A 5-star spa requires 5-star fitness equipment and Precor delivers this.

Stocks Hall is a brand new 5-star health club and spa, situated in Ormskirk, Lancashire, and open to both members and guests.

The exclusive club, which features a 125sq m gym kitted out with top-of-the-range Precor fitness equipment, didn’t let coronavirus stand in the way of its August launch, opening with an impressive 320 members; it’s capacity is just 500.

“With 3d Leisure and Precor’s support, we’ve designed the perfect fitness suite for seasoned and first-time gym users,” says General Manager, Mark Donnelly. “Our fitness suite boasts a full range of excellent, top-spec Precor equipment to help members reach their fitness goals, including interactive touch screen consoles on the cardio machines and easy-to-operate weights machines.  As well as multi-purpose functional training equipment, we have a dedicated indoor cycling studio, boasting Precor’s world-leading Spinner Chrono Power bikes and Spinning certified instructors - it’s a big draw for the local community. Classes are full and members love the social element too.”

The opening and ongoing management of Stocks Hall Health Club and Spa is carried out by 3d Leisure, experts in the design and management of commercial fitness and wellbeing facilities. Paul Ramsey, Managing Director explains:  “3d Leisure were very involved in the set-up of Stocks Hall, from feasibility through to design and opening. We have a 20-year partnership with Precor, and installing Precor kit into Stocks Hall was a very cost-effective decision, due to the quality of equipment versus value. Precor offers both high-quality and a great range of equipment. Understandably a 5-star spa requires 5-star fitness equipment to match the quality of the rest of the build and Precor delivers this.

“The Precor team even created a computer-generated image (CGI) fly through of the facility prior to opening, so potential members could see the whole facility in motion. This really helped with presales when people couldn’t physically visit the site.”

The Stocks Hall building, which has been designed to look like a stately home, is situated next to a care home, where Donnelly set up a presales office last October.  He says:  “Around 40% of our members are aged over 60, so having an office they could visit, where they could see the outside of the club coming into shape and I could talk them through the CGI video, was a big bonus.  Last month alone, more than 50% of our new customers paid their year’s membership upfront.  Access to the club is a lifestyle for them, so being able to help potential members visualise the inside using Precor’s video before committing was vital.”

Stocks Hall Health Club and Spa charges £60 per month for a full membership or £50 a month for over 60s, NHS and emergency services workers. Donnelly explains the rationale behind the one membership offer: “Stocks Hall is an exclusive place for our members to train and relax.  We want to cut down any restrictions or barriers to attendance, so this one membership offer means they can visit whenever they like, as well as bringing nonmembers into the bar and restaurant for free - there’s an emphasis on the word ‘club’. 

“The Precor kit is part of this exclusive offering.  It’s a great brand name and the machines not only look good, they’re very functional and easy to use.  As our membership is generally older, there’s always an instructor on hand to help, but the CV equipment is a doddle to master - there aren’t too many buttons to press before they can get going, so our members won’t feel intimidated.”