Exercise/Weight rooms Optimal Ambient Temperature

[Anonymous]

Hi there

Is there any good literature out there supporting what the optimal temperature of a workout room should be? Yes I have done a google/perplexity search but looking for some experts to weigh in.

My 85 YO mom just moved into a very swanky retirement community in NOVA and they keep the weight room at 73 degrees which to me seems very warm for doing any cardio exercise. She likes to walk, stretch, do stair master etc. She is very active for her age.

It is frustrating b/c she gets heated too quickly and is not able to do the amount of exercise she wants b/c she is too warm. The people there REFUSE to lower the temperature despite a bunch of 70+ residents complaining of the temperature.

I'm looking to have a meeting with the GM but I want to come armed with back up evidence to get them to lower the temperature at least a couple of degrees.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

This depends entirely on the person. I'd workout in a meat locker.

Then there are the weirdos who object to fans in a 70+ degree studio.

[Anonymous]

Very personal. I assume because it’s a retirement community the vast majority of people have low body fat/muscle mass and easily get cold so a bit warmer than norms seems reasonable. 73 may be too warm but it’s something I bet that could easily be verified through some research and expert advice - maybe google seniors and air temperature and workouts or whatever. See what’s out there and present it to the GM. If anything shows safety issues related to overheating I’m sure the GM would not want that liablilty…

[Anonymous]

The facility may not have an HVAC with the fitness room on its own zone. If they make the exercise area cooler, it might also chill down parts of the building where people are seated and stationary for a while. The older population tends to feel chilled rather easily.

[Anonymous]

Why do they refuse to lower it? If more people want it warm than want it cooler, then the minority are going to be out of luck.

If they are overruling their residents, that's weird. Maybe they think somehow that there is a safety issue? If so, point out the risks of overheating.

If, like the previous poster suggested, it's a practical issue, they could install fans in the exercise area.

[Anonymous]

that's too hot, 68 seems reasonable to most, but if it were me I'd like more like 65.