The New Standard for HOA Living: Community Fitness Amenities

Inside two residential fitness centers designed for modern community living

Residential communities are changing. Buyers are now looking for more than square footage and location. They want places that support how they live day to day.

That shift is reshaping amenity spaces across the country. Fitness centers, once tied mostly to larger apartment complexes and health clubs, are becoming a standard feature in master-planned communities and HOA developments. A 2024 survey from Private Communities Registry found that 85% of lifestyle community buyers value active lifestyle amenities, with 71% preferring communities that include fitness centers.

For residential developers and property management groups, fitness spaces now serve a larger purpose. They support convenience, encourage resident engagement and add lasting value to the community experience by fostering a greater sense of connection.

Vision Fitness helped shape two recent Texas projects that show how this trend is taking hold.

Navarro Ranch HOA Clubhouse | Seguin, Texas

Located near Seguin, Texas, Navarro Ranch is a growing master-planned community developed by Lennar. The neighborhood currently includes roughly 1,100 single-family homes and continues to expand.

The amenity center sits alongside pools, trails, a playground and gathering spaces designed to bring residents together. The fitness center plays a major role in that experience.

Johnson Commercial Fitness, an authorized Vision Fitness dealer, partnered with CCMC, the community’s HOA management company, on the design and layout of the space. The completed facility includes a full lineup of Vision Fitness cardio equipment, selectorized strength machines, functional training equipment, benches and free weights. Large windows bring in natural light and create an open, welcoming environment for residents throughout the day.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with our experience working with Johnson Commercial Fitness to outfit our brand new amenity center,” said Amber Forcier, Community Manager at Navarro Ranch. “From start to finish, their team provided exceptional service, guiding us through the selection process and helping us choose top-quality fitness equipment that perfectly complements our space. Their expertise and attention to detail ensured that our center is equipped with the latest and most reliable machines, offering our community an excellent fitness experience.”

She added that “we’ve received nothing but positive feedback from residents who are impressed by the range and quality of equipment.”

The intentional planning and guidance helped create a community-centered space that fits their residents' varying needs and will serve the community long-term.

“Residential fitness spaces are seeing more consistent daily use than ever before,” said Jake Walker, Commercial Account Manager at Johnson Commercial Fitness. “Developers want spaces that feel approachable, hold up to long-term use and work for a wide range of residents. That’s where Vision fits well.”

For communities like Navarro Ranch, the fitness center is no longer viewed as a secondary amenity. It has become part of the identity of the neighborhood itself.

FirstService Residential Fitness Center | Austin, Texas

The same trend is playing out across HOA-managed residential communities.

In Austin, Texas, FirstService Residential recently partnered with Johnson Commercial Fitness to equip a new resident fitness center serving a large master-planned housing development. The facility opened in 2024 and features a broad mix of Vision Fitness cardio equipment, selectorized strength machines and functional training products.

The project built on an existing relationship as FirstService Residential had previously selected Vision equipment for two other facilities before choosing Vision again for the new Austin location.

For residential operators, long-term value and reliability matter just as much as appearance. Shared-use environments demand equipment that can support consistent resident traffic with dependable service and warranty support behind it.

That combination continues to drive interest in commercial fitness spaces across residential developments.

“What we hear most from residential partners is that they want equipment residents will actually use consistently,” said Lorne LaPorte, National Accounts Manager at Johnson Commercial Fitness. “The goal is to create a space that feels welcoming for everyday users, whether someone is starting a routine or training several times a week.”

Fitness Amenities Continue to Shape Residential Development

Both of these properties reflect this growing industry shift: HOA and residential communities are investing in fitness spaces that feel intentional, accessible and integrated into the larger resident experience.

Residents expect convenience. They want access to fitness options close to home. Developers want amenity spaces that support resident satisfaction across a wide range of age groups and lifestyles.

For Vision Fitness and Johnson Commercial Fitness, the focus remains simple: helping residential partners create spaces residents will use for years to come.

Planning a fitness center for your residential community or HOA development? Connect with the Vision team to start your project.