Ipswich’s newest gym – and the first on the Waterfront – will aim to use modern technology to boost fitness levels in the town.
Profiles Waterfront Gym, which is at least the 10th gym in Ipswich, was yesterday unveiled by bosses at Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) and University Campus Suffolk (UCS) in a joint venture.
The gym, situated at Athena Hall on University Avenue, near the UCS James Hehir Building, offers the latest Pulse equipment. On a large touch screen, treadmill runners can log into Facebook and Twitter, watch YouTube videos and listen to music channels.
Meanwhile, ‘Cirrus’ smart consoles create tailored training and entertainment programmes which uniquely track the user’s progress, offering advice on how to improve.
Some machines even count the number of reps performed and there are plans to develop a smartphone app.
Bryony Rudkin, culture and leisure portfolio-holder at IBC, said: “This is a fantastic new facility for the Waterfront community and we are sure it will prove popular among people of all ages.”
The new gym is the fifth ‘Profiles’ gym in Ipswich. Jack Somers, a fitness instructor for Profiles, said: “This one is fresh and modern and really appeals to me. It has a big space and is in a prime location.”
Speaking in her role as a sports motivator for Profiles, Jade Peters, who gained nationwide fame as a contestant on BBC’s The Voice this year, said: “Some people are a bit scared of walking into a gym but everyone should come down and give it a go. It is very spacious here and in a good location in the town.”
There are currently between 3,000 and 3,500 people who are signed up as iCard gym members at IBC. There are around 10,000 people who use an iCard in general.
The gym features at least five treadmills, three rowing machines and various free weights. There at also at least seven resistance machines, including a shoulder press, a chest press and leg extension.
Richard Lister, UCS Provost, said: “(The gym) is a fantastic addition to our very popular sports and fitness programme. Health and wellbeing is very important to UCS and I am sure students and staff will benefit from this gym immensely.”
People can sign up to the gym for three months for £60 under a Christmas offer.
An all-inclusive membership, which includes the use of any of the five Profiles gyms, all racquet sports at IBC centres and swimming at either Fore Street swimming pool or Crown Pools, costs £38.50 a month.
Profiles Waterfront Gym is open weekdays from 7am to 10pm and at weekends and Bank Holidays from 8am to 5pm.
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