The Edge Gym
The Client
“The Edge” is the flagship sports, fitness and activity centre at the University of Leeds with over 12,000sq ft of fitness facilities and studios. zynk Design was appointed in 2022 to partner with the University alongside Technogym to deliver an outstanding new offering to existing and new members.
The Brief
Following market research and member feedback, the brief was to deliver the customer needs and requirements within a vibrant and dynamic environment. These included dynamic lighting, better use of space to allow for more functional activities, striking interior design, reduction of glare from the existing bright lighting and to grow membership numbers. There was also a distinct lack of connection between the reception, gym and spin studio, and these elements needed to be connected as part of the customer journey and experience.
The Solution
The existing gym facility was lacking in personality, vibrancy and energy to reflect the gym’s membership and zynk Design’s mission was to inject a new life into the space. This was achieved by utilising as many of the existing elements as possible to provide a dynamic environment in the most cost-effective way. The overriding feedback about the existing gym was that the gym was too bright and clinical in appearance with no personality or USP. Differentiating The Edge from its competitors meant zynk Design proposed a vibrant contrasting colour palette of orange and grey/black with accents of coloured LED lighting to enhance the space. With “Edge” blades of LED lighting along the existing rafts, each area of the gym had a common connection with each other with this edge lighting. The main feature of the gym is a central 8X4 metre outrace rig, and to maximise the impact of this piece, colour-changing LEDs illuminate the area acting as a zonal marker
There was no “wow” factor or sense of intrigue and anticipation on arrival, and zynk’s solution was to enhance this journey with a vibrant and energetic yellow corridor with feature LED lights to link the ground floor reception, gym and spin studio. Additional mirrors with halo lighting, 45-degree stripes and “light sabre” wall lights complete the interior transformation of the fitness gym and new LED lighting, flooring and large screen projection completed the spin studio overhaul.
