HIGH PERFORMANCE

Client: University College Dublin
Supplier: CYBEX International UK

The new €50m University College Dublin (UCD) Sport & Fitness facility officially launched in summer 2012 and has since undergone further development, leading to the opening of a performance gym in 2013.

The new 850sq m gym, more than double the size of the previous facility, will support members from the student population and local community as well as athletes and sports students, who will have access to over 100 pieces of cardiovascular and strength training equipment from manufacturer CYBEX International.

This includes treadmills and upright bikes from CYBEX’s 625 commercial series, Bravo functional trainers, half racks and lifting platforms and plate-loaded equipment including chest, overhead, incline and squat presses. Meanwhile 13 pieces of selectorised equipment from CYBEX’s Eagle and VR3 ranges sit alongside a functional training zone to make up the state-of-the-art strength and conditioning gym.

Work on the project started in 2008, with the €50m complex comprising the new gym, 50m swimming pool, tepidarium spa, range of indoor and outdoor pitches, climbing wall, squash courts and rifle range.

The facility also includes a 90-seat cinema, 125-seat theatre, tournament-grade debating chamber, student offices and meeting rooms, and a radio pod. The innovative site also has its own rainwater harvesting system and combined heat and power plant used to generate its own electricity, the excess of which is used by the university.

While supporting the needs of its students and the local community, the gym at UCD is also used as a training site for professional rugby union side Leinster and was recently used by French rugby union side Toulon in preparation for the Heineken Cup final in Dublin in May.

Ciaran Magee, CYBEX sales manager for Ireland, led on the deal, which was awarded to CYBEX through a detailed tender process. Magee says: “UCD Sport & Fitness is undoubtedly one of the country’s top sports facilities, and every component of the site reflects this. The gym has been designed and built for the wide demographic it supports and from the feedback so far, we’re delighted with the final outcome.”

UCD Sport & Fitness Centre manager Hughie McGearty adds: “The range of equipment offered by CYBEX has ensured that we can cater to the needs of all users, regardless of their ability, level of fitness or training needs. The feedback we’ve received already from our members is fantastic.

“Not only is CYBEX’s equipment of a very high quality, but its support, advice and service to customers is excellent.”

The Arc Trainer is one of Cybex’s most popular pieces of equipment

HIT THE DECK

Client: Fitness First Clapham Junction
Supplier: Pavigym

As part of a refurbishment programme across the Fitness First estate in the UK, Pavigym was appointed to work alongside the architects to redesign the functional training space at the club in Clapham Junction station, London.

Fitness First wanted to optimise the space available in the busy club, creating a functional zone that would act as a focal point in the gym. The new zone sits right next to the entrance to the gym, drawing the eye as soon as you walk into reception.

Pavigym created an individual design for Fitness First that worked in conjunction with the functional training equipment available, as well as the specific programming goals of the club: the area was specifically configured to cater for small group training and PT, as well as creating more space for members to use the functional equipment within their own workouts.

Flooring was brought forward as an active element of the design: floor markings guide users through a series of functional movements, allowing the club to open up a range of new activities to its members.
The club has now been able to increase the functional classes on the timetable, with sessions such as circuits taking place in the functional zone. Equipment including kettlebells, ViPR and soft plyo boxes are complemented by stations integrated into the functional area, including battle ropes and monkey bars/a tricep dip station.
“Ensuring the space was well positioned in the club was crucial to its success, along with the look and functionality,” says Steven Sykes, sales director at Pavigym UK. “Inspiring and motivating members to take up new exercises and incorporate these into their workouts, turning them into functional training fans, was the key objective for the creation of this new space.” 
“Our goal when developing our Freestyle training areas is to create as many interaction points as possible for our members in a space where they can move – with small equipment or without,” adds Lee Matthews, UK head of fitness at Fitness First. “The new flooring has allowed us to create an inviting and engaging area to interact with our members, and we’ve seen a notable increase in the number of club members who are using this space, and the functional equipment within it, as part of their personal training sessions, team workouts – our small group training sessions – or simply integrated into their overall workouts.”
Sykes continues: “Being able to reconfigure gym spaces to keep up with new fitness trends is crucial, and Pavigym ensures that its flooring and training solutions offer a cost-effective way of doing exactly this. Pavigym enables a client to choose from a range of solutions – from basic flooring through to the most advanced flooring technology incorporating lights and software systems, for example – to create a bespoke, on-trend training area whatever the club’s objectives and needs.”

The new functional zone is an inviting, engaging area where staff can interact with members

Taking to the floor: The new markings guide users through a series of functional movements

DRIVING ENGAGEMENT

Client: St Peter’s Leisure Centre, Burnley, UK
Supplier: Life Fitness

In December 2012, St Peter’s Leisure Centre in Burnley turned to Life Fitness for assistance in driving higher customer retention rates and increasing membership. To achieve these objectives, the fitness suite floor was completely transformed to provide members with an interactive group exercise solution.

St Peter’s is one of the first sites in the country to offer Life Fitness’ newest functional training exercise solution, the Synrgy360XL, which is now a centrepiece on the gym floor. Offering numerous stations within one structure, it acts as a central hub for classes, PT sessions and individual workouts.

Members now have access to diverse training possibilities through this one solution, helping them to achieve their goals by adding more diversity to their existing workouts, – incorporating endurance, improved balance, co-ordination, speed, agility, flexibility, power and strength. To achieve these goals, the product combines several popular exercise trends including core training, bodyweight training, reaction training and sport-specific activities.

Members can now benefit from a timetable of tailor-made, Synrgy-specific classes focused entirely on functional training, working all areas of the body and appropriate for all abilities. Neil Hutchinson, leisure facilities general manager, says: “We offer 20 bespoke classes a week that deliver a totally immersive experience through purpose-designed lighting, graphics, flooring and programmes, from Life Fitness’ Solutions Partners.”

Since the refurbishment was completed, a new social atmosphere has been created on the gym floor – an energetic vibe that’s designed to encourage and motivate members.

Along with the interactive Synrgy classes, this is leading to an increase in group participation, making exercise engaging and enjoyable for all demographics from novices through to experienced fitness enthusiasts. “The thing I really like about Synrgy360XL is the variety it offers, as well as the chance to meet people. It helps every aspect of your body – I really enjoy it,” comments one female member.

The development of the centre has delivered positive results for Hutchinson, who says: “The introduction of Synrgy360XL classes has really transformed our fitness suite for the better. Our members can train and interact to achieve their personal goal, which in turn creates a more sociable atmosphere – something that’s not always easy to achieve in a health club environment.

“The new equipment has had a huge impact on both membership figures and retention, and we’re proud that our members are some of the first in the country to use the new Synrgy360.” Indeed, membership of the club has risen by 15 per cent, with the average lifetime of a member now 17 months.

Alongside Synrgy360XL, members can also benefit from the Elevation Engage and Inspire cardiovascular series, so workouts can continue to be tracked with activity and progression through the LFconnect site and smartphone app.

There’s a new social atmosphere on the gym floor since the refurbishment