THE BASE
COMMUNITY FITNESS

Location: Derby, England
Training Space: Independent gym
Website: www.thebasederby.co.uk

The Base is an independent gym located inside a wellbeing hub in Derby. Working closely with The Base team, IndigoFitness transformed this blank canvas into a unique, premium training space with exceptional, high-quality equipment and contemporary facilities. The goal was to reflect the wider community spirit from the cafe bar, delivering a welcoming, non-intimidating space where people of all ages and abilities can train. Whether stepping into a gym for the first time or fine-tuning performance as a seasoned athlete.

See How We Did It

The Situation

When The Base approached IndigoFitness, the future gym space didn’t exisit, it was an empty unit in the back room of their cafe bar. The vision was ambitious:

Turn a martial arts studio into a fully functional, inclusive gym.
Design an environment that was premium and tailor-made while retaining the warmth and openness that defines The Base.
Ensure the facility offered training options for everyone, from first-time gym-goers to experienced athletes.

The challenge was twofold: creating a practical layout and equipment mix that served a wide range of abilities, and integrating the design seamlessly into The Base Cafe Bar’s established identity.

See Our Solution

The Solution

The IndigoFitness design process began by spending time on site, understanding the community, the flow of the space, and how members would interact with it. Our gym designer Sam Vagg worked collaboratively with The Base team to:

Provide training options for every stage of the fitness journey: from low-barrier cardiovascular machines and pin-loaded weights to transitionary plate-loaded equipment, right through to free-weight areas with dumbbells, racks, lifting platforms, and hip thrust attachments.
Optimise space and flow: Clever pacing between equipment, maintaining clear walkways and visibility while creating distinct zones. Dividing free weights and cables with a central low-height fixed strength area for openness.
Integrate brand identity: Incorporating The Base’s branding into laser-cut rack plates, embroidered upholstery, and custom lifting platforms.
Innovate with multifunctional design: A connected rack and cable unit maximised functionality within the constraints of mezzanine supports, combining cable stacks, a rack for barbell movements, a smith machine, hip thrust, and grappler attachments in one compact, efficient structure.
Blend aesthetics with authenticity: Contemporary industrial finishes, including lacquered steel with unique patinas, celebrated UK manufacturing while ensuring each piece of equipment had character.

The upstairs hybrid studio space was also designed for adaptability, with open floor layouts, mobile equipment, and compact, accessible storage, mirroring the style and feel of the main gym whilst adding an additional revenue stream.

See The Result

Flooring Solutions:

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Rack mounted, branded platform. Protects equipment and sub floor, whilst reducing noise/vibration when in use for olympic lifting.

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10m x 1m, premium turf track in the hybrid fitness studio. Dash markings at 0.5m and 1m intervals can be used as a coaching aid and as targets for jumping and sled work.

Equipment Solutions:

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RAZE Shadow Series Half Rack

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RAZE Custom Shadow Rack and Cable Unit

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RAZE Custom Hybrid Studio Storage

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RAZE Station Strength including: Olympic Incline Leg Press, Leg Extension/Curl, Assisted Chin Dip, Leg Ad/Abductor, Iso Lever Incline Shoulder Press, Iso Lever Chest Press, Lat Pull Down/Low Row & Pec Fly/Rear Deltoid.

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RAZE Shadow XD Flat Olympic Bench & RAZE Shadow Series Adjustable Bench

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RAZE Strength equipment – All Accessories including Bumper plates, hex dumbbells, Wall balls etc.

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Gungnir Olympic bars

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Concept2 SkiErg

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Spirit CT800+ Treadmill & Elliptical

The Result

The finished facility delivers a premium yet welcoming training space that aligns perfectly with The Base’s vision. Members benefit from:

Clear, intuitive equipment layout supporting confidence and progression.
A blend of functional zones that cater to diverse training styles and fitness levels.
A space that feels like an authentic extension The Base cafe bar, not just a gym added into a building.

From an empty shell to a thriving, inclusive gym, The Base Derby now stands as a model for how independent facilities can combine community-driven accessibility with bespoke, high-performance design, providing an inspiring environment where every member feels at home.