The Bicester Hotel and Spa has launched purpose-built fitness and performance facilities to create a standalone, unique offering to attract a new demographic to the site.

As well as a Performance Gym, there will be an outdoor 500m grass running track, a custom-made 200m swimming lake and an assault course.

The Performance Gym has been equipped with premium equipment from Matrix Fitness, appealing to the training enthusiast, amateur sports person and professional athletes and elite teams looking for a facility that can be used for goal or sports specific training.

Simon Banwell, Health Club and Spa General Manager, explains: “After our hotel gym refurbishment five years ago, we recognised that fitness was fast evolving, thanks to technology, the popularity of functional training and ‘training like an athlete’, and although we have a fantastic gym at the hotel site we saw an opportunity to compliment, yet enhance our current offering with a separate, truly performance-led centre to encourage those fitness enthusiasts and athletes who are really serious about their training.”

Matrix Fitness had a long-standing rapport with the site, having already been chosen as the supplier for their hotel gym refurbishment. However, the Performance Gym was a self-contained project, with the highest quality required when it came to service, support and products and the team put the work out to tender.

“The Performance Gym is its own entity. It’s a new build across the opposite side of the estate and will house its own team, reception and café.” Banwell continues. “As a brand-new project, we consulted with a number of suppliers but Matrix Fitness still came out on top due to their fantastic customer service, the quality and diversity of their equipment and their knowledge of gym layout and design.”

The Performance Gym meets the demands of the current market trends with functional equipment, free weights and performance-centric kit. The site includes the Matrix S-Drive and S-Force performance trainers, Magnum half and full racks, dual adjustable cables, Magnum plate loaded equipment, breaker benches and bespoke track flooring for ‘strong man’ activities and functional-focused training. On the second floor, a space has been designed for movement screening, small accessory functional training and 1-1 personal training.

“Our aim is to create a community,” Banwell explains. “Facilities with a focus, in our case a high level of performance, can grow an engaged community with shared interests, goals and attitudes. We have consulted with experts to create an impressive, functional, premium training space that is forward-thinking in meeting the fitness trends and demands of our members.”

Nigel Tapping, Head of Spa and Hospitality, Matrix Fitness UK adds: “At Matrix, we aim to be a partner to our customers, not just an equipment supplier. We strive to support the entire design and build, right the way from concept to completion.”

“Premium fitness suites and versatile gym designs are playing an increasingly vital role in the hospitality sector but The Bicester Performance Centre has taken this trend one step further with this performance-led facility, separate to its hotel gym. This new gym will attract a new audience; the highest level of fitness enthusiast. The team have been forward-thinking and innovative, and the result is an impressive, cutting-edge facility.”

Paul Morgan, Bicester Hotel and Spa General Manager, adds: “These fantastic new facilities will enhance our current offering which include bedrooms, suites, restaurants, bars and conference and event rooms which will ensure Bicester Hotel and Spa will be in a league of it’ own for team building and sports associations.”

The Bicester Performance Gym was completed in March 2020 and was due to open in April 2020 but in accordance with Government guidelines around Covid-19, remains closed until further notice. To find out more visit www.bicesterhotelgolfandspa.com or to discover how Matrix Fitness can help transform your offering visit www.matrixfitness.co.uk