Podium 4 Sport chooses Matrix to take LeisureWorld Bishopstown gym up a level

Podium 4 Sport chooses Matrix to take LeisureWorld Bishopstown gym up a level

Podium 4 Sport, the largest and leading commercial supplier of sports equipment, design and installation services across the whole of Ireland, has successfully taken the LeisureWorld gym in Bishopstown, Cork up a level. Literally.

Previously a one-level gym that housed all its cardio, free weights, resistance machines and a very limited functional training space on the ground floor, LeisureWorld now has a split-level, state-of-the-art facility. Podium 4 Sport combined its 40 years of industry experience with the latest gym design software technology to assist with the design of the new space and chose some of the newest Matrix equipment to future-proof the refit.

Key to the install was the Matrix Versa strength range comprising seven pieces from the range along with two key pieces from the Matrix Aura strength range. This was put in place alongside a comprehensive mix of Matrix treadmills and climbmills, elliptical trainers, recumbent and upright bikes. In addition, Podium 4 Sport supplied air bikes, rowing machines, ski ergs and upper body ergometers to cater for both able-bodied and disabled users.

The startling upgrade makes clever use of the space available. The ground floor comprises an open plan free weights area with a broad selection of dumbells, barbells, benches and plate-loaded equipment. A significant functional training space has now been introduced to ensure that LeisureWorld is providing services in line with current industry trends. This comes complete with racks, rigs and a vast range of accessories to enhance performance along with a selection of HIIT training cardio machines. All the traditional cardio equipment can now be found on the first floor in a bespoke cardio room housing over 40 pieces of equipment. An additional fitness studio and indoor cycle studio with interactive training facilities completes the offering which now caters for people of all fitness levels, individuals who enjoy gym workouts and those who prefer the dynamic of group exercise.

“We were looking to move our gym into the modern era and create space for functional training by using an open plan layout,” says Ian O’Leary, marketing manager for LeisureWorld in Bishopstown. “We called in Podium 4 Sport because we knew its planning and design skills would be needed to maximise our space. They also supply a diverse range of equipment, so we were confident they could source the ideal combination of cardio machines, resistance machines, functional training rigs and free weights to meet our needs.”

LeisureWorld is a public facility whose customer demographic ranges from teens to older adults and students to professionals. It wanted to create a space that was welcoming and accessible to beginners as well as more experienced fitness fans. The redesign and refit set out to increase usage and grow the customer base. Since opening in December 2017, these two target outcomes have been surpassed.

“Podium 4 Sport was the perfect partner for us in fulfilling this refit and its choice of Matrix equipment was inspired,” says Ian. “Matrix has an excellent reputation among regular gym users and we know its equipment has multiple options to keep workouts challenging. However, as we cater for beginners, younger and older people, we needed a range that would also be easy to use and engaging. Podium 4 Sport explained that Matrix machines would fulfil these criteria too and they certainly have. Overall, we are delighted with how well Podium 4 Sport interpreted our brief to deliver on layout design, equipment selection and concept fulfilment.”

“It was an absolute pleasure to be part of this process,” says David Flynn, project manager and Senior Key account Manager for Podium 4 Sport. “It was a good opportunity to work on a blank canvas to push the boundaries where possible to create a dynamic and inspiring training experience suitable for anyone with the hugely professional management team at LeisureWorld, Bishopstown.”