Chris Hull of BLX BOX talks us through the redesign and upgrade of Corinthia London’s gym, where strength training and small group PT have been given a five-star focus

Offering a contemporary five-star hotel experience in the heart of the UK capital, Corinthia London has long been the hotel of choice of high-flying professionals, A-listers, world travellers, professional athletes and health-focused individuals, so when the property decided to upgrade its gym space – which is located within its wider wellness offering of the ESPA Life day spa – it knew it needed to offer something way beyond the ordinary.

With the trend for strength training ever expanding, seasoned travellers are increasingly expecting access to expert training environments wherever they stay. Hence Corinthia’s decision to partner with fitness provider AMP (Athletic Medical Performance) to bring guests the experience of complimentary small group personal training (SGPT) sessions, with global supplier BLK BOX chosen to design and deliver the installation.

BLK BOX’s business development manager Chris Hull, says: “The brief from Corinthia was to create a luxury fitness space that aligned with the brand and provided guests with a world-class training experience.

“Corinthia wanted functionality and elegance which gave us the freedom to explore innovative concepts, while ensuring everything met its high standards for luxury and usability.”

The hotel gym space was more generous than usual, at approximately 190 sq m, providing BLK BOX with great scope for creativity, but there were also obstacles to overcome.

“Acoustics were a big challenge,” says Hull. “Given the multi-use nature of the hotel and the gym’s proximity to the wellness and spa suites, soundproofing was critical.”

BLK BOX addressed this through the careful selection of materials, including acoustic rubber flooring and wall treatments to minimise vibration and noise.

Another challenge was maximising the functionality of the space, so the gym has both a specialist and a wider appeal, without compromising the interior’s clean, sophisticated aesthetic. This was achieved by creating a layout that emphasised flow and ease of use, with designated zones for strength training, functional fitness and mobility work.

BLK BOX designers used premium finishes such as matte black rigs, brushed stainless steel accents and wood tones to complement Corinthia’s modern aesthetic, while soft lighting and mirrors were strategically placed to enhance the sense of space and create a refined atmosphere.

Expert kit
The range and quality of equipment specified by BLK BOX rivals that of any niche or boutique training space for serious fitness fans. It includes functional training rigs, adjustable benches, functional cable machines, BLK BOX’s Signature Nexus Squat rack and a selection of dumbbells, kettlebells and Olympic barbells.

The flooring is heavy-duty ‘Fusion’ rubber for durability and acoustic performance, with wooden platforms in lifting zones adding a designer touch. Storage solutions were fully integrated into the racks to minimise clutter and maintain a clean, organised look.

Hull continues: “We saw an opportunity to work with Corinthia and build a gym that becomes a valuable asset – a place guests genuinely want to use as part of their stay. Strength training and functional conditioning were prioritised to meet the demand for more personalised, results-driven fitness experiences.

“Working with AMP, we’ve designed a space that provides flexibility for both independent workouts and small group sessions. It ticks all the boxes.”

Feedback from Corinthia guests has been overwhelmingly positive, with the space setting a new standard for what’s expected by luxury hotel guests.

Hull concludes: “Luxury hotels are moving away from basic fitness rooms and investing in fully-equipped, bespoke gym spaces. There’s a growing focus on creating an environment that rivals boutique fitness studios.

“We’ve completed a number of projects at leading international hotels, including Corinthia properties in New York and Brussels, Bulgari Hotels in Japan and Milan and J Club in Dubai.

More: www.blkboxfitness.com