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Gold company profile
Absolute Performance
Absolute Performance was established in 2008 by Tony and Sian Buchanan and has a wealth of experience in designing and installing world-class gyms for commercial, educational, elite sports, military, blue light and private clients. It has become one of the UK market’s best-known companies with a reputation for high quality products and excellent service.
Find out more about Absolute Performance here...
Find out more about Absolute Performance here...
Absolute Performance: News and press releases
19 Apr 2024
Absolute Performance, the elite gym design and installation company, is thrilled to announce
the continuation of its partnership with multi-medal-winning Team GB olympian Nekoda Smythe-
Davis.
PRESS RELEASE: Absolute Performance and Athlete Academy launch strength and conditioning education partnership
26 Mar 2024
Absolute Performance, a leading provider of gym design, installation and strength and
conditioning equipment and Athlete Academy, a highly respected name in the fitness and
performance education space, have announced a partnership to offer a range of strength and
conditioning professional study programmes.
15 Feb 2024
Cardiff-based gym design and installation company, Absolute Performance, has been awarded
the contract to design, supply and install three gyms for Team GB for the 2024 games in
Paris.
Absolute Performance: featured in HCM and Fit Tech magazines
Gym floor: Everything in its place
Health Club Management 2024 issue 1
The right storage can transform the flow and feel of your training spaces and the user experience. Steph Eaves asks the experts for their most creative solutions
About Absolute Performance
Absolute Performance is one of the UK’s leading gym design and installation companies and suppliers of high-performance strength and conditioning equipment.
We have a wealth of experience in designing and installing world-class gyms for commercial, educational, elite sports, military, blue light and private clients. Having worked with a number of high-profile customers, including Premier League football clubs and international sports teams, our expertise in gym design and installation, coupled with our commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, has made us a trusted partner for Team GB since the Rio de Janeiro Olympics of 2016.
Absolute Performance was established in 2008 by Tony and Sian Buchanan. In 2011 a strategic decision was made to relocate the business to Cardiff from where we continue to grow. We have become one of the UK market’s best-known companies with a reputation for high quality products and excellent service.
Key products and services
THE ABSOLUTE S&C GYM.
DESIGNED.
SUPPLIED.
INSTALLED.
Whether you’re an experienced gym manager, S&C coach, performance director or have aspirations to create a home training space, we will guide you through the process from specification to installation.
We follow a five-step plan of action for every project, guiding and working with customers along the way to achieve their goals:
1. Consult - We talk to you about the people who will be using your facility, the type of training they love, your budget, your expectations and your long-term plans. Ask us questions, test our knowledge, it’s the way we start every project.
2. Advise - We’ll recommend the right equipment, whether it’s heavy-duty and functional or kit that scientifically tests and measures performance. We’ll show you a look and feel for your space and the flow of equipment to really inspire users and unite squads.
3. Design - Our designs incorporate every aspect of the space, making the very best use of the area. We’ll create the ideal place for users with individual and team goals to train side by side. You’ll get to experience the look and feel of your facility via a 3D walk-through that will bring your vision to life.
4. Install - Our installation team will be involved in your project from beginning to end, so they’ll know exactly what the end result will be. From laying the floor, to positioning the equipment, every aspect will be handled by professionals.
5. Support - Becoming an AP customer means you’re part of our family and we’ll support you before, during and after your project. If you need advice on a piece of equipment or how to further develop your facility we’re on hand to help. You’ll get honest, expert support from people who are happy to help.
Shows attending in the next 12 months?
• PerformX Live
• Elevate
• W3Fit
• PAF UK Forum
• FIBO
• UKSCA Conference
case study: NEWCASTLE UNITED
Nick Grantham, Head of Strength and Conditioning at Newcastle United FC, approached Absolute Performance to provide the club with a training facility worthy of a premiership football team.
"Creating a high-performance training space within the constraints of an existing building is a challenging process”, said Nick. “Having worked with Absolute Performance on previous projects I knew they were a company that could deliver my vision. I wanted to work with a company that could take the existing space and develop something that was truly world class.
"It was important for me to work with a company that could source every piece of kit, from flooring and racks to performance-grade cardiovascular equipment and strength diagnostic tools. Their attention to detail meant we were able to deliver a high-performance space that will play an important part in the physical preparation of the first team players".
Designing an elite facility takes time and focus with the coaches involved to ensure that the solutions are precisely tailored and robust enough to serve the club for years to come.
Following Nick’s precise requirements, the AP design team created a facility that not only fulfilled the club’s needs, but stood solidly within budget.
We laid flooring solution that gave NUFC over 200sqm of AP Heavy Duty 40mm flooring along with an additional 40sqm of AP Evolution artificial turf. This provided a large area hardy enough to withstand the rigours of the repetitive dropping with a seamless transition into turf area for sled work, sprint training and specific drills.
Elite-level training requires elite-level equipment. Legend fitness racks, a smith press, functional trainer and pro glute ham machines were all laid out for optimal performance. A powerful range of cardio equipment and Absolute Performance accessories were included and the project was with NUFC branded Werksan Olympic plates.
"Creating a high-performance training space within the constraints of an existing building is a challenging process”, said Nick. “Having worked with Absolute Performance on previous projects I knew they were a company that could deliver my vision. I wanted to work with a company that could take the existing space and develop something that was truly world class.
"It was important for me to work with a company that could source every piece of kit, from flooring and racks to performance-grade cardiovascular equipment and strength diagnostic tools. Their attention to detail meant we were able to deliver a high-performance space that will play an important part in the physical preparation of the first team players".
Designing an elite facility takes time and focus with the coaches involved to ensure that the solutions are precisely tailored and robust enough to serve the club for years to come.
Following Nick’s precise requirements, the AP design team created a facility that not only fulfilled the club’s needs, but stood solidly within budget.
We laid flooring solution that gave NUFC over 200sqm of AP Heavy Duty 40mm flooring along with an additional 40sqm of AP Evolution artificial turf. This provided a large area hardy enough to withstand the rigours of the repetitive dropping with a seamless transition into turf area for sled work, sprint training and specific drills.
Elite-level training requires elite-level equipment. Legend fitness racks, a smith press, functional trainer and pro glute ham machines were all laid out for optimal performance. A powerful range of cardio equipment and Absolute Performance accessories were included and the project was with NUFC branded Werksan Olympic plates.
case study: HARDENHUISH SCHOOL
Hardenhuish School had an ageing, traditional gym hall that was ideal for re-purposing as a modern, safe and effective strength and conditioning facility for students and the wider public to enjoy. This project involved a complete renovation of the gym hall, including the installation of new flooring and equipment.
WOW FACTOR
The renovated space now features a striking red turf sled track, which is the centrepiece of the facility, three Werksan Power Rack weightlifting stations, Olympic standard bars, hex bars and bumper plates and a range of APEX dumbbells, kettlebells, and Powerbag sandbags.
Cardio equipment has also been installed, including four SkiErg machines, rowers, and bikes. Storage solutions have been put in place to keep the equipment safe, stored, and off the floor.
To finish things off, the facility has been kitted out with a range of premium accessories to enhance the workout experience.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
The main challenge of the project was to create a modern strength and conditioning facility while maintaining the character of the original space. The huge area has been successfully segmented into logical areas to accommodate different types of exercise. Delivery to site required a considerable amount of manual handling due to the location of the gym hall within the school, but it was nothing the AP installation team weren’t used to.
END RESULT
The new strength and conditioning facility has exceeded the school’s expectations. What was once a neglected area has become a real focal point not only for the Physical Education Department but for the whole school.
Luke Brailey, Curriculum Lead for PE at Hardenhuish commented: “The students are blown away by the space. The wow factor on their faces when they walk through and see it, first of all, is amazing. This project is going to enable us to teach amazing lessons”.
WOW FACTOR
The renovated space now features a striking red turf sled track, which is the centrepiece of the facility, three Werksan Power Rack weightlifting stations, Olympic standard bars, hex bars and bumper plates and a range of APEX dumbbells, kettlebells, and Powerbag sandbags.
Cardio equipment has also been installed, including four SkiErg machines, rowers, and bikes. Storage solutions have been put in place to keep the equipment safe, stored, and off the floor.
To finish things off, the facility has been kitted out with a range of premium accessories to enhance the workout experience.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
The main challenge of the project was to create a modern strength and conditioning facility while maintaining the character of the original space. The huge area has been successfully segmented into logical areas to accommodate different types of exercise. Delivery to site required a considerable amount of manual handling due to the location of the gym hall within the school, but it was nothing the AP installation team weren’t used to.
END RESULT
The new strength and conditioning facility has exceeded the school’s expectations. What was once a neglected area has become a real focal point not only for the Physical Education Department but for the whole school.
Luke Brailey, Curriculum Lead for PE at Hardenhuish commented: “The students are blown away by the space. The wow factor on their faces when they walk through and see it, first of all, is amazing. This project is going to enable us to teach amazing lessons”.
case study: THE UNDERGROUND TRAINING STATION
The Underground Training Station (UTS) is an established and popular commercial gym in Merseyside which is set across three distinct training spaces. Having been involved in its previous expansions, we understood the business and its capacity for further growth, so we were delighted to be asked to help take UTS to another level by designing the unused space at its Hoylake facility.
We had a large space to work with which is aptly named 'The Hangar', something of a luxury when it comes to gym design, but a big area has its own challenges such as creating a flow between equipment, providing adequate storage and allowing enough space for large group sessions without it feeling unwelcoming.
Visually, the UTS strong brand palette of black and red needed to carry across in the new space that is regularly used for team training sessions. We designed and installed custom rigs and complemented them with IWF accredited Werksan plates and bars, DC Blocks®, flooring and storage solutions to complete the 400sqm area.
This new training space fits perfectly with the UTS ethos and brand. The strength equipment is functional, inspirational, smart and further sets UTS apart from its competition.
"By picking the brains of the AP team we have been able to create an additional 400sqm of fantastic training space".
- Neil Parsley, Director The Underground Training Station.
We had a large space to work with which is aptly named 'The Hangar', something of a luxury when it comes to gym design, but a big area has its own challenges such as creating a flow between equipment, providing adequate storage and allowing enough space for large group sessions without it feeling unwelcoming.
Visually, the UTS strong brand palette of black and red needed to carry across in the new space that is regularly used for team training sessions. We designed and installed custom rigs and complemented them with IWF accredited Werksan plates and bars, DC Blocks®, flooring and storage solutions to complete the 400sqm area.
This new training space fits perfectly with the UTS ethos and brand. The strength equipment is functional, inspirational, smart and further sets UTS apart from its competition.
"By picking the brains of the AP team we have been able to create an additional 400sqm of fantastic training space".
- Neil Parsley, Director The Underground Training Station.
Absolute Performance
Tel: 02920 362 664
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Unit 19 Waterside Business Park,
Lamby Way,
Cardiff,
CF3 2ET,
Wales
Tony Buchanan, owner
Absolute Performance video gallery:
Key personnel
Tony Buchanan, owner
Sian Buchanan, owner
Harry Tafota-Nash, managing director
James Wilkins, business development - Midlands, SW & Wales
Chloe Young, business development - South
Sian Buchanan, owner
Harry Tafota-Nash, managing director
James Wilkins, business development - Midlands, SW & Wales
Chloe Young, business development - South
Key customers
We support a variety of customers across the UK and further afield in several sectors:
• Commercial gyms - independents and chains
• Education - schools, colleges & universities
• Elite sport - Olympic, international rugby & professional football
• Military & blue light services
• Private residential and home gyms
• Commercial gyms - independents and chains
• Education - schools, colleges & universities
• Elite sport - Olympic, international rugby & professional football
• Military & blue light services
• Private residential and home gyms
Plans for the next 12 months
In 2023 the Absolute Performance team expanded the sales team further. 2024 is an exciting year for the business as this will be the third Olympic cycle that we will have supported Team GB with their Games preparations through the provision of three S&C gyms.
Our product range will develop and expand with improved ranging and new additions. We continue to hold official UK distributor status for Werksan, Legend and PowerBlock ranges and are UK and EU distributors for DC Blocks®
Our product range will develop and expand with improved ranging and new additions. We continue to hold official UK distributor status for Werksan, Legend and PowerBlock ranges and are UK and EU distributors for DC Blocks®
Testimonial
"Delivering three elite performance gyms across Paris in a short time frame is no mean feat, but we know Absolute Performance is up to the challenge. They’ve proven their expertise, service, and quality working with Team GB at the last two Olympic Games in Rio and Tokyo, and I have every confidence that Paris 2024 will be even better”
– Greg Retter, head of performance services, Team GB
– Greg Retter, head of performance services, Team GB
Testimonial
"I would recommend Absolute Performance. They’ve done exactly what they said they were going to do. They’ve delivered on everything they promised but not only that, they’ve done it in a friendly way, they’ve done it in a supportive way. Nothing was too much trouble".
– Luke Brailey, curriculum lead for PE, Hardenhuish School
– Luke Brailey, curriculum lead for PE, Hardenhuish School
Testimonial
"The AP team also took a no-nonsense approach, with no extra fluff or pressure to add pieces of equipment which we weren’t looking to include. They grasped what we were looking to do with the open, natural feel, whilst wanting the premium equipment when it came to Olympic lifting and strength and conditioning equipment".
– Robbie Johnson, Stone Personal Training.
– Robbie Johnson, Stone Personal Training.
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