Increase Attraction
Total Transformation
Managing budgets whilst still being able to offer a high-end fitness experience was a priority for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council when planning the refurbishment of its 375 sq m gym at Darwen Leisure Centre.
Maintenance costs were beginning to increase due to older equipment, and after engaging with customers, feedback reinforced that a new, less cluttered layout was wanted, along with a more modern functional training experience using HIIT-style equipment.
Richard Brown, Health and Wellbeing Manager for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, comments: “We wanted a partner that was a good match for our Leisure, Health and Wellbeing strategy and aspirations. Working with Precor gave us the ability to choose different lines of CV equipment to suit our requirements, while maintaining consistency across the gym floor by installing each machine with the same console, enabling us to make the best use of our resources. This, combined with the aftercare and support Precor offer, was a significant factor in our decision to partner with them.”
The gym was closed for three weeks during the Christmas holidays while all existing equipment was removed and floors taken up. Initial refurbishment consisted of a new networking and electrical system, new flooring, LED lighting fitted, and redecoration in a new colour scheme.
The centre’s 80-station gym now benefits from a completely new layout, showcasing Precor CV and strength equipment, as well as a Queenax™ functional fitness unit, all in the new Precor Black Pearl colour-way.
Mix and match
Brown explains: “The flexibility of being able to mix and match the Precor 800 and 700 cardiovascular lines, while using P62 consoles across the whole range has allowed us to manage our budget in a smart way. It provides a mix of equipment while at the same time offering a consistent, interactive networked screen, which makes it easier and quicker for customers when they switch machines. Operationally, it meant we were able to make our budget work hard and incorporate additional equipment, like the Queenax™, providing a more up-to-date offering and addressing the need for a versatile, functional fitness area.”
The Open Format Queenax™ functional training unit was installed, in the same Black Pearl colour-way as the CV and strength equipment, creating a unified and sleek ambiance across the gym floor.
Providing customers with a high-quality varied exercise experience
Brown continues: “We were aiming for a clean, fresh look, across the gym floor. The addition of the Queenax™, along with Precor CV and strength equipment in the new the Black Pearl colour-way, has helped create a totally new looking environment and worked well as a concept to compliment all the refurbishment work.
“The Queenax™ provides us with an attractive and versatile piece of kit that allows us to offer a diverse and fun training experience, while maximising the use of space.”
Circuit training sessions held on the Queenax™ fulfils the centre’s need for more functional fitness and HIIT training, keeping customers motivated with varied classes using the Superfunctional, plyo plate, punchbag, rebounder and strap attachments. An Assault Airbike Elite and Assault AirRunner are actively included within the Queenax™ circuit training classes and are also used by customers during their own fitness sessions.
The gym has also gained a mix of twenty-one Spinner® Chrono™ and Spinner® Ride™ bikes installed in a newly refurbished fitness studio, which benefitted from a new sound system and lighting, presenting an immersive and modern indoor cycling training experience.
“Installing the new Precor Spinner® bikes was also important as it enables us to provide customers with a high-quality ride using a mix of bikes to suit all levels,” explains Brown.
As well as the newly refurbished main gym, Darwen Leisure Centre also showcases an impressive 25 metre, eight-lane swimming pool, a teaching pool, two multi-purpose fitness studios offering a wide range of fitness classes and a multi-use sports hall.
Brown concludes: “We’ve had a fantastic reaction from customers. Social media went crazy when we posted sneak-peak photographs while work was in progress, and when we opened, they couldn’t believe the changes.”
