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15 Sep 2023
Eric Liddell Gym opens at Edinburgh University as celebrations for the 100th anniversary of his Olympic gold medal win take shape
BY
Tom Walker
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Eric Liddell Gym
photo: Andrew Perry
A new gym, named after one of Britain's most famous sporting heroes, has opened at Edinburgh University's Pleasance Sports Complex. The opening of the Eric Liddle Gym – named in honour of Paris 1924 Olympic gold medallist and University of Edinburgh alumnus – is part of a comprehensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic facilities at the sports complex, which dates back to the 1930s.
Track athlete Liddle, who's life was celebrated in the film Chariots of Fire, set a British sprint record in 1923 that stood for 35 years. A sporting all rounder, he also played rugby for Scotland.
He became a missionary in China in 1925, following his Olympic success.
The new gym – which was opened by Liddle's niece, Sue Caton – is part of the refurbishment of the sports complex. The gym floor of the previous fitness space has been remodelled and kitted out with 130 pieces of equipment from Technogym.
With 42,000 students on campus and 15,000 staff at the University, the facility is expected to be well used.
“Sport and activity underpin community life on campus,” said Cameron Ritchie, University of Edinburgh’s deputy director and head of operations. “We believe wellness is about choice and we want to offer users an abundance of ways to engage with physical activity. Our job is to enable people to become their best, through spaces and experiences that help people believe they’re capable of great things.”
The 765sqm gym was previously split into two distinct areas – one for cardio and one for fixed weights activities – but these have now been brought together.
Re-zoning of the space was undertaken in collaboration with Technogym in response to user feedback and shifting fitness trends, while data collection and sensor analyses were used to inform the layout of the equipment.
“We really think students and staff will be thrilled by the new harmonised space, the increased amount of equipment and access to Technogym’s ground-breaking entertainment package and fitness monitoring,” said Katherine Corbett, the University’s active health manager.
There's been a significant increase in the amount of strength equipment available to members, including additional Technogym Pure and Selection leg press, leg extension, lat pull, and low row machines, as well as the introduction of two hip thrust machines.
Technogym has also supplied the university with its Excite Live cardio equipment, including 30 treadmills, 15 cross-trainers, nine exercise bikes and eight stair climbers, while a range of Technogym Dual Adjustable Pulley machines complete the strength training zone and Technogym Cable Stations 12 offer strength and stability workouts
The refurbishment has retained and highlighted some of the original architectural features of the space, while also featuring new floor coverings and feature lighting.
The refurbishment coincides with the beginning of a new awareness drive launched by The Eric Liddell Community – a group set up to celebrate the athlete.
Called Eric Liddell 100 – and timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of his medal winning run in Paris – the campaign brings together a programme of events and activities to recognise and celebrate his life and achievements.
Mark Munro, director of sport and active health at the University of Edinburgh, said: “It’s a real honour for us to have reopened the refurbished gym in Eric’s name.
"Our partnership with Technogym has enabled us to create an amazing space which I am sure will help inspire our whole community to stay active.”
Technogym was selected by the University after a competitive public procurement process for an initial five-year term where it will be the primary supplier of fitness equipment.
“The partnership goes much deeper than equipment and maintenance,” says Chris McIntosh, University of Edinburgh’s sports infrastructure and sustainability manager. “Technogym will support the training and development of our student-centred gym team and help us pioneer approaches to corporate wellbeing interventions.”
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