New gym aimed at group use

The Magnus Sports Centre, Newark, has unveiled a new gym kitted out with more than £12,000-worth of state-of-the-art equipment.

The gym can be rented by community sports clubs from £35 per hour.

After two years of planning and fundraising, and a generous donation from The Magnus Educational Foundation, the gym has opened to Magnus school staff and students free of charge.

The head of PE, Mr Matt Sheppard, said: “This is a great facility for staff, students and community groups and clubs in the area.

“We are looking forward to welcoming groups that want to use the space and hope that everyone can enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle as a result.”

The equipment ranges from cross-trainers and spinning bikes to rowing machines.

As well as cardiovascular equipment, there is a range of single-station resistance equipment, including a leg curl and leg extension machine, chest and shoulder press and pulley-cable tower.

The size of the room and amount of equipment available is said to make it ideal for clubs of 20-30 people to have a fully interactive training session developed to meet their needs.

Magnus Community Sports Centre, part of the Magnus School on Earp Avenue, rents its sports facilities and pitches to community clubs and organisations.

Regular users include Newark Town Football Club, Newark Hockey Club, Newark Rowing Club and the Jaguars Wheelchair Basketball Club.

The Magnus is keen to encourage more groups such as slimming clubs and children’s clubs to use the facilities

Mr Steve Collins, of Newark Rowing Club, said: “We have always used Magnus Sports Centre regularly for our training sessions.

“The new gym adds to the number of training options available to us, especially in the winter when outdoor training isn’t always possible.”