A gymnasium, also known as a gym, is a covered location for gymnastics, athletics, and gymnastic services. The word is derived from the ancient Greek gymnasium.[1] They are commonly found in athletic and fitness centers, and as activity and learning spaces in educational institutions. "Gym" is also slang for "fitness center", which is often an area for indoor recreation.
The first recorded gymnasiums date back to over 3000 years ago in ancient Persia, where they were known as zurkhaneh, areas that encouraged physical fitness. The larger Roman Baths often had attached fitness facilities, the baths themselves sometimes being decorated with mosaics of local champions of sport. Gyms (i.e., places for gymnastics) in Germany were an outgrowth of the Turnplatz, an outdoor space for gymnastics, which was promoted by German educator Friedrich Jahn and the Turners, a nineteenth-century political and gymnastic movement. The first indoor gymnasium in Germany was probably the one built in Hesse in 1852 by Adolph Spiess, an enthusiast for boys' and girls' gymnastics in schools.[citation needed
We're not like other gyms
We won’t tie you into a contract or charge you a fortune every month. That’s because we believe that fitness should be accessible to everybody, regardless of shape, size, fitness level, background or attitude.
We even offer a choice of gym memberships that are as flexible as a champion Yoga instructor. Alongside everything you need to help you get fitter and healthier, just take a look below....
You might be here to get your blood pumping, your muscles flexing or just to try something completely different - but whatever you want from your workout, we’ve got the kit to get you there.
At every one of our gyms, you’ll find at least 170 items of high spec equipment and free weights to use to your heart’s content. Best of all, our exercise machines are super-green: 70% use no electricity at all – they’re powered by you.
Don’t forget, if you need a quick demo of any of the machines or equipment at any point, all you have to do is ask. We’ll be happy to show you.
