your facilities are delivering good results, they may leave, affecting your profits.

Decreased air quality

High temperatures in your leisure facilities will cause exercisers to sweat more. Increased sweat creates unpleasant odours across your building, reducing the air quality.

Greater pool evaporation rates

Excessive heat in your pool halls will increase the evaporation rate of the water. Water loss requires more frequent, costly refills, and you spend more energy reheating the water.

Heat damage to gym equipment

Heat can also harm your gym equipment over time. Rubber, plastic and wooden components warp, resistance bands and foam padding disintegrate, and electronics malfunction.

Damaged equipment not only worsens your customers’ experience, but also means you pay more often to replace it.

Evaporative cooling: Efficient temperature control for gyms and leisure centres

With high temperatures an ongoing threat to your customers, employees and equipment, evaporative coolers offer a powerful, sustainable and cost-effective gym cooling solution.

What is evaporative cooling and how does it work?

Unlike conventional air-conditioning units or HVAC systems that use refrigerant gases to cool the air, evaporative coolers use the natural process of evaporation to cool spaces.

An evaporative cooler draws warm air inside through a near-silent fan. The warm air contacts wet pads inside the cooler, kept wet using its in-built water tank and a small pump.

When the warm air touches the wet pad, it evaporates, generating cool air that flows into your leisure facility or fitness centre.

Available either as stationary units outside your building, or portable units that spot cool specific areas, evaporative cooling is a flexible, eco-friendly option for any gym or leisure centre.

Where can evaporative coolers support your gym or leisure centre?

A capable evaporative cooler can reduce temperatures anywhere in your leisure facilities, including areas where heat is a significant issue, such as:

• Cardio zones and weight rooms

• Group class studios (yoga, spin, pilates)

• Indoor courts or sports halls

• Personal training setups

Mobile air cooling units can also be placed in waiting areas, break rooms and offices to create comfortable “rest zones”.

5 advantages of evaporative cooling over air-conditioning and HVAC systems

For decades, many gym and leisure centre operators have defaulted to air-conditioners or HVAC systems. Here are 5 reasons you should seriously consider switching your focus to evaporative cooling:

1. Evaporative coolers are more energy-efficient

Energy consumption is a significant cost drain for leisure facilities. Evaporative coolers use up to 90% less energy than conventional air-conditioning systems.

As a result, evaporative coolers are among the most energy-efficient gym cooling solutions on the market.

2. Evaporative coolers work in open-air settings

Does your leisure centre have both indoor and outdoor facilities? Evaporative coolers are just as effective in open-air environments as they are in enclosed spaces – a big advantage over air-conditioners.

3. Evaporative coolers manage humidity and air quality

When HVAC systems cool the air, they often also dry it, which can unsettle your customers, especially in swimming pool areas. Evaporative coolers are more effective at maintaining humidity levels.

In addition, while air-conditioners circulate stale air, evaporative coolers introduce fresh air into your buildings. Odours are eliminated and the risk of viruses or bacteria spreading is reduced.

4. Evaporative coolers are easier to install and maintain

Evaporative coolers use far fewer components than a comparable air-conditioner or HVAC system. As a result, they are much simpler to install, and don’t require a specialist engineer.

Moreover, evaporative coolers are virtually maintenance-free. Once you attach a water hose or refill the tank, they operate seamlessly.

5. Evaporative coolers are environmentally friendly

As environmental regulations for leisure centres and gyms become more stringent, evaporative coolers offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional air-conditioning.

Because evaporative coolers do not use refrigerants or produce greenhouse gases, they can noticeably reduce your carbon footprint.

Dantherm Group: The European experts in evaporative cooling technology

You now know why evaporative coolers present a more practical, efficient and sustainable future for leisure centre and gym cooling. But not all evaporative coolers offer the performance or reliability to support your customers and deliver consistent cost savings.

That’s why leisure facilities worldwide choose Dantherm Group. Designed and engineered in Europe using high-quality components, our versatile units ensure cooler workout environments throughout your building.

• A mix of stationary and portable units, suitable for small gyms to large open-plan leisure centres

• Integrated disinfection technology to guarantee water cleanliness

• Even distribution of water, allowing for maximum cooling efficiency

• Quiet operation for non-disruptive cooling

• Plug-and-play coolers – fast deployment and minimal maintenance

• Smart City Cooler Control enables you to manage and monitor up to 10 evaporative cooling units at once

These features, mixed with our decades of experience and global network of suppliers and engineers, make our evaporative coolers the standout choice across Europe.

Discover the difference our evaporative coolers can make for your leisure facilities. Get in touch with the experts in leisure centre climate control for a professional, bespoke consultation.