Long Stratton Leisure Centre, run by South Norfolk Council, underwent a major £2m renovation in 2019, which saw the existing building redeveloped into a state-of-the-art facility
Matrix Fitness supported major renovations at Long Stratton Leisure Centre
A new 80-station gym, featuring the latest equipment from Matrix Fitness was installed, along with the creation of two multi-use fitness studios, offering over 40 exercise classes a week.
Daniel Infanti, general manager at Long Stratton Leisure Centre comments: “As a council-run gym, we recognised that we needed a facility that offered something to everyone, of all abilities and fitness levels. It wasn’t just about modernising, but about really considering the needs of our members and creating something that gave them the best experience.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the support that Matrix Fitness gave us throughout this entire project. Not only did they advise us on the design, layout and equipment for the gym, but they also set us up with a temporary gym facility while our refurbishment was being done.
Due to the high standard of this, we even managed to grow our membership by 100 during that time,” he says.
The new look included an open plan layout, a balance between the cardio area, free weights and functional training. This included the latest Matrix Fitness connected strength and cardio equipment, a Connexus rig, S-Drive Performance Trainer and a Double Mega Rack.
More members “We’ve seen a massive uplift in membership since the renovation, we haven’t just retained our current members, but have enticed old members back and welcomed members from new markets.” Infanti adds. “We’ve had to double our class exercise timetable due to increased demand and the footfall has gone through the roof.
We now see 15,000 people through our doors each month, compared to 5,000 before the refurbishment.”
After the renovation, targets were to have 800 members by the end of March 2020, more than doubling the original membership. The team had already exceeded that target by November 2019, with membership now at over 920 and anticipated to grow.
Tim Grainger-Smith, head of public sector sales at Matrix Fitness, says: “This project wasn’t just about providing gym equipment, it was about support for an incredible renovation from start to finish. We ensured temporary facilities were in place while the refurbishment was taking place, and due to the high standard, new members even joined during this time.”
"This project wasn’t just about providing gym equipment, it was about support from start to finish of an incredible renovation" - Tim Grainger-Smith, Matrix Fitness
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
Long Stratton Leisure Centre, run by South Norfolk Council, underwent a major £2m renovation in 2019, which saw the existing building redeveloped into a state-of-the-art facility
Matrix Fitness supported major renovations at Long Stratton Leisure Centre
A new 80-station gym, featuring the latest equipment from Matrix Fitness was installed, along with the creation of two multi-use fitness studios, offering over 40 exercise classes a week.
Daniel Infanti, general manager at Long Stratton Leisure Centre comments: “As a council-run gym, we recognised that we needed a facility that offered something to everyone, of all abilities and fitness levels. It wasn’t just about modernising, but about really considering the needs of our members and creating something that gave them the best experience.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the support that Matrix Fitness gave us throughout this entire project. Not only did they advise us on the design, layout and equipment for the gym, but they also set us up with a temporary gym facility while our refurbishment was being done.
Due to the high standard of this, we even managed to grow our membership by 100 during that time,” he says.
The new look included an open plan layout, a balance between the cardio area, free weights and functional training. This included the latest Matrix Fitness connected strength and cardio equipment, a Connexus rig, S-Drive Performance Trainer and a Double Mega Rack.
More members “We’ve seen a massive uplift in membership since the renovation, we haven’t just retained our current members, but have enticed old members back and welcomed members from new markets.” Infanti adds. “We’ve had to double our class exercise timetable due to increased demand and the footfall has gone through the roof.
We now see 15,000 people through our doors each month, compared to 5,000 before the refurbishment.”
After the renovation, targets were to have 800 members by the end of March 2020, more than doubling the original membership. The team had already exceeded that target by November 2019, with membership now at over 920 and anticipated to grow.
Tim Grainger-Smith, head of public sector sales at Matrix Fitness, says: “This project wasn’t just about providing gym equipment, it was about support for an incredible renovation from start to finish. We ensured temporary facilities were in place while the refurbishment was taking place, and due to the high standard, new members even joined during this time.”
"This project wasn’t just about providing gym equipment, it was about support from start to finish of an incredible renovation" - Tim Grainger-Smith, Matrix Fitness
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional
reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music.
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes
of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and leisure
destination on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international
portfolio, with the first launch planned for Dublin in 2027.
Anytime Fitness opened more than one club a day in 2025 and is on track to maintain this rate
of growth this year, as parent company Purpose Brands targets further international expansion.
The £33.9 million Leighton Leisure and Community Centre has opened in Leighton Buzzard, UK,
creating a next-generation public leisure, health and wellbeing hub for the local community.
Walnuts Leisure Centre in Orpington, in the London Borough of Bromley, has reopened following
a £17m transformation designed to secure the long-term future of the public leisure asset and
reposition it as a community wellbeing hub.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
