This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

Physical activity spaces

Buildings that contain an interior fitness space can incentivize occupants to engage in more regular exercise. Flexible fitness spaces allow for low-impact exercises like yoga or Pilates, or more intense activities, such as high-intensity interval training or plyometrics. In addition to fitness amenities within a building, convenient access to nearby gyms and/or outdoor fitness-friendly spaces encourages participants to consistently engage in physical activities.

This feature requires proper space allocation or institutional arrangements to support exercise and promote fitness.

Part 1: Cardiorespiratory Exercise Equipment

Some combination of the following is provided in the interior fitness space free of charge, for use by at least 1% of regular building occupants and accompanied by instructions for safe use:

a.27 Treadmills.
b.27 Elliptical machines.
c.27 Rowing machines.
d.27 Stationary exercise bicycles.
Part 2: External Exercise Spaces

At least one of the following is accessible within 0.8 km [0.5 mi] walking distance of the building:

a.87 Parks with playgrounds, workout stations, trails or an accessible body of water.
b.1 Free access to gyms, playing fields or swimming pools.
Part 3: Physical Activity Spaces for Schools

One of the following requirements are met:

a. Physical activity facilities in the form of a gymnasium or playing field must be provided on-site.
b.170 Free, direct pedestrian access to gymnasiums, playing fields or swimming pools through a shared facilities agreement or a similar arrangement.
Part 9: (PENDING) Residential Site Space Designation

The following requirements must be met:

a. Dedicated open site space that is at least 7.4 m_ [80 ft²] plus 0.4 m_ [4 ft²] per unit.
Skeletal
Muscular
Cardiovascular

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell Tenant Improvement New Construction
Part 1: Cardiorespiratory Exercise Equipment O O O
Part 2: External Exercise Spaces O O O
Part 3: Physical Activity Spaces for Schools - - -
Part 9: (PENDING) Residential Site Space Designation - - -
Commercial Kitchen Schools Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Cardiorespiratory Exercise Equipment - - O - -
Part 2: External Exercise Spaces - - O O O
Part 3: Physical Activity Spaces for Schools - P - - -
Part 9: (PENDING) Residential Site Space Designation - - O - -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Cardiorespiratory Exercise Equipment
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Design)
External Exercise Spaces
Architect
PART 3 ()
Physical Activity Spaces for Schools
Architect Architectural Drawing
PART 9 ()
(PENDING) Residential Site Space Designation
Auditor Inspection
1

U.S. Green Building Council. LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction. Washington D.C.: U.S. Green Building Council; 2013: 37, 43-44, 541-552, 567, 605, 623, 645-53, 658-61, 682-3, 685-6, 723-4.

68.2.b

USGBC's LEED v4 SS credit: Joint Use of Facilities, for Schools, Option 3 requires collaboration between school authorities and organizations/agencies to provide access to various types of spaces, including gyms, playing fields and swimming pools.

87

New York City Departments of Design and Construction, Health and Mental Hygiene, Transportation, City Planning. Active Design Guidelines: Promoting Physical Activity and Health in Design. Published 2010: 4-7; 34; 43; 72-76; 85-87.

68.1.a

The NYC Active Design Guidelines recommend providing physical activity spaces such as exercise rooms, active play spaces, and multi-purpose recreational spaces in public, workplace and residential buildings.

68.2.a

NYC Active Design Guidelines recommend locating places of residence and work near existing recreational facilities, walking paths, parks, and waterfront areas.

170

LEED v4 Joint Use of Facilities. U.S. Green Building Council. http://www.usgbc.org/credits/schools-existing-buildings/v4/ss121. Accessed March 03, 2015.

68.3.b

LEED v4 Joint Use of Facilities provides 3 options, one of which involves sharing facilities with other organizations to provide direct pedestrian access to two out of six possible spaces, including gymnasiums, playing fields, and pools.