GYMTOPIA FROZEN Ray Algar reports on a gym that’s been built at Antarctica’s front door F


or this month’s Gymtopia story you will need your coat, because we’re off to Antarctica, the Earth’s southernmost


continent and officially recognised as the coldest place on the planet: during 2010, a temperature of minus 94.7C (-135.8F) was recorded. This is an extraordinary project


involving Megatlon – a leading Argentinian health club chain – alongside the Argentinian Air Force and scientists who were putting on weight as fast as the local elephant seals.


Good science, bad lifestyle Marambio Base is a permanent year- round base founded by Argentina in 1969. Located on Marambio Island, Antarctica – which lies around 1,167km from the southern tip of Argentina – the base acts as a strategic hub for Antarctic scientific missions, as its runway can accommodate aircraft using conventional landing gear. For this reason it’s known as ‘Antarctica’s entrance door’, supporting over 100 intercontinental flights each year. Operated and maintained by the


Argentinian Air Force, Marambio Base Gymtopia – a place where clubs do social good


Gymtopia was conceived by founder and chief engagement officer Ray Algar, who believes the global health and fitness industry has enormous influence and potential to do good in the world, beyond its immediate customers. The idea of Gymtopia is simple: to curate and spread remarkable stories in which the fitness industry uses its influence to reach out and support an external community in need. It was created with the generous support of five organisations: Companhia Athletica, Gantner Technologies, Les Mills, Retention Management and The Gym Group. Gymtopia received an Outstanding Achievement Award in the ukactive Matrix Flame Awards 2014. Read more stories and submit your own: www.Gymtopia.org


is home to 200 permanent crew and scientists undertaking a diverse range of geological and atmospheric experiments, with missions usually lasting a year. For those living in Antarctica, their


lifestyle is tipped on its head. With less than three hours of daylight during the winter, and 120km/h winds, the tendency is to hunker down and ‘fuel-up’ in the 24-hour kitchen and ‘Casino’ – a recreation room complete with bar, smoking area, card and pool tables.


Consequently, physical activity levels plummet, while bodyweight balloons.


Enter Megatlon Megatlon operates 23 clubs across Argentina, as well as 10 corporate workplace centres. Arturo Dewey, who heads up the corporate division, was contacted by an officer from the Argentinian Air Force asking for advice on improving the wellbeing of Marambio Base members. The big idea was a fully operating gym, but


there was neither the money nor the obvious space at the base. At this point Fernando Storchi,


Megatlon’s CEO, became involved and committed to supporting the project. Hitching a ride on the next available Hercules, Storchi and a senior offi cer surveyed the base for potential gym locations, eventually deciding to use part of the Casino. Storchi then committed to funding the entire gym fi t-out, providing programming input and maintaining all of the equipment. The vision was to create a ‘mini Megatlon’, offering the same look and feel as if people were back home in Buenos Aires. I asked Storchi why he agreed to fi nance the gym, and he explained:


Megatlon CEO Fernando Storchi visits the base 62 Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital


“Because our mission as a company is to improve the quality of life of people through physical activity, and we knew we could contribute to the daily lives


January 2015 © Cybertrek 2015


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