In 2025, energy efficiency in gyms is no longer optional—it’s a key strategy to cut operating costs, comply with new regulations, and stay competitive. With rising energy prices and growing sustainability demands, fitness centers must take action to optimize consumption, leverage government incentives, and adopt smart management technologies.

1. Why energy efficiency matters in Gyms

For fitness chains, energy bills can represent more than 30% of total operating expenses. Unlike other businesses, gyms require constant power for:

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Intense lighting
• High-consumption fitness machines
• Hot water for showers, pools, and spas

This creates two major challenges:

1. Economic → Electricity and gas prices remain volatile after the 2022–2023 energy crisis.
2. Regulatory & Social → Spain’s Royal Decree-Law 14/2022 and the EU’s 2030 Climate and Energy Framework impose stricter efficiency rules. Customers also demand greener, more sustainable gyms.

According to Spain’s Energy Savings Guide for Gyms (Fenercom, 2024 update), a well-implemented efficiency plan can cut energy use by up to 40%, saving an average gym over €40,000 per year.

2. Where gyms consume the most energy

For a standard 2,000 m² gym, annual consumption ranges from 300,000 to 350,000 kWh—the equivalent of 100 Spanish households. Breakdown (Fenercom & IDAE):

3. Energy Diagnosis: The mandatory starting point

Before implementing any measures, it is essential to know precisely where, when, and how energy is being consumed. In Spain, conducting an energy audit in compliance with Royal Decree 56/2016 is mandatory in order to access most subsidies.

A proper diagnosis includes:

• Continuous monitoring with power analyzers and maximum demand meters.
• Recording hourly load curves to detect peaks and plan demand.
• Contract verification to adjust capacity and tariffs.

💡 Success Story: A gym with a 100 kW contract discovered that 20% of its consumption occurred during off-peak hours. By adjusting scheduling and reviewing its electricity contract, it achieved an immediate 12% savings with no upfront investment.

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4. Key technical measures for Gyms

4.1 LED Lighting and Sensors

• Replace fluorescent fixtures with LEDs ≥150 lm/W.
• Install occupancy sensors in low-use areas.
• Maximize natural light with automatic regulation.
• Estimated savings: 50–70% in lighting, with a payback period of 1–2 years.

4.2 Efficient HVAC Systems

• Use equipment rated A++ or higher, heat pumps with a COP ≥ 4, and heat recovery systems in pools and spas.
• Implement zoning and smart scheduling controls.
• Estimated savings: 20–40% in HVAC.

4.3 Domestic Hot Water (DHW)

• Install condensing boilers or dedicated heat pumps.
• Use solar thermal panels for pre-heating.
• Incorporate timed faucets and flow restrictors.
• Estimated savings: 30–50% in DHW.

4.4 Fitness Equipment

• Opt for low-consumption motors or self-generating systems that feed energy back into the grid.

4.5 Renewable Energy

• Deploy photovoltaic systems for self-consumption (in compliance with RD 244/2019) with an ROI of 4–6 years.
• Consider micro-wind solutions if resources allow.

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5. Grants and Subsidies for Gyms in Spain in 2025

• Next Generation EU Funds → Up to 80% subsidies depending on the Autonomous Community, especially for self-consumption and energy retrofitting projects.
• National Energy Efficiency Fund (FNEE) → Access to Energy Savings Certificates (CAE), which can be monetized.
• Municipal and Regional Tax Incentives:
  • Madrid: 50% reduction in property tax (IBI) for 3 years for solar installations.
  • Catalonia: Up to €1,500/kWp for photovoltaic systems.
  • Andalusia: Subsidies covering up to 55% for SMEs.

6. Case study: economic impact

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7. Polaroo: Smart Management for Energy-Efficient Gyms

Polaroo centralizes the management of all utilities into a single dashboard, optimizing costs and detecting inefficiencies:

• Contract renegotiation and price optimization.
• Monitoring with alerts for abnormal consumption patterns.
• Access to renewable energy with Guarantee of Origin (GdO).

📌 Real Case Study: A chain of 5 gyms reduced its annual energy bill by 38% after optimizing contracted capacity and switching to green energy with Polaroo.

8. Conclusions

In 2025, energy efficiency in gyms is no longer optional—it is a requirement to remain competitive and compliant with regulations. With a solid technical plan, by leveraging available subsidies and using smart management technology, gyms can reduce costs, enhance brand reputation, and strengthen customer loyalty.

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9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How much can I save by implementing an efficiency plan?
  Savings range between 20% and 40%, depending on the starting point and the measures applied.
• What subsidies can I apply for in 2025?
  You can access Next Generation EU Funds, the National Energy Efficiency Fund (FNEE), Energy Savings Certificates (CAE), and municipal or regional tax incentives.
• Do I need an energy audit to apply for subsidies?
  In most programs, yes. It is a requirement to validate savings with real data and demonstrate project feasibility.
• What is the main energy consumer in a gym?
  HVAC systems, which account for 45–50% of total consumption.
• What is ROI?
  ROI stands for Return on Investment. It indicates the time required to recover the money invested in an energy-saving measure through the savings generated.