"gym"

BackgroundPure Gym has recently opened a brand-new facility in Canterbury. The gym hosts over 220 pieces of state-of-the-art equipment, including cardio apparatus, treadmills, rowers and spin bikes. Customers also get to benefit from a free weights zone and a fixed weights area, as well as access to a multitude of fitness classes.The ChallengeSituated on the first floor of a mixed-use development, a jack-up floor was specified to prevent vibrations from transferring into the building structure. However, to ensure the development was fit for purpose, Pure Gym believed additional treatment was needed to further enhance the performance of the floor and reduce unwanted noise.As such, Pure Gym commissioned an acoustic consultant to produce a report outlining the exact performance criteria that would need to be met across different areas of the gym. The report recommended individual performance standards for the free weights zone and the rest of the studio. One of the main challenges was to find a solution that would meet the specification but also be delivered for installation within a strict two-week period.In addition to the prompt supply time, the solution also needed to match the Pure Gym aesthetic guidelines and corporate colours. Pure Gym approached CMS Danskin Acoustics detailing the project specification, seeking advice on what solutions were available to meet the criteria.The SolutionCMS Danskin Acoustics used the consultant’s report to identify system build ups that would best achieve the specified performance detail. Two separate build-ups proposed by CMS Danskin Acoustics were subsequently approved for use. For the free weights area, a build-up of two layers of Regufoam® in grades 220 and 270, plus a 43mm everroll® Weightlayer (everroll multitile 43mm) was supplied. For the remainder of the studio, two layers of 15mm Regupol® Vibration 480 was supplied, complimented by a final floor finish of 10mm everroll®.The specified finish of black and grey EPDM was also matched by CMS Danskin Acoustics and all materials were produced for installation within the strict two-week time frame.The ResultCMS Danskin Acoustics was able to quickly identify solutions with the required technical capabilities from across the breadth of its product portfolio. The volume of material needed was in stock, allowing a quick turnaround for Pure Gym to meet the specified project completion date.Pure Gym opened to the public on the proposed launch date and is now fully operational. The treatments provided by CMS Danskin Acoustics are providing a robust solution to reducing unwanted noise, protecting the structure of the gym floor and preventing vibrations travelling into the structure of the building.CMS Danskin Acoustics is now one of Pure Gym’s preferred suppliers and has since worked on projects such as the new build of a two-storey facility in Croydon, and the refurbishment of the Winwick Quay site in Warrington.“The service CMS Danskin Acoustics provides is of an extremely high standard. Their expert advice, quality of the product and efficiency in getting the materials to site, were instrumental in allowing us to complete the project on time. The superb service has instilled a confidence in us to develop our relationship with CMS Danskin Acoustics as a trusted supplier,” commented John Graham, Pure Gym Property Development Director.

BackgroundThe Injured Jockey Fund (IJF) Oaksey House rehabilitation centre in Lambourn, Berkshire, was opened in 2009 by the IJF Patron, HRH The Princess Royal. Oaksey House provides specialist rehabilitation treatment for physical and neurological injuries, it has a fully equipped gym which includes a state-of-the-art anti-gravity treadmill. The centre has respite accommodation available for those receiving extended treatment and their carers. Educational courses on fitness and nutrition for the general well-being of young and aspiring jockeys are also on offer.Oaksey House is not only a rehabilitation centre for jockeys, but anyone with physical or neurological injuries. Although the centre was only opened in 2009, it was decided that a refit was required to make improvements to further support the people that pass through its doors. The refit included moving the gym to the first floor and building a hydro pool on the ground floor.The ChallengeRelocating the gym to the first floor was no easy task, primarily because the building structure was composed of a steel tray and concrete base. To accommodate gym activity, the floor build-up would need to be enhanced to prevent noise and vibrations travelling through the building.As a charity, the IJF had limited funds to work with, so flooring specialists, Sport & Fitness Flooring, worked with the architect and an independent consultancy to identify an effective solution within the specified budget. Moreover, the floor had to be designed to meet the needs of four distinct areas: a cardiovascular zone, a running track, main gym area and an entrance lobby.The project was unique because various performance requirements had to be met across the four areas but the floor level needed to be consistent throughout to make it accessible for wheelchair users. Sport & Fitness Flooring consulted CMS Danskin Acoustics – Gym Flooring Division to advise on potential solutions to address this challenge while remaining cost effective.The SolutionCMS Danskin Acoustics worked with Sport & Fitness Flooring to undertake on-site subjective testing to determine the level of sound reduction and vibration control that would be required. The primary objectives were to prevent vibration travelling into the structure of the building thus resulting in potential structural damage or unwanted noise levels on the ground floor below. Samples of different build ups were provided by CMS Danskin Acoustics on site for testing within a day of the initial request.“Throughout the planning stages CMS Danskin Acoustics acted as a ‘springboard’ for our ideas. They were extremely helpful in offering their expertise to find solutions to meeting the performance requirements of the floor,” said Darren Wood, Director of Sport & Fitness Flooring.Sport & Fitness Flooring worked with CMS Danskin Acoustics to identify a way of raising the floor in different areas to meet a consistent 84mm thickness throughout, without having an adverse effect on the acoustic performance of the flooring. CMS Danskin Acoustics developed a bespoke specification for the four key areas, with solutions subsequently presented to the architect and approved for use on the project.The ResultCMS Danskin Acoustics was able to meet the performance, volume, and diversity of product needed to effectively treat the floor at a competitive price and on budget.In the main gym area, a high-performance combination of everroll® Multitile (everroll Multitile 27mm) was bonded to Regupol® 40/80 Acoustic Foam and fitted to Regupol® Vibration 300. In the cardiovascular zone, Multitile (everoll Multitile 27mm) was bonded to Regufoam® 270 acoustic PU foam and fitted to ply which was adhered to Regupol® Vibration 300. The track was treated with BOK Sprint track bonded to a everroll® Impact Pad elastic layer, ply build up and Regupol® Vibration 300. Finally, concrete effect Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) were used to create a purpose-built ramp up to the 84mm floor level from the entrance lobby.On day one of the build schedule, there was a timed delivery of the material. The bespoke order was exactly as specified and allowed installation to begin immediately with no delays. CMS Danskin Acoustics attended Oaksey House to provide expert on-site support and technical guidance on the installation. The project finished a week ahead of schedule, on budget and the flooring met all the performance requirements that were specified. Crucially, a consistent floor level was successfully achieved throughout the gym.“It’s quite common for suppliers to just sell a material and move on, but CMS Danskin Acoustics deliver a first-class expert and professional service from initial technical involvement, to tracking, delivery, installation and sign off. We regularly work with CMS Danskin Acoustics on various bespoke projects and are always confident in the solutions and expertise provided,” concluded Darren.

Third Space has opened its sixth and most luxurious health club in London with spacious training areas, state-of-the-art facilities, tranquil yoga studio, 20m adult pool, cycle amphitheatre and special facilities for youngsters.Free Weights AreaTVS Group’s heavy-duty, interlocking SPORTEC® Style Tiles, custom-produced black and grey-flecked finish perfectly completemented the gym’s colour scheme. Installing a layer of SPORTEC® Team Cup-X flooring beneath the tiles provided extra protection for the concrete subfloor and will further reduce noise and vibrations, while TVS proprietary rubber ramped edges created a neat transition with adjacent gym areas.Stetching AreaTo offer comfort and durability for the club’s large stretching area, TVS Group installed its SPORTEC® MotionFlex product, a fine-grained polyurethane puzzle-mat. It is ideal for fitness applications involving floor-based movements and wellness activities. The interconnecting tiles are simple to install and neatly shaped to suit most flooring schemes while their elegant dark grey colour set the calming mood for this part of the gym.Athletics-Based Track AreaTVS Sports Carpet was selected for the track as it offers excellent grip underfoot, especially relevant for speed, agility and quickness drills. The durability of the surface also allows athletes to push or drag a sled, helping to further develop their muscular strength and endurance. The track was supplied in a cool, oceanic navy blue and white colour scheme.Main Gym AreaThe expected high usage of the main gym area meant the flooring had to be sufficiently resilient. To achieve this and to ensure a perfectly level flooring finish across the gym, TVS Group first laid a dense rubber shock pad over the concrete substrate. It was overlaid with a covering from the highly wear resistant SPORTEC® Purcolor range. A light grey finish was chosen to reflect the sophisticated look and feel of the club.The StudioIn the studio, where high intensity training will take place, TVS Group opted for a highly elastic shock-absorbing underlay overlaid with a wear-resistant performance layer called SPORTEC® Color. The combination will protect the concrete substrate below while offering a comfortable and safe surface above for those involved in a diverse range of training activities.Other Fitness AreasIn other areas of the gym TVS Group supplied and installed a variety of high performing acoustic underlays, helping reduce noise and vibrations caused by treadmill running and other high impact activities in the studios.

Places for People, a group of more than 20 housing providers, developers, property managers and care providers, and known for their full-spectrum approach of placemaking, called upon CDM Stravitec to isolate a gym in one of their latest commercial property developments.Like many other contemporary office buildings, Places for People’s latest project houses a gym. People working in the building can make use of this popular amenity before or after work or during their lunch-break. In order not to disturb those working in the surrounding spaces, the gym needed to be acoustically isolated from the rest of the building structure.A tailored Stravigym XP gym floating floor was installed to acoustically decouple the gym located on the 5th floor of the office building, preventing vibrations from fitness equipment such as falling dumbells, kettlebells, and treadmills from disturbing the people working above and adjacent. The added dBooster® strips increase the system’s performance even further, by decoupling the load distribution layer from the resilient supports.To achieve the finished floor height specified by the architect and to deal with any irregularities of the structural floor, timber chims were placed underneath the dBooster® channels.

A former pub located in the heart of Taporley village, Cheshire, has been converted into a luxury health and welbeing centre, featuring a state-of-the-art-gym, treatment rooms and apartments for staff use. Instinct Gym and Wellbeing aims to help improve the health and mental wellbeing of the local community through new initiatives. When it came to selection the best floor coverings, having worked with JA Flooring on previous projects  Enigma Holdings Group, the owners of the building, called upon the flooring contractor once more. As aesthetics and durability were key objectives of the project, JA Flooring advised the use of an array of solutions from Forbo Flooring Systems’ portfolio including its Allura luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), which played a significant role in the renovation works.The natural wood and stone aesthetic, combined with the benefits of strong, comfortable vinyl tiles, meant that Allura was installed in the gym, treatment rooms, spin studios and circulation areas. In the treatment rooms where a more serene surrounding was required, Allura Wood in the Whitewash Elegant Oak colourway was used.In the entrance and reception area, a bespoke Coral Logo entrance flooring mat was produced to reinforce the Instinct Gym and Wellbeing branding – helping to create that all important first impression, whilst offering protection in extreme traffic conditions and maximum functional performance.Finally, Tessera Earthscape carpet tiles in Iceberg were installed in the apartments; and in the changing facilities and kitchens, the Surestep range in various neutral colourways helped to complement the overall sophisticated interior of the health and wellbeing centre.

With over 130 gyms across the UK, The Gym Group is one of the country’s leading gym providers, regularly used by tens of thousands of people. A key part of the company’s offer is that all of its gyms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It gives customers maximum flexibility in choosing when they work out, but it places huge demands on facilities.

High performance vinyl flooring from Polyflor was installed at Simply Gym in Cwmbran, Wales. Installed by local flooring contractors M2 Flooring Ltd for main contractor Dan Stacey Construction Ltd, Polyflor’s Forest fx PUR sheet vinyl flooring in the Rustic Oak design was chosen for the main gym floor, circulation areas and stairwells around the new fitness facility. Two of Polyflor’s safety flooring products in matching dark hues were also selected to provide sustainable wet slip resistance in the gym’s changing rooms, heavy-duty Polysafe Vogue Ultra PUR in Galactic and Polysafe Hydro Evolve in Black Volta.

Since opening its first gym in 2009, Pure Gym has rapidly grown into the UK’s leading gym operator by using a simple low cost scalable business model.

The ChallengeLocated in a mixed-use development with apartments directly above the gym facilities, Bannatyne Health Club Maida Vale, was faced with a Noise Abatement Order following a series of complaints from residents occupying the dwellings above. In a bid to remediate the situation, CMS Danskin Acoustics was brought in to trouble shoot the cause of the nuisance noise.The SolutionAn initial site visit by the CMS Danskin Acoustics technical team identified the ‘free weight’ area as the source of the impact noise. Inspection of the floor treatment confirmed that a generic sports flooring tile product had been installed, yet this would not offer sufficient levels of absorption for the impact of free weights hitting the ground.Recognising that a bespoke specification would be required to achieve the necessary sound reduction, CMS Danskin Acoustics commissioned Pace Consult to conduct subjective testing on-site using a range of acoustic system build-ups.To resolve the Noise Abatement Order as swiftly as possible and to protect against any further complaints, the highest performing floor-build up was installed as follows:Regufoam 220Regufoam 190FX75 Tile10mm High Impact MatThe combination of these materials delivered a highly absorptive, durable and resilient construction which reduced the noise generated in the free weights area to a level deemed acceptable by the Council – leading the Noise Abatement Order to be withdrawn.Martin Jones, Managing Director, Pace Consult, comments: “Remediation in gym environments is more common than many realise. In the absence of any legislative standards, the specification of acoustic treatments is left very open. That’s why subjective testing is crucial in any mixed-use development, it’s the only way to be confident the products specified will deliver the exact acoustic performance required.”

At Sauna360 we were honoured to be asked by a top London architect to co-operate in the installation of a sauna and steam room in a new gym and wellness suite at his Surrey home.The client had seen our design for a large sauna in a Mayfair mansion and the brief was to replicate this to more compact size to create an intimate family cabin.Sauna: The sauna was lined in special cut Blond Aspen contrasting delicate thin wall panelling, with close fitting bench boards and subtly angled furniture. The full width, low iron glass fascia gives a great feeling of space and excellent viewpoint of those still working out in the gym!Steam Room:The steam room was designed to be more discreet and twinned with a matching luxury bathroom. Our proposal was to decorate the room using beautiful Siminetti natural shell mosaic tiles throughout. These tiles with interesting random surface are nonetheless super thin and therefore perfect to suit the many contours usual in steam room design and are both durable and efficient.To complete, we included a matching door to the bathroom with back painted glass and door lock for discretion.The result: a stunning, statement installation in manageable size for regular home use!

A modern changing room in a busy gym is a demanding environment for washroom controls. Gym owners have to be confident in the durability and reliability of the products specified while ensuring they meet critical safety requirements.PureGym understands this and when it embarked on the refurbishment of a number of its branches across the country it turned to Rada to deliver a safe, robust and hygienic shower system. 

High performance commercial sheet vinyl flooring from Polyflor’s Expona Flow PUR collection was installed in a new gym area at Shrewsbury Sports Village in Shropshire. Peterborough based Escape Fitness designed the sports centre’s new gym and also installed the 220m² of Expona Flow PUR flooring throughout the space for Shropshire Community Leisure Trust Ltd. This heterogeneous vinyl flooring was used for the areas surrounding cardio and resistance equipment, the free weight area and walkways. Two designs from the Expona Flow range were selected to be installed alongside each other - English Oak and Meadow.

It never ceases to amaze us what a difference a new finish makes to wood cladding. We have recently had a customer who was in desperate need of a makeover for cedar clad garden office & gym.Roger at R and A Pressure Washing has given us another great case study to show you and we think it’s looking amazing. When the office was installed 2 years previously, the customer had used Seasonite new wood protection to protect and stabilise the new wood. The wood therefore needed a good clean before a finish could be applied, as you can see:Now they wanted to complete the look and were straight back to Owatrol products with the help of Roger!Firstly, he applied Net-TrolBy using this powerful and fast acting wood cleaner and brightener, Roger was able to restore the natural colour of the cedar cladding and decking and clean it quickly and easily. Before starting work, Roger masked off all the areas of the building which he didn’t want to be treated.Net-Trol is non-aggressive and is harmless to plants, so Roger didn’t need to worry about it damaging the grass next to the garden office.Firstly, he wet the cladding and the Southern Yellow Pine decking with fresh, clean water.They then applied Net-Trol with a synthetic roller and then scrubbed the surface with a stiff synthetic brush.After leaving it to stand for around 15 minutes, the customer then scrubbed the surface whilst simultaneously rinsing it with water. You could also use a pressure washer, max. 60 bar.If the surface starts to dry while you’re leaving the Net-Trol to work, simply mist it with some water.If you want, you can repeat the procedure but in this case, the client did not have to.The customer then left the cladding and decking to dry for 48 hours before applying the finish.Next, Aquadecks was appliedA water-based penetrating wood finish that provides advanced UV protection, Aquadecks was the ideal choice to revive and protect this customer’s cladding and decking.One of the great things about Aquadecks is that maintenance is easy, with no sanding or stripping required.Roger applied a liberal amount of Aquadecks. He worked in sections that he could complete within 30 minutes, working in the direction of the grain.After the ‘wet look’ of the first application disappeared, he then applied a second coat of Aquadecks. He then allowed it to penetrate for 15-20 minutes.Roger then wiped away any excess Aquadecks that had not penetrated. This avoided it drying in shiny spots on the surface of the cladding.Aquadecks comes in a variety of colours but in this case the customer chose a Honey tint, which we think looks stunning.By using Net-Trol and Aquadecks, Roger has given his customer’s garden office and gym a makeover that has brought the building and adjacent decking back to life.

The challengeA leading UK water company refurbished its headquarters in Warrington, which included a full office fit-out and building a staff gymnasium. The solutionThe project utilised glass in the new gym as the light transmission was a priority. Arkoni, a fabricator based in West Yorkshire worked with Pyroguard to deliver a clean cut glass screen without the unsightly black edges often found on other fire glass screens. The glass chosen for the gym was the EI30 INT fire glass in a butt joint format, offering clean almost invisible joints similar to standard non-fire-rated screens.

The Gym Group required external street-level access for the Monument location in London, and the Aritco 7000XT from our commercial range was ideal. External installation also saved valuable space internally for the group, vital in a city or restricted location where space is at a premium. Additional weatherproof finishes, canopies and heating/ventilation systems keep the lift in great condition in any weather. Providing the lift with restricted access using a key locking system also allowed them to lock the lift out of hours to prevent any misuse or unattended access.

Sauna360 UK was commissioned to design and install this opulent steam room to complement our private client's impressive home gym complex.A full glass fascia was chosen to create a feeling of space and light whilst also showcasing the striking steam room interior. Finished in exquisite mother of pearl mosaics from Siminetti in "biscotti" to provide a wealth of colour and movement, an eye catching feature is created.The brief from our private client was to incorporate the existing WC and shower facility discreetly. A full wall of back painted glass was designed and installed to create beautifully clean lines and a seamless appearance.

JD Gyms are a reputable company within the leisure industry. When they started to experience serious leakage problems across their estate (especially on mezzanine floors), they quickly realised that their existing shower construction does not live up to the standard of their service – and would need a reliable, guaranteed system solution.In order to allow for a straightforward and safe replacement of existing showers without the need to change the existing pipework, a grid platform constructed of 80mm XPS building boards was proposed . The showers then were fitted with XPS linear shower trays featuring dry-fit drain technology, 12.5mm XPS building boards on the walls and surrounding floor areas were sealed by proprietary sealing and decoupling membrane, all ready to tile after 24 hours. Up till now, 18 different sites have been completed and the shower system solution comes with one manufacturer’s guarantee on the whole installation. 

Planet carried out all the internal glazing requirements as part of a Category-B fit-out for Equinox's new London flagship gym, the historic, Grade II listed Art Deco Derry & Toms Building. Planet Partitioning complemented the building's natural curvature by curving the partitioning channels gently before installing p20 curved glazing. As part of the schedule of work, we also provided bespoke offices frontages, including a striking triangular timber surround and Eclipse sliding doors. We were also responsible for installing the draught lobbies, with Firestop partitioning to ensure EI 30 fire integrity and insulation.

The Gym Group benefitted from Tarasafe Ultra H2O, Vinyl Safety Flooring and GTI Max, Fast Track Vinyl Flooring in its extensive health and fitness facility.

All of our products are safe for interior applications as they are VOC free and 100% non-combustible. We offer a variety of interior options including a suspended ceiling system with acoustical testing available.

Project/ObjectiveProtection of apartments and adjacent businesses from noise and vibration due to dropping freeweights.

TVS was tasked with designing a versatile and multi-functional training area to be rolled out across various newXercise4Less sites.The brief was to include an area for sledge work along with floor demarcations for various activities such as walking lunges, sprinting and battle rope exercises.To fulfil this requirement, TVS first created layout plans to fit the space prior to agreeing the final design with the client. Once the design was signed off, TVS set about ordering materials to complete each of the projects. With the subfloor levelled to within an acceptable tolerance, a hard‐wearingmulti‐sports surface TVS Sports Carpet (Green) was bonded to the substrate to create a central lane for pushing and pulling a sledge.Meanwhile, SPORTEC Color‐0 a black recycled rubber floor covering was installed around the outside of this area.To create a 2‐lane running track with 1m markings, white lines were then applied to the black rubber utilising a 2‐part PU paint.The perimeter edge detail was finished with a black uPVC trim, providing a safe and neat transition between the adjacent floor finishes.The workout area is used effectively for training small groups of people as well as one‐to‐one personal training sessions across multiple sites.

Our client GYM24 required a Multifunctional gym space with different areas being used for specific purposes. The brief was to include an area for free weights, an area for floor-based movements and sledge work and an area for resistance machines. The high expected usage of the gym areas meant the flooring had to be significantly resilient. Clear demarcation of specific areas was important to our client also, to create that high end professional feel.To achieve this, we recommended our Castleflex range of Fine Granulate Rubber Gym Tile (900kg/m3 500x500x50mm) with Ramp/Corner edges, 8mm puzzle mats, black with blue fleck (956x956x8mm) and the Artificial Grass (2x8m) Sprint track.Our 8mm Interlocking puzzle mats provide a seamless flooring solution, combined with the straight edge version a clear definition between areas was created. Toxicity tested and made to a high density of 1000kg/m3 for exceptional durability. This product is ideal for fitness applications.Our Fine Granulate Gym Tiles are manufactured with very fine recycled rubber granulate, this gives the tile a sharper surface finish and also makes them easier to keep clean when installed. Ramp edge versions of the Fine Granulate Gym Tiles were bonded down as a perimeter and the inner tiles loose laid in a brick bond formation for increased structural integrity. The thickness and density of the material offers substantial protection to the substrate and also provides acoustic protection.Our Artificial Grass Sprint track was bonded directly to a 40mm Fine Granulate Gym tile which was slightly thinner than the surrounding, to create a flush level finish with zero movement.All of our rubber gym products are easy to install and in this case all installation work was carried out by the client.

Hotel Café Royal has just undergone a complete refurbishment and internal re-build. Part of the new complex is a state-of-the-art Spa and Gym which is located in the basement. Directly next to the hotel is Regent Street, below which runs the Bakerloo underground train line.Structure-borne noise levels from the trains were far too high to create the relaxing environment required for a top class Spa. The acoustic consultants therefore specified that all of the noise sensitive spaces must be isolated on a Stravifloor Deck concrete floating floor system.Café Royal’s 1,200 sqm Wellbeing Centre provides a personal and intimate holistic experience. It has a large lap pool and four different areas, corresponding to the four natural elements: spa/water, gym/fire, yoga/air and organic bar/earth.The spa offers a variety of Watsu hydro-experiences, a private and communal Hammam and signature Akasha treatments. Moods are enhanced by restorative music, aromas and gentle lighting. The gym has the most advanced fitness equipment, including Kinesis machines. There is a spacious aerobics studio and a private training room. Yoga, Tai-Chi and Pilates are offered in the calming area, with bespoke classes.

RESIN BOUND SWIMMING POOL SURROUND FOR DAVID LLOYD GYM IN ACTONAddagrip approved contractor Total Protection (GB) Ltd has installed 294m2 of Addabound Resin Bound surfacing around the swimming pool at the David Lloyd Gym in East Acton, London.SURFACING REQUIREMENTThe client was looking for a decorative Resin Bound paving for the outdoor swimming pool at the gym which has just undergone a £9m refurbishment to provide an indoor and outdoor pool, modern spa and racquet courts. The requirement was for a low maintenance system that would be smooth and comfortable underfoot, providing a decorative aggregate finish that could be powerwashed as part of the cleaning regime of the pool area.Interserve Construction appointed Total Protection (GB) Ltd to prepare the surface and install 294m2 of BBA approved Addabound Resin Bound surfacing in a recycled marble Dune blend.The challenge was the preparation required to the existing surfaces surrounding and adjacent to the outdoor pool to ensure a suitable substrate for the Resin Bound system. Undulations and differing depths were regulated with compatible screed material and an aluminium edge detail was installed to provide an edge for the 12mm depth of Addabound.The new surface was installed in a single application in May 2018 to prevent any day joints and ensure the smooth, seamless finish was achieved in time for the grand opening.

Heavy commercial high-design luxury vinyl tiles from Polyflor’s Affinity255 PUR range were selected for the refurbished interior of a gym at Rhondda Sports Centre in Ystrad, Wales. Two complementary wood effect designs from the Affinity255 PUR LVT collection, Harvest Oak and Huckleberry Oak, were installed side by side throughout the reception, gym floor and circulation areas. Approximately 300m² of Affinity255 PUR luxury vinyl tiles were fitted at the gym by Treorchy based flooring contractors Carpets ‘N’ Carpets Ltd.

Because of its position on the upper level of a busy shopping plaza in the heart of London, this gym required a robust flooring solution for the weightlifting area.The selected solution needed to help the gym co‐exist comfortably within the surrounding retail environment.To fulfil this requirement, TVSsupplied SPORTEC Style impact attenuating rubber floor tiles, made from a mixture of black recycled rubber bound together using a polyurethane resin with a coloured EPDM granule added to the wear layer.This product was chosen because the highly resilient material offers substantial protection to the substrate and is particularly effective in busy weight training areas where dumbbells are dropped frequently.The interlocking tiles are simple to install and require little tono maintenance.The resulting floor covering offers good grip underfoot and the bright orange fleck also complements the company’s striking corporate colour scheme.This area of the gym is used for activities such as deadlifting, squatting and bench work using dumbbells.

Players at Macclesfield FC enjoyed a speedy win thanks to the help of Styccobond F58 PLUS. The ‘no time to wait’ adhesive made quick work of the installation of LVTs and rubber floorcoverings as part of the creation of a new state-of-the-art gym at the Leasing.com stadium.  Flooring contractors began the project with a subfloor moisture test, which indicated high Relative Humidity (RH) levels in the subfloor, necessitating a moisture management solution to prevent excess subfloor moisture attacking floorcoverings and adhesives, potentially causing floor failure. Having removed surface laitance and old paint from the concrete subfloor on the lower floor, the contractors carried out surface repairs using Stopgap 460 Exterior Repair fast-setting rapid repair mortar. A single coat of Stopgap F77 waterproof surface membrane created a barrier against the excess subfloor moisture. Once the waterproof surface membrane had cured, the surface was primed using Stopgap P141 primer for non-absorbent surfaces before the company’s Red Bag self-levelling compound was applied at a thickness of 3mm to provide a perfectly smooth base for floorcoverings.   Styccobond F58 PLUS was used to affix charcoal-grey, wood-effect Kährs Calder Herringbone LVTs to create a bold statement in the main weights, cardio and boxing rooms, and changing areas.  Throughout the gym, rubber floorcoverings were also installed at fitness stations, using the adhesive in its wet state, to provide a soft cushion underfoot for customers using the equipment.  Upstairs, contractors made necessary repairs, including filling day joints, before priming the subfloor, this time opting for Stopgap P131 general purpose primer. Due to high RH readings contractors applied Stopgap F78 waterproof surface membrane. Once cured, Stopgap Red Bag self-levelling compound was again used to create a base for subsequently installed LVTs, completing a premier workout area for strength and resistance and cardio machines.

Coláiste an Chláirín Bauder Thermofol single ply waterproofing system with BauderROCK insulationSynopsisThe new Coláiste an Chláirín building in Athenry, Co Galway is a post primary school consisting of classrooms, a special needs unit, sports hall, general-purpose hall, staff amenities and extensive external facilities designed by Smith Kennedy Architects & Healy Partners Architects. The project was managed by JJ Rhatigan and Company and the roofing element appointed to Priority Roofing and Cladding Ltd. The roof of the main building and the gymnasium required flat roof build-ups to meet the specifications as set out in in SDG 02-05-03 (Acoustic Performance in New Primary & Post Primary School Buildings), while meeting the general performance requirements specified within TGD 021-7 2018 (Minimum Performance Standards of Roof Materials and Finishes). The chosen system had to meet an acoustic performance of 35dB indoor ambient noise level (IANL). It was decided that, despite sports halls having a slightly higher IANL threshold, the 35dB performance criteria would be applied across all areas of the school, with control of reverberation being a key consideration in the gym.Bauder Building BoardProject:Coláiste an ChláirínLocation:County GalwayProject type:New BuildRoof size:8550m²Main contractor:JJ Rhatigan & CompanyApproved contractor:Priority Roofing & Cladding LtdThe specification:The Architect specified that the insulation used in the flat roof system should be non-combustible and achieve a U-value of 0.16Wm²k which actually exceeds the thermal requirements as described in the Irish Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document L for flat roofs in schools.BauderROCK was specified to achieve the thermal and acoustic requirements of the design. As a Euroclass A2-s1,d0 non-combustible material, BauderROCK also provided the specified fire performance. This insulation could be used across all roof areas, with some adaptations for the gym which required additional acoustic performance due to the inherent nature of the space. Acoustic infills were used in the troughs of the perforated metal deck, thus combatting the reverberation of the indoor environment.  Products appliedBauder Thermofol PVCAn integrated single ply waterproofing system, featuring a lightweight, cost effective membrane which offers a pleasing aesthetic finish on a flat roof. This system holds fire classification BROOF(t4) for compliance with building regulations under TS 1187 test method 4 for external fire exposure to roofs. BauderROCKHigh density mineral wool insulation.Project challengesOne of the challenges of this project was the ambitious schedule. The use of the self-adhesive air and vapour control layer (AVCL) enabled the trades working within the building to progress quickly without being delayed by weather conditions. BauderROCK is relatively quick to install, as was the lightweight single ply waterproofing.  The resultThe project was finished to time and specification with exceptional workmanship from the fixers at Priority Roofing and Cladding and superb collaboration from all parties throughout. The membrane was finished with standing seams to create a statement look. The roof achieved a U-value of 0.15 W/m2k, exceeding the thermal target, and met or exceeded the 35db IANL requirement across the main building and the sports hall.  The thermal performance, which will hold up for decades to come, will also impart energy efficiency benefits that reduce running costs at the school in the long term. Finally, the non-combustible nature of the mineral wool insulation ensured that the build-up met the fire safety specification.  Advocacy Niall Hanley, Contracts Manager at JJ Rhatigan, the project’s main contractor, said:"Coláiste an Chláirín Athnery was a great success and in particular the use of the self-adhesive AVCL in advance of the build-up allowed works to commence immediately internally, which was critical from a programme perspective.” Kevin Ryan, Director at Priority Roofing, explained:"We found the system both practical and efficient to install. The combination of the availability of the products and the technical backup received was superior to any other system that we have worked with.”  Eoin O’Grady, Associate Director at Healy Partners Architects commented:"We are delighted with the overall delivery of the roof build-up and the performance achieved. The PE hall solution to deal with reverberation noise as well as rainfall noise was very successfully managed. We look forward to working with Bauder on future projects.” 

Equinox is a large USA gymnasium operator and their first venture in London is in High Street Kensington. The site they chose is on the 5th floor, directly above Sony Music where Simon Cowell works, and directly beneath Kensington Roof Gardens, which is a popular and very trendy night spot.Ramboll Acoustics specified that a floating floor was required to reduce impact noise levels from the gym to <55dB L’nT,w. However it soon became clear that the floating floor would have to ensure that no significant disturbance was caused to Sony Music directly beneath.Our local branch worked closely with the contractor and consultants to fine-tune the floating floor system and built several mock-ups to verify the performance.The final design consisted of a Stravifloor Channel isolation rail supporting a composite dry floor construction. The floor under Group Fitness, where all of the gym classes are held, also had layers of steel plate to optimise the low frequency performance.The on-site performance at the end of the job was measured as 35dB L’nT,w although this was dominated by background noise as the performance of the floating floor was so good. The improvement from the base concrete floor was 42dB.

Resin bound Addabound porous surfacing for sports complex swimming pool surround.Addagrip approved contractor Total Protection (GB) Ltd has installed 294m2 of Addabound Resin Bound surfacing around the swimming pool at the David Lloyd Gym in East Acton, London.The client was looking for a decorative Resin Bound paving for the outdoor swimming pool at the gym which has just undergone a £9m refurbishment to provide an indoor and outdoor pool, modern spa and racquet courts. The requirement was for a low maintenance system that would be smooth and comfortable underfoot, providing a decorative aggregate finish that could be power washed as part of the cleaning regime of the pool area.Interserve Construction appointed Total Protection (GB) Ltd to prepare the surface and install 294m2 of BBA approved Addabound Resin Bound surfacing in a recycled marble Dune blend.The challenge was the preparation required to the existing surfaces surrounding and adjacent to the outdoor pool to ensure a suitable substrate for the Resin Bound system. Undulations and differing depths were regulated with compatible screed material and an aluminium edge detail was installed to provide an edge for the 12mm depth of Addabound.The new surface was installed in a single application in May 2018 to prevent any day joints and ensure the smooth, seamless finish was achieved in time for the grand opening.

As a leading provider of student accommodation, Fresh Student Living offer homes to over 21,000 students in more than 65 spots across the UK and Ireland. Fresh pride themselves on creating quality student homes as unique as the people who live in them.Fresh Student Living are the operators of The Refinery which is situated in Leeds. The student dormitory opened its doors for the first time in September 2020 welcoming new students for the very first time.The market leading student accommodation is equipped with 397 rooms and the social spaces consisted of a series of carefully planned activity zones including a quiet study, garden room, lounge, games room, gym and on-site cinema.The interior of The Refinery was designed by Jasper Sanders & Partners. An architecture and interior design studio who take a bold and innovative approach to ensuring spaces and places achieve their maximum potential for those that use and own them. The result is intelligent design tailored specifically to the needs of the client; design that challenges the status quo and promotes motivation and inspiration.The Refinery takes its visual cues from its rich industrial heritage; once a factory for the manufacture of machinery for the spinning of flax, hemp, jute and similar fibres. The internal graphic language, finishes and textures reference the process of weaving yarn into fabric, creating a bold visual identity for the building which is underpinned by the site’s historic significance.A variety of Ansell Lighting products were installed throughout the interior spaces which includes the Single Circuit Unity 0 LED Mains, Furia, Falcon & Eagle 3-in-1. Ansell’s LED solutions provide value for money and above all else, quality. Which is exactly what was needed at The Refinery.Ansell’s versatile Single Circuit Unity 0 LED Mains is a compact LED trackspot with an integral driver which was utilised in the gym and garden room. It can achieve 355° rotation with 0-180° tilt on the bracket and features an anti-glare design for visual comfort. The anti-glare design makes the product perfect for social areas and provided a perfect solution to the lighting requirements of both spaces.Across the hallways and ground floor, Ansell’s Furia downlight were installed. The shallow AC LED die-cast surface downlight features a modern aesthetic appearance and comes in graphite and white. Its integrated AC LED technology allows the downlight to operate directly off an AC line voltage while a DC LED uses a driver to convert the line voltage to direct current (DC) power. Its reliability is backed up with an impressive LED lifespan of L70 30,000 hours and is TRIAC dimmable as standard which allows the Furia to act as a high-speed switch that is used to control the amount of electrical energy passing through.Emergency lighting is required to operate fully automatically and give illumination of a sufficiently high level to enable all occupants to evacuate the premises safely. Ansell’s Emergency range is complete with a variety of options per style and offer great value for money.Our IP65 Falcon LED Surface Emergency Downlight is a compact surface ultra-low-profile self-test emergency downlight that is supplied with open area and escape route interchangeable lenses. The downlight was installed throughout the building and features a high specification optic design and performance allows increased spacing providing reduced cost. The Falcon comes in white and black options and allows up to 12 metres spacing between luminaires.Another product in our Emergency line-up is the modern, slim Eagle 3-in-1 LED Exit Sign which was also installed throughout The Refinery. The Eagle is one fitting that enables choice of three different mounting options; suspension, recessed or side arm wall mounting and comes with a viewing distance 25 Metres.The Refinery project had clear lighting requirements and Ansell’s LED solutions were once again more than sufficient enough.

Meadows Business Park is undergoing a major repositioning, providing modern working for a post covid-19 world. With 3 refurbished buildings positioned in landscaped grounds, providing workspaces, offices, central café, gym, cycle storage and showers. Located next to Blackwater Railway station, tenants of Meadows Business Park can enjoy pop up shops, street food markets, walks around the 100 acre shepherds meadow and even Peloton bikes, as well as a range of classes in the gym.As part of the refurbishment of these buildings, we worked alongside OD Interiors to manufacture and install the lockers and bench seating for the cycle storage and shower areas. As part of the project, we provided 22 wet specification Laminate Z Lockers for the male changing rooms, 22 wet specification Laminate Z Lockers for the female changing rooms and bench seating for both changing areas and the cycle storeroom.The stunning Laminate Z Lockers were manufactured with an aluminium body, stainless steel door frame and Abet Laminate doors. The colours chosen were Mountain Oak and Ice White from Abet’s range of laminate colours. We work with a variety of suppliers of laminate, allowing us to offer a large selection of colours and finishes, from carbon-neutral options, wood effect styles, through to bright pops of colour.In each changing room, 13 of the 22 Z Lockers were fitted with seat stands, with the remaining 9 lockers fitted to stands. The frames for the stands and seat stands are powder coated in RAL colour white, with the seat slats in Mountain Oak laminate to match the locker doors. To keep the project slick and uniform, the end panels, infills and the cladding to hide the stands are in the Ice White laminate, also matching the doors.The locks chosen for the project were the Digilock Versa Keypad locks. These are a great choice for both assigned, or shared use, and so were perfect for the shared changing rooms at Meadow Business Centre. Plus, they look great as a contrasting matt black colour against the light doors of the Z Lockers.It was great to work alongside OD Interiors again on this project and look forward to some more exciting projects in the future.If you are looking for Z Lockers, or have a similar project you need help with. Our sales team can help. Give us a call on 01284 530427 or click here to get a quote.

The former Boothen Neighbourhood Centre in Stoke has been given a new lease of life thanks to the MESC Table Tennis Club (MESC TTC) who have taken the facility on as their new base - attracting players from outside the local area. The club, which has been in existence for over 60 years now boasts 90m2 of world class beating Taraflex® Table Tennis Sports floor from international flooring specialist Gerflor in ‘Red’ for their main sports room and it looks first class.MESC TTC is a Table Tennis England “Premier Club and it has members of all ages ranging from 8-80+ years of age. They also coach juniors and have teams in the National Cadet and Junior League. The intention is that the new venue will move the club forward and eventually become a centre of excellence in the area. The building is now in use seven days a week and offers a place for both experienced and developing table tennis players of all ages to hone their skills.Malcolm Dawson, Chairman, MESC TTC commented, “The project came about because we were moving to our new premises, which we took over from the Local Authority as part of a Community Asset Transfer. We had been developing the venue from a very small hall, with offices and storerooms into a fit for purpose table tennis specific venue. This involved security fencing outside, security cameras, installing a new ceiling plus LED lighting, removing internal walls, and finally upgrading the sports floor to an Olympic pedigree solution.”Malcolm Dawson added, “We chose Gerflor’s Taraflex Table Tennis Sports Floor after much research, and as this flooring is approved by the ITTF (which is the Table Tennis’s international governing body), we knew it would be perfectly fit for purpose and our user’s needs.”The installation of the Gerflor Taraflex® Table Tennis Sports floor would need to be undertaken by a company who would meet the high levels of professionalism that the laying of the new floor would demand. Manchester-based XL Gym Interiors Ltd would be the appointed flooring contractor. The staff at XL Gym Interiors have worked in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years, and witnessed trends come and go. Their job is to make sports facilities current, interesting, and an enjoyable space to train and compete in.

Meadowbank Sports Centre has been the home of elite sport in Edinburgh since the 1930s. The historic Meadowbank stadium was built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, which it also hosted for a second time in 1986. For nearly 50 years the centre was open to both elite athletes and the local community before it closed in 2017. Designed to high standards of sustainability by Holmes Miller Architects, the new centre is part of a wider regeneration of the surrounding area in accordance with the City of Edinburgh Council’s long-term plan to cut carbon emissions and at the same time improve the health and wellbeing of the local community. Providing access to state-of-the-art sport and physical activity on their doorstep, the new centre is first and foremost a community sports facility. There is an outdoor athletics track with a 500-seat capacity stand and inside facilities include two multi-sports halls with fixed and moveable spectator seating, two squash courts, a gym floor and fitness studios all fitted with Junckers’ solid hardwood flooring. The two multi-sport halls are fitted with Junckers 22mm Maple Champion flooring providing a durable and long-lasting floor that will easily withstand high levels of usage. Installed over Junckers UnoBat 45 subfloor system, the floor offers a safe and high-performing surface with excellent shock absorption and ball bounce, fully conforming to EN 14904 class A4. Installed by Junckers’ Approved Contractor Courtcraft, the floor has a 25-year warranty which includes a regular maintenance programme to keep the floor in optimal condition. The larger sports hall houses a large-capacity retractable seating unit which can be rolled out onto the sports floor when needed and stored away when not in use. With extensive technical expertise in this area, Junckers will advise on how to strengthen the sprung batten system to allow for heavy loads whilst leaving the sprung quality of the floor unaffected. A sealed solid hardwood flooring surface is very resistant to the type of wear and tear which may occur with retractable seating systems. Seating wheels will not mark or indent the Junckers floor whereas vinyl and other synthetic floors are often impossible to use because the wheels cause permanent tracking marks and scuffs. In addition, Courtcraft installed Junckers’ SylvaSquash flooring in two squash courts, a high-performance solid beech floor left unfinished to ensure high grip-levels; and Maple Champion in the two fitness studios. Junckers’ 22mm oak flooring was also supplied for standing-only plinths the gym area, fitted by GL Floors. A sporting and social hub for Edinburgh, Meadowbank Sports Centre offer participation and accessibility at the heart of the centre, bringing physical, mental, and social benefits to the local community and beyond for generations to come. The project was a collaboration between The City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Leisure and sportscotland.

A community space in the heart of central London has been completely transformed and by 6a architects. The new building, incorporating an old basement gymnasium, is home to Holborn Community Association, has a 100-year history which has been sensitively referenced in artwork created by artist Caragh Thuring on the façade of the building. What was solely an old basement gymnasium has been rebuilt as a light-filled, naturally ventilated, low energy space, extending upwards with two new public-facing floors. 6a architects specified Junckers solid Oak Harmony Driftwood Grey two-strip flooring, a pale shade of grey. Suitable for multi-purpose use, the sprung floor fitted in the gym as well as in the club rooms, will enable the community centre to maximise earnings through hires, being able to offer a safe space for everything from various sports to arts and social events. Said Stephanie Macdonald of 6a architects: “The floor looks fantastic and really unusual, a beautiful warmth of timber and colour for the gym and the clubrooms which is going to allow them to be used equally well for hires and events - a really beautiful set of spaces for community use”. Throughout the building, an emphasis on pale, light-reflecting colours and materials minimises reliance on artificial lighting. The light-coloured Junckers Driftwood Grey Oak provides the centre with a durable floor which helps maximise natural light levels. It can be sanded and refinished up to ten times without loss of performance and will serve the centre well for 60 years plus. Junckers floors carry the Danish Indoor Climate Label, which is recognised by BREEAM. Having undergone extensive degassing and odour testing to ensure there are no harmful chemicals, a Junckers floor will help maintain a healthy indoor climate. Stirling Prize nominated 6a architects worked closely with Thuring whose artwork features throughout the architecture. For the etched glass façade which runs the width and height of the building Thuring drew on stories from the community and local area which are inscribed onto the glass alongside irregular mortar lines of the original brickwork. For the gymnasium, Thuring created a bespoke woven fabric, echoing the brickwork motif of the façade, which lines the acoustics panels on the upper walls. The flooring contractor was Junckers Approved Contractor Hutchison Flooring.