The gyms will be used predominantly by the Army’s Officer cadets and recruits and have been fitted with a range of equipment including climbing ropes, power bags, medicine balls, pull up bars and a multitude of different racks. Although modular, the gymnasia will benefit from an independent electrical supply which has allowed fitting to be with modern LED lighting and PIR motion sensor lights which automatically switch on or off when movement is detected to reduce energy costs.
Although each gym is designed differently, each one has a base constructed of standard shipping containers, providing a secure and strong environment with the added benefit of being transportable to other locations if needed.
Despite the challenges of global shortage of structural steel due to items trapped on the Ever-Green ship in the Suez Canal, and the potential impact of COVID isolation rules, all three gyms have been successfully handed over to the delighted end users.
Carl Shadrake, Amey’s Project Manager, said: “We worked closely with our client, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), and supply chain partners, Indigo Fitness, to complete each gymnasium within a seven-week period. Being a veteran myself I understand how important these facilities are to our military community and I’m delighted that they will play a key part in supporting the Armed Forces to deliver their common military syllabus.”
A fourth gym is also being installed at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, which will be used to train all the Army’s infantry soldiers.