Instead of a sermon, a workout: How an old church in the Netherlands became a fitness club

In the Netherlands, historic buildings are often given a second life, but one recent project has sparked particular interest. An abandoned church has been transformed into a modern fitness club: its Gothic vaults now echo not with organ music but with rhythmic workout tracks. This unusual contrast between past and present clearly demonstrates how architecture can adapt to new societal needs while preserving its history and atmosphere.

The Church of St. Gertrude was built in Utrecht in 1923. It was a typical Gothic structure, with high vaults, lancet windows, and an organ. The church faithfully served its parishioners until 2018, when authorities conducted an inspection of the building and declared it unsafe and unsafe for use.

The church was closed and stood locked for several years, awaiting its fate. It could easily have been torn down and replaced by a new shopping center, as it wasn't considered a historical monument. But the building was lucky—it was purchased by a private company. Construction continued for nearly a year, and then the church reopened, this time as a... fitness club!

The new owners embraced the trend of converting abandoned religious buildings into sports facilities and invested heavily in the project. Interestingly, they decided not to make any major changes and left everything inside as is. In other words, the COMMIT Rivierenwijk fitness club looks like a church inside.

This decision, oddly enough, cost the new owners more than a complete renovation. They had to hire not only builders but also restorers who restored the wall paintings, original oak furniture, and stained-glass windows. They even kept the organ, which is still in working order!

Despite this, the renovation still brought significant changes to the layout. Specifically, the building now boasts a swimming pool, modern showers, and even a sauna. Christian saints now peer down from the walls at athletes squatting. Visitors aren't the least bit bothered by this, as they're not doing anything sinful.

On the contrary, this approach follows the Bible's guidelines. First Corinthians 6:19–20 says:

Considering all this, I don't even feel like skipping leg day. Incidentally, similar projects aren't just being implemented in the Netherlands. In the US, a few years ago, a basketball court opened in an old church. Where is the line drawn between preserving cultural heritage and practical adaptation to modern times? Do you think converting a church into a fitness club is a successful example of a new lease on life for architecture?