press release: BLK BOX
Gold company profile | BLK BOX
PRESS RELEASE
Inside the build: Ironbound. Turning an empty underground space into a thriving functional fitness facility
09 Jun 2026
Ironbound’s facility / Ironbound
When brothers Patrick and Kevin first approached BLK BOX, they had a vision and an unusual space.
Beneath a building in Embrach, Switzerland, sat an underground facility with huge potential. What it needed was the right layout, the right equipment, and a partner who understood functional fitness. Coming from CrossFit and Hyrox backgrounds themselves, Patrick and Kevin knew exactly what they wanted to create: a facility that would bring people together through training, competition, and community.
Today, that vision is Ironbound.
The Space
With CrossFit affiliation forming a core part of their offering, the facility needed to support everything from daily classes and strength training to Hyrox preparation and competitive functional fitness.
BLK BOX and Ironbound worked closely to design a layout that maximised every square metre of the underground facility while creating dedicated zones for lifting, conditioning, storage, and group training.
At the heart of the gym sits a custom BLK BOX 3 Series Rig, providing multiple training stations for classes and individual workouts. Surrounding the rig is a complete ecosystem of functional fitness equipment designed to support athletes of all abilities.
The strength area features Hybrid Barbells, Technique Barbells, Competition Change Plates, Utility Bumper Plates, Adjustable Benches, and a Rubber Hex Dumbbell range extending from 2.5kg to 50kg.
For conditioning and Hyrox-specific training, Ironbound incorporates Competition Kettlebells, Wall Balls, Competition Sandbags, Competition Sleds, Climbing Ropes and Agility Turf, allowing members to train using the same modalities they encounter in competition.
To keep the facility organised and efficient, a custom Basecamp Storage System was integrated throughout the space, ensuring equipment remains accessible while maintaining a clean training environment.
The Result
What started as an empty underground space has become a thriving functional fitness facility serving the Embrach community.
By combining professional sporting experience, expert coaching, and a carefully designed equipment package, Patrick and Kevin have created a gym that reflects their values and supports the next generation of athletes.
Ironbound stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a clear vision is matched with the right partnership, the right equipment, and a commitment to building something that lasts.
Darren Ross, business development executive who played a key role in the project, said: “From the first conversation, it was clear that Patrick and Kevin had a strong vision for Ironbound and the training environment they wanted to create. BLK BOX helped bring that vision to life through tailored facility design and equipment solutions that support both CrossFit and Hyrox training.
"Drawing on extensive experience in CrossFit coaching, competition, and facility design, I developed a tailored floorplan that maximised every square metre, optimised training flow, and reflected the culture and energy Patrick and Kevin wanted to create.
"At BLK BOX, the focus goes beyond equipment, with a collaborative approach to creating spaces that support performance, community, and long-term growth. The result is a thriving facility that reflects Ironbound's vision and the community built around it.”
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BLK BOX
Tel: 028 9045 4123
Email: [email protected]
Address:
4 Cloughfern Ave,
Newtownabbey ,
Antrim,
BT37 0UB,
United Kingdom
Gregory Bradley, sales director
BLK BOX video gallery:
Key personnel
Ben Stocks, managing director
Gregory Bradley, founder/sales director
Miles Canning, marketing director
Gregory Bradley, founder/sales director
Miles Canning, marketing director
Key customers
• Nike,
• Loughborough University,
• Irish Rugby,
• REPRESENT,
• Corinthia Hotels,
• PureGym, and
• Gymbox.
• Loughborough University,
• Irish Rugby,
• REPRESENT,
• Corinthia Hotels,
• PureGym, and
• Gymbox.
Plans for the next 12 months
Our product development is driven by
real-world insights from athletes, coaches,
and operators. The launch of our 1, 3, 5
Series rigs and racks marks a significant
step forward - offering scalable, futureproofed
solutions for facilities of all sizes.
Our commitment to operational excellence ensures we meet the highest standards for our clients. We consistently deliver industry-leading production times, support, and service.
As we grow our business, we will sustainably expand our manufacturing footprint and resources. Our priority is to ensure responsible practices in our manufacturing processes, aligning with our commitment to a more sustainable future.
Our commitment to operational excellence ensures we meet the highest standards for our clients. We consistently deliver industry-leading production times, support, and service.
As we grow our business, we will sustainably expand our manufacturing footprint and resources. Our priority is to ensure responsible practices in our manufacturing processes, aligning with our commitment to a more sustainable future.
Testimonial
NIKE – London HQ
"This new location is an amazing environment, with plans to positively impact the community way beyond its perimeter walls. This new strength and conditioning studio will play a pivotal role in supporting this dream.
Working with Miles Canning, Gregory Bradley, and the rest of the BLK BOX team was an absolute joy, and I'm super proud of the legacy that we have left for Nike athletes and, of course, our local London communities, who deserve a premium space to get inspired and work out in."
– Bex Moorhouse, workplace design & connectivity director, Nike
"This new location is an amazing environment, with plans to positively impact the community way beyond its perimeter walls. This new strength and conditioning studio will play a pivotal role in supporting this dream.
Working with Miles Canning, Gregory Bradley, and the rest of the BLK BOX team was an absolute joy, and I'm super proud of the legacy that we have left for Nike athletes and, of course, our local London communities, who deserve a premium space to get inspired and work out in."
– Bex Moorhouse, workplace design & connectivity director, Nike
Testimonial
PUREGYM
"We believe our ongoing partnership with BLK BOX helps us further distinguish our offering in the global market. We have a very clear plan to deliver growth, and we believe our partnership with BLK BOX will help us achieve our aims.
We were very impressed with the functional training zone concept that BLK BOX collaborated with us on, and we are keen on building upon the partnership so we can continue to evolve our product offering for our members."
– Richard Annetts, head of gym format & equipment, PureGym
"We believe our ongoing partnership with BLK BOX helps us further distinguish our offering in the global market. We have a very clear plan to deliver growth, and we believe our partnership with BLK BOX will help us achieve our aims.
We were very impressed with the functional training zone concept that BLK BOX collaborated with us on, and we are keen on building upon the partnership so we can continue to evolve our product offering for our members."
– Richard Annetts, head of gym format & equipment, PureGym
Testimonial
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
"For Powerbase, we aimed to collaborate with specialists in various areas, and BLK BOX emerged as the clear choice in the tender process for several reasons. Their extensive expertise in the performance market, coupled with their ability to glean insights from their work in other sectors, greatly benefits us.
While we were confident in our needs for the facility, partnering with a team that offered solutions and an agile engineering approach proved pivotal. We have tangible examples of innovation and collaboration in this facility, such as tailored accessible storage solutions designed to accommodate the mezzanine's pillars.”
– Rich Ellis, head of gyms and technical relationships, Loughborough University
"For Powerbase, we aimed to collaborate with specialists in various areas, and BLK BOX emerged as the clear choice in the tender process for several reasons. Their extensive expertise in the performance market, coupled with their ability to glean insights from their work in other sectors, greatly benefits us.
While we were confident in our needs for the facility, partnering with a team that offered solutions and an agile engineering approach proved pivotal. We have tangible examples of innovation and collaboration in this facility, such as tailored accessible storage solutions designed to accommodate the mezzanine's pillars.”
– Rich Ellis, head of gyms and technical relationships, Loughborough University
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