GYMS in Wales finally have some guidance around when they will be able to re-open, and three in Blaenau will be fully refurbished when they open their doors again.

Yesterday Mark Drakeford said gyms and leisure centres in Wales will reopen from May 10.

In the meantime, Aneurin Leisure in partnership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council has been carrying out £600,000 refurbishments on their Ebbw Vale Sports Centre, Abertillery Sports Centre and Tredegar Sports Centre.

They will be provided with a full complement of Precor Resolute strength, 800-line cardio with P82 touch screen consoles and the Preva networked fitness solution and functional equipment using Precor’s networked fitness solution and Sony’s Advagym. The Advagym will guide users on how to use the machines by loading how-to videos, logging reps and exercises completed.

They will also be having additional sensors within other zones on the gym floor, including the functional space and Spinning studio, which allows users to receive workout content and guidance, and log their activity throughout the facility.

Fitness development manager for Aneurin Leisure, Tom Kivell, is project managing the refurbishment. He said: “We have been planning a multi-site gym refurbishment for the past 18 months as our previous kit is eight years old and very dated. We started the process in September 2019, but the pandemic put everything on hold.

“Considering the impact coronavirus has had on our sector, everyone’s mindset has been understandably cautious. We could easily have stalled our redevelopment plans, but thanks to the government furlough scheme, access to new grants and careful budgeting, we knew we could invest, grow and set ourselves up to thrive when we reopen.

“We see this time as an opportunity to strike and to come out of lockdown with a new offer and a competitive edge in our area that, following consultation with our existing members, will create a superb resource for the whole community.”

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Each of the sites features a custom made Queenax functional training units. The Queenax rigs and equipment placements will ensure social distancing is natural throughout the gym.

Mr Kivell said: “We selected Precor as we wanted to digitise the gym experience, fully connecting cardio and strength so the team can set goals, create challenges and training plans, and track progress to offer results-based training. As an operator, having access to analytical data is no long a nice to have; it’s essential for success.

“The data we can draw from Pecor’s Preva and Advagym will give us invaluable insight into how we meet member needs and improve service.

“We can’t wait for the installation to be completed and to welcome our customers back to an industry-leading experience.”

Steve Carter, managing director of Precor UK, said: “In bucking the trend and choosing to future-proof its facilities now, Aneurin Leisure is testimony to the fact that our industry can come out of the pandemic fighting fit. In choosing to partner with Precor they are putting technology at the forefront of their offer to ensure they can engage with and attract members from all demographics and provide a best-in-class offer in their area.”