The John Reed Fitness clubs offer an experience full of auditory and visual stimuli to encourage interaction among their members. We take as an example their club in Dallas, where Bose Professional audio technology helps achieve this goal.
The concept of John Reed Fitness gyms combines training routines, music, lifestyle, and design in one place. In their clubs, members are encouraged to interact with each other and enjoy all the elements that make up the experience. Music plays a leading role, so users are invited to leave their headphones at home to enjoy carefully curated playlists and live DJ performances heard through Bose Professional audio systems.
John Reed Fitness clubs are part of the global gym conglomerate RSG Group, founded in 1997 in Germany. The group has 6.4 million customers using its gyms, sports nutrition services, and lifestyle products. In its more than a thousand clubs (John Reed Fitness, Gold’s Gym, HEIMAT) distributed in 48 countries, RSG Group relies on Bose Professional technology to integrate systems that complement the auditory experience of its users.
Tom Breu, Director of Musical Programming and Audiovisual Integration for all RSG Group brands in North America, recognizes the importance of sound for the concept of their gyms. "For us, music is essential for a great workout experience. That's why we strive to create all the musical programming internally."
The design philosophy of each club is unique. The theme is inspired by the location and developed individually. The incorporation of works by local artists reflects a dedication to supporting and showcasing community talent. The same goes for creating music playlists. This mix adds an authentic and culturally enriching dimension to the club's design. The absence of video screens reinforces the interest in creating a different social and physical exercise experience for its members.
John Reed Fitness in Dallas
When RSG Group opened its second club in the North American city of Dallas, they wanted a sound system that would offer John Reed Fitness members the best musical experience possible. The key to achieving this goal was analyzing each space and classroom considering their unique purpose regarding the desired sound pressure level, while ensuring evenly distributed audio coverage with high density and bass impact throughout the space.
The audio equipment not only had to offer the highest possible sound quality but also, for aesthetic reasons, had to integrate completely into the overall aesthetic, blending discreetly with the design concept.
RSG Group has been successfully working with Bose Professional across Europe for decades and has maintained that relationship for their locations in the United States. In that country, the audiovisual solutions integrator Paladin Technologies is responsible for shaping the design and implementation of the group's audio systems.
For the John Reed Fitness location in Dallas, the decision was made to use the Bose Professional EdgeMax speaker line as the centerpiece. Although these speakers are designed for ceiling installation in conference rooms, Paladin Technologies adapted them for mounting in the club's open industrial-style ceilings.
The custom-made housings for the EdgeMax EM180 and EM90 speakers allowed them to be installed as hanging elements in all open ceiling areas. This design approach provided total control over the direction of the music while seamlessly integrating into the overall aesthetic.
In addition to 80 EdgeMax speakers, the complete Bose Professional solution also includes 34 DesignMax DM6SE speakers and 10 MB210-WR subwoofers. The entire system is powered by PowerMatch PM8500N amplifiers and controlled by a ControlSpace EX-1280C DSP.
The design of the audio systems starts with the layout of the sports equipment. Once it is decided that a machine will be oriented in a certain direction, the speakers are installed so that the person exercising receives the sound from the front. “Music coming from behind can be annoying or unsettling. Since many unique aspects need to be considered, we ensure that the distribution of the speakers is supervised by us," explains Tom Breu of RSG Group.
Another example of creating the perfect soundscape is the functional training area. Here, a series of design elements, such as large industrial fans and mannequins decorated with mirrors that create a disco ball effect, surround the space. The entire area is oriented inward, with EdgeMax speakers placed along the perimeter to offer maximum volume for the "Boost Club" workout, led by a DJ. Although the sound pressure level (SPL) in this area during these classes is 10 dB higher than the rest of the gym, the EdgeMax speakers ensure that the energy is precisely directed where it is needed.
In John Reed Fitness clubs, one of the main challenges is achieving powerful bass. In the Dallas project, strategically placed MB210-WR subwoofers were added throughout the space. EdgeMax speakers played a crucial role in providing impactful bass response thanks to their extended bandwidth and SPL capabilities. Combining them with the subwoofers achieves the sonic experience that characterizes the group's gyms.
The John Reed Fitness location in Dallas offers an experience unlike any other gym. As members move through the different rooms, they enjoy uniform sound with bass presence everywhere, regardless of ceiling height or room dimensions. Many rooms are at 70 dB, allowing members to chat comfortably while still feeling the music.
Members are immediately attracted by the club's aesthetics, sound quality, and atmosphere. The speakers, both hanging and ceiling-mounted, are unobtrusive to the eye, and attention is focused on the artwork, design, and a complete fitness experience complemented by high-energy music.
For Tom Breu and his colleagues at RSG Group, direct communication with Bose Professional specialists is essential. "We always rely on the help of Bose Professional experts. They take the necessary time to explain how systems work best and always support and listen to our ideas," he says. "Their team has the experience and personal approach that allows our visions to become a reality."
