University of Oxford

The University of Oxford required a new high-performance gym facility to support its established student sports programme. As a new permanent building wasn’t an option, a semi-permanent structure provided a practical alternative. Having delivered similar projects, we were thrilled to support the university in bringing this vision to life.

The new facility overlooks the running track and is ideally positioned to support the university’s athletic development programme by creating an environment focused on strength and conditioning.

Following the construction of the building, we got to work equipping the gym around the university’s requirements. With strength and conditioning at the heart of the project, we selected equipment to support a range of training needs and help students develop and improve their performance.

Starting from the ground up, we selected flooring designed to withstand the demands of a high-performance training environment. With the space requiring protection from repeated heavy drops, 30mm solid rubber tiles were the ideal choice. This durable flooring solution helps absorb impact, protect the underlying floor and equipment, and provide a stable foundation for safe, effective training.

A standout feature of the installation was the vibrant blue bespoke sled turf track running through the centre of the gym. This creates a versatile training zone that supports the demands of the students’ athletic development. Whilst the turf provides a dedicated surface for sled pushes, pulls and other strength and conditioning exercises, its bespoke design element brings the university’s identity into the gym to create a sense of pride and ownership.

A highlight of the strength equipment installation was the addition of five APEX CX-30 Half Racks, each equipped with spotter arms, weight horns and J-hooks to support a wide range of strength exercises. Paired with Elite Olympic 7ft bars and accompanying weight plates, the racks provide dedicated lifting stations for a variety of workouts. Their durable construction and space-efficient design make them an ideal fit for the facility to help maximise the available space while providing versatile training setups.

The training setup was completed with the addition of hex dumbbells, APEX multi-functional trainers, a plyo box set and dedicated storage. Providing sufficient storage helps keep the space organised to ensure the equipment is easily accessible while maintaining a safe training environment.

This project marks another successful semi-permanent gym installation that delivered a high-performance training space tailored to the university’s needs. The new gym facility provides a strong foundation for athletic development and a versatile strength set up to continue to deliver a quality sports programme long-term.