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Racing ahead
Cybex kits out high-tech gym for world-leading Formula One team, Williams Racing
Deep in the heart of Oxfordshire lies the headquarters of one of the world’s leading Formula One teams, Williams Racing.
The world-class site, which is the centre for both the Formula One team and Williams Advanced Engineering, houses more than 700 members of staff and is home to the Williams Cybex Gym.
Comprising an extensive range of cardiovascular and strength training equipment from Cybex, the 330m² facility is part of a five-year agreement that names the premium manufacturer as Williams Racing’s official fitness equipment supplier.
The gym is home to equipment from Cybex’s 700 cardio series and the SPARC – Cybex’s self-powered resisted cardio machine. It also includes the Eagle NX and Prestige VRS selectorised strength lines, Bravo Functional Trainer and Big Iron lifting platform, while the studio features a training rig, group exercise bikes and functional training equipment from Jordan Fitness.
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS
Popular with Williams’ staff, the gym is also used by the Formula One team’s record-breaking pitstop crew and drivers Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll when onsite.
With 16 FIA Formula One World Championships to date and 114 grand prix victories, Williams is one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport. Most recently, the pitstop crew have been recognised for their achievements, receiving the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award and recording the fastest pit stop times in 14 out of the 21 races during the 2016 season – a feat facilitated by the team’s strength and conditioning programme.
“Pitstops in modern day Formula One are complex and require the mechanics to be in peak physical condition,” says Claire Williams, deputy team principal and commercial director of Williams Racing. “Our team members have thorough training regimes and the Williams Cybex Gym is the focal point of their fitness work when away from the track.”
A HEALTHY WORKFORCE
Williams’ headquarters is in operation 24/7, with more than 700 employees and contractors working around the clock to deliver high-level car performance.
As such, staff health is vital to the team’s performance. Nicola Salter, group HR director at Williams Racing, confirms: “We encourage a healthy workforce and believe this is key to delivering world class engineering. Having the Williams Cybex Gym onsite means that staff can focus on their work, and their health and wellbeing. We’re very proud to be able to offer this.”
And for Cybex and Williams, the partnership goes beyond that of a traditional supplier-customer relationship: “With performance, results and innovation being key values of both brands, it makes Cybex and Williams a natural fit,” says Williams.
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The Williams pit crew use the gym to stay fit for their demanding role |
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| The gym features Cybex’s Eagle NX and Prestige VRS strength lines |
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Focus on functionality
Installation of Queenax units boosts functional training at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre
Following a multi-million pound development, Lancaster City Council’s Salt Ayre Leisure Centre is now fully equipped with a functional training studio and 100-station gym – both featuring Queenax units.
The Queenax Format and Bridge units were selected by management because they maximise existing space while stimulating member participation through their versatility, which allows strength, flexibility and core training all via one unit. By offering affordable full-body exercise options and opening up opportunities for new classes, the new installation has expanded the centre’s group exercise programme.
Attendance has risen four-fold at Salt Ayre since Queenax classes were introduced to the centre in January.
Specialised classes
Queenax classes are deliberately kept small in size to improve trainer involvement with clients. This enables members to develop their confidence and ability when using the equipment.
To provide members with highly diverse classes, Salt Ayre invested in a wide range of attachments for the Queenax units, such as the Superfunctional™ suspension bar, which is used in most classes.
The punch bag attachments are used in classes and during individual training sessions, and are often linked with the dip and pull-up bars for a more sports-specific workout.
Classes are designed to progress and regress exercises depending on participant ability, with the specific intention of being more inclusive and enabling members to attend whichever ones they want.
Stuart Glover, sports development and facilities manager at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre says: “The introduction of the Queenax rigs has strengthened our group exercise programme considerably. The versatility of the kit has inspired our team’s creativity, leading them to deliver engaging, challenging and enjoyable sessions which have bolstered relationships with our members.”
Next-generation training
The centre now provides members with a dedicated functional training room featuring the Queenax unit. The new 100-station, 476sq m fitness studio showcases another Queenax unit, as well as Precor CV pieces, including the new Experience™ Series EFX® 800 with Converging CrossRamp®. The gym also features the new Precor Discovery™ Series Angled Leg Press, Discovery™ Series Power and Half Racks, and a range of Discovery™ Series and Vitality™ Series dual-use strength machines, along with an Icarian™ multi-gym station.
“The new fitness facilities and equipment now on offer are proving attractive to members of the community and the centre has already experienced a significantly increase in usage with 2,100 new fitness members joining since its refurbishment,” says Justin Smith, head of Precor UK.
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The Queenax unit allow users to enjoy a wide variety of exercises |
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| The installation complements individual training as well as group exercise |
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| Originally published in Health Club Management 2017 issue 10
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