Seating Options for Retractable Gym Bleachers
By Anne Chapman
October 15, 2020, updated December, 2024
For many schools, the gymnasium is its heart, it's where the joy of a hard fought victory or the agony of a last-second defeat bonds students, faculty and the community together.
Some schools are lucky enough to have gyms dedicated to competitions and a separate space for instruction. Others need rooms that can flex to allow students to play music, participate in plays, eat their meals, or listen to speakers and guests.
It is important for a design team to understand the ways in which the district is thinking their gym will be used. Having a clear understanding of this will dictate the design and layout of the space.
For decades, retractable bleacher systems have been used to provide seating for games or assemblies and when the room is needed for instruction they are stored to create additional floor space. The difference now is the bleacher units don't require the wrestling team to pull them out or store them, they can be deployed with the press of a button! In addition, modern bleacher systems are no longer limited to wood bench seating, they are available with seating options that are designed with people in mind. Here we will explain some benefits to the various options that are available.
Plastic Seat Modules
Plastic seat modules are probably the most common type of bleacher seat used today. This style of seating is the most cost effective bleacher seat. Since they are single units they provide a distinct area for each individual but they can allow patrons to squeeze together for big events as long as the fire marshal's set capacity isn't exceeded.
This type of seating allows design teams to choose from a wide range of colors to coordinate with a school's color scheme. Often they can be finished with seat numbers, row letters, and aisle logo plates. Some manufacturers can even apply large, screen printed designs to the bleachers so when they are stored they provide a large logo or mural.
Plastic seat modules should provide a seat height no less than 16" and no more than 18" so it's important they accommodate a variety of row rises. In addition, having options on the seat depth can help solve issues as well.
Seat modules that are molded for the human form provide comfort over those that mimic a flat wood bench. In addition, modules that are designed to provide additional toe room can help with patron comfort as well.
Finally, when choosing a seat module it's important to consider durability. Gyms are often used in ways that can really test gym equipment. For example, in the Spring, baseball and softball teams may begin training in the gym while the weather is still cold outside. Balls hit against a bleacher seat may break the plastic leading to maintenance issues. Finding a supplier that can stand up to this kind of use is important.
Explore the options our Infinity Seat Modules have for your next gym project.
Fold Down Chairs
For projects with a healthy budget, chairs can be installed on bleachers to provide additional comfort. These provide patrons with a defined space and support the back better than a plastic seat module can. However, it's important to understand how this will impact capacity and the design of the bleacher system. Chairs, like those shown here, require additional row spacing and are wider than most plastic seat modules so they will not provide as much capacity.
In addition to the added comfort, these can often be provided with upholstered pads, armrests and cupholders. In addition, chair storage can be automatic or manual, again another option to consider in regards to the budget.
One design consideration is to provide one sideline with chairs and the opposite sideline with plastic seat modules. This provides faculty and parents with an upgrade over the student section or a booster club can sell these premium chairs as a way to raise funds.
Combination Seating
Mixing Seat Styles
Using multiple models within a space can be a great way to create premium experiences for faculty or parents. Selling these seats for a game or event can be a great way for a booster club to raise funds.
Mixing Seat Styles
Using multiple models within a space can be a great way to create premium experiences for faculty or parents. Selling these seats for a game or event can be a great way for a booster club to raise funds.
Mixing Seat Styles
Using multiple models within a space can be a great way to create premium experiences for faculty or parents. Selling these seats for a game or event can be a great way for a booster club to raise funds.
Mixing Seat Styles
Using multiple models within a space can be a great way to create premium experiences for faculty or parents. Selling these seats for a game or event can be a great way for a booster club to raise funds.
Center bank of chairs flanked by seat modules.
Here the center section of seating is installed with Integra chairs and the two end sections are installed with Infinity Seat Modules. Keep in mind, this entire bleacher unit has to use the same tread depth from one end to the other in order to accommodate the additional row spacing needed for the Integra chairs.
Front rows of chairs with seat modules behind.
Here the two front rows are installed with Integra chairs to create VIP seating. The benefit to this layout over the one shown above is the rows installed with the seat modules can be shorter than the first two rows, saving valuable space and possibly providing additional capacity.
Plastic Seat Modules with Molded Fold Down Backs
Another option for providing a premium seating area is using folding backrests with plastic seat modules. This solution also requires extended row spacing and they are best used in the first couple of rows with standard seat modules in the rows behind. Molded back rests provide a distinct seat and may limit extra fans squeezing together for a big event.
Plastic Seat Modules with Aluminum Fold-Down Backrest
This option provides some back support and also can allow for expanded capacity since there isn't as much of a defined space.
Center bank of chairs flanked by seat modules.
Here the center section of seating is installed with Integra chairs and the two end sections are installed with Infinity Seat Modules. Keep in mind, this entire bleacher unit has to use the same tread depth from one end to the other in order to accommodate the additional row spacing needed for the Integra chairs.
Front rows of chairs with seat modules behind.
Here the two front rows are installed with Integra chairs to create VIP seating. The benefit to this layout over the one shown above is the rows installed with the seat modules can be shorter than the first two rows, saving valuable space and possibly providing additional capacity.
Plastic Seat Modules with Molded Fold Down Backs
Another option for providing a premium seating area is using folding backrests with plastic seat modules. This solution also requires extended row spacing and they are best used in the first couple of rows with standard seat modules in the rows behind. Molded back rests provide a distinct seat and may limit extra fans squeezing together for a big event.
Plastic Seat Modules with Aluminum Fold-Down Backrest
This option provides some back support and also can allow for expanded capacity since there isn't as much of a defined space.
Wood Seating
Over the last 20 years, wood bench seating has declined in popularity. It is not a cost effective solution, it is not as comfortable as most plastic seat modules and it is prone to vandalism. Love springs eternal and Billy want's everyone to know about his deep love for Joanie.
Wood bleachers do provide a nostalgic look and feel. Typically, this seating comes in attractive yellow pine in either three-quarter inch or one inch thickness. For durability it's important the wood be finished with a quality polyurethane coating.
Premium Seating
Some retractable seating manufacturers can provide the backs and seats used for fixed seating projects on telescopic units. This is a professional-level option not typical for school gyms. Depending on the row rise the seating may be supplied with a forward-fold chair unit or a reverse-fold back mechanism. These options store the seating on the decks so they can units can be retracted.
In Conclusion
Every institution's needs are different. Understanding the various ways in which a room will used, and how the school wants to meet the needs of their community will lead a design team to a seating arrangement that will suit the space well.
Get in touch to learn more about seating types Irwin has to offer and which can work best for your project.