"How much space do we need?" is usually the first question a planner asks — and the answer has two parts that are often confused.

Standing area vs. safety space

The standing area is the ground the equipment physically occupies. The safety space is the free zone around and beneath the equipment that must stay clear so users can move and, if necessary, fall safely. Both have to be planned. A layout that looks compact on paper can still require a generous clear zone around it.

This is where geometry matters enormously.

Why the hexagon layout saves space

BARbara is arranged as a hexagon, inspired by the honeycomb. Instead of spreading individual stations across a site — each needing its own foundations and its own surrounding safety space — the hexagon connects elements into one structure. The advantages are direct:

  • Maximum elements on minimal foundations — shared structure means more training stations without multiplying groundwork
  • A compact overall footprint — more training content on less ground
  • A shared safety space rather than many separate ones
  • Community feel — 8 to 12 people train together in one spot instead of being scattered

For operators who count every square metre — camping parks optimising for pitches, hotels protecting garden space, housing developers working within a plot — this compactness is often the deciding factor.

Matching the system to the space

The BAR series is designed to cover different space situations:

  • BARbie for the smallest niches and courtyards
  • BARbara as the compact all-in-one hero system
  • BARzooka for large-capacity sites, clubs and bootcamps

Because the systems are produced in series and held in stock, the planning conversation can focus on your actual site rather than on long custom lead times.

The practical takeaway

Don't budget space for a sprawling row of single machines. Budget for a compact, connected system plus its clear safety zone. It is the difference between needing a large dedicated area and being able to activate an underused corner of an existing site.

Not sure which system fits your location? The 2-minute finder gives you a tailored recommendation.