This new and short PowerPoint presentation regarding the evolution of gym reception desk design is rather an oxymoronic condemnation on the subject. The author identifies the overlooked misfires of fitness facility reception desk design and employs internet screen captures and short commentary to reinforce the story line. A strikingly clear and poignant exercise, the presentation is part of an ongoing effort to categorize, identify and provide a benchmark of fitness facility design which can be used to gauge industry conventions and standards.

1. GYM RECEPTION DESKS
THE
EVOLUTION
OF
NOTHING

2. Presented by Cuoco Black
Gym Design and PowerBranding

3. DISCLAIMER:
*
We believe the information presented herein will provide the fitness industry with a
benchmark from which to judge gym design across all industry platforms.
*
This presentation is not a critical reflection of the facilities illustrated within.
*
It identifies common design aesthetics which define a trend.
*
Each design style is successful on the merits of its ability to satisfy the needs of its
target demographic.
*
Our goal is to offer our growing client base alternative design models which reinforce
their brands rather than adopting trends.

4. Trapped in the Time Tunnel…..gym reception desk design is lost in oblivion…

5. 4 Gym Reception Desk Models
THAT ARE
OBSOLETE & ANTIQUATED
1. Math
2. Boutique Design
3. Industrial Muscle
4. Trapped In The 80’s

6. 1. MATH DESIGN DESKS
..if an aesthetic is inspired by simple geometry it says nothing about
fitness nor your brand…. hence it should not be used in your
gym…..

7. 1. MATH DESIGN DESKS
Math Gym Desk
Math Hotel Desk
Furthermore……
…if an aesthetic is replicated across industries, then it should not be used in
your gym…..

8. 2. BOUTIQUE DESIGN DESKS
4 Boutique Gyms
..if an aesthetic is replicated across brands, then it should not be used
in your gym…..

9. 2. BOUTIQUE DESIGN DESKS
Boutique Gym
Boutique Hotel
Furthermore……
…if an aesthetic is replicated across industries, then it should not be
used in your gym…..

10. 3. INDUSTRIAL MUSCLE DESKS
…industrial muscle is an aesthetic that is rooted in a pre-modernist
mechanical-fastening-construction-methodology, i.e., bolts, panels and
platforms act as metaphors for brute strength and function…..

11. 3. INDUSTRIAL MUSCLE DESKS
Gym Industrial Desk
Verizon Wireless Industrial Desk
…industrial muscle is also an aesthetic that is used across
commercial platforms, antiquated and exhausted in the fitness arena…..

12. 4. TRAPPED IN THE 80’s DESKS
…Trapped in the 80’s is an aesthetic rooted in the
design popular in the 1980”s …..
archetypes of

13. 4. TRAPPED IN THE 80’s DESKS
…archetypes
relevant…..
of design popular in the 1980”s are no longer

14. Extinct…
...best describe other aesthetics which define gym reception desk clichés...

15. LIGHTING CLICHES
Nondescript unimpressive pendant lights hanging over a
reception desk is an exhausted cliché…

16. OVERHEAD SOFFIT CLICHES
Overhead Soffits which follow the shape of the desk below is
an exhausted cliché…

17. RETAIL CLICHES
A refrigerator behind a gym reception desk follows on retail
practices employed by convenience stores and is an
exhausted cliché…

19. BRANDED GYM RECEPTION
DESKS
Our design for the reception desk of Mid City Gym in
Times Square is inspired by the shape of a weapon
in the Terminator films…

20. BRANDED GYM RECEPTION
DESKS
“Mid City Gym’s reception desk is a unique design which reinforces the client’s
brand while abandoning the trends and cliché’s which saturate the fitness
landscape…” Cuoco Black 2013

21. see more at:
Website:
http://www.fitnesscenterdesign.com/
Facebook Gym Designer:
http://on.fb.me/10WwCtQ

22. About Cuoco Black:
Cuoco Black is a former faculty member of the New York
School of Interior Design, natural bodybuilder, and creator
of the Concept Club Gym Design Model. He or his work
has been published in Fitness RX for Men, Club Industry
Fitness Business Pro, Health Gauge, The New York Times,
Bloomberg.com and Bravo TV. His services includes,
Fitness Center Interior Design, PowerBranding and Gym
Franchise Development.
…if you are looking for a unique brand for your facility contact us
below at….
info@cuocoblack.com
Phone 001-917-375-7534