Liverpool John Moores University has an established track record of academic sports programs and performance sport. Dr. Tudor Williams, Director of Campus Services at Liverpool John Moores University talks about how the new facility will connect students.
FACILITATING A VISION OF INCREASED PARTICIPATION
Strategically situated in the city centre to be more accessible to a greater number of staff and students, Liverpool John Moores University Sport’s fantastic new gym facility forms a key part in the participation agenda for students and staff. 50% of the University’s students come from Merseyside, and 10,000 others live within a mile of the new facility.
“We want to offer a broad range of activities, and make sport more accessible across participation programmes, team sport and high-performance sport.”
ENCOURAGING FITNESS AS PART OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
When Liverpool John Moores University gym opens in the summer, it will be open 7 days a week with a multi-use model that includes lectures, coaching, fitness classes, and gym use. The gym is set over two floors and promises to be a highlight for the University and for the city itself. The stunning new gym is a masterpiece of design and accessibility, giving it huge appeal as a place to be.
Anticipating the largest uptake will be in their participation programs, the Sports facility are working hard in planning a lot of wellbeing initiatives to help embed healthy habits in first year students and those returning to campus after lockdown.
“We think the gym will bring people together across the student body, our staff, and the wider community”, said Tudor.
TECHNOGYM AND LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY SPORT PARTNERSHIP
“Technogym have a tremendous reputation, and we knew many of our student athletes would already be fans of the equipment, the equipment is highly aesthetic with an advanced level of connectivity - everything students look for in a brand experience.”
The partnership added value that goes beyond the equipment, such as user experience, which will have a far-reaching impact on the students’ lives after they leave academia. The university’s Sport facility wanted to create an engaging environment and provide solutions that students would be thrilled to work out on but also connect them to a digital platform where they can combine their personal, academic and wellness lifestyle all in one place.
A UNIFIED APPROACH THROUGH DIGITAL
During lockdown, the university adopted Technogym Live & On-Demand services to stream fitness classes to students and staff. With an estimated 60-70% of students in halls and unable to travel home, this valuable initiative kept students active, engaged, and connected. It also served as a way to introduce users to the digital experience before Liverpool John Moores University opened the new gym.
“We have recently committed to a new Sports Strategy for the University. Our Students’ Union, sports team, academic staff, and the Sport Centre team are all united under the new branding. We think it’s important that everyone is part of the same LJMU community and the Technogym Mywellness will help us deliver a new sport and physical activity culture.’’
Mywellness is a key part of the messaging for Liverpool John Moore University, it will support existing students and alumni, and appeal to future students. Working alongside Technogym, the team were able to create and develop an incredibly innovative platform filled with content as well as creating marketing around Mywellness features and benefits to promote the message out to their students.
DESIGNING A MOTIVATING STUDENT OFFER
It is estimated that 70% of students will try new activities whilst at University, and Liverpool John Moores University Sport wanted their new facility to offer plenty of inspiration.
The new Sport’s gym facility also features Technogym Skillmill and Skillrow which gives students the freedom to champion their inner athlete with the multidrive technology which trains both cardio and power at the same time. Alongside the innovative and cutting-edge Excite Live cardio range with Technogym Live platform which brings your workout to life with immersive content and sessions - born to inspire peoples exercise routines in a fun and motivational way.
One side of the L-shaped gym is dedicated to Technogym Skillrun Bootcamp, combining both Skillrun’s sled and parachute training modes to maximise the training experience and bring together a community who enjoy taking part in challenges and competitions. The facility didn’t want to hide the sessions in the studio, so kept them on the gym floor as a motivational tool to encourage students around them to participate.
PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN SPORT STRATEGY
As Liverpool John Moores University Sport move forward into their new Sport Strategy, thoughts are turning to maintaining the digital experience and equipment of a 7-day-a-week gym.
“Technogym give an excellent support package; they really understood our vision and came up with the answers we need. From the beginning they helped us design the space, choose the right amount of equipment, and lay out a visually appealing gym with a great flow.”
Liverpool John Moores University will be working with Technogym over the next few years to keep their marketing fresh and innovative as well being updated with the latest Technogym product and solutions.
“The support doesn’t end when the equipment is delivered. That’s what makes Technogym a true partner on a project of this size”.
Steve Barton, Technogym UK Managing Director commented on the announcement saying “Technogym are incredibly proud to be partnering with Liverpool John Moores University and their incredible new Sports facility. Their ethos in creating an inspiring environment which focuses on the health, wellness, and academic journey of their students and continuing to find ways to support them seamlessly aligns with the values and mission at Technogym.”
