Increase Retention
Queenax Functional Class Success
Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, is finding the Queenax™ to be an integral part of its member experience, providing them with the ability to offer a more varied class schedule along with enabling PT’s to create diverse and interesting private sessions.
Located in the heart of Weston-Super-Mare and having undergone a £2.15 million transformation at the end of 2017, the 4,200-member leisure centre showcases an Open Format Queenax™ unit situated in its own first-floor studio and a smaller corner Queenax™ unit in the functional zone on the lower ground floor offering plenty of opportunities for classes, PT and individual use.
Knowledge and safety first
All the gym staff have undertaken training provided by Precor covering health and safety, set up and circuit plans. And, to ensure members are using the unit safely and effectively, a general lesson on ‘how to use the Queenax™’ is covered as part of the initial member induction. This is further reinforced by PT’s when they see members using the equipment on their own and during one on one sessions.
In addition, a separate two to three-hour specialist induction class in small groups of fifteen, costing just £12, is held once a month for those interested, and is mandatory prior to exercisers attending bespoke classes such as 4D Pro, UFO, circuit training, superfunctional and boxbag.
James White, Fitness Manager at Hutton Moor comments: “This ensures members are fully knowledgeable about safety and, as there’s not much time during the classes when apps/attachments need to be changed, they know beforehand how to do it and can make the changes quickly. Initially there was a small reluctance to pay the induction fee, but over the year this has totally diminished. With more than 100 members that have undertaken the training spreading the word and regularly taking classes, new members can see its value and importance.”
White came on board at the same time as the refurbishment and brought with him an abundance of experience, in sports science and strength and conditioning. He is a big supporter of the Queenax™ and believes as a functional training tool, it is fundamental to the overall gym offering. He is constantly developing the small group exercise class schedule and along with other members of the team, has visited other clubs within the Legacy Leisure group running workshops to instruct staff on its capabilities, potential and how to structure classes etc.
Creative planning
“Over the year classes have seen a build-up of regular attendees, which is continuing to grow, especially as small group exercise classes form a major part of the Queenax™ usage. We pride ourselves on offering a variety to suit all members and are constantly evolving to keep it interesting. Currently there is a focus on specialised equipment, recovery and rehabilitation, and circuit classes,” says White.
Circuit classes are held five times a week and are full to capacity, with each class holding up to 30 members. Rowers and slam balls are used alongside the Queenax™ as there’s plenty of space in and around the unit for utilising other equipment.
Versatility of Space
The larger Queenax™ is located in its own studio next to Studio 2, an area used for virtual exercise classes, with dividing doors between them. As Studio 2 is not in use during the circuit classes the doors are opened to enable instructors to incorporate sprints and lunges, which allows them to create bespoke classes.
Having had the privilege of two Queenax™ units for over a year now the centre is aware of how members use them and what they like.
White continues: “To keep it interesting we’ve created a completely new ‘Mash-Up’ class; a combination of four to five specialised elements in a circuit style session. This is already proving popular and keeps members wanting to come back for more.”
Classes are held every day, with a total of twelve during the week, comprising; Queenax™ circuits, Boxfit, 4DPro and the centre’s very own Mash-Up, with an average of 176 exercisers attending.
Working with athletes and members in need of rehabilitation
With ten years in the fitness industry and a background in sports science, White is keen to use the Queenax™ during his one-on-one private training sessions with athletes. Having worked as a Fitness Coach at premier division West Ham FC, as well as Championship and League One clubs, Brentford FC and Bristol Rovers FC, he now trains an England junior hockey player and a Wolves FC youth player and uses the Queenax™ for strength and conditioning.
The centre also uses the equipment to help members who are going through rehabilitation.
White states: “We have a lift that gives injured or wheelchair-bound members access to the Queenax™ studio, enabling them to workout in privacy so they can focus on the exercises without distractions or other members wanting to use the equipment. All our PT’s are fully trained on the unit and we view the Queenax™ as a versatile tool that provides us with the ability to offer exercises not achievable on the general gym floor.
“For example, the band attachments and bars provide stability and can be used to help wheelchair-bound members stand up – a simple movement but a very effective use of the rig.
“We have one member who is twenty-four stone and wheelchair bound. She has a crumbling spine from a swimming pool slip when she was coaching many years ago. She’s extremely limited on the exercises she can do, but she loves using the Queenax™ as it enables her to achieve a level of movement she would otherwise be unable to obtain.
“The versatility of the Queenax™ and its many attachments/optionals provides us with lots of exercise possibilities. For example; upper body mobility is used by holding the ladder to assist with pulling herself up to standing and lowering back down to seated. Biceps are strengthened by holding the suspended bar for pull-ups and then lowering gently back down into the wheelchair.
“Core strength and hand-eye co-ordination is improved by positioning the chair directly in front of the rebounder and by throwing/catching a 4kg ball. By rotating and touching the ball on each of the chair wheels, general rotational movement is promoted. We attach bands to the unit for stability and use the tension created to do pushing and pulling exercises to increase shoulder strength.”
The gym also features a smaller unit as part of a functional training zone on the lower level enabling PT’s to continue to work with rehabilitation members even if classes are being held on the larger first-floor unit.
Encouraging the next generation
The centre also has weekly timetabled sessions with Broadoak Community School and Western College Academy (North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College). Where small groups of students have supervised usage of the Queenax™, with a trainer, on a weekly rotational basis; this means a new group gets access to the equipment each week and can learn its versatility and capabilities.
White says: “The versatility of the unit has helped motivate those students that may not be as athletic or may not enjoy the gym and has even contributed towards students joining the facility as a full-time member after they have graduated.”
“The Queenax™ units have provided the centre with unlimited exercise options and the versatility to offer a diverse selection of small group exercise classes. Coupled with the fact members can use it on their own as part of their regular workout or with a PT, makes the Queenax™ a total success with both members and staff.”
