A NEW £1.8 million Belfast ‘digital gym’ is to create 10 jobs in the heart of the city.
Construction is nearing completion at Better Gym Belfast on Church Lane – a joint venture between the city council and social enterprise GLL – and the facility is due to open at the end of November.
Annalong contractor Glasgiven has been leading on the build since June, transforming the former In Shops food court site into a futuristic gym concept with capacity for more than 3,000 members.
The site occupies 1,100 sq m and is the first city-centre location for GLL which has operated 13 other centres on the council’s behalf since 2015.
The new ‘digital gym’ is a first for Belfast and features facial-recognition entry access, a 110-station Technogym fitness suite linked to MyWellness cloud-based technology, a 40-unit safe cycle store and the first ever installation in Northern Ireland of interactive workout programme Prama.
The popular programme, which has taken the US by storm, combines interactive screens, pressure-sensitive floors and walls and lighting combinations, with users burning up to 750 calories in one 45-minute class.
GLL regional director Gareth Kirk described the new gym as the “most technically advanced” facility it has ever opened in Belfast.
“It is a response to how digital-savvy we are as a city,” he said.
“The use of cloud-based connectivity and innovation within leisure is such an exciting prospect right now.”
Memberships for Better Gym Belfast are available at a pre-opening introductory rate of £14.95 a month until November 29.
Once the gym has opened, the monthly rate will be £19.95. For more information visit www.better.org.uk/gym-belfast.
