The University of Portsmouth is a dynamic, forward-thinking university with ambitions to be the top modern university in the UK.
The all-new Ravelin Sports Centre building is a multi-purpose site open to staff, students, and the local community. Along with teaching facilities it contains a 175-station Technogym gym, studios, climbing wall, ski simulator, a 25m pool and an eight-court sports hall.
The University of Portsmouth’s priority is providing a quality education experience to its 25,000 students, which includes supporting student welfare and wellbeing throughout their time in higher education.
Investment in the campus and in student services is vital to achieving these visions and ambitions. The new sports centre and gym will encourage active lifestyle participation, support elite athletes in their goals, and help members of the community improve their fitness and wellbeing.
The new sports centre is an outstanding facility with a focus on sustainability, a diverse and accessible range of facilities and state of the art equipment. Situated at the heart of the campus which is itself in the centre of the city, it serves as a welcoming beacon for participation in physical activity.
Fully-equipped Technogym gym
The University worked in partnership with Technogym to design and equip the new space. It features 175 stations, with the most cutting-edge equipment Technogym offers, including Technogym Bike and Bench, Skillrun and Skillmill, Skillrow format and Skillbike format. The cardio area is complete with the full Excite Live cardio range with its motivating content and large digital displays. Resistance equipment includes Technogym Pure Strength and Selection lines. The project makes great use of Technogym’s most advanced digital solutions, including mywellness app and the Group Cycle format for classes and on-demand content.
Long-term partnership with shared values
The sports department at the University is committed to delivering an outstanding student experience in sport, whether that’s encouraging first-time users of the gym or supporting elite athletes in competition. Charlotte Doyle, deputy head of sport explains why partnering with Technogym was significant to this ground breaking project.
“It’s important we align with companies with similar values,” she says. “Technogym is committed to wellness in everything it does, and we knew they could support us in our goals.”
Paul Tilley, head of sport and recreation, agreed that the University’s long-term partnership with Technogym enables it to deliver excellence and offer the highest standards to students, staff, and the community.
“Technogym offers us close support across many areas, including technology, marketing, customer feedback and equipment mix. This includes the best solution to meet our needs and it’s a perfect fit for us and our sector-leading building. We really feel part of the Technogym family.”
Enthusiastic feedback from across the student body
Since it opened at the start of the new academic year, feedback for the Ravelin Sports Centre gym has been enthusiastically positive. Users report being amazed by the facility’s equipment mix and innovative technology offered by Technogym’s equipment. Students in particular are delighted their University partnered with a forward-thinking and technology-led provider such as Technogym. Having such an incredible facility in the heart of their campus is helping connect students and bring valuable structure to their days.
Finlay Morgan is a sport and exercise science student. He’s been enjoying the high-tech nature of the equipment. “The Technogym kit is really advanced,” he said. “The interactive displays help with motivation and I like being able to challenge myself against my friends. Technogym Bike is great for intense training, the display really helps me get the most out of my session.”
It’s not just sports students who are enjoying the new gym facility. Engagement is high across the whole student body, proving that the centre is helping tackle serious issues such as student loneliness by giving students a feeling of connection, whether they’re on or off campus. The quality and variety of facilities is encouraging students onto campus and motivating them to try new ways of engaging with fitness and sport.
Leah Lewis is an international business student who thinks the Ravelin gym is world-class. “I absolutely love the gym, the equipment is so accessible with easy instructions and digital content,” she said. “We’ve got equipment I’ve never seen before! I like coming to the gym to let off steam and get a break from studying, as well as keeping fit on all this amazing equipment.”
Blending tech and sustainability
The new sports centre is built to the highest standards of technology, innovation, and sustainability. The University hopes it will welcome a million visitors a year including around 8,000 members per year.
Bernie Topham, deputy vice chancellor and chief operating officer, is immensely proud of the unique new facilities. She explains how the new sports centre helps the university support its students and the wider community.
“We have a high performing sports and exercise programme, and these facilities will support existing students and encourage future students to study with us,” she said. “The new sports centre also helps us play our part in making Portsmouth a healthier place to live. We work closely with residents and key partners there, and also use the facilities to train young people who will go on to careers in helping others.”
More: www.technogym.com
