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www.universitybusiness.co.uk | T: @UB_UK
PROMOTION | PRECOR | 49
Newcastle University: fitness and technology interlinked
Students at Newcastle University have benefited from a major equipment upgrade to the fitness suite. The University’s 400 sq m, two-level gym has replaced all its cardiovascular and strength equipment with Precor, in order to take advantage of its high level of technology and cloud-based platform, Preva networked fitness. Nick Beall, Facility Services Manager at Newcastle
University, commented: “There were two major benefits of installing Precor equipment. Firstly its RFID technology and its compatibility with the University’s ‘Smart Card’ – a student and staff ID card that allows students to use one card to gain access to all the facilities on site and log in to the Preva network, without having to remember user names or passwords. “Secondly, the University has a Digital Interactive
Strategy to promote the use of digital media and interaction with students and we were interested in Preva as it allows students to record their exercise history and goals, but also gives them access to the internet and social media while they are in the gym.” The gym’s 4,000 members now benefit from state-of-
the-art Precor equipment including Adaptive Motion Trainers (AMT) with Open Stride. The breakthrough technology, applied to the award-winning AMT, provides the ability to change a workout in mid-stride, by allowing exercisers to dynamically change their stride horizontally and also vertically. This enables them to go from short to long strides, walking to running, climbing to lunging, targeting different muscle groups. At the same time, pushing and pulling the moving handlebars engages the upper body, resulting in a total body workout. The fitness suite also features Precor elliptical
crosstrainers and bikes and Precor’s Discovery Series selectorised and plate-loaded strength machines, Icarian racks and a large selection of free weights. Beall continued: “Our initial intentions were to use Preva networked fitness as a vehicle for students to
monitor and record their workouts and training sessions. However, we are now developing things further, using Preva to create weekly, monthly and termly fitness challenges for members. Personal training staff and sports coaches are also using it extensively. “As we are dealing with a predominantly 18–21-year-old
market that use the latest technology in everything they do, it was imperative that we communicate with them effectively and Precor, and specifically Preva networked fitness, provides us with the perfect solution. Ultimately our plan is to use Preva to develop a mobile app that students can use to see what equipment is being used at that moment in time.” The University is also investigating future uses, such
as fun fitness challenges against other universities in the UK or worldwide, for coaches to monitor the training programmes and intensities of their team members and for en masse charity workouts. Beall concluded: “It’s a fantastic piece of technology
and its uses are immeasurable!” The University’s indoor fitness facilities also feature
four squash courts, over 1,000 exercise classes a year, a dance studio used for Pilates, spinning and yoga, a sprung-floor double sports hall for badminton, basketball, netball, volleyball and trampolining and two multi-purpose rooms. UB
For further information visit:
www.precor.com or telephone 01276 404 900
ABOVE: The gym’s 4,000 members now
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