Increase Attraction
Above and Beyond Service
In June 2016 Hinchingbrooke School, in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, home to around 2,000 senior students, benefitted from a new £2.4 million Sports Complex, including a new state-of-the-art fitness suite. Since installing new Precor equipment in August 2017 the gym has experienced a 32% membership increase.
The Sports Complex stands on existing school grounds and contains a four-court sports hall, a cardiovascular room, a weights room, two dedicated offices for the PE staff and community lettings programme where activities for local groups using the Complex are booked, a Sports-Lab classroom, as well as changing rooms and toilets. The designated Sports-Lab classroom is used to conduct Physical Education lessons and also houses meetings and coaching development sessions for organisations such as England Cricket, UK Athletics and Huntingdonshire Football Association.
The right mix of equipment
As well as needing new, more up-to-date equipment, the school was also experiencing increased maintenance and servicing costs due to the age of the machines, which were the original ones from the old gym facility, and were in part leased and owned, so they decided to look at alternative brands, taking member feedback into consideration.
The 160 sq m gym facilities now feature Precor Experience Series 700 Line treadmills, recumbent bikes and EFX elliptical crosstrainers, as well as a selection of both single and dual-use Vitality Series Line strength machines and a Concept II rower. Member feedback led to an increase in treadmills, as well as additional strength machines, including a cable machine and a leg press.
Choosing new equipment
Hinchingbrooke looked at a number of brands and gathered as much information as possible before making a decision on the new equipment.
Steve Fidler, Leisure Manager at Hinchingbrooke Leisure explains: “We visited different sites and went to the Precor UK head office to tryout the equipment in the gym there. In the end the choice came down to a balance of competitive costing and high-quality equipment. What really made the final decision to install Precor was the Service and Maintenance agreement and the fact the team was in-house.”
In-house Service and Maintenance team
The service and maintenance contract for Hinchingbrooke’s old equipment was through an external third-party supplier, which meant the time frame for maintenance visits took far too long.
“We were impressed with the Precor 48hr service and maintenance call out promise, as well as the five-year warranty and repair service, although as yet, there haven’t been many issues that needed to be fixed!” he says.
Increasing membership
In the six months since installing the new Precor equipment Hinchingbrooke has already seen memberships rise by a third, which equates to a growth of 32%. Fidler comments: “We are thrilled with the membership increase. We advertised in the local press and on social media. We now have a dedicated entrance foyer in the new Sports Complex with tables, chairs and vending machines, which has become a real hub of activity, and has really raised the gym’s profile, helping boost membership. Everyone that visits the Sports Complex has to check-in at the front desk and can see the new gym facilities right on site. It’s encouraging parents with young children at camps and activities to join, as well as more students. The local football, martial arts, swimming and rugby clubs all use the sports facilities too and now have access to the gym, again helping to raise participation. As an Academy school we have the opportunity to choose where we obtain services from and we are very happy with the decision to install Precor equipment.”
Dedicated facilities
The offices and classroom mean teachers have all the gym facilities easily at hand and can use the equipment effectively during lessons, making a huge difference to staff and pupils.
Fidler concludes: “It is testament to the continuing increase in membership levels that the new sports facilities and new fitness equipment were needed for both the school and local community. The Precor equipment is living up to expectations and our members are enjoying their improved fitness experience.”
