Low-frequency sound and vibration trasmission from heavy weight drops in adjacent rooms: Case studies on fitness floors

Gyms with free weights at floors above grade are a major concern for noise and vibration transfer, especially where heavy weight drops are anticipated at upper floors. Isolated floor build-ups of weightlifting rooms are designed to attenuate impacts and prevent low-frequency sound and vibration from transferring elsewhere in the building. In this study, in situ fitness floor build-ups were reviewed in steel structure buildings using heavy weight drops (barbells, kettlebells, and shotputs). Vibration measurements were taken at the weight-dropping room and adjacent rooms, while sound levels were also captured in adjacent rooms. Sound and vibration observations were also reviewed at other spaces throughout the facilities to understand the perceptibility of noise and vibration at a variety of adjacencies. Results and processes from case studies will be discussed, exploring system performance, subjective observations, and the opportunities and limitations of evaluating these systems alongside end users.